Global Sport Stories

Week 2 marathon training, let’s get it. Coming off the back of my first full week marathon training, I was keen to reflect on how I felt and what I could perhaps do differently. Furthermore, acknowledging what I had planned for the week, aside from running, I knew I would have to tailor my training slightly – as I simply wouldn’t have the time to put in as many long distance efforts.

With slightly more limited time, I was keen to focus on more intricate details of running, pacing for example. However, before I get into that, it’s time for the weekly round up of Spy Bar FC’s Monday night 5 a side effort. 

In short, it was a huge success. Although, if you remember back to the week prior, I ended with my longest run yet of 30km on the Sunday. Therefore, it is safe to say my legs were slightly fatigued going into the week ahead. This makes me raise a few interesting points though. Firstly, I suppose rather obviously, it is worth saying how I was dramatically less fatigued than what I have experienced when running half marathons in the past. This evidently suggests my training is efficient which of course pleases me greatly. However, secondly, the fatigue I was experiencing had become less muscular and increasingly involved my joints (specifically ankles and feet). This is something I am a little unsure how to deal with honestly, but one I imagine I can only help via taking advice from others and educating myself on.

Anyway, to stop the tangent I was veering off on, Spy Bar FC ran out 8-6 winners on Monday night, surviving the last 10 minutes with only four men on the pitch. Having a lovely complement of nine players, I sensed the opportunity to play reduced minutes and give my sluggish legs a break. However, when the going got tough you couldn’t drag me off that pitch. I couldn’t tell you exactly how many minutes I played, all I know is it was definitely more than what I was anticipating. For me though, those wins where you have to grind out a result are so much more rewarding than an easy thrashing, so we left Power League very happy with ourselves indeed. 

Tuesday night, saw my first night run of the training programme. These are something I am actively trying to avoid, but when the offer of a cold sunset dip came around, I knew my fate of running in the dark was sealed. The dip I must say was unbelievably nice. We stayed in the water on that lovely evening for just over eight minutes – which has to be good recovery for my legs right? All the while I was chilling though (literally) I knew I had to get some miles in when I returned home. 

I had planned to do a tempo run, it would’ve been silly to do a long run, plus time simply would not have permitted. Now I am going to demonstrate my running ignorance, as before my perception of a tempo run was one of varying tempos. For example, a hard kilometre followed by a moderate one followed by another hard one. You know? But no. With the help of the Nike Running App’s coach in my ear, I soon found out it was all about sustaining a specific pace that I was comfortable being uncomfortable with. This was the case for 5k and all things considered I enjoyed it. It varied my training as I wasn’t simply heading out for just another 5k and I proved to myself that I could sustain a faster pace for that distance – evidencing the success of my training. 

By the time Wednesday rolled around though, I had decided my training recently had been quite intense; so the aim of the game was to bank some slow, simple miles. My trusted 10km route finishing at Lidl for some post run grub was exactly what I was after. We’ll just skip over the bit where I had to pitstop in a city centre pub packed full of Geordies for a toilet break. Let’s just say nature called. 

Due to certain stomach issues, this wasn’t my most enjoyable run ever, however, it made it clear to myself that I am now in a position that if I am wanting to do a medium distance run, it has to be more like 15k than 10k. Once out for a run, every extra mile I bank counts towards preparing my body for the big day – that’s my theory anyway. 

This marked the last run of mine for a couple of days, but I knew this was going to be the case and I was okay with that. Especially since one reason I wasn’t going to be running was because I was getting to try out my paddleboard for the first time! A christmas present that I had not had the time to use yet; what lacked in physical exertion was more than made up for in enjoyment levels. Infact, I have done myself a disservice there, as battling the North Sea waves with a paddleboard definitely takes a level of physical exertion! It was great fun though. I was only going to mess about with it and definitely wasn’t planning on taking it far out or travelling on it. Instead I caught a few waves on my knees and made a fool of myself trying to stand up. Regardless of the personal embarrassment, my appetite is seriously whetted to get out on the board again and it made for a great break to running everyday. 

Friday marked a complete break from any physical activity as I was travelling south for a family event. That being said, the mandatory 45 minute break that Flixbus drivers are apparently entitled to did make me consider a half hour run around the service station car park… I could still get about 6k in that way! I must admit though I thought better of it and saved myself for Parkrun the next morning.

Ross-on-Wye Parkrun doesn’t play host to the youngest, fittest athletes in the country it seems, as I came 10th! I was torn as to what pace to run at for the two loops of the riverside course, however, when it came down to it I couldn’t help not testing myself. 21 minutes 38 isn’t a personal best of mine, and I did definitely have a little more in the tank, but it was nice to feel as though I was running harder at a more sustained pace. I have to credit the tempo run earlier in the week for providing me with this self belief I must say. 

Interestingly, my calfs were in agony shortly after the event, something I have found when setting my current 5km personal best. The only antidote to this? Run another 7km to bump the miles up. And that’s exactly what I did. A lovely little out and back route along the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire border. The sun was out and my spirits were high; running in the sun and the heat really reminds you why you actually do enjoy it deep down. It really provided me with a new found appreciation for this time of year. There were lambs and calves in the lush green fields and you could tell that the bitterness of the winter had just about given way to the sun’s rays. I didn’t really have to think about the distance – it was such a pleasure to explore my surroundings. Despite feeling as though I could complete my marathon then and there, I headed for home as a nice family walk combined with some recovery in a hot tub also didn’t seem too bad to me!