Despite my best efforts at the start of the year, it’s been ages since my last blog. To be precise, I’ve ran more than 250 since I last did an update! Here’s the very summarised story of some of the highlights.
So many long, long runs
Obviously, the base of any marathon (and ultra marathon) training is the long runs. But every time I forget a little just how much they become towards the end. When every weekend you know you’re going to be heading out for a few hours, it’s a lot – mentally and physically. From essentially writing off every Sunday because it’s dedicated to running long then recovering from running long, to spending the whole of your Good Friday afternoon trailing along some dicey roads around Lincolnshire, it’s been a real challenge. But I’m getting out there and doing it, and I’d say I’m enjoying it around 90% of the time, which definitely hasn’t been the case in previous marathon training blocks!
Setting new PBs...then breaking them again!
My previous 5km PB had stood since September 2021 and although I vaguely had an idea of maybe trying to beat it at some point later this year, I never expected that to happen one fresh morning at parkrun in March! It was one of those runs where I went out fancying a good one, set off at a quick pace then just clung on for dear life until the end. It was bloody hard, but as the miles went on I knew I was on track for a parkrun PB so I pushed at hard as I could. Coming in at 25:46 felt like such a huge achievement and I was so proud of myself for clinging on!
It didn’t end there though.
Just a couple of weeks after, on a very unremarkable Thursday evening by the Trent, I ran a 5km in less than 25 minutes!
We always start the month with a time trial as part of our DOdaily coaching sessions, and on this particular one I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I was tired after a busy working week, but with legs that weren’t carrying quite the mileage they’ve been used to because I’d skipped a long-run that weekend (after having a few too many wines on the Saturday…whoops)!
I set out determined to just try my best and see what happened. When the first mile slid by in just over eight minutes without too much drama, my tactic became to hold on for as long as I could. One mile at that pace turned into two, then breaking that PB I’d set only a few weeks before looked like a real possibility. I think trying to do the maths and work out whether a sub 25 could be on the cards actually did wonders in helping to take my mind off the running, too!
By the time I was reaching the end, I knew it was achievable, but that I’d need to get my head down. I powered on as hard as I could, and the final stretch of the run seemed longer than ever as I willed the distance on my watch to tick over before it hit 25 minutes.
And it did! I managed to sneak in at 24:56 – I was so bloody over the moon with myself!
Until the last few months, getting that time was never really on the cards. Then when it started to look like it might be something I was capable of, I certainly didn’t think I’d manage it quite so soon. Now I’d like to re-create it at Parkrun, because it just seems a bit more official when it’s measured on more than just my watch!
Ashby 20 take two!
Having taken part in this event last year, I knew exactly what to expect. 20 miles over two laps, taking in loads of rolling countryside hills. It’s one of those routes with hardly any flat, you’re either going up or down the whole time.
In February, I’d done my five minutes for every day challenge which was an excellent crash-course in building up my mileage quickly. But because of the massive mileage, I didn’t put any pressure on myself to seek out hilly routes – it was purely about getting every run ticked off un-injured.
So at the start of March, I knew that had to change, and over the next three weeks I made a point of tackling some of Nottingham’s longest, steeped climbs to help prepare. Woodborough Road, Porchester Road and Private Drive among others ticked off which meant I got to the start line on the overcast morning of Ashby feeling quite excited to see how it panned out.
Last year I completed the course in three hours and 47 minutes, this time I wanted to do it quicker. My gold, stretch target was to get round in three and a half hours – but I knew that would be a tall order. My plan was to set out at 10:30 minutes a mile and try not to fade off to much towards the end, and to run all the way instead of having any walking breaks.
The start of the route is a gentle downhill through the village and out into the countryside, there’s excellent support from locals and the buzz from the start of the event. Combine these factors together and it would be really easy to get swept up and go to quick, something I was determined not to do.
My first mile ticked by in around 10:10, quicker than the plan but it felt perfectly comfortable, so I didn’t worry too much. Then the next few miles were all about the same – I’d settled really nicely into a decent pace. And importantly, I was really enjoying it!
As the course wore on, I started to remember bits from last year’s effort. Yes, it was undulating and by no means easy. But taken on their own merits, each incline was perfectly manageable, especially with the support of the lovely, enthusiastic volunteers spread around the route. By the time I started the second lap I felt confident enough in myself to push the pace slightly, and once I’d crossed the 15 mile point, I knew I didn’t have too much to lose in putting as much effort as possible in.
We runners love a nice round number, and as the finish line came into view I could see that I was just about going to scrape in under 3:20 – but I didn’t have much time to spare! So, despite being shattered from a tough 20 mile effort I had to summon a strong sprint finish to beat the clock.
As I crossed the line in 3:19:44, I couldn’t hold back the tears! Another massive achievement that a couple of hours ago I’d have said was pretty much impossible. Almost as importantly as the finishing time, I was delighted with the colour of this year’s hoody as it was handed to me, a nice navy blue rather than the salmon pink of last year that I was never massively keen on!
Another milestone on the route to the ultra marked off with a big green tick.
Which brings me to where I’m at now.
Final preparations for the Belfast Marathon
As I write this post, I’m really annoyed at myself for not keeping up with my weekly updates, because I feel like I’ve missed out so much that I wanted to remember as part of this journey. But we are where we are – and that’s less than two weeks away from the marathon.
This weekend saw my last massive mileage run of the training block (for mental health reasons, I’m choosing to ignore that I’ll actually be going higher in the weeks after the marathon!) Des and I dedicated our Good Friday afternoon to getting some miles in, in what turned out to be a really tough 20 mile run. It started lovely, then we had to battle some pretty horrible headwinds along with navigating some tricky roads which perhaps weren’t the most sensible to run on.
Despite really struggling from around the half marathon point, I was determined to push on and get to that 20. I’m pretty sure this is the only time I’ve ever done two 20-milers to prepare for a marathon and I’m also really pleased with how many other long runs I’ve done in general.
So now, with all eyes on Belfast, I’m feeling as strong and confident as I ever have going into a race. I’m excited to see what I can do but determined not to get too much into my own head about it and still enjoy the day if my pace doesn’t quite go to plan. My ultimate goal is to run it in less than 4 and a half hours. It’s actually a target I set myself exactly a year ago – something that as soon as the words had left my mouth I regretted, because it was so far away from seeming achievable.
What will the next two weeks look like?
I’ll be focusing on going into the day feeling my best. Hydration, nutritious meals (with all important carbs as the day approaches!) I’m even going to make time for a bit of self-care and pampering because I know that will help me feel relaxed and good at the same time – plus the basic bitch in me needs my nails wrapped around the medal on race day to be manicured, and I don’t want my unruly roots showing through on any close-up selfies either!
Of course, it’s all part of a bigger plan and the ultra isn’t too far away now either. It’s around nine weeks – so nine more weekly updates because if I can find the determination to run as much as I have, I can definitely find an hour a week to write about it!
