It took seconds after finishing the Amsterdam Marathon for me to decide that I would run another. What took slightly longer was the decision over which one to run. I had seriously considered the glitz and glamour of London and had secured a place through my running club. However, as time went on I began to worry about the size of the field and getting away for a good start. Amsterdam with its 7,000 runners had been difficult enough at the start, and London’s field is five times that size. What I really want is a nice clean run on a fast course, so that I can get as good a time as possible. My ambition for my next marathon is simply to beat the 2hours 55minutes and 36 seconds I got at Amsterdam.
After talking with my coach at Edinburgh Athletics Club I have decided to run the Lochaber Marathon near Fort William on 28th April. I am told it is a flat and very fast out and back marathon with a small enough field that on a good day I will be in the top 20-ish of the starters. Roughly 500 plus run the race.
And in an effort to better log my preparation I am going to keep a training diary with commentary. This will hopefully help me track my progress and improve future training programmes.
Week One
Although the 31st December marked the official start of my 17 week training programme I have been training and running ever since I finished Amsterdam. After a week off I have slowly began to build up the mileage. The week 24th – 30th December I managed 51 miles, which I was very pleased with and gave me confidence going into this week and the start of my programme.
Overview: 55 miles completed
I have felt good this week. My legs are feeling stronger. The niggles that I have been feeling in my right hamstring and ITB have all but disappeared and I am running with confidence. I am not sure the speed is there yet, but it is certainly a good start. The only downside is my eating and drinking has not been great and I have put on a couple of kgs over the festive period. Overall I am very pleased with this first week and glad to get two long runs in.
Training:
Monday 31st: 9 miles, 62 minutes – felt pretty good and comfortable running this. (Holiday Inn Course)
Tuesday 1st: Rest Day – totally hungover!
Wednesday 2nd: 16 miles, including 5 of the 7 hills of Edinburgh. Still feeling the effects of Hogmanay, so relatively slow on the flat bits. Did feel quite strong and fast up the hills. Relatively pleased, as this is the longest run I have done since Amsterdam. Plus the hills will build strength.
Thursday 3rd: 6 miles, steady jog in the melting snow and biting wind (Holiday Inn Course). Felt okay after yesterday’s long run.
Friday 4th: 9 miles, 65 mins, steady jog, pushed hard towards the end (Holiday Inn Course). Took it easy still felt a little tired from Wednesday and was saving myself a bit for Saturday long run.
Saturday 5th: 15 miles, 1hour 56mins. Steady jog over the Water of Leith, deliberately chose some hills to run up. First 8 miles was quite hard. Legs and lungs felt a little heavy and tired. Last 6 miles went pretty well, felt strong finishing.
Sunday 6th: Rest Day – a little hungover, but not too bad.
Week ahead
Looking to build on week one. Also it is the restart after Christmas of the Edinburgh Athletic Club sessions on Thursdays, which I am looking forward to. Saturday is the 5k Winter Run in Holyrood Park. If I can stay healthy I want to run it under 19 minutes, might be a big ask considering my current weight, but we’ll see!
