I’ve done around 12 weeks training. It started with me accumulating distance and trying to do more every couple of weeks but soon found out, that this was detrimental and found out I suffered with extreme fatigