Second week of Marathon training

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.