
Ten days after that I ended up with a cold which yet again was difficult to throw off. That combined with two weeks of strong winds made it harder to achieve Coach Andy’s training targets.
I finally made an appointment to have my annual asthma review. Not really thinking much about it I bowled in only to be met by Nurse Caroline who was not overly impressed with my peak flow. Next thing the Doctor has come in, listened to my chest and prescribed a week of steroids. ‘But I can continue to run?’ I said as a somewhat rhetorical question.
To my horror she said… ‘Well you should rest for a week!’ As if that’s going to happen I thought to myself! ‘I’ve got a 15 mile run to do this week and there isn’t time to put it off’. She frowned at me….. said ‘well that’s my advice’ turned on her heel and walked out! My head swirling… God I wished I’d not gone in the first place, ignorance is bliss! Surely I couldn’t have anymore obstacles thrown at me!
Needless to say I did run the 15 mile training run, with my inhaler in my pocket and hubby behind me on his bike for company and good measure! What a sweetie.
Having done that I then felt more confident… and so came the Oakley 20 mile race. I hadn’t realised quite how hilly it was and whilst the sun was shining and scenery beautiful it was a tad warm for such a distance. However tough as it was I managed and my reward was the infamous 'Oakley 20 hoodie' this year in sapphire blue! Now just one more week of hard training then my taper begins and I get to relatively speaking rest my legs and body before the big day.
So now how do I feel…? Well that’s my longest run, but it still seems daunting that I need to add on another 6 miles to reach marathon distance. However I’ve done it once and I know in my heart of hearts that the crowds will pull me through. Just have to keep visualising that blaze of Virgin red at the finish line.
Jane is running to raise money for the Huntingdonshire Society for the Blind. You can sponsor Jane at the centre or at Virgin Money Giving