Tuesday 30th December - Mileage for the year and a burst of speed …..
8m inc. 4.5 miles @ 6.45 p/m (Gym) - lactate threshold run
Back in Brum and an early start in the gym, itching to do a run and in particular, to incorporate some speed work. The schedule for week 3 (again!) incorporated a lactate threshold run, so that was the plan.
In a desolate post Xmas Harborne gym, it was a 20 min warm up on the X-Trainer and a 4.5 mile burst on the treadmill; 2 miles @ 8.7 mph (6.50 p/m) and 2.5 miles @ 8.8 mph (6.42 p/m). Felt really good, enjoyed the feeling of some half marathon pace running and some old Outkast tunes on the iPod. Warmed down with 15 minutes on the X-Trainer and put down for an 8 mile session. I know it's not scientific (and probably incorrect) but I give myself a 'running mile' for 10 minutes on the bike, X-Trainer or rower; seems about fair, the equivalent of a very easy running pace.
Interestingly, a few BVHers have been posting their yearly mileage on Facebook. Had no idea of mine so just had a quick tot up. With one day to go, it's 1265 for the year, an average of 24.3 miles per week. Seems quire reasonable, wonder how it stacks up against previous years? I can feel another stat attack coming on ….
Tuesday 30 December 2014
Sunday 28th December
5.9m - 47 mins
(2.92 m @ 7.39 p/m, 3m @ 8.28 p/m)
Unexpectedly Xmas came and went without a run in sight! It was typically over indulgent; enjoying catching up with family, over eating and drinking (particularly succumbing to chocolate and crisps) and with lots of dog-walking. The Wales house was chaotic with 4 adults, 4 children, a dog and assorted drop-in family, but truly festive. Had an excellent long Xmas meal on the foot of the Brecons at the Pen-y-Cae and with the sport on Boxing Day and Saturday, the running was put on a back burner. We watched Swansea vs Villa in the football (which was really sentimental as I used to be a regular at the Vetch as a student, although this was in the away end at the Liberty) and back to the Liberty stadium for the rugby, to see the Ospreys beat the Scarlets.
Anyhow, this was a run not in any training manual! A jog down to my mums, a 1.5 mile walk with her dogs and a run back, in the Welsh sleet and rain. Not so nice, but blew off the cobwebs. Afternoon was stunning though, a long dog walk with Delilah and the family on the beaches at Machnys and Llanelli docks, with the winter sun beating down …..
Prognosis for the week; difficult to assess as this was an additional week to the 16 scheduled so ironically I'll aim to repeat week 3 again next week; albeit with the New Year's festivities
Week 3 (the non-week on the schedule!) - 26 miles
Delilah ….
5.9m - 47 mins
(2.92 m @ 7.39 p/m, 3m @ 8.28 p/m)
Unexpectedly Xmas came and went without a run in sight! It was typically over indulgent; enjoying catching up with family, over eating and drinking (particularly succumbing to chocolate and crisps) and with lots of dog-walking. The Wales house was chaotic with 4 adults, 4 children, a dog and assorted drop-in family, but truly festive. Had an excellent long Xmas meal on the foot of the Brecons at the Pen-y-Cae and with the sport on Boxing Day and Saturday, the running was put on a back burner. We watched Swansea vs Villa in the football (which was really sentimental as I used to be a regular at the Vetch as a student, although this was in the away end at the Liberty) and back to the Liberty stadium for the rugby, to see the Ospreys beat the Scarlets.
Anyhow, this was a run not in any training manual! A jog down to my mums, a 1.5 mile walk with her dogs and a run back, in the Welsh sleet and rain. Not so nice, but blew off the cobwebs. Afternoon was stunning though, a long dog walk with Delilah and the family on the beaches at Machnys and Llanelli docks, with the winter sun beating down …..
Prognosis for the week; difficult to assess as this was an additional week to the 16 scheduled so ironically I'll aim to repeat week 3 again next week; albeit with the New Year's festivities
Week 3 (the non-week on the schedule!) - 26 miles
Delilah ….
Wednesday 24 December 2014
Xmas Eve
14m & 8.58 p/m
2hrs 5 min
It's just gone 9am and I'm back from my longest run to date, a crisp, gorgeous Xmas Eve morning. Sian and the boys are in Wales so it was a 6.30am start as I hit the Hagley Road to town, as the sun rose over the second City. It really is the very best time to run, and it was surprisingly busy! I took the road in to town, did a few loops and headed out to Canon Hill to join the throng of dog walkers, before returning via the University, in a blinding sun!
