Seriously what is wrong with this body of mine, I am doing cardiff half marathon in 12 days and this week my body doesn't want to move and also you would think with the extra milage I would be able to shift some weight bunt no its like my body thinks its in a famine and hangs onto everything. I have just done a 6.7k run and everything was hurting aching and the whole run took me5 mins longer than my fastest time for that route. The furthest I have managed is 10 miles admittedly on a very hilly route and Cardiff is flat but now I am really worried that I wont be able to do it HELP distressed is this normal???????????????????????????

Hi Lisa

Sounds nothing to worry about really Lisa.  If your muscles are tired and aching its probably a sign of 'lack of carbs'.   I would suggest a carb up tonight and all day tomorrow...(avoiding being too excessive with the portion sizes  though).  Then try a mid range run the following day, maybe 4 miles or so. You dont want to over do it so close to race day.
But once you've done this 4 miler you should be looking to top up your carbs again within 2 hours of finishing the run.

I did a half marathon on Sunday (only my second ever) and during the 5 or 6 weeks prior for the event I spent so much time surfing t'internet researching the best theories of 'eating for fuel'.
Carb-ups are soooooooo important for long runs. And its a case of keeping your carb levels topped up for the three days before the event rather than on the morning of it.  Also hydration is key too. Plenty of water in the 2 or 3 days before the event and not too much on the moring of it.

Good luck with the race. If you've already managed 10 miles then you should be fine on the day. Just stay calm and focus...and ENJOY IT !  ;o)

I second what the others have said before me. Your body is probably adjusting to the taper - in effect it is regrouping.

My last run 6 days before my recent HM was awful - I felt really heavy legged.

On Wednesday (4 days before the race) I had an hour's sports massage and felt like a new man.

All my aches and pains disappeared and I felt really good going into the race.

The sound of hundreds of feet moving around you will certainly get you going - just make sure you warm up properly.

Good luck

Hi Lisa,

I wouldn't worry too much about weight issues so close to the race - focus on eating well both before and after runs. I'd made the mistake in the past of not eating after long runs thinking it would aid weight loss. In fact all it did was make me tired and take me longer to recover.

Why not treat yourself to a full body massage, I find this is a great way to get rid of any niggles and tension before a race?

Good luck!

Karen

I have never had a massage but my friend does it so will have to try, feeling a bit better on my run today, gonna run 10miles tomorrow and then gonna only do a short gentle one on tuesday and circuits on wednesday and then rest until the big day on sunday. I am hoping that the atmosphere will get me through along with not having a PB to chase so am gonna enjoy it

Hi All

Well I have done it completed my first half in 2hrs and 15mins and I am so delighted as I thought it would take me at least 2hr and 45 so am chuffed. My hips are absolute agony now mind I am so stiff. Gonna run again on tuesday so will rest tomorrow. Micheal I saw a couple of clowns where you with them, how did you get on?????????????

\Lisa

Oh have just understood what you mean and have been for a short run but god it was really really hard and I felt like a lead weight so I am off to spain on saturday and will NOT run until I get back but do lots of swimming instead. But you are all right there is nothing wrong with this body afterall

Lisa