If it was easy... everyone would do it.

 Hello...

Long time no see. I thought I better come clean about something...

Some people have assumed, some people have guessed, some people think I've already done one. (no, I have not.)

I never thought I would be this stupid.  Courageous. I never thought this would be in my reach. I'm not a runner.

But I'm running my first marathon.

Yes, T minus 4 days to go. I am running Manchester bloody Marathon. I've always said NEVER a marathon.. and here we are.

I always said only the GNR, and here I am 4 half marathons deep. So, if I can go half way, why not all the way? 

I'm scared, I'm nervous, I'm excited. Can I mentally do this? 

The great thing about this, is I've not been on my own through the training. There is a wonderful gang of us going out on Sunday and I think that's what makes me excited. Nothing more special than a Lion's day out.

Shout out to;

Andy Carr - First time marathoner - like me, raising money for his wonderful fiancee's sister. 

Jess - Who else would be by my side whilst I take on my first marathon? 

Ginny Woo - My partner in crime, who, is going to crawl over that line with me if we need to. (Kind of my fault she is on the start line...) 

Stu - Coach Stu who has been our biggest supporters, and coach extroadinaire adding on our *ish miles, weekly.

Niall - Who has put up with all sorts of conversations and just got his miles done on a Sunday, AND maintained a ridiculous run streak. 

Alex - Only found out last week Alex is running. He's pacing 3hr 15. NOT even in my reach. 😅

And our support crew of none other than;

Shelby - My Number 1, the only person who has been there from the start of this journey, regularly telling me I can do this. (I wish you were with me 😟)

JG - Who has promised I am allowed to swear at him as much as needed, and will have a beer waiting around mile 20 for me. 

Laura & Tony - I have no words. I know your cheers and support will get us round. Two legends. 💕

Mr Coxy - Who, is going to head to Manchester around 2.30 to see me finish, because he will have to put up with hearing about this 24.7 when it is all done. 😂

So, what has happened to get to here? Let's have a brief recap.

I actually signed up in October last year and told, no one, except for one person. They know who they are. It's their fault I'm here, and, now, I cannot say this is going to be my only marathon because I have been told.. I owe them one. 👀

So, why now?

Honestly. I'm not sure. I suppose after the complete mental breakdown of last year, and the realisation that I will not be beaten. It was time to really defeat the demons. Show myself what I can do. Turn up for myself, be positive. And achieve something I never thought possible. This has come at the best time ever, I am a completely different person to who I was 12 months ago. I'm sure I will share more in the post match write up when I come to reflect on the day.  

Anyway... 

I was already trained up to 13.1 miles so, I was half way there. 

January hit and that's when the real fun began. No one knew. And it was easy at first, because, it was just a Sunday run and of course, I was there. How else was I going to spend those dreary January mornings? No one batted an eyelid I was safe. Of course, the question was always asked; "Are you training for anything in particular Sammie?" And the stock response was: "No, just seeing how far I can push my little legs." I died inside every time. (Sorry team.) 

Then; Blackpool Great North West Half. 

Lets see what we can do here! 

There was a great Lion's turn out and, notoriously and historically, the weather is grim for this event. However, we were so lucky that we had a beautifully dry day. A lot of lions were not a fan of this one on the day. I loved it. I was cruising, I was happy with my pace, I was running along the prom and just loved listening to the calmness of the waves crashing against the flood barriers. I smashed my PB at 2hr 24 mins which I was really happy with. Now, I just need to do that all over again. 

After this one, the training ramped up. It was such a struggle to get to 14 miles.  I really, really needed to start thinking about my fuelling. This is the thing with long distance running. If anyone says they just go out and smash a marathon (Alex)  They're lying. Fuelling is such a big part of it, and it is so hard to get right. 

So, after the 14 miles it was time to lace myself up with as much fuel as possible, more gels, Kendal mint cake and seriously think about what I am eating and drinking during the week. It's not just about on the day. It is about the prep in the middle, and that's what you don't see behind closed doors. No one posts about that bit on Strava, you're left to your own devices. 

So if 14 was a struggle how on earth am I going to cope with 16? The answer? Give my head a wiggle, eat, drink and sleep enough. I thoroughly enjoyed 16 miles. 

We laughed, we ran, we had a pit stop, selfies with cows and, I actually think I could have carried on going. I think this was the first time that the shorts came out this year. I was in my element. Running around what beautiful Lancashire has to offer, all in the best company. 

Unfortunately. This is where disaster has struck. The following week I went out for another 16 miles. I had it in my head that I would and could do 18. I was feeling great, and really had the confidence after the previous weeks run. However. my glute and IT band had other ideas. I had honestly, never felt pain like it. To the point where, I couldn't sleep. It was hell. I do not want to feel pain like that again. So, unfortunately I have not trained over 16 miles.

I couldn't make the 22 due to being at a wedding. So, I guess my fate is down to what happens on the day. 

At the moment, I have a very positive attitude. I am crossing that line and I have a vision of me crossing that line in my head. Don't get me wrong, it has not just been all about running, I have been working incredibly hard in the gym too, focussing on strength.  I also got my elusive 1hr PB at Mad Dog. Which hurt, but I did it. 

So the last few weeks have been all about maintaining. Marathon running, I have learnt, is not about keeping your 5k pace around. Or keeping your 10k pace around. I'm sure that would lead to me being out at 13 miles.

I have a plan. I know plans don't always work (Hello GNR) but, this plan's aim is to get me over that line. I've been working hard on s l o w i n g  down. I haven't done a sub 30 Parkrun since January. My mantra has been "practise  your pace" Its still not perfect, if anything, it's still too fast. 

But, I am getting over that line on Sunday. 

And I cannot wait. 

Now, this is a personal challenge to me. I haven't asked or supported any charities. I will be out there in my Lion's top. Hopefully, doing my club proud. However, if you are an avid reader of my past blogs, you will know about my wonderful friend Mike. 

Mike, over the past year has become a great friend, who, is also a very inspirational gentleman. He ran the London Marathon last year for Bowel Cancer.  A charity very close to his family's heart. Learning about Mike and his family's story has made me want to do something for them for a while now and I just couldn't think what. So, if you have any spare change, please add it to Mike's Just Giving page. 💚

 https://justgiving.com/fundraising/mikebarnes1

Mike this year is completing an event a month. And I've promised "after all this silly marathon training" I shall be on the start line of one of his races with him, just, maybe not a marathon. 

Thank you. 💕