Feeling fresh; this must be one of the slowest runs I've done in years - purposely aiming for around 9 minute miling and a chance to burn almost 2000 calories! I'm putting faith in Pfitzinger (which advocates this pace - 8.54 to 9.15 for a 3.25 marathon time) and have also started collating statistics on runs for previous marathons. It does seem like there may be an inverse correlation between miles logged and marathon times, but this will need to be examined in a lot more detail.
Anyhow, it doesn't seem to have takes too much out of me so, with the weeks long run in the bag, it's time to head out for a welsh Xmas …..
14m & 8.58 p/m
2hrs 5 min
It's just gone 9am and I'm back from my longest run to date, a crisp, gorgeous Xmas Eve morning. Sian and the boys are in Wales so it was a 6.30am start as I hit the Hagley Road to town, as the sun rose over the second City. It really is the very best time to run, and it was surprisingly busy! I took the road in to town, did a few loops and headed out to Canon Hill to join the throng of dog walkers, before returning via the University, in a blinding sun!
Feeling fresh; this must be one of the slowest runs I've done in years - purposely aiming for around 9 minute miling and a chance to burn almost 2000 calories! I'm putting faith in Pfitzinger (which advocates this pace - 8.54 to 9.15 for a 3.25 marathon time) and have also started collating statistics on runs for previous marathons. It does seem like there may be an inverse correlation between miles logged and marathon times, but this will need to be examined in a lot more detail.
Anyhow, it doesn't seem to have takes too much out of me so, with the weeks long run in the bag, it's time to head out for a welsh Xmas …..
Sunday 21 December 2014
Sunday 21st December: Thoughts on Paces ….
13.1 miles
5 m @ 8.24 p/m followed by 8.1m @ 7.39 p/m
1 hr 44 mins (ave 7.57 p/m)
The longest run of this particular training programme on the shortest day of the year; unsurprisingly began in darkness once Delilah had been made a fuss of and fed!
I'm not sure that I've ever conscientiously done a split run before but this was what the schedule asked for, so this is what I gave. Took it very easy along the Harborne Walk Way and down to the canals and after the initial five miles decided to abandon the canal up and back policy in view of the muck on the tow paths. I'm not usually fussy but it was really wet and muddy!
This meant coming off at Smethwick and looking to run at 'marathon pace'. Here's the conundrum, for this race I'm not sure what marathon pace is supposed to be? My half marathon pace is 6.50 per mile, and having done three halves this year between 1.28 and 1.31, it's fair to say that I should be aiming for around 3.10 - the old 'double it and add 10 minutes' adage. This would give me an expectation of 7.15 miles all the way. However, experience tells me otherwise, and I do want to actually enjoy this experience, rather than expect it to finish me off. So what's my marathon pace?
My 6 marathon's to date have ranged from 3.28 to 3.50, ranging from 7.58 per mile to 8.45 per mile. I've largely under performed relative to my other times on all but my first couple of marathons. I'll disect these later in the blog, but most of these have been in the 7.45 to 8 min mile range for the majority of the races, before having calamatous last few miles. So I suppose I need to adopt a sensible strategy this time around, especially in the race itself. My 'run around feel good' pace is around 7.45 per mile, so this would probably be the best to aim for with view of training to maintain it for the whole race.
As a guide 3.20 would be 7.37 min p/m, 3.25 would be 7.49 p/m and 3.30 would be 8 p/m
The Plan tells me that if I'm to run for the 3.25 plan, my lactate threshold runs would be at 6.45-6.51 pace, my aerobic at 8.54-9.18 and my long runs at 8.54 - 9.18 per mile. The recovery runs would be at 9.40 pace. These paces for long runs seem almost too slow, but the marathon pace seems about right.
Anyhow, I came off at Smethwick and ran up through Cape Hill and Winson Green on a windy but unseasonably warm winters morning, maintaining a 7.45 pace with not too much trouble. The power of Marathon talk to take the edge off the miles, although I'm still catching up on November's shows! No injury problems either; a faintly stiff left quad after about 9 miles, but this has been around for a while. So, the first of the split long runs completed and back in time for a Carvery lunch and a chilled out afternoon in Warley Woods, dog walking, and watching the footie!
