Don't limit your challenges challenge your limits

Feeling panick-y today - it's five weeks till London Marathon when I am suppossed to run 42rm in under six hours (because lets be honest running once they open the roads will be quite embarrasing). Under five hours would be much better of course.
In any case since my half-marathon a month ago my knees have been giving me trouble (bad shoes - my fault I know) thus limiting my weekly mileage to under 25K per week and this week I was down with a cold so zero mileage for the last six days. Far far away from what I should be doing five weeks before the event. :(
Ideally one needs to run 30K at some point before the Marathon to ensure they're ready for the race. I am a bit panicky if this is going to happen to me at all to be honest...
Ok, trying to stay positive - tomorrow looks like a beautiful sunny day in London and out hotel in Reykjavik has a gym next week. With a little bit of luck and my knees not playing up I should be able to my close to 30K run on March 30th.... Fingers crossed.

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First half-marathon and importance of the right shoe

Last Sunday was amazing - Rahul and myself ran our first half - marathon. 21K - a dream for someone like myself. Despite terrible weather and the wind which was threatening to sweep you away.

What happened the next day wasn't amazing as walking down the stairs was causing strong pain in my knees - something I've never felt before. After reading stories online about people not being able to walk after having pain in their knees (hypochondriac I know!) I hurried to the Runners Need to check my GAIT and my running style and to buy new shoes.

My GAIT and my stride were fine however having looked at my old shoes the sales assistant told me they were made for light fitness rather than for any serious running and I shouldn't have attempted any more than a leisurely walk in them. STUPID is the only word I can use to describe myself. I bought those shoes two years ago as a replacement for my boots when my heel broke in Italy and I should have known better than training for four months before going to buy proper running shoes.

I've taken this week easy just doing pilates reformer and yoga but hope to go back to running next week - only TWO MONTHS left till the Marathon... My new shoes with lots of padding for my knees (hypochondriac and babushka I know!)

Dear friends - please be kind to sponsor me and support all the children whose families struggle to make a living and cant take them for a short break to the British seaside. Many thanks in advance!

xxx
Nika

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Running in India over Christmas

Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and back to healthy eating and sleeping habits after Christmas. I spent Christmas and New Year in India between Mumbai and Goa and to be honest wasn’t sure how much training I’ll be able to do there. Thankfully I did manage to fit a few runs however they were not more than half-hour each as it is very-very hot in India this time of year and every mile feels like five in London.

On the bright side I’ve probably had the best views for my runs in a while – long beaches and beautiful rice plantations (on the photo below). Mumbai Marathon is happening in February and to be honest I can’t imagine how one can do 42K in this heat – lots of respect for runners in tropical countries.

Only thirteen weeks left till the big day so time to seriously get to the training. So far I’m doing two running sessions per week – 10K after work and longer runs on Sundays with my husband outside. I’m also doing two Pilates sessions per week to work on muscles and to make sure I don’t get hurt while running.

Another piece of great news – I’ve raised more than £700 already for Family Holiday Association – I can’t believe how great and generous my friends and colleagues have been. I feel very lucky to be able to do this and being supported by wonderful people.

Running outside and news of the week

Went for my first run outside this winter on Sunday. 10K in one hour -not bad but the experience was far from  pleasurable. It is VERY cold outside and running alongside the canal doesn't help much. In any case Rahul went along and was pretending to be bored and giving me dirty looks for being too slow.

So the news of the week - Rahul found out that there is a free pizza party after London Marathon and decided to sign up as well. No, I am not joking - a call to UBS Charity Committee and somehow there are two of us now running London Marathon. He claims of course that the reason was his eternal love for me which wouldn't allow him to leave me alone for five hours. But I know its all about the pizza.

So yeah - our friend here is working hard now combining crossfit with taking me for runs.

First Run this Winter

Had my first run this winter and first official "preparing for the marathon run" yesterday. In theory I should have started preparing for the Marathon about three weeks ago (they recommend 24 weeks minimum of training). So for three weeks I was driving home in the dark with miserable temperatures outside thinking "I should really go for a run today". As one might guess warm pilates studio or Downton Abbey on TV eventually took priority. In my defence last time I went for a run after work in my area I almost got hit by crazy cyclists (two times), another runner (only once) and almost fell into Regents Canal (three times). So it a bit more Hunger Games/triathlon in the end.
To cut the story short I gave in to the idea of running indoors for the next few weeks. Not willing to pay £80 (?!) monthly to Mr Branson for his Virgin Gym membership I've discovered a hotel gym next to my house which operate on pay-as-you-go basis. The gym is tiny and only has four treadmills but one doesn't need more I suppose. First step taken - more to come now.

And the question WHY... To be honest I am not sure I can honestly answer it now but somehow I think it'll all become clear in the end. It's really challenging myself to do something which is far outside my comfort zone and something I would not even think of a couple of years ago when I was was out of breath after running 1 mile.