When good plans backfire

I have a hip injury that is stopping me from getting some long runs in leading up to the marathon. I only needed on more long run to make sure my body would know what to expect on race day. So, my plan was to do lots of cross training, in particular, cycling. At least, so I thought, my legs would be getting a good workout. A few short runs and a few long rides was working well, until...the good plan.

The plan was to join a group of young guys heading out for a long ride, exhaust my legs, and then on Friday go for a moderate run. This way my legs would get the feel of the final 10kms but without all the pounding I would need to put my legs through with a long run. So goeth the plan.

On Thursday a number of us headed out for a 100km ride. Two of us were doing a round trip while the rest of the group was going to stay over night and head back the next day. The key mistake was in the positive assertion that we could get water along the way. We could get water, just not purified water. If I was going to drink enough water not to dehydrate I would need to drink village water. This can be hit and miss. Sometimes it's just fine. Other times your body doesn't respond well to it and you get sick - really, really sick. That's the backfire.

Friday was spent in bed with fever, body pain and diarrhea. Saturday was spent fatigued and exhausted. Today is stomach cramps and headaches. It sounded like a good plan when I headed out.

With three weeks to go the training now has to wind back. Whatever speed I have I have. Whatever endurance I have attained I have attained. Very little improvement will come from the final 3 weeks. The most important thing now is not to get sick. Getting sick is far more dangerous to starting and finishing the marathon than any progress that can be made at this late state. Ambition is great at the start but at this stage reality must govern the training. Too much and I'll hurt or exhaust myself and perhaps catch something. Too little is better at this stage.

Hopefully I can get in a 20km run and few 10-15km runs but the most important thing is to stay healthy.

3 weeks to go.