"London Marathon 2025: Getting in Shape Again for the Ultimate Running Challenge!"

  Today's run was a true test of my determination and perseverance. It was Day 100 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and the one word that summed up my experience was RAIN!!! It was pouring down throughout my entire interval session, making it one of the toughest runs I've had in a while. Thankfully, I had a 6 x 5 minute session scheduled for today, so I didn't have to push myself too hard for too long. The rain made it challenging enough, but I managed to keep up with the pace and complete each interval. Even though the elements were certainly against me, I didn't let it defeat me. I conquered the rain and triumphed over it! I have to admit, I don't think I would have been able to give much more today anyway as the weather made it so difficult. But I knew that skipping a day of training would only set me back, so I decided to push through it instead. I laced up my shoes and hit the pavement, determined to get my session done no matter what. And you know what? It...

  Welcome back to my London Marathon 2023 training blog on day 99 out of 112. Yesterday, I completed a long run, which means today was a well-deserved rest day. I decided to make the most of this rest day and embrace my hidden inner geek at Warhammer World in Nottingham. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking - "isn't Warhammer just a game of toy soldiers?" But let me tell you, it's so much more than that. And if you need proof, just look at Henry Cavill, who played Superman in the recent movies, and is a huge Warhammer fan. Henry Cavill is a well-known advocate for the Warhammer hobby, and has even talked about how it helps him relax and unwind after a long day of work. If Superman himself can find the time and enjoyment to indulge in this hobby, then surely it's worth giving it a chance. I spent my day building some Blood Bowl models and walking around the exhibition, marveling at the intricate designs and attention to detail. However, as much as I enjoy...

  I can hardly believe that there are only two weeks left until the London Marathon 2023! Day 98 of my training saw me embark on a route towards Faversham, but a split second decision saw me take a detour out into the stunning countryside towards Rodmersham, Kingsdown, and beyond. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and I relished the freedom to explore and enjoy the natural beauty around me. As I made my way across fields and up hills, the sun shining down on me, I felt incredibly grateful for the opportunity to run and to be alive. My training run for the day was split into two hours, with the first hour spent in heart rate zone 2 and the second in zone 3. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable I felt, given the distance and terrain. It was a great reminder of how far I've come over the past few months and the progress I've made in my fitness. As I get closer to race day, I know it's time to start tapering my training slightly. My programme will gradually reduce th...

  It's day 97 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and I'm still feeling a bit sluggish after last week's cold. However, I managed to lace up my shoes and head out for a nice gentle 40-minute run today. To make things more interesting, I decided to take along my daughter Polly in her running buggy. I figured it would be a great way to get her out of the house and into the fresh air. Plus, it's always nice to have some company on my runs, even if that company is only a tiny human who was more interested in her chocolate bunny that she brought along for the ride. But let me tell you, things did not go exactly as planned. As soon as we hit the pavement, Polly was out like a light. I'm not even sure she made it five minutes before she was fast asleep. It was like pushing a sack of potatoes along the road. I couldn't help but laugh at the situation. Here I was, trying to give Polly a change of scenery, and she couldn't care less! As for me, the run was pretty une...

I t's day 96 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and I am happy to report that I managed to get back out to a return of intervals training today. To be completely honest, I still wasn't feeling great this morning. I still had a bit of a sniffle and a chesty cough, but I was determined to get back on track for the final push towards the finishing line up The Mall on 23rd April. After a 10 minute warm up, I launched into 4 x 8 minute efforts in heart rate zone 4 with a 90 second rest in between each run. It was tough going, I won't lie. I had a few moments where I started coughing, but I pushed through to the end and am really pleased that I completed today's run. It's always a great feeling to push through a tough workout and come out the other side feeling accomplished. The great thing about completing your run first thing in the morning when you're on holiday is that you know that you have the rest of the day to do whatever you want without the thought of havi...

  As marathon training reaches its final weeks, it's not uncommon for runners to experience fatigue and various aches and pains. During this time, it's crucial to listen to your body and adapt your training accordingly to avoid causing any further damage or injury. This morning, I woke up still feeling very chesty and decided to switch my rest day with my intervals day. It wasn't an easy decision to make, especially so close to the big day, but I knew that my body needed the rest. It's been a tough week and a half with running, and I didn't want to risk hampering my recovery any further. It's important to remember that there's no shame in modifying your training schedule when your body needs it. Resting and taking a break doesn't mean you're slacking off or giving up. It means you're taking care of yourself, which is essential in the final stages of marathon training. It's also important to note that every runner's body is different. What...

  Today, even though it's my Easter holiday, I was up early and out the door at 6:15am for my morning run. As I stepped outside, I noticed a frost on the ground. Although it's already April, Sittingbourne is still experiencing chilly mornings. However, I was excited to get out there and complete my 45-minute easy run as per my programme. I did feel a little chesty, but I knew that running would help me clear my lungs and feel better overall. As I ran along, I enjoyed the serene scenery around me. The quiet streets of Sittingbourne were peaceful and calming, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to be out there, enjoying the fresh morning air. The cool air was invigorating and helped me to wake up even more. After 45 minutes of running, I returned home feeling accomplished and ready to tackle the day ahead. It's amazing how a good run can boost your mood and energy levels, especially when you start your day with it. Tomorrow, I plan to go back to running some intervals. Be...

