I stepped out of the door to do my run. I get nervous about these long runs. The thought of running 1 hour and 45 minutes is a little intimidating!
The day was crisp but without even a hint of a breeze. The sun wasn’t out but it was there and trying. Puddles were frozen but there was no frost on the road.
All was good.
I had my water bottle, my belt with my phone and gel pack in it, my muddy old trainers on and my gloves. I find, in the cold, as long as your hands are warm you’re fine.
I set off up the hill, planning my route in my head as I ran. I wanted to avoid the big long hill at the start but wanted to be coming down the hill on the way home. I walked up the first steep hill. I had resolved to walk the very steep hills to try and keep my heart rate even. After all this was supposed to be an easy effort run!
I controlled my pace.
I settled into an easy effort run, able to enjoy the scenery and the space to think. This was the first time I’d run outside for a long time. I enjoyed the fact that my training is clearly paying off. I was maintaining a run at an easy effort pace.
I smiled to myself in the realisation that, now more than ever, the marathon in 12 weeks will be achievable.
I ran on, maintaining my steady pace, running the hills until they got too steep and then walking up them briskly. At the half way point I’d turned onto the home straight. It was at the end of a long hill but I was still going.
My legs were a little tired but nothing that I couldn’t run through. I wasn’t even out of breath. I could keep going.
I came in the front door nearly 8 miles later and with a great sense of achievement. This training plan is working. In 12 weeks I will be ready.
Yep, it’s true there are 12 weeks until I run 26.2 miles.
I would have expected this thought to panic me. But strangely it doesn’t.
I got my new training plan for February through to. By the end of February I will be running for 2.5 hours!!
I would have expected this thought to panic me. But strangely it doesn’t.
I am so grateful to Nestle Pure Life for inviting me to be part of their running team. I would never have considered running the marathon in my wildest dreams if they hadn’t asked. And the support they have provided is amazing.
So here is the summary of my week. Next week I am away with work one day but I’ll adapt my rest days.
Next week my long run drops to 60 minutes before ramping up to an amazing 2.5 hours by the end of the month.
Another good thing is that on Monday, after my 10 mile run on Sunday, I was absolutely fine. Not even a single ache. This is a good thing. I know the 26 miles will be different but I have a conference in Blackpool on the Monday and I need to be able to drive to it!
I am really proud of my ability to stick to this training plan. And I’m really positive about the marathon.
