OK, I’m fully aware I’m risking things by dedicating a post to the subject of marathon training and my upcoming race… but here we go. Finger’s crossed I’m not jinxing anything.
I qualified for the Boston marathon last year at the Liverpool marathon and it was one of my favourite races of the year, if not ever (though it battles with the Cakeathon for that one…).
To qualify for Boston I needed a comfortable sub 3:35 to get in. Boston works on a tier entry system, so by qualifying either by over 20 minutes or 10 minutes, you have a good chance of getting in. Luckily my time was 3:24:06 which meant I could enter in the second tier of entries, guaranteeing me a place.
After doing some base-building through December, marathon training has fully begun now. Currently I’m about 14 weeks out from the race date. I won’t be doing week by week check-ins on my blog as I find these are really only interesting for the author (unless you want me to…?) and it’s really tempting fate to give me an injury. (I’m on Strava if you want to see all my runs though and I post a lot to Instagram).
My goals: Obviously a PB would be amazing. However, I’m not going to aim and train for one. I’d like to enjoy the atmosphere, soak in the sights and not risk injury. I’m going to Boston with my mum (my dad would come too but he can’t due to work) and we’re going to head to Cape Cod afterwards and not being injured would really help both of our enjoyments 😉 Plus it’s such an iconic race I’d like to remember it and not be watch-watching. The course is supposed to be quite challenging as well so letting off some pressure will help me enjoy it a bit more. Also, the worst thing (aside from injury) would be to finish the race feeling disappointed I hadn’t hit a certain time.
The plan: I’m loosely following the training plan I used for Liverpool as it seemed to work so well. But I won’t be sticking to it religiously as already I have different races and events coming up that means things are being tweaked. Ideally I’ll be running four times a week: a speed session (hills or intervals – probably going to be hills rather than intervals if I’m honest as that’s my preference), a medium run (6-8 miles), parkrun and a long run. I’m hoping to run 18 miles two or three times with possibly the Meon Plod 21 mile race (a hilly trail race, not to be raced!). My mileage will probably peak 35-40 miles but only briefly. Most of my weeks will be 25-30 miles. My body likes that best and I know I don’t need tons of mileage to run a marathon (at least to run the times I’m currently happy with).
Added extras: My love affair with the gym continues strong. I was able to maintain gym visits with Liverpool so I’m hoping to do the same. At the moment I’m gyming 4-5 times a week. It’s highly likely to drop to three sessions. Superfluous sessions which are purely for my own enjoyment and aesthetic purposes, like shoulders and arms, will be the first to go. I hope to maintain a legs, glutes and back day (with core work) as I find they’re very beneficial to running.
Nutrition: All the cake all the time… 😉
And that’s it really. Obviously there is a fair amount of pressure to NOT GET INJURED as an expensive holiday (and expensive race) is on the cards here and my mum is coming with me. But if the worst comes to the worst and I do get injured and really cannot run the race, we’ll still go but just go to Cape Cod sooner rather than spend the time in Boston itself. I’m going to try and be sensible though and do most of my training (apart from interval sessions and parkruns) on my own as that way I can manage my own paces and stick to my plan. It worked for Liverpool so I’m hoping it will work again!
Are you aiming to run any specific races this year?
Where are you going on holiday?
Have you ever been to Boston before?
Boston is an amazing city, so I think doing a marathon around it would be epic. Like you say, it is iconic (even more so now), so that atmosphere will be great.
Cape cod is beautiful too. We went out on a yacht there and it was so nice.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Winter Lentil Salad by Alison
Ooooh how very fancy – a yatch! I think we’ll just wander around and mosey about, mostly eating and relaxing 😉
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Fear of being an adult
Girl you are going to crush Boston! You’ve got a great plan going and with the gym helping you to build some muscle, there’s no way you won’t!
P.S. those leggings are freaking cute! 🙂
Kat recently posted…WIAW 1.13.16
Ahhh thanks Kat 🙂 I just hope the marathon training doesn’t destroy all my “gainz” 😉 but we’ll see.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Fear of being an adult
Best of luck with it!
I’m running my first marathon in 12.5 weeks and I’m excited and bricking it in equal measures!
Love your blog and instagram, very inspiring.
Thanks Laura 🙂
Oh how exciting!! Finger’s crossed your training goes well for you! Which marathon is it?
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Fear of being an adult
Manchester – 12 weeks today! I’m following a training plan and it’s all going to plan so far, but I can’t imagine being able to run 26.2 miles…!
Oh you will! In a few weeks time all those “long runs” you did will feel super short as your endurance gets stronger. 12 weeks is a long time for the magic to happen 🙂
AnnaTheApple recently posted…No parkrun and no race
But also the “in tears” thing might’ve been because I have having horrible allergies at Pennsic this year, and my nose was running constantly, so I had to be tethered to a box of tissues too..
So exciting!!!!!!!!!!! It’s finally this year for you!!!
We went to Boston for Christmas (and it snowed on Christmas day- it was freezing!)- we saw the finish line for the marathon which was amazing. It’s so iconic.
I think your plan sounds so sensible- just enjoy it and have a fab holiday- what a great combination!
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted…Lessons from bootcamp
I’m so excited – Boston is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. Well, New England in general really. It seems a bit more low key America you know?
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Fear of being an adult
Sounds like a sensible plan, I was also gym-ming 5 times a week but have dropped it to 3 now that my running is increasing again. Boston will be so exciting!
Lauren (@poweredbypb) recently posted…2016 Goals
It’s all about balance and listening to your body. For me it’s how motivated I feel at the gym. Usually I get to the gym raring to go but as soon as I notice myself walking listlessly around not wanting to be there I cut back.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…No parkrun and no race
This is amazing! (I’m all up for weekly running recaps though – I enjoy reading them).
I haven’t been to America, but would quite like to go one day. My mum and sister are off to Canada this year. Matt and I have yet to decide where (if anywhere) we’re going to go. Iceland is definitely on the cards after reading about your’s and Maria’s trips there.
Steph recently posted…Whole 30 Days 10 to 14: Going strong
Ahh Iceland is fantastic. Truly breathtaking. America is good as well, but very Westernised (obviously!!) so everything is processed and, well, a bit like the movies really if that makes sense? I’d love to go to Canada. Just the scenery looks amazing.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…No parkrun and no race
I am very excited to follow your road to Boston. It still seems so far away! You’re super organised!
It looks like another holiday-less year for us again this year. Dan is off on two stag-dos abroad in the Easter/Summer holidays, and then is heavily involved (as best man and usher) for both weddings, which will eat a big chunk of our ‘fun’ money this year. 🙁 Next year though I’m hoping to book something in early for us so that we can head off somewhere. I miss going away. I feel I get a much better break when it is a complete break away from home.
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