Well, it’s 5 days after the Mandela Day Marathon was conquered (as a long, slow run in 6:09) and my body and mind are recovered and already planning for the next marathon – Cape Town on the 21st September! I won’t train again until Monday though – I think a full week’s rest is a good idea – but I am rearing to go.
I finished the Mandela feeling good, even smiling! And smiling despite some of the longest, steepest hills I have seen! This is definitely due to my improved aerobic base (thank you Dr Phil Maffetone) and my vastly improved way of eating (thank you Prof Noakes). I do all my long, slow training (up to 3 hours) on just water and a small handful of nuts and that was what I took in on my last marathon on the South Coast (also 6:09). This time, after listening to one of the podcasts on “Ask Prof Noakes“, I decided to add a bit of carb in the form of Heed drink made by Hammer (26 grams of carb per sachet, but only 2 grams of sugar). I used 2 sachets over the whole 6 hours. I also added some carbs for breakfast in the form of a banana and some honey with my double cream yoghurt and creamy coffee with coconut oil. I felt amazingly strong thoughout, no dips in energy, mental or physical. I just can’t say it enough – Banting is the way forward!
Well, off to work early to get ahead of myself so that I can take time off for the next marathon – life is good!