Part two in my regular Berlin marathon training blog also turns out to be… a report from the Berlin marathon. Luckily I was more consistent in training than blogging. The aim was sub 3 hours. A mark that will put you among the top 5% of most marathons, for women it’s likely 2 or 3%….
Berlin Training – Week 1: Here comes a new Challenge
It Begins Again I did over six hours of running this week, but it didn’t feel like it. I was still fresh for my Sunday long run (10 miles), despite running every day (and twice on Tuesday). I’m enjoying my typical run being 45 minutes easy and feel happy to be using a purchased training…
Race Report: The Highland Fling 2018
Well Prepared “Are you sure you’ve got everything?”, asked Isla as we headed out the door on Friday night. It was a strange question. She’d seen me go over and over and over my kit in the last few days. “Yes! Let’s go”, I said as I locked the door. …”hang on, I need to…
Four weeks until The Highland Fling 2018
It’s Saturday morning and I should be out on the trails. I’m sitting on a comfy armchair watching videos and reading articles. With only 28 days until I line up for my first Fling these should be peak training weeks, which, for me, means 55-65 miles – including a good 25-miler. I came down with…
Training to run Sub 3 in Berlin
Online Marathon Coaching I hired an online coach for my last marathon attempt. I chose one with an Olympic pedigree who offered a tailored training plan. We started 18 weeks out from the race, identified a goal time (3:20, a 21 minute PB), and he set about creating a plan that would get me there….
My quest for a BQ marathon – Part Three
OK, fuck it. I’m bored with this retrospective series and it’s a bit hoity-toity so I’m wrapping it up. The last post took me to my first marathon and a minute over four hours to finish. It’s a decent time for a first go at my age but nothing to get up myself about. I…
Winter Training 2017-18
In October/November I did a 6 week speed training programme and one very cold Sunday I went out for a long tempo run. I warmed up quite nicely and then just put the foot on the gas and subsequently broke my 10K and half marathon PB (42:26, 92:05). I was clearly faster than ever but…
Race Report: Devil O The Highlands Footrace 2017
Proper Prep By the time I’d reached Glencoe Ski Center early on Saturday morning I’d already had to stop for a numero dos at the side of the road. Now I was going to have to do it again in the car park. It was 7am in late July. It was chilly and lashing with…
Race Report: Clyde Stride Ultramarathon 2017
The Best Plans My target was, as always, to beat last year’s time. I ran a 6:02 and I felt I could get between 5:40 and 5:50 if things went well. I worked out an average pace for each leg and found my overall pace had to be quicker than 9:00/mile. I loaded last years…
My quest for a BQ marathon – Part Two
Technically I started training for my first marathon 5 months out. I was full of beginner’s enthusiasm and felt like I could build some momentum. I didn’t want to be the guy who turned up at the start line having barely trained. I especially didn’t want to be the guy who didn’t make the finish…
