So, a marathon. Never done one and until 6 weeks ago the furthest I had ever run was about 22k. Hankered for doing one the last couple of years and was building to it, hitting peak training last May when I did 360k in the month. Niggle after niggle meant training was cut back, but by November was back to decent volumes, last couple of weeks hitting 90k Ave for each. Looking good for a spring marathon in 2018.
A paltry 30k in December due to niggle (I am avoiding the “i” word!) During all this time, TT bike and turbo are stolen so I am not even doing that.
Jan 100k an improvement but not marathon training volume. Mid January I hear about the Naseby 16.45 mile event in Feb and decide I will have a go.
First week of Feb 60k.....getting there.
Followed by 10 day “taper” total 20 k and then the event. 2.06 for 16.45 miles...not too shabby. So decided on Oundle 20 miles to test whether a shot at 3.20 at the MK marathon on 7 May was feasible. That would give me gfa for London next year.
Deep down I want a sub 3 before I hang up my running shoes. Performance falls off a cliff after the age of 55 so the clock is ticking very loudly for me on that one.
The dilemma is that I have been able to pick up the volume to do this but as soon as I try to pick up the pace/intensity I tend to start breaking. So the plan this time round is to pick up some volume with some intensity but supplement this with a good chunk of turbo training.
Elite Direto bought late Feb and since then have been doing a range of times and efforts on it (this will also help to bring my weight down to a reasonable level for distance running).
Three weeks leading up to Oundle were about 25k running and three hours turbo each.
Oundle 20 mile, 2.34, almost bang on 3.20 pace but hilly.
Plan for MK is to get some longer runs in. I cannot rely on general aerobic fitness. The killer stats are......since 1 Dec I have run:
Over 5 miles 6 times
Over 10k 5 times
Over 10 miles 2 times (both races!)
28k per week Ave.
Not the ideal base, I have 5 weeks......let’s see.