Will have to rebalance the running schedule next week, front load it to compensate for Xmas and going to Wales
Weekly update: Week 2 - 27.3 miles
Good weekend split long(ish) run and with Xmas festivities pleased to have done some mileage. Will need to up it though in the weeks to come …
13.1 miles
5 m @ 8.24 p/m followed by 8.1m @ 7.39 p/m
1 hr 44 mins (ave 7.57 p/m)
The longest run of this particular training programme on the shortest day of the year; unsurprisingly began in darkness once Delilah had been made a fuss of and fed!
I'm not sure that I've ever conscientiously done a split run before but this was what the schedule asked for, so this is what I gave. Took it very easy along the Harborne Walk Way and down to the canals and after the initial five miles decided to abandon the canal up and back policy in view of the muck on the tow paths. I'm not usually fussy but it was really wet and muddy!
This meant coming off at Smethwick and looking to run at 'marathon pace'. Here's the conundrum, for this race I'm not sure what marathon pace is supposed to be? My half marathon pace is 6.50 per mile, and having done three halves this year between 1.28 and 1.31, it's fair to say that I should be aiming for around 3.10 - the old 'double it and add 10 minutes' adage. This would give me an expectation of 7.15 miles all the way. However, experience tells me otherwise, and I do want to actually enjoy this experience, rather than expect it to finish me off. So what's my marathon pace?
My 6 marathon's to date have ranged from 3.28 to 3.50, ranging from 7.58 per mile to 8.45 per mile. I've largely under performed relative to my other times on all but my first couple of marathons. I'll disect these later in the blog, but most of these have been in the 7.45 to 8 min mile range for the majority of the races, before having calamatous last few miles. So I suppose I need to adopt a sensible strategy this time around, especially in the race itself. My 'run around feel good' pace is around 7.45 per mile, so this would probably be the best to aim for with view of training to maintain it for the whole race.
As a guide 3.20 would be 7.37 min p/m, 3.25 would be 7.49 p/m and 3.30 would be 8 p/m
The Plan tells me that if I'm to run for the 3.25 plan, my lactate threshold runs would be at 6.45-6.51 pace, my aerobic at 8.54-9.18 and my long runs at 8.54 - 9.18 per mile. The recovery runs would be at 9.40 pace. These paces for long runs seem almost too slow, but the marathon pace seems about right.
Anyhow, I came off at Smethwick and ran up through Cape Hill and Winson Green on a windy but unseasonably warm winters morning, maintaining a 7.45 pace with not too much trouble. The power of Marathon talk to take the edge off the miles, although I'm still catching up on November's shows! No injury problems either; a faintly stiff left quad after about 9 miles, but this has been around for a while. So, the first of the split long runs completed and back in time for a Carvery lunch and a chilled out afternoon in Warley Woods, dog walking, and watching the footie!
Will have to rebalance the running schedule next week, front load it to compensate for Xmas and going to Wales
Weekly update: Week 2 - 27.3 miles
Good weekend split long(ish) run and with Xmas festivities pleased to have done some mileage. Will need to up it though in the weeks to come …
Saturday 20 December 2014
Friday 19th December
Gym session - 50 minutes (approx 5 miles)
Ah, the joys of Xmas parties! The office was a bit of a mess today after we went to the GlitterBall at the ICC yesterday. Grand evenings entertainment with top disco music, acts and good company, but there was a distinct lack of work enthusiasm in the post work-comedown! I'd stuck to Peroni and was home by 1am, so perhaps didn't quite suffer as much, which, with a school run to accomplish this morning, was a very good thing!
Forced myself to the gym after work but avoided the treadmill instead opting for a gentle 20 mins on the X-Trainer, 2000m on the rower and 20 mins on the bike. Felt refreshed afterwards and will look for some good pre-Xmas runs on Sunday and early next week.
Delilah is back from her dodgy sojourn tomorrow; can't wait ….
Gym session - 50 minutes (approx 5 miles)
Ah, the joys of Xmas parties! The office was a bit of a mess today after we went to the GlitterBall at the ICC yesterday. Grand evenings entertainment with top disco music, acts and good company, but there was a distinct lack of work enthusiasm in the post work-comedown! I'd stuck to Peroni and was home by 1am, so perhaps didn't quite suffer as much, which, with a school run to accomplish this morning, was a very good thing!
Forced myself to the gym after work but avoided the treadmill instead opting for a gentle 20 mins on the X-Trainer, 2000m on the rower and 20 mins on the bike. Felt refreshed afterwards and will look for some good pre-Xmas runs on Sunday and early next week.
