So it is that, in three days time, I will be toeing the line for the start of the Edinburgh Marathon. This is no small feat, given that I’ve probably pulled out of more marathons than I can remember (well, at least six).
I have what one physio tactfully put “a lazy arse” (‘have’ not ‘am’). What she actually meant was that I have weak glutes and the knock-on effect is a set of biomechanics not cut out for marathon running.
In every marathon race I’ve trained for, I’ve always broken down with a case of ‘runner’s knee’ no matter how many single-leg squats I’ve done along the way. It usually happens when I start to up the distance of my long run.
In fact, the first marathon I trained for, my knees ‘went’ on the final long run three weeks before race day and I was confined to watching the race on the small screen. It was gut-wrenching.
When you add in to the mix that I don’t even really like doing long runs and you start to get a picture of the torturous journey I have to make in order to cover the 26.2 distance. I realise that I’m probably not alone, but it does make the fact that I will be in Edinburgh this weekend a small miracle.
Am I nervous? Not really. I have no expectations. In my first marathon, I was so desperate to break the 3-hour barrier that I couldn’t enjoy it all. Not one single step. This time will be different. I haven’t done the training, so have no goal time in mind. I’m going to enjoy myself – or at least try.
So what’s going to happen? Well, on Sunday we will find out. And I’m sure I will be sharing the ‘good news’ with all of you. To anyone else running, I’ll see you on the start line. And I didn’t think I’d be saying that.
