Marathon training,

This post is for anyone considering signing up to running a marathon! 

In February 2013 my mum signed up for the first ever York marathon. I thought to myself  'if my mum can do it & she's 45, I can do it'. I signed up with The Jane Thomlinson Appeal Charity. (For more information about Jane's Appeal click here). I had been running again for about six month, I had built my distances up from half a mile to about 10 miles, which I was able to run comfortably. But 26.2 miles was a whole 16.2 miles further than that! Simultaneously to signing up to the marathon I signed up to the Leeds half  marathon which was in May, then I had something to train for up until then to keep me motivated and on track. 

The marathon was in October, so I didn't need to start following my training plan until June. But in the time between February and June I built up my half marathon time. I ran 13.1 miles at least once a month to get my heart rate used to a longer endurance, and my legs used to running a longer distance. Generally I would run 4 times a week. 2 short recovery runs 2-4 miles, 1 short speed run 3-6 miles and one long run 7-13 miles. I ran the Leeds half marathon comfortably in 2 hours 40 seconds, 41 minutes faster than my first ever half marathon two years before (the Great North Run). I was over the moon, but I had strained something in my hip, and the last 3 miles I knew I needed to let myself rest because this injury wasn't going to fix itself. I had a whole month off running, but it kept doing cardio circuits (Shaun T's insanity) 6 days a week to ensure my cardio vascular endurance wouldn't be effected. 

June came, and I started following my training plan. I got the training plan from the running bug I would recommend this site for anyone starting running, or embarking on a new running challenge. I ran 4 times a week, on Sunday I did a long run, Tuesday a short recovery run, Wednesday a steady paced run, and Friday was speed training. Through the week, I wouldn't be running for more than an 

hour, usually 40-60 mins. Speed training is a very important part of your training, it helps to build heart rate endurance and you will be increasing your heart rate higher than usual. It also helps to speed up your over all pace. Steady runs on a Wednesday I usually ran at the pace I intended to run the marathon and I made sure my heart rate was steady but not pushing myself. 

Long runs

At the start of the marathon training, your long runs increase 10 minutes a week, starting from 40 minutes through until 90 minutes. You they start to focus on your milage, 10 miles, 11, miles, half marathon. Then the fun begins. You have 7 weeks left of your 16 week training plan. Your next run is 15 miles, you then have a recovery long run week where you only run 10 miles. You then run 15 miles the next week, then 18 miles, then 21 miles. This is the peak of your training. The. Sunday before your marathon race you run about 8 miles. These distances aren't set in stone, you can run further,  or a little less (but I wouldn't recommend it). You can't just set off and run 13+ miles, the day before you have to increase your fluid intake, and food intake a few days before, making sure you put the right things in your body so you have all the nutrients you need. I used to set off about 7:30am for my runs on a Sunday. But this meant I had to get up at 5am to eat some cereal and a sports protein bar and a pint of water. I also had to make up sugar drinks and water to take on the run with me. Probably the worst an the best bit of finishing the long runs was the ice bath at the end. Getting into one was honestly the most painful, agonising experience of my life. However they definitely do the job and are worth it for the reduce in leg pain the nest day!

The week before the race  was honestly the best week of my life, Monday Wednesday and Friday I only had to do little 20 minute jogs, and I could eat everything I fancied (in moderation). Rest, eat, jog, repeat.

Marathon training isn't easy, I ran about 400miles, and did about 72 hours of training. Your training has to come first, you have to get up earlier and make the time. You won't just find it. If you want to commit to a marathon ensure you can make the time, and definitely do not miss any of your long runs, no matter how much you can't be bothered! They're such an important part of your training, unfortunately they are also very time consuming! 

When you finish the marathon it is the most incredible feeling- it's not easy and it's not something that just anyone can do! It's always been something on the bucket list for me, but the buzz is unbeatable, which is why I've signed up to the York marathon again this year, I am also doing my own marathon challenge, you can sponsor me here

For more information on the York marathon click here.

See if you want to set yourself a new challenge.