Marathon training – snow and sea spray

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My first 3 weeks of marathon training were tough and not without a few trials and tribulations. A drop in mileage at week 4 helped a hip niggle settle and then…the snow came…

After 35 miles in week 3 dropping down to 28 in week 4 felt like a real luxury and it was a real treat to run in the snow. My first journey into the white was a 7 miler across the downs, slipping and sliding around as I climbed hills, ankle-deep in snow!

The reduced mileage of week 4 helped the hip settle a great deal but it still let me know with the odd twinge here and there. It’s soon forgotten though running in the snow! I wish I could do it more often, every footfall makes a nice crunching noise beneath you and the countryside looks amazing all dressed in white. A second snowy 7 miler along the cliff tops marked the end to week 4 and the start of a 37-mile week 5.

The snow continued in Brighton until midweek and Tuesday night saw me run home from work against a headwind and a steady mix of freezing rain and sleet. Envigorating! My legs were beetroot pink by the time I got in but were quickly revived by my favourite winter post-run treat – a hot chocolate and a nice bath. Wednesday’s tempo run was a toughy too but I kept above target pace. One downside of running home from work is carrying my backpack. I try to travel light but still end up with a hefty lump on my back! Week 5’s long run was an 18 miler along the seafront on a beautiful sunny morning. It felt great out there and my pace gradually crept up well above the target of 8:07 per mile and closer to 7:20. I paid for it after a while though…as I turned to head home at mile 9 my hip really started to twinge again. Bugger! Once again I pay for pushing myself too hard. The 9 miles home weren’t comfortable but not quite sore enough to make me stop, although sometimes I wonder how painful something would have to be to make me quit!

The hip was aching the following morning so my 5-mile recovery run was replaced by a 6-mile walk to a pub for a Sunday roast. That counts as cross-training right?

Week 6 has been good to me so far. The hip settled by Tuesday, in time for my next run and then Thursday I had a real treat during my interval session;

The sun was out but the tide was up and the wind was strong. The waves were crashing against the sea wall throwing huge plumes of spray up into the air, nearly as high as the neighbouring cliff tops. It’s hard to describe how amazing it feels to run with imposing white cliff faces on one side and billowing geysers of saltwater on the other.

The only slight downside was having to splash through ankle-deep water and running with cold wet feet. Minor price to pay though and I still managed my interval targets – 6:12, 6:04 and 6:01 for each of the 3 miles. It felt fantastic to let go and unleash a little speed. Most of my training is around 8 minutes per mile so I relish the speed sessions where I can accelerate a bit.

Friday’s 6 miler was a tough one after Thursday’s speed session and tomorrow will see my longest run so far – 20 miles. Unfortunately, though I’m working this weekend and all of next week so it might be hard work fitting it in. I’ll find a way though, let’s hope the hip stays pain-free this time…

Marathon miles so far; December 34, January 128, February 6 – Total = 168 miles