One Week to Sydney: Nothing Left to Do But Believe

Seven days. ONE WEEK. How has that happened?

This time next Sunday, I’ll be standing somewhere in Sydney, probably checking for the tenth time that I have my gels, trying to stay calm and reminding myself of one very important thing:

I’ve done the work.

For months, Sydney has been this date in the distance. Something I’ve been training towards, talking about, planning for and occasionally panicking about.

And suddenly, it’s here.

The hard work really is done

There is a strange thing that happens during the taper. You spend months wishing for an easier week, and then when you finally get one, your brain immediately starts questioning whether you should be doing more.

Should I run a little further?

Am I losing fitness?

Why does that tiny niggle suddenly feel VERY IMPORTANT?

Have I eaten enough carbs?

Have I eaten too many carbs?

😂

But I know the answer.

Trust the training.

I’ve done the long runs. I’ve run through some ridiculously hot summer days. I’ve practised fuelling. I’ve tested my shoes, my socks and my gels. I’ve learnt what works for me — and, just as importantly, what doesn’t.

There is nothing I can do this week that will suddenly make me fitter.

My job now is simply to arrive at that start line rested, fuelled, healthy and excited to run, while also trying to manage the dreaded jet lag !

Sydney is about more than the marathon

As excited as I am about the race, I’m also really looking forward to everything around it.

One of the best parts will be seeing my brother, sister-in-law and nephew. Having familiar faces there, on the other side of the world, will make the whole experience feel even more special.

I’m planning on dragging them to the expo with me, to soak up the atmosphere, find my name on the particapant wall and hopefully join a run club sessions while I’m there. It will be lovely to meet other runners, hear how everyone else is feeling and enjoy that shared excitement that builds during race week.

There’s also time for a little sightseeing, although I’m very aware that this is not the week for an ambitious itinerary.

I want to see some of Sydney, take it all in and enjoy being somewhere completely different, but nothing too hectic. No exhausting days of rushing from one place to another. Just a bit of exploring, plenty of food and as much rest as possible.

And then there’s the actual marathon…

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

Of course I am.

42.2km is a very long way and marathons don’t care how well your training block went.

There will almost certainly be a point when it gets hard.

But I also know so much more now than I did when I stood on the start line of my first marathon in London. I know how my body feels over the longer distances. I understand my fuelling better.

I know not to get carried away in the first few kilometres just because my legs feel amazing.

And I’ve learnt that when things get uncomfortable, I can keep going.

I’m not setting a specific finish-time goal for Sydney.

Of course I have hopes and expectations, and I’d love to have a strong race, but you never know what will happen on marathon day. The weather, the course, jet lag, how I’m feeling and all the little things that are completely outside my control will play a part.

So rather than chasing a particular number, I want to focus on running sensibly, fuelling well and responding to whatever the day brings.

I want to look around.

I want to take in Sydney.

I want to enjoy the crowds.

I want to see my family.

I want to remember that I’m running one of the World Marathon Majors on the other side of the world.

That’s pretty bloody special.

What I’m feeling right now

Excited.

Nervous.

Emotional.

And incredibly ready to just get there.

There’s always another workout you could have done, another kilometre you could have run or something you could convince yourself you should have done differently.

But at some point, you have to stop analysing and start believing.

So that’s where I am.

One week to Sydney.

The training is done.

Now I just need to get myself to Australia and stand on that start line.

Sydney Marathon — I’m coming for you. 🇦🇺🏃‍♀️❤️

Next time I write about Sydney, I’ll have a marathon medal around my neck.

And that feels completely surreal.