So far so good.

My marathon training program consists of 18 weeks training broken up into 4 cycles. The first and second sections are both 5 weeks long and the third and forth are 4 weeks each. Each section has a purpose and hopefully put together will put me in good shape for Berlin.

Today sees the end of the first cycle. This section was about building up the miles and trying to keep it consistent. So far so good and each week has returned 50+ miles and a 5 week total of 243 miles. The only downer was in week 4 where I had planned to bring up the mileage close to 60. A toe injury knocked me out for a night so that put an end to a 60 mile week. The week ended up with 52 miles. If that’s the worst thing to happen me then I won’t lose any sleep.

This first session has also seen me get in my first 20 miler. A gradual build up over the weeks has help me put in a 20 at 7:40 average pace. Last week I put in an 18 mile run and did it with one of the lads in the club. It was a lovely run and time seemed to fly. This week however the 20 mile run was done on my own and it was a difficult run. Left home at 7:40am and drove the course to put water for my run at the 6, 10, 14, 17.5 mile marks. Started the run at 8:00am. From mile 10 I felt like I was running from water stop to water stop and breaking down the miles in my mind as if this was going to make it go faster. Running on my own is boring but if anything it teaches good discipline. This evening my legs feel tired but today I wore compression socks and the normal stiffness I suffer after a long run is not there. I have used these socks before while doing hill work and they work a treat in the prevention of calf cramps.

Last Thursday night saw me making the trip to Shanagarry for the Ballycotton summer series. This series consists of four 5 mile races. My target is to end up in the top 50 after the 4 races. Coming into last Thursdays race I was in 67th position.

I found the race itself tough but enjoyed it. Keeping to form I went out way too fast in my first mile. 5:45. I knew I would pay for that. Mile 2 was 6:00, Mile 3 was pay back time. 6:46. I really suffered in this mile. Mile 4 6:33, Mile 5 6:34. The next race will be Churchtown south. I am going to try target even splits. Need a pacer I think. Total time 31:46.

In general I was happy as I usually find this race a lot harder than the first and usually loose about a minute between them. This time the difference this time was 24 seconds. Maybe the hill running on Saturday morning is starting to pay off. Not that it felt like it at 2.5 miles :-)

As this is the second race there is usually a natural drop out from the first race. My starting position was 67 and after last Thursday I am now in 56th. I would think that most of the people that ran the first 2 races will now complete the final 2. This will mean that every second will be important. Fingers crossed for the next race.

Anyway on to my second cycle of the marathon program. Another 5 weeks but this time the mileage should hit a max of 66 miles in week 8. Along with the mileage increase my Tuesday night speed work will change a bit. Most of the runs will be 8 to 10 mile runs with roughly 5 miles run at 10 mile race pace. Saturday morning will continue with hill work for this cycle and I do plan on doing a 21 mile run. Next Sunday see’s a drop back to 15 miles - Time for the body to recover before the next big hike. Next race will be the 22nd so here’s hoping that I will get back under 31:30.

Next update in 2 to 3 weeks.