Peter's Virtual Marathon training - week 3

/in /by vicvidder

Sunday

It was forecast wet with a blustery South Westerly wind, so I went for a different route, heading down into Kingston then South on the Portsmouth Road to the Scilly Isles. The first four miles into the wind was quite hard, but after that was easier and the rain stopped. The 8 mile point came up on Barge Walk heading back to Kingston.  Crossed the Thames at Kingston Bridge, and headed up to Richmond. This section felt harder and the pace crept over 11mm average. The half marathon came up in Petersham in a time of 2hrs 23.19, 8 minutes quicker than last week. The last three miles, through Petersham meadow and Richmond Park were tough, with the pace dropping back sharply. Overall though a good effort and covered 16 miles at an average pace of 11.14 mm.  This training plan has a very steep distance ramp and I am targeting 18 miles next weekend.

 

Tuesday

I ran early in Richmond Park trying for a bit more pace. Had a good run, on a favourite loop up to the Ballet School and round the Pen Ponds. 5.57 miles at 10.35mm average.

 

Thursday

Another early start on a grey morning. Decided to push on and did a lap of the Park (in at Ladderstyle and out at Kingston Gate). Total distance 7.6 miles with plenty of Richmond Hills at an average of 10.29 mm). Stopped briefly at 6 miles to take a pic of the local wildlife. Hopefully these mid week runs will improve my long distance effort.

Second week of Marathon training

/in /by vicvidder

Second week of marathon training light on runs with just one decent six miles on Monday, followed by a busy week reorganising race kit and moving out of Big Yellow warehousing back into our Quicksilver event sheds. So needed to get a long run in at the weekend. Upped the target again and ran a half marathon distance on a favourite route which will form part of the virtual marathon. 3 miles through Richmond Park then a couple more through Roehampton to Barnes, then follow the Thames Path back to Teddington Lock. Glorious day in the first weekend into Lockdown 2, with sunshine and no wind. Towpath packed with runners, cyclists and walkers but great autumn colours and the river looking great with the tide running out and low mudbanks exposed.

Kept to the plan and ran steady/slow and the miles felt easy up to 10, then required a bit more focus for the last 3.1. Stopped my watch on 2 hrs 31.17 at average 11.33 pace which would give a marathon time a tad over 5 hours. As this challenge is (for me) about completing the distance rather than time, a good result. Looking at 15 to 16 miles for next weekend and feeling more confident about pulling this off. If I can nudge up the pace a bit further might start thinking about a time goal as well as distance! Fingers crossed for more of this settled Autumn weather.