Boom! I started March with a very hilly half marathon around the hills of Cleckhuddersfax. I was really apprehensive about the Liversedge Half on 1 March, despite running the Brass Monkey in January on very little training plus a few 10 milers. I guess the pressure to perform is now mounting. There was no expectation back in January. My legs were tired and anyone who knows me knows how I love a hill, but it turns out that I needn’t have worried. I finished in 2:16 — only one minute slower than a very flat Brass Monkey course.
The month then lay out in front of me with many more miles to do. The novelty and enthusiasm of marathon training has definitely worn off. I’m no longer at the easy start of the prep, and, with 8 weeks to go, there was no finish line in sight. A wise coach once said, “beginnings are easy, it’s middles that are hard“.
He was right. March’s middle miles were difficult, all 152.5 of them.
After some encouragement, I took the brave call to enter the Spen 20 later in the month. This is essentially the same course as the Liversedge Half I did on the first, but with added hilly distance.
I knew this would be tough and boy it was. Usually turning up to a race there are literally 100s of participants milling around before the start. At this one there were just 89! That was it. And as I watched most runners disappear in front of me, I was soon running on my own.
I started passing a few other around 13 miles but it was hard going. No crowds, endless hills, and zero company. My cardiovascular system coped, but my legs and hips were in serious pain as I reached the finish line. Phew, I did it. That has got to be harder than 26.2 flat miles right?
This month’s positive is using the VDOT software. It feels like a mixture of science and magic. Every workout gives me exactly what I need for the marathon. Easy pace runs are pleasant and enjoyable. Reps are tough but doable, and make me feel like I’m progressing without beasting myself too much. Basically every time I turn on the Garmin, I know there’s a workout waiting for me that will meet my needs. It’s hard to describe how supportive it is. The pacing is spot on and I always feel like it knows exactly what I’m capable of. I highly recommend VDOT if you want to get fitter and faster.
Looking forward to the taper now. Not many long runs left and then the big city crowds are calling. It’s getting exciting now.
