Autumn running plans

[Jay66UK]

I’ve just completed w4 of a 16 week Marathon training plan. I’m scheduled to run the virtual Great North Run half marathon on 13th Sept and the virtual NYC Marathon on 1st November.

Training has gone well so far, but it’s the easy weeks! Lots of focus on Easy pace runs, which I’ve always been really bad at in the past, going everywhere flat out. This week is a lighter, transition week, next week culminates in a 10 miler.

I had started down this path in the spring and it was the 10 miler that killed it. This time I’m hoping that the better Easy pace foundation plus registering for two races will help me keep going.

Enjoy your running.

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Well done Jay66UK that sounds like a very sensible plan! There are so many HM plans out there so there’s bound to be one to suit almost everyone😊

I’m not sure I’m ready for a full marathon yet but I’m aiming to do the virtual HUHM later in the year. I’ve done a couple of HM distances since lockdown started so I’m confident I can do it. I just need the weather to calm down a bit before trying again!😳🥵

[Jay66UK Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Yup the heat is hard. I find it better running early evening - although the temp is higher than early morning, the humidity is often much lower.

Good luck with the HM! I’m not convinced I’m ready for a marathon either but...

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Huge kudos to you Jay. I’m in awe of the marathon distance and all who run it! You’ll be one such person! Go you. 👏👏👏👏

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

What a lovely thing to say ❤

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hidden ! I’ve followed in Jay’s virtual footsteps since starting C25K, but not this time! He’ll be off and away. 🏃 🏃 🏃

[Jay66UK Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks, Cheeky!

[BaddieThePirate]

Good luck Jay. I'm sure you'll do it.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That's brilliant Jay! Good luck. I too am in total awe of anyone who can complete the marathon distance.

[Katnap Marathon]

Try (if you are able) to do nose breathing on your slow pace easy runs.

Happy training!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[misswobble Marathon]

Good luck with your training 😃. It’s a commitment but it’s worth it 👍🏃‍♂️

Vary your routes. Time goes quicker that way 🙂

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Well done Jay. Yes its hard to get out of the speed habit, but believe me distance comes when you ease up on speed a bit. And the speed comes back later once you get more used to the distance. Humidity is really hard though. Do you bring enough water on your long runs? That was my mistake so often misjudging the heat.

[Jay66UK Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

I tend to always carry some water but possibly but enough. And I need to get my fuelling right. Garmin workouts seem to block other alerts, which is how I tend to remind myself to have fuel, so I need to work around that.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Jay66UK]

Yes a good rule of thumb is to have something (like a 100 calorie gel) every 7-8k for really long runs. For runs under 20k you may be able to get away with fewer. Everyone is different so use this build time to experiment with what works best for you.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Good luck Jay, we are all behind you (a long way in my case) shaking pom-poms and cheering you on.

I can recommend a hydration vest for longer distance in this heat.

[Jay66UK Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy!

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Not sure which program you're following but the essence of marathon training (apart from distance runs) is slow running. If you attempt a 32km training run and go with all guns blazing you'll burn out or get injured. There is a perfect reason why even the top pros spend 60-80% of their training in cardio zone 2 (slow pace). That was the first thing l had to learn how to do properly. Apart from building stamina and strength, it also burns fat better than anything else. And, crucially, it lowers the risk of injuries.

[Jay66UK Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

I’m following the 16 week Intermediate plan from the London Marathon website. Proper Easy Pace runs have been new to me and a revelation. I’m now regularly getting high 90s % Zone 2...with the rest Zone 1 😊