I did my 20 miler with absolutely no hip problems, and only started doing run/walking in about the last 2 miles or so. I'm far more confident now that I can finish the marathon - even if I had to run/walk the last 6, on the day I'd manage them, I don't feel quite dead enough after that that I wouldn't be able to walk another step.
4.4 miles this morning, but it was hard because my legs are still sore from my long run. I gave them another good stretch when I finished so hopefully they'll start recovering soon. During the week this week isn't going to be too strenuous probably, because I've got a 30k race at the weekend.
Great job on the 20-miler Helen! It's quite a milestone. A 30km race sounds like a great way to get in a long run while trying things out for race day.
I ran a personal worst race on the weekend, 54:45 for 10k. This is significantly slower than my pace in my last 1/2 marathon and 10 mile races. A whole bunch of reasons why I guess, but I had a great weekend away anyway and still placed third in my age group. Dh managed to place 3rd in his age group in the 5k race that day too. He ran it in 21:47. He's quite fast for a guy who runs once or twice a week when the temperatures are above freezing (only about 8 months of the year around here). Ds ran the kids race, which they claimed was 1km, in 3:07. Since his last km race was done in about 7 minutes, we knew this was wrong. We remeasured the course later ourselves with both the garmin and the car odometer and it was MAYBE 500m.
I did have a great run this morning, 12.5km a bit faster than my optimistic marathon pace. Not to many 10km+ runs left in my schedule, so I'm enjoying them while I can and starting to get a bit antsy with tapering.
Only Me, I thought it was pretty normal to have at least one really lousy spell in a marathon training plan. I know I've had at least one in training for every long distance race I've ever done. My coach would tell me that means the training is working. Of course sometimes she tells me a friendly lie now and then to keep me properly motivated! When is your marathon? Soon now, yes?
Anyway, my training must be working, because I had an exceptionally lousy run this morning. Only a two mile jaunt, and I did run most of the first mile, but ended up walking most of the 2nd. I'm thinking it was because I did a killer bike set last night (thinking I was swimming today so it wouldn't matter) and my legs were pretty much just fried. I attempt 4 miles tomorrow, with a goal of 1 walk break, so we'll see how that goes.
Hmm, so I should blame it on the training? And that means it's working? Sounds good to me. Actually though, I think the previous 3 nights of less than great sleep, 2 of them in a tent on the ground with my 2 year old crawling in to share my sleeping bag both nights, the less than great diet the previous 3 days including not enough water, the travelling, the hike (carrying dd) around some trails to see waterfalls the day before, the sun beating down, my legs feeling tired, the course being hillier than I'm used to, and me just not pushing myself very hard as evidenced by my fast last km when I realized I could still run under 55 minutes and by feeling totally recovered shortly after finishing the race, all might be just as much to blame. 10 more sleeps until the marathon. I think I'm going slightly crazy.
It's not hot here, so I can't claim any credit for running in the heat! I've been running slow and steady this week, 4.3 - 5.3 miles every morning so far. Friday and Saturday are rest days (although I'm hoping to do some pilates or something) before the 30k on Sunday.
Did a coupla miles on Old Tread last night but forgot my knee support so did walking hills for the last bit rather than bust up my knee! I need my kneecaps for my Blue belt stuff at the moment!
Got my 3 miles in this morning (I think I said 4 in my last post, but that is this weekend). It was not as bad as yesterday, ran the first 1.4 miles, took my walk break, but ended up run/walking the rest instead of running the last half as planned. This is better than yesterday, in that I did run/walk instead of walk. It will be interesting to see how the weekend goes.
I would like to join this thread if it's not too late?
I kind of slacked off on my running however, the
last couple of weeks I have been able to pull of
2.5-3.5 miles most days. This AM I did 3.5 and
it felt wounderful.
It is really hot here so I need to get up early to
get in my run. That has been the toughest part
for me. Hope to keep it going and really looking
forward to some cooler weather.
before strenuous exercise classes! 
Did a coupla miles on Old Tread last night but forgot my knee support so did walking hills for the last bit rather than bust up my knee! I need my kneecaps for my Blue belt stuff at the moment! 