Delilah is back from her dodgy sojourn tomorrow; can't wait ….
Wed 17th December
9.22m @ 8.18 p/m
1hr 16 mins
This was never going to be an easy week to clock up any mileage and keep to the schedule. Is suspect the first of my contingency week 'jokers' is going to played in only the second week. I missed BVH on Monday as after driving back from a great couple of days in Cornwall, I was shattered. I know the old adage - running gives you more energy, but I didn't have enough in the tank to get out of the door in the first place. and thought time would be better spent wrapping presents! Tuesday's excuse was more palpable - James had his Carol service!
Really enjoyed tonight's after work run on a mild drizzly evening, putting the recruitment world to right with Jack. It's a great opportunity to really catch up on things and the miles stacked up quickly; a route down the Bristol road, over to Bournville and back to town via Canon Hill. Ironically, it was again probably a little too quick - although it's a good bit slower than my regular pace, the idea of the long mid-week runs is to go a fair deal slower. Still, felt good and Jack is a good running partner, especially I spent much of the day driving again, having visited the new software centre of CDL in Stockport, with Alex A.
9.22m @ 8.18 p/m
1hr 16 mins
This was never going to be an easy week to clock up any mileage and keep to the schedule. Is suspect the first of my contingency week 'jokers' is going to played in only the second week. I missed BVH on Monday as after driving back from a great couple of days in Cornwall, I was shattered. I know the old adage - running gives you more energy, but I didn't have enough in the tank to get out of the door in the first place. and thought time would be better spent wrapping presents! Tuesday's excuse was more palpable - James had his Carol service!
Really enjoyed tonight's after work run on a mild drizzly evening, putting the recruitment world to right with Jack. It's a great opportunity to really catch up on things and the miles stacked up quickly; a route down the Bristol road, over to Bournville and back to town via Canon Hill. Ironically, it was again probably a little too quick - although it's a good bit slower than my regular pace, the idea of the long mid-week runs is to go a fair deal slower. Still, felt good and Jack is a good running partner, especially I spent much of the day driving again, having visited the new software centre of CDL in Stockport, with Alex A.
Monday 15 December 2014
Sunday 14th December
12m @ 8.16 p/m
1 hr 39 mins
Cornish running, back to my roots! I was really looking forward to this long run, fitting it into a whistle stop Santa tour back home. I was aiming for a really early start but an evening of drinking Monkey Shoulder whiskey with my Dad, washing down fish and chips but paid to that, as I woke with my a taste of a personal distillery tour! It wasn't going to deter me though, it really is a rare treat being able to run around the areas of my youth, those distances that seem so far as a child but in reality our just fractions of miles!
It was a typically Cornish mizzly morning, sleepy with just a few cyclists out enjoying the mild air. I was planning to go to Tehidy but instead went down through Penponds (the old cross country route from school, this time without non-wickable thick rugby top), up to Carnhell Green and across to Praze-an-Beeble. It's a great route along mainly country lanes and to the tune of Marathon talk podcast, took it nice and easy. Speed was irrelevant, just looking to enjoy. The route meandered back into Camborne and a quick tour of the town brought me back to my old school and home. Lots of sentimentality and nothing too arduous, managing to free me of the schedules of yesterday's drinking!
Missed the Sneyd Xmas Pudding Run as a consequence of travelling down to Cornwall, but with a great opportunity to spend time with my Dad, Maureen and nan, and then staying with Ro and Jake on the Sunday, it was well worth it.
As I write this though (Monday evening) I'm feeling the effect of all the travelling. Sian likens the trip to travelling to the end of the earth, and it is a long way. I'm truly knackered. Missed BVH tonight as well, just too much to do.
After a really good first week, I think the reality of Xmas is going to kick in big time this week (a whirl of parties, client visits and carol services) so this could severely limit the training. I'll have to see what I can fit in, but i'm not going to beat myself up.
Week 1 Summary
35 miles
Feeling good, excellent start; particularly in having travelled to Cornwall and enjoyed Dan's birthday!
12m @ 8.16 p/m
1 hr 39 mins
Cornish running, back to my roots! I was really looking forward to this long run, fitting it into a whistle stop Santa tour back home. I was aiming for a really early start but an evening of drinking Monkey Shoulder whiskey with my Dad, washing down fish and chips but paid to that, as I woke with my a taste of a personal distillery tour! It wasn't going to deter me though, it really is a rare treat being able to run around the areas of my youth, those distances that seem so far as a child but in reality our just fractions of miles!
