I did it. 26.2 Miles.
I really enjoyed using Runna, I found it incredibly motivating ticking off my workouts & even the challenge of upping your suggested time. Yes it wasn’t perfect but for the price of the yearly subscription, im sure it got me over that marathon line.
20 Weeks training with Runna. Running 4 Times a Week. Previous Running Experience was two 10 Mile Races (1:27/1:19) & a Half Marathon (1:51). The Faster 10 Mile result was achieved mid training block. Peak week was 60K, longest run was 33K.
I had always wished for a Sub 4 but would have been over the moon with just getting across the line. Runna suggested 3:40, Garmin was 3:53, Strava 4:09 & RunAlyze 4:04.
I did get injured Mid Block around 6 Weeks out, I had worn brand new Alpha Flys for a B Race & strained my right calf, 3 weeks missed & physio to try & strengthen it. This really affected my taper & effectively cut my two peak weeks short.
I decided very quickly to forget about the Alpha Flys for this marathon & go back to my Vomero Plus which I had been training in.
I decided to go with Garmins suggestion of a 3:53 & set up a Pace Pro plan with this time & the Course. I did slip off pace a little in the second half but at the halfway point I was only 8 Seconds Ahead of pace. I had read so much about not going off too fast & made sure after the first 5K I could lock into my goal pace for 20-25K. The hills came at 28K & slowed me a little, I managed to fight the last part of the race as hard as I could. Coming home in a 3:59:09. Im super pleased with that.
Nutrition was 90G Carbs Per Hour, SIS Beta Fuel Gels every 30 Minutes, 2 Salt Stick Chews every 30 Minutes & a few haribo sweets.
It was my first & probably only marathon, I loved the day but the brutality of that second half is not to be sniffed at. Massive respect to anyone who attempts the distance. Overall an incredible few weeks of my life, im really pleased with how race day went but boy will I be glad to get back down to 10K Races.