Guest Post: Autumn Marathon... by Pat Walsh

 ** Autumn Marathon **

Thanks everyone for the comments on my last post. Very informative of your feelings and thoughts.

This advice is still applicable to anyone doing an Autumn Marathon.

April is nearly gone and May is just around the corner. How is your training going?

Hopefully at this stage your weekly mileage is at least 20 miles with one long run of 10 miles included in that.

What is next….Keep up the consistent training.

Weekly total should be heading now towards 25 miles. You can still get by with 3 runs a week or 4 if the extra run is an easy few miles.

Don’t over-train as you will get fed up in a few months when the real work should be starting.

Plan ahead so that you get your runs completed. You are still building your base fitness and should be getting stronger each week. There will still be a bad day or week, we all have them, but generally you should be feeling good about the training. Think about including a half marathon race in the next month or 2.

It will give you a focus and also give an early indicator of possible Marathon finishing time and how to set the pace for you weekly runs. 

Mix up some shorter midweek local races instead of a Tempo / Interval session. It is good to get out and mix it up and meet some fellow runners and share a moan or 2.

Don't forget to stretch, foam roll, rest, relax go to an odd Gym class that includes overall stretching and mobility.

As you move into higher mileage on the long run it is good to try out ways of refueling the body. You might not need anything for a 12 mile run but now is the time to see what works for you (and more importantly what doesn’t…!) Gels, Jellies, Bars, Lucozade sweets, energy drinks, Tablets in the water. Loads of options and see what suits you best. Start the experiment now.

It is a good idea to find running buddies for your long runs. Someone around the same pace as yourself is ideal. Company is good on those runs as we all have times when we need a little lift to just keep going and less likely to skip a run if you promised to meet someone. There is a lot of help online, lots of training plans and ideas and support groups for encouragement. These are all excellent to help share problems, pain and get some advice.

It is a big undertaking in terms of time, commitment and money. Give yourself every chance of succeeding and getting the best out of yourself and the day. Get help if you feel you need it and have someone else minding you to keep you on the right road and to help, encourage and advise. Plan well and dream big.

#PWR #KeeponRunning