Let the marathon training commence! The North Dorset Village Marathon is now 16 weeks away and my training for it officially started this morning at 6.15am with a 6 mile run – starting slowly, finishing faster. I completed it, despite my and the cold, and it felt ok. Not spectacular but passable. Solid. Fine.
I’m using the same training plan I used for my last (and only) marathon. It’s aimed at 3:30- 4:30 finishers, over 5 runs a week with no mid-week run longer than 8 miles. Perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me, but I think I enjoyed the training in 2010 so I’m looking forward to tackling it again.
There are three key challenges I have to face this time however:
- In 2010 I ran 3:55, this time I want 3:30.
- I trained with Mr Notajogger last time, in 2012 I’m on my own.
- Last time I trained in the sunlit summer and autumn, now it’s dark and cold.
I’m not so worried about 2 and 3, but 1 is going to be tough. Probably too tough. I would be happy to finish under 3:45, a ten minute PB. I do want to run 3:30 this year though, and I think I can do it this time. I don’t want to set my sights too low and regret not pushing hard enough.
3:30 marathon, you are my goal and I will have you.
Not a Jogger 