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Category: Running

London Marathon Training – Week #3

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  • Runs: 4
  • Distance: 21.15km
  • Time: 5:45
Overview

This week was a ‘rest’ week which meant stepping back the mileage and allowing my body to adapt to the previously training weeks.

This weeks runs
Conclusion

Not much to report here except that during Sunday’s long run it unexpectedly started to snow, which definitely brought the child out and in me!

I think sometimes it’s easy to look at the weather forecast and have a preconception about how a run will feel, when in reality if you just get out and there wind rain or shine (or snow) you might just surprise yourself and have a great old time!

I have been fortunate enough to have been granted entry to the London Marathon in 2021 and will be running to support the Rainbow Trust Charity. They supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life-threatening or terminal illness. In these challenging times I can't think of a more worthy cause!

I'm hoping to raise enough sponsorship to support a family for entire year so any thing you can spare would be hugely appreciated. You can sponser me here.

London Marathon Training – Week #2

Posted on

  • Runs: 4
  • Distance: 25.43km
  • Time: 2:44
Overview

With only a small increase in mileage on the plan for the week I was ready for a fairly easy ride coming into week 2, however, this was not to be the case.

Even from the start of the week, my energy levels were low and by the end of the hilly tempo run in the rain on Thursday I was feeling exhausted. Having recently moved to a plant-based diet in an attempt to reduce my carbon footprint (also since having Ellie the idea of eating animals turns my stomach a bit), I have been focusing on making sure I consume enough protein using lentils, legumes, and the like but i realised had not been replenishing my all-important glycogen stores with carbohydrates.

Starting Friday I started to include organic rolled oats into my morning green smoothie. I also began upping the carb intake in my lunches and main meals. Saturday night we had a stunning Sweet potato, dahl spinach gratin with naan bread from the Dirty Vegan recipe book which seems to have done the trick as during the long run on Sunday I felt as fresh as a daisy.

Admittedly it doesn’t look great but it tasted delicious.

This weeks runs
Conclusion

Even when you’re trying to do the right thing and eat healthily it’s always best to listen to your body and adjust accordingly, you can’t out-train bad nutrition.

Next week is a ‘rest’ week so will dial it back a bit to let the body adjust to the new training load.

I have been fortunate enough to have been granted entry to the London Marathon in 2021 and will be running to support the Rainbow Trust Charity. They supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life-threatening or terminal illness. In these challenging times I can't think of a more worthy cause!

I'm hoping to raise enough sponsorship to support a family for entire year so any thing you can spare would be hugely appreciated. You can sponser me here.

London Marathon Training – Week #1

Posted on

  • Runs: 4
  • Distance: 23.18km
  • Time: 2:26
Overview

Whilst 2020 was a terrible year for some, I have it down as one of my best! The birth of my first child and being home to watch her grow up have been really special.

At the beginning of 2020 I read “Can’t hurt me” by David Goggins and was inspired to start running. Having spent most of 2019 sedentary and gaining weight I wasn’t overly optimistic that the change would stick, but oh was I wrong. Goggins talks about developing mental toughness that lasts when the willpower fades and that had been a massive focus for me in 2020.

The freedom that running afforded me when the rest of the country was locked up in their houses/gardens made 2020 a breeze, Getting out into the wilderness and doing long trail runs on new routes weekly has awoken a sense of adventure in me.

Unfortunately, like most novice runners I got over-excited and increased my mileage too quickly without doing adequate strength and mobility work to support the new stresses on my body, leading to 2 fairly lengthy layoffs!

But 2021 is here and I’m ready to do it properly this time! I’m starting to train for the London Marathon now and fortunately I’ve been accepted to run for the Rainbow Trust children charity.

I will be starting by completing a half marathon training plan followed a few weeks later by a 16-week marathon plan.

This weeks runs
Conclusion

It was great to be back doing a structured plan, and although the weather tried it’s best to stop me I got out and got it done. A particular highlight was the hill repeat day, attempting to maintain the intensity on on the inclines was tough but rewarding when hitting the top!

Looking forward to the next week!

I have been fortunate enough to have been granted entry to the London Marathon in 2021 and will be running to support the Rainbow Trust Charity. They supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life-threatening or terminal illness. In these challenging times I can't think of a more worthy cause!

I'm hoping to raise enough sponsorship to support a family for entire year so any thing you can spare would be hugely appreciated. You can sponser me here.