It was a typically Cornish mizzly morning, sleepy with just a few cyclists out enjoying the mild air. I was planning to go to Tehidy but instead went down through Penponds (the old cross country route from school, this time without non-wickable thick rugby top), up to Carnhell Green and across to Praze-an-Beeble. It's a great route along mainly country lanes and to the tune of Marathon talk podcast, took it nice and easy. Speed was irrelevant, just looking to enjoy. The route meandered back into Camborne and a quick tour of the town brought me back to my old school and home. Lots of sentimentality and nothing too arduous, managing to free me of the schedules of yesterday's drinking!
Missed the Sneyd Xmas Pudding Run as a consequence of travelling down to Cornwall, but with a great opportunity to spend time with my Dad, Maureen and nan, and then staying with Ro and Jake on the Sunday, it was well worth it.
As I write this though (Monday evening) I'm feeling the effect of all the travelling. Sian likens the trip to travelling to the end of the earth, and it is a long way. I'm truly knackered. Missed BVH tonight as well, just too much to do.
After a really good first week, I think the reality of Xmas is going to kick in big time this week (a whirl of parties, client visits and carol services) so this could severely limit the training. I'll have to see what I can fit in, but i'm not going to beat myself up.
Week 1 Summary
35 miles
Feeling good, excellent start; particularly in having travelled to Cornwall and enjoyed Dan's birthday!
Friday 12th December
Gym - 6m inc. 4m @ 6.50 p/m - tempo
c 45 mins
It really was an effort to go the gym on a Friday evening but after doubling up on mince pies at work and generally indulging on our 'Xmas Jumper Day', it was essential, particularly as I missed Bournville Harriers yesterday, celebrating Dan's birthday at TJI Friday's. I'm not sure that double burgers lead to a decent training regime, but sometimes, needs must!
It was a decent burst though and there is a definite trace of sadism in running fast on the treadmill. With no atmosphere it is tough, but after doing a lot of speed work earlier in the year for both 10km's and the half marathon, I do like the structure and discipline in knowing exactly what you are trying to achieve when running indoors.
Gym - 6m inc. 4m @ 6.50 p/m - tempo
c 45 mins
It really was an effort to go the gym on a Friday evening but after doubling up on mince pies at work and generally indulging on our 'Xmas Jumper Day', it was essential, particularly as I missed Bournville Harriers yesterday, celebrating Dan's birthday at TJI Friday's. I'm not sure that double burgers lead to a decent training regime, but sometimes, needs must!
It was a decent burst though and there is a definite trace of sadism in running fast on the treadmill. With no atmosphere it is tough, but after doing a lot of speed work earlier in the year for both 10km's and the half marathon, I do like the structure and discipline in knowing exactly what you are trying to achieve when running indoors.
Wednesday 10 December 2014
Wednesday 10th December
8.88m @ 8.10 p/m - 72 mins
The first of the mid week long runs! Really good formula this evening though on a crisp, clear winters night. The first 'leg' of the run was the 'Applause IT running club' excursion; a saunter out of town and through Edgbaston with Rachel and Jack. Both are in good shape and we covered 5 miles or so in just over 8 minute miling, before I then carried on home up the Hagley Road with a bit of Roots Manuva against a windy blast, to take the mileage up to almost nine for the night. It was a great way of shaking out the cobwebs after a long couple of days in the office.
I'm hoping the office run will become a regular occurrence, it's certainly easier doing a long mid-week run with company.
No running with BVH tomorrow though; it's Danny's 12th birthday :-)
8.88m @ 8.10 p/m - 72 mins
The first of the mid week long runs! Really good formula this evening though on a crisp, clear winters night. The first 'leg' of the run was the 'Applause IT running club' excursion; a saunter out of town and through Edgbaston with Rachel and Jack. Both are in good shape and we covered 5 miles or so in just over 8 minute miling, before I then carried on home up the Hagley Road with a bit of Roots Manuva against a windy blast, to take the mileage up to almost nine for the night. It was a great way of shaking out the cobwebs after a long couple of days in the office.
I'm hoping the office run will become a regular occurrence, it's certainly easier doing a long mid-week run with company.