  Today marks Day 93 of my marathon training journey, and I'm excited to share with you my latest progress. After battling a cold for the past few days, I'm finally starting to feel better. As I prepare for the final few weeks of training ahead, I knew I had to ease myself back into my running routine. So, I took things slow and decided to dedicate today to getting ready for what's to come. Tomorrow morning, I plan to hit the pavements of Sittingbourne once again for a 45-minute run. It may not be the longest run I've ever done, but it's enough to get me back into the rhythm of things after a few days of feeling under the weather. Thursday will see a return to intervals, which is a training method that involves alternating periods of high-intensity exercise with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. This helps me to improve my speed and endurance, which is important when it comes to running a marathon. I decided to push back my runs by a day this week. This is ...

I t's day 92 of my London Marathon 2023 blog, and I'm happy to be back with a new update. As you all know, I've been out with a cold for the past few days, which has been a setback in my training. But today, I laced up my shoes and headed out for a gentle run in Rochester. It was great to be back out there, even if I'm not feeling 100% just yet. With only three weeks to go until race day, I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I know that I need to stay focused on my goals and stick to my training schedule, even when setbacks like a cold try to knock me off track. That means listening to my body's needs and taking it easy when necessary, but also pushing myself to keep making progress towards the finish line. As I near the end of this journey, I'm reminded of the importance of celebrating the small victories along the way. Even something as simple as a gentle run after being sick can be a win. And with each step I take, I'm getting closer and closer...

  Today marks day 91 of my London Marathon 2023 training journey, and unfortunately, I am still feeling under the weather. Despite this setback, I managed to muster up the energy to take my family to the Wingham Zoo. It was a great opportunity to get some fresh air and sunshine, and spend quality time with my loved ones. Although I am not feeling 100% yet, I am determined to not let this setback derail my training progress. I am hoping to test the waters with a short run in the morning, if my body allows it. Fingers crossed that my symptoms will continue to improve and I can resume my training routine soon. Despite the setback, I am staying positive and focused on my goal of completing the London Marathon in 2023. I know that setbacks are a normal part of the training process, and I am determined to come back stronger and more resilient than ever before. Thank you for following along with my journey, and I look forward to updating you all on my progress in the coming days.

  It's Day 90 of my London Marathon 2023 training, and as you may already know, I'm currently battling a heavy cold. I updated you on Thursday and again yesterday that I'm still feeling under the weather, and unfortunately, it's impacted my training progress. As much as I want to keep up with my training routine, it's crucial to listen to our bodies when they're not functioning at their best. Running while ill could cause more harm than good and may prolong the illness, making it harder to get back to training. I've learned that it's essential to take things day by day, especially when it comes to our physical and mental health. Sometimes, we may need to adjust our training plan to accommodate our current state. It's okay to slow down, take a step back, and re-evaluate. I'm confident that I'll be back out there soon, but for now, I'm focusing on getting better and taking care of myself. In the long run, this will help me achieve my goals ...

  Today has been a tough day for me as the cold has hit me really badly. It's never easy when you're training for a marathon and your body starts to feel weak. I limped through work today and it was a real struggle to stay focused and productive. I felt like my head was in a fog and my energy levels were extremely low. It was a reminder that sometimes, we need to take a break and give our bodies the rest they need. Now, as I'm getting ready for bed, I'm signing off for the day. I know that the best thing I can do right now is to rest as much as I can to help my body recover from this one. I won't be doing any training today, but that's okay. My priority is to get better and be ready for the next training day. So, if you're feeling unwell or exhausted, take a break. Listen to your body and give yourself the time and space you need to recover. This will not only help you get back on your feet faster, but it will also prevent further setbacks down the road. Rem...

  Today has been a tough one as I am still feeling under the weather. As predicted, the cold has really hit me hard and it has made it difficult for me to get through the day. Despite feeling unwell, I managed to drag myself through the work day. I know that it's important to listen to my body and give it the rest it needs, but there are times when we just have to push through and get things done. Today was one of those days for me. However, I am not going to push myself too hard. I know that rest is crucial for recovery, especially when you're training for a marathon. So, I have decided to call it an early night and get some much-needed rest. It's important to remember that when you're training for a marathon, it's not just about the physical training. It's also about taking care of your body and mind. Rest and recovery are just as important as the actual training, and pushing yourself too hard can lead to burnout or injury. As frustrating as it can be to have ...

  Today was supposed to be a day of rest and recovery for my body after a week of intense training. However, unfortunately, it seems that my body had other plans for me. For the first time in this training program, I have been struck down with a cold. My throat feels like it is full of razor blades, and my eyes are on fire. It's possible that I will also have to miss tomorrow's planned run. I'm not going to lie; it's frustrating to be hit with an illness during my marathon training. After weeks of putting in hard work and dedication to my training plan, it's disappointing to be sidelined by something as seemingly small as a cold. However, I know that it's important to listen to my body and take the rest I need to recover. Rest days are essential in any training plan, and they become even more important when our bodies are fighting off an illness. Our bodies need time to heal, and taking a day or two to rest can actually help speed up the recovery process. It...

Today marks day 86 of my training, and I am excited to share with you my recent interval training session. As I had mentioned in my previous blog posts, I have been regularly incorporating interval training into my routine to help build my speed and endurance. Today's session was a return to 1km intervals, which are particularly challenging as there is no option but to keep pushing until the distance is completed. For this workout, I completed six 1km efforts in heart rate zone 4 with a 1:30 minute recovery in between each interval. There were times in the final interval where I was really dragging myself up the hill but I got through it and I am proud to do so. To make the most of this session, I decided to take myself once again across Medway Bridge into Strood and back over Rochester Bridge to complete my run. I really like this route as it provides a nice balance of uphills and downhills. Tomorrow will be a rest day for me, which I am looking forward to. Rest days are just as i...