Where do I start.
Yes, I trained for a full year for it, but a lot of that time was spent in between treatments, so in reality, I only had two and a half weeks in between the chemotherapy treatments. You must balance the demands of your social life with your training plan; it's difficult to strike a balance, but you do your best.
For me, it has been a struggle. Both mentally and emotionally, it's been a lot. It took me two runs to feel "normal" again after treatment; my life is everything but normal; although it may appear that I'm doing well, the reality is far harder than what you see. There are many hours that you spend alone; whether it's late at night or early in the morning, it doesn't really matter. My drive to accomplish the task at hand and my goal in mind were what kept me going through it. I had to convince myself that going for a run in the freezing weather or during intense downpours was OK since I had an objective and I didn't want to disappoint anyone.
During treatment training
It wasn't easy, I admit that. I had to adapt and accept a training plan that worked for me because I was unable to adhere to a certain one. Limited training and chemotherapy were something I had to cope with every month, it was a lot to deal with that was chucked at you.
I tried to take advantage of the days that I was able to do stuff. It didn't matter which day it was, I just had to do certain sessions and a certain number of sessions per week, and that was the most important part for me - just making sure I was able to get a session in. Each session makes me feel a bit more human and like a normal person.
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All of my training was interrupted, and I was unable to settle into a routine since the following day was chemotherapy. I didn't feel like I could ever break free from what seemed like an endless circle. It was challenging. It was difficult to juggle as you were wearing a lot of hats, but you wanted to accomplish your main purpose.
Training while receiving treatment is taxing. It's true, so don't let anyone convince you otherwise. It's difficult, whether it's the limited time or the energy to get things done. You get the impression that everyone is against you and wants you to fail. It's a struggle that drains your mental and emotional resources.
Post-treatment preparation
For me, it was finally the opportunity to train without any interruptions since I finished chemotherapy in February of this year. This was really significant to me. I felt like a new guy, and I can't even express how this feels to you.
Non-race weeks, I try to average 50km a week, this will be in various but 80-85% of my runs will be of the slower side, the aim here is to build up my endurance. You have to run slow in order to run fast. I still through in some longer runs, speedwork, and track sessions. I don't neglect cross-training or strength training because I know the value this adds and helps me become a better runner.
A typical week might look like this:
Monday - Gym and a Run
Tuesday - Run (usually a speed session if there's no track the following day)
Wednesday - Gym and track
Thursday - day off, I use this day as a recovery day
Friday - Gym and run
Saturday - Parkrun, Run with a friend etc.
Sunday - I use this day as my long run day
Although the schedule above may seem excessive, you will eventually become accustomed to it as it becomes a part of everyday life. Things will come your way in life, but you have to learn to see past them and concentrate again on the task at hand.
Final days leading up to the big day
For me, the London Marathon is the most significant because more people can attend, it is home turf, and you want to make people proud.
If I could sum up, it would be this: you have worked hard, completed the training, and now is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Keep to the strategy you have in mind and don't stray from it. You will be tempted to try new things the week of the race, like adding this meal or that supplement, but resist the urge. Avoid it if it's unusual to you and your body isn't capable of handling it. Keep in mind that boring is better.
Good luck and remember your mind is a lot stronger than you think.