Last Long Run Before the Big Day: Reflecting on My London Marathon 2023 Training Journey

-

 Today was a significant day in my London Marathon 2023 training journey. It was the last run over an hour before the big race day next Sunday. I took Polly out again in her running buggy, and she lasted about 10 minutes before falling asleep this time! It's great to know that I can rely on this tactic to keep her calm and comfortable while I focus on my training.

During the run, I spent 10 minutes in heart rate zone 2, 50 minutes in heart rate zone 3, and then a final 10 minutes in heart rate zone 2. It felt like a productive session, and I'm happy with my progress so far. With only one week left before the big race day, I'm feeling both excited and nervous.

As well as marking the end of my last long run, today also signals a return to work after two weeks off with my family. I'm incredibly grateful for the time I had with them, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to focus on my training while also spending quality time with my loved ones. I will definitely miss being with them during the day and can't wait for the next holidays to spend more time with them.


It's amazing to think that the London Marathon 2023 is almost here. This 16-week training program has been both challenging and rewarding, and I'm proud of myself for sticking with it. With only a few days left, I'm going to stay focused and keep pushing myself to be in the best possible shape for the race. Bring on next Sunday!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Finding Balance: Life, Hobbies, and Marathon Training

-
Image
  Welcome back to my London Marathon 2023 training blog! Today is day 102 out of 112, and unfortunately, life got in the way of my training. As much as we try to stick to a training plan, sometimes unexpected events can disrupt our routine, and that's okay. So, there was no run for me today, but I did manage to finish painting my latest Blood Bowl team. As a runner, I find it essential to have hobbies and other interests to keep me balanced and grounded. Painting miniatures is my go-to hobby, and it's a great way to unwind after a long day at work or a tough workout. Plus, it's always satisfying to see the finished product. While it's essential to prioritise our training, it's equally important to make time for the things that make us happy and help us relax. After all, training for a marathon is a long and challenging process, and we need to take care of our mental health as well as our physical health. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll be back out on the streets
Read more

Day 82: Pushing Through the Pain - Intense Interval Training

-
Image
  Today's training session was an intensive interval session, which began with a 15-minute warm-up before moving into 5 x 2 minute efforts in heart rate zone 4, with a 1 minute recovery between each effort. Although the distance was shorter, it was mentally tough to maintain my pace and not push myself too hard. I had to ease off a couple of times to prevent over-stressing my body and pushing my heart rate into the anaerobic zone. As I wind down for the day, I'm looking forward to getting some well-deserved rest. Fortunately, I have no early wake-up calls tomorrow, so I can sleep in and let my body recover. I won't be stretching before bed, but I'll make sure to do some light stretching before my next run. With the London Marathon only a few weeks away (don't forget, it's on April 23rd!), the pressure is on to maintain my training regimen. It's a challenge to keep pushing myself forward, but I know it'll be worth it when I cross that finish line.
Read more

Balancing Training and Fun: Reflections on Day 34 of My London Marathon 2023 Journey

-
  Today marked Day 34 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and it was back to intervals with a bang. I had 6 x 5-minute hard efforts in heart rate zone 4, with 1-minute recovery in between. This type of training is essential for building my endurance and strength, and helps to increase my speed and stamina for the marathon. However, fitting in this run today was a real struggle. My day was packed with exciting events, starting with a trip to London to see the Strictly Come Dancing Tour with Kelly. After the show, we headed to an early Valentine's Day dinner, making for a busy and fulfilling day. To top it off, Kelly even made it onto Heart Radio to talk about our daily plans and what we had been up to. Despite the busy schedule, I made sure to prioritise my training, and I'm proud to say that I pushed through the struggle and completed my intervals. The hard efforts were challenging, but the 1-minute recoveries in between allowed me to catch my breath and gather my energy for t
Read more