Every session counts

With 75 days to go, every session counts.  It means that when I'm on holiday, I'll have to be training as I can't afford to miss any more sessions.  I'm now running over 60 km a week with the long runs at the weekend.  Running on tired legs is a well tried and tested method and after yesterdays 27km run I had to follow that with a 18.5Km today.  But we'd friends visiting last night and I served them the "full Scottish" before sending them on their way.  That resulted in a later than normal start and I really wasn't feeling like venturing out on my own.
I watched the leaders come home in the marathon for some inspiration and then the rain started and the wind picked up - I really didn't want to go out, but I really didn't have a choice.  I changed into my running tights as it was cold, not like the blue skies in London, and headed out.
My legs were telling me they were tired but that's the point.  It's impossible to replicate what it will feel like running/walking a 22 hour race so running on tired legs is as close as it gets.
It's sessions like this that really count because they are as much to do with your mental state as they are your physical state.  Once the run was finished I hydrated, showered, ate and am now resting with my feet raised watching the footie.  Rest is a critical part of training and at some stage I'll have a "cat nap" and wake up feeling refreshed ready to go again.
During the week I was live on BBC Radio Scotland talking about Callum Hawkins who was leading the Commonwealth Games Marathon and collapsed just over a mile from the line.  Based on the interviewers questions and also what the doctor was saying, people don't seem to understand the limits you can push yourself to and the reasons why we do it.  As I've always said, you need a WHY which keeps you going when it gets tough.
As those that have completed the London  Marathon today will know, the event is the icing on the cake.  The hard work is done every day, or for me 6 days a week, and it's only by delivering the results on these sessions that you are able to attain your goals.  Congratulations to all those that have attained their goal this week.  The question is, what's next!