Here is a review of my first 3 weeks on Marathon training. Having spend Christmas doing about 3 x 5km runs a week, I had started to up the mileage prior to getting the call to be a leader. The longest run I had was 13km, but, also for me being a retailer, I have to do trade shows at this time of the year. I would clock up around 13 km a day on these trade shows and prior to my first week I had 5 days at a trade show…..must remember this next year.
SO, week 1 started Strength and conditioning with running buddy on my first evening back from a Dublin show. really enjoyed it and was buzzing to start my first run…
Tuesday 6 miles easy running with 6 by 80 metres pick ups
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 2 mile warm-up, 6 by 800 meters intervals (2 minutes recovery), and a 3 mile cool-down
Friday S and C with Running buddy
Saturday: 2 Miles easy running.. park run ..2 miles cool down
Sunday: Clonakilty 5 mile
So all was going well but my mistake was doing the Park run the day before the 5 mile race. And during the race with 1/2 a mile to go felt a niggle in my hamstring and stopped. I should have walked home but pride took over and I jogged to the finish line.
Week 2 starts with a sore Hamstring and the advice from Coach Kieran and Patrick from Running buddy was a few days off, and Start back with a 3 mile easy run. So,
Wednesday S&C with Running Buddy
Thursday Easy run 3 miles
Friday S&C with Running buddy
Sat 1.5 mile warm up Park run and 1.5 cool down. Unfortunately all was going well but half way through Park run pulled up again, not because it was serious but because I felt a little uncomfortable.
Sunday rest
Week 3 Monday rest
Tuesday Nice easy run, walked 23km last 2 days so, was supposed to run 5 miles today but still wary of the hamstring so did just over 3 miles. Iced on the hamstring after. All good.
Wednesday rest
Thursday – Sunday Trade shows and would be walking a lot again. Will do a 3 mile run tomorrow night.
My lesson in these first few weeks has been sore I suppose but a word of caution to all of us first time Marathoners. We need to be wary when upping the mileage and we aware of any niggles. Not to do too many park runs especially if there are races the day after. It’s great to have coaches on board to ask questions and to reassure. I am also going to see a physio on Monday 10th to get some advice, which I will pass on through the various channels. It has been a real pleasure to be part of this journey with the runners dairy podcast, Coach Kieran @cranky_coach and Patrick @runningbuddytraining.
Follow my Journey on Insta @liskillealife and TikTok @middle.of.the.pack.
also need to start thinking in miles rather than kms….another challenge.
Cheers
Padraig