So in 2022, I am taking the plunge and running my first ever Marathon. I selected Chester Marathon, as it was my local Marathon (and therefore very convenient to get to and from), and I had just finished running the Metric Marathon (26.2 km event rather than 26.2 miles) which is held on the same day as the Marathon in October 2021. I had thoroughly enjoyed the Metric event and the atmosphere of the day, so not long after finishing I entered the Marathon for the year after, determined to be even fitter and not only finish the Marathon in 2022, but finish it well!
For the first time ever I had invested in some proper running gear, I had researched and developed a real training plan to be completed over an appropriate number of weeks (14 to be precise), and I was starting this training block from a position where I had run consistently for the previous 12 months. I was excited and quietly confident about the upcoming challenge. If you have read my previous blog (My Running Journey) you will know my running history is smattered with ups and downs but all were completed under a blanket of not really knowing what I was doing, and with no real previous preparation.
This time, I was more knowledgeable and more prepared to actually achieve something quite good. I've been told that most people don't/shouldn't set a time goal for their first Marathon. First timers should simply 'enjoy' the event and try their best to finish as that is an achievement in itself. I disagree, some people can finish a Marathon in 5 hours, some in 4hours, some in 3 hours and elite athletes are closer to 2 hours (Eliud can even do it in less than 2!). So I know I can finish a Marathon (I think?!) and so me walk/jogging the whole way in 5 or more hours didn't seem worthwhile of all the time I am putting in to train for it, and given my current running ability.
So I stumbled across the 4 hour goal, and that a lot of people like to aim for that as a benchmark. That equates to holding a pace of 5:41 per k for 42.2km (I work in km's, apologies if you're old-school and work in miles). Last year I completed the longest run of my life (a Metric Marathon- 26.2km), with an average pace of 5:25 per k. As I type this I am fitter and more experienced than then, better equipped and better informed, and following this Marathon training block, I hope to be even more so. Therefor I have decided to aim 'high' and have set a goal of sub 3hr40 for my first Marathon. This seems like a reasonable goal, and a challenge that should stretch me but isn't unobtainable. In order to achieve this, I will need to maintain a pace of 5:12 per k for the duration of the run. Right now that seems slightly daunting, but I think I can do it. My current Half-Marathon PB is 1hr48:43 (5:09 per k), and I can knock a good few minutes of that in my mind between now and the race.
Obviously I have fall back goals and 4 hours is my final fall back, I hope to complete the Marathon in less than 4 hours no matter what happens. Having never run a Marathon, there are a lot of unknowns. My body had never gone that far, nor will it before the day. 3+ hours is a long time for things to go south; feet, legs, stomach, head, chafing, injury, dehydration, fatigue, motivation etc. I do know though that setting lofty goals often helps me to push past my perceived limits and achieve more than I may have done otherwise. Humans tend to surprise themselves when they truly push themselves.
So I am currently in week 3 of my training block, week 1 went really well; legs felt great, workouts were challenging but comfortable to ease me in. During week 2 runs were moved around to account for time constraints, and by the end of the week my legs felt trashed. Luckily an easy Sunday run worked a treat and eased the aches and now I sit here mid week of week 3 feeling good again. The training block has a long way to run, but then again, so do I. I think this block is not only going to prepare my body and legs for the Marathon ahead, but also my mind to the doubts, worries and likely obstacles that I will face. By mentally getting through this training block, I will likely be more resilient on race day and be better prepared to push through when things get tough.
In a matter of less than 12 weeks, I will be toeing the start line of my first Marathon. I will be taking on a challenge that roughly 0.01% of the worlds population has chosen to do that year. Its not for everyone, but I think its for me. I will update everyone in a few months.....
Adam
(LARK Running UK)
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