No running with BVH tomorrow though; it's Danny's 12th birthday :-)
Monday 8th December
8.22m @ 7.41 p/m - 63 mins
First 'official' marathon training run, and a cold one! Ran at the club (Bournville Harriers) and had a good chat with Dan, who is just embarking on training for the Paris marathon, and Sam, along the Harborne High Street route. An enjoyable run, despite it being about 1 degree above. Great to properly kick start the training.
Not sure if I'll be able to sufficiently slow down as per the training plan though, but will try to adhere it. This was more of a marathon pace run, whereas I should be doing more of aerobic effort. Very hard though wen you're running with your mates and putting the world to rights!
8.22m @ 7.41 p/m - 63 mins
First 'official' marathon training run, and a cold one! Ran at the club (Bournville Harriers) and had a good chat with Dan, who is just embarking on training for the Paris marathon, and Sam, along the Harborne High Street route. An enjoyable run, despite it being about 1 degree above. Great to properly kick start the training.
Not sure if I'll be able to sufficiently slow down as per the training plan though, but will try to adhere it. This was more of a marathon pace run, whereas I should be doing more of aerobic effort. Very hard though wen you're running with your mates and putting the world to rights!
Sunday 7 December 2014
Sunday 7th December 2014 - pre-training!
Sunday 7th December 2014
8.04m @ 7.39 p/m (61 mins) - aerobic run
weekly mileage - 22.9 miles
The official '18' week training plan begins tomorrow, in earnest. The goal? The Virgin London Marathon on the 26th April next year.
Why the blog? I'm not really too sure, but I think it will add to the experience. I blogged for my first marathon back in 2007 - http://mikescotney.blogspot.co.uk/2007_01_01_archive.html , for the Shakespeare Marathon in Stratford upon Avon; and life has moved on a great deal. I'm certainly a more experienced runner (not sure whether I'm actually any wiser!), but reading back, I think the challenges will be now be very different. Back then it was the mystery of what what I was about to encounter; could I complete the training, could I run 26.2 miles!
A number of marathons later it's more of a case of how can I get the most out of my training? How I retain the balance of the sheer joy of running with the mundanity of the grind of training? Will I learn more about myself and perhaps, can I avoid the pitfalls of converting decent training to actually running a good marathon; elements that have plagued me in my last few attempts. I'm sure these will be recurrent themes throughout the blog. Perhaps keeping a blog will help me answer some of these questions, rather than just keeping a journal of runs and times. My very first marathon was such an innocent affair and to date remains by far my favourite marathon experience. I'm not satisfied that this feeling can't be bettered and I'm hoping that by documenting the journey, the sensations of running will be enhanced further.
Previously I've kept to a loose time-based plan from Runners World - either a 3.30 or 3.15 plan. This attempt is going to be different. Introduced by Marathon talk, I'm going to follow the Pfitzinger + Douglas up to 55 mile plan, from 'Advanced Marathoning'. The book's a good read and I like the structure of a long plan, with a focus on long, slow runs. It's a little different to previous runs, where in truth most of my running has been at marathon pace, but I feel like a change is needed. It seems to work for a lot of people so I'll give it a good go.
I've factored in 20 weeks (rather than 18). Quite simply this gives me a week off for Xmas and a week off for a ski-ing holiday in February. I like the idea of having a contingency in there.
The aim. I honestly don't have a specific time focus. I want to run a 'good' race. My last few marathons have been underwhelming and I've under performed, but perhaps I've been too focused on the time rather than the race. This time, I'm going to show the marathon more respect. I should be capable of a 3.15 - 3.20 pace, but it's not the raison d'être. I'm not going to break any records, so a great training block culminating with a good marathon would be more than enough!
Current shape? I suppose it's a 7 out of 10. I worked hard during the early autumn, reshaping my training to produce a PB 1.28 Cardiff Half Marathon. Since then it's been all about ticking over - 20-25 miles a week, spread over 3-4 runs and with a little speed work thrown in. Enough not to feel too bad, but not enough to have real confidence in my running. The beauty of experience though is the knowledge that both stamina (and for the marathon, to a lesser extent, speed) can be built up.
The challenges; a very busy life (two boys now at 10 and, soon to be, 12), a business to run and a newly introduced manic puppy to the family. It could be an interesting ride. I'll have to be creative, today was a prime example, running whilst the boys played a rugby match against Moseley, getting the running in whilst I can!
I do feel invigorated though; genuinely enthused to be taking this challenge again. This will be my 3rd London Marathon and I'm determined that it will be my most enjoyable (and hopefully my best!)
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