Panic before training starts

[Tasha99]

So I’ve upped my distance to 3 runs of 15 miles so far, and hope to do 17 on Friday BUT I’m terrified of the marathon I’ve booked on for October. Is it normal to have massive doubts about your ability? I’ve got a training plan sorted, which will start in June, and plenty of friends to run with, but I’m doubting I’ll be able to do it. Normal?

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

No need to be TERRIFIED of that marathon you have booked for in October, you already run 15 miles a week 3 times and with your friends helping and advising you about the plan you will be on until the big day you will manage and run the marathon without further problems. Onwards and upwards. 😊 🏃

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you. Let’s hope I can do 17 on Friday 😱🤣

[Lordi Marathon]

You are already running substantial distances and you have ages still until the event. So don't worry! But everyone does...

I only ran a 30km longest run before my marathon (42km) and that was (just) enough to get me to the finishing line. When you first run over 30km in training, say 32k (20m) - just ask yourself "can I now run/jog another 10k?" and visualise your normal 10k route (or 5k Parkrun route x2). When you get up into 30k+ territory you will probably have "robotlegs" anyway, so and the main concern will be a focus on hydration and snacks/gels etc.

The marathon is a mental game more than anything. Get past 5k and you are half way to 10k, get past 10k and you are halfway to a HM, get past the HM distance and you are halfway home/at the marathon turn and running homeward. When I got to about 37km in my marathon I knew I could crawl the last 5km and still be within the cut-off time - that may sound a bit odd but it kindda makes you feel like you have it "in the bag" at that stage, whatever the state of your legs etc.

Having never run a marathon before I was only about 80% sure I could make it. But now, having run one, I can say I'd be 100% sure of finishing with even less preparation/training the next time, simply due to the marathon "demon of doubt" having been slain the first time. So try to go out with a "can do" approach (you've trained, you know what you are doing etc)...and start off slowly, then find your natural endurance pace naturally.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Lordi]

Some excellent bits of advice there thank you! For my own peace of mind, I’m going to get to 23 miles before and then I know I’ve ‘only got a ParkRun to go’ on top 🤣

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles]

I can’t comment with advice but I can say you are an excellent runner and have progressed sensibly and to an amazing level.

I think we all have doubts in any distance race that’s coming up! It’s definetly a mind game - running! I know you have plenty of excellent club runners around you who will keep you on track. 💪🏼😊 x

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Awe thanks Alka. A post on Facebook popped up today from last year where I’d completed 4K in week 9 at 7:30 mins per km! It’s amazing how we’ve progressed!

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Tasha99]

It’s only when we look back done we see our progression. So easy to lose sight of it day to day. 😁👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼X

[misswobble Marathon]

My longest run was 20 miles If you do all your training runs then you’ve done all you can do, apart for some cross training and maintaining a good diet/hydration regime 💪

Enjoy yourself. It’s a run 🤷‍♀️ It’s gonna be fab 💪👍😃🏃‍♀️

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you🤞🏽