Week 2 – Marathon training – 10th January

Hi Folks,

Phew week one of the marathon training complete and so far I have run a total of 19 miles and all is well for me. As for poor Graeme, he twisted his ankle on some tree roots on our last run so is just being cautious and resting it for a few more days before running again.

I feel more settled now and I have learned so much from my wide circle of friends at Stroud Athletics Club this week about how to go about this mammoth task. I feel happier now that I have a training plan, thanks to Sabrina & Rachel for sharing their thoughts on this and also introducing me to the “Run less Run Faster” Runner’s world book available from Amazon which they refer to as their bible.
Runner’s World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary 3-Runs-A-Week Training Program

I agree what a fab book I thoroughly recommend it. At present, my weekly training consists of 3 runs, 2 x-training sessions (gym on the bike) and 2 days rest.

Tuesday’s club training tempo run session with Sabrina’s group was my first speed session for ages and boy couldn’t I tell!  It’s great to be training with so many people also working towards a marathon start line goal.  Silly old me completely missed judged my pace in the first mile from Orchard Road towards Stonehouse which had an effect on mile two and three, oh well I will learnt not to go off like a bat out of hell!

On Thursday, I popped into see the wonderful Jason Ford at Stroud Sport’s Clinic at lunchtime to get him to look at my back which has been stiff.  It transpires sitting at my laptop for ages is not doing me any favours so with this in mind I will focus on getting up once an hour and lots of stretching exercises to keep my back loose.   I think Jase will be a great source of help as I build up the miles to ensure I stay as injury free as possible.

Club training on Thursday focused on hill running around Kites Nest Lane, Rodborough Hill & Butterow. Another valuable strength building session keeping a constant pace with the group (hope this makes me go faster on the flat!). We can but hope.

On Saturday, on a mission and determined, I drove to The Bell at Frampton on Severn , another lovely pub if you haven’t been there to eat you really must.  But alas, no food for me this time. Looking like a running geek, with my Fitbit, i-phone & Garmin in tow (all needed for different reasons, I will explain later!) the aim was to find my comfortable long run marathon running pace.

The Frampton 10K course with a bit extra was an ideal place to carry out this experiment. The first mile course was interesting to say the least, jumping into the side of the road, avoiding cars as usual, my pace ranged from 8/min – 9- 10 but eventually I settled down to 9:20’s and 7.6 miles in the bag and could have gone a lot further but sticking to the very gradual build up approach to avoid injuries.

My extra loop at the end of the 10K was very enjoyable taking in the lovely houses along the Frampton green and across the fields to the Frampton sailing club. If you didn’t know, it is actually the longest village green in England!  Wonderful place, just love running around the local area.

I was so lucky to avoid the rain it has literally rained all week, the roads are flooded in places, rivers high and the weather is getting depressing now.

 

Roll on the springtime, longer days and nice dry weather.

Have a good week,

 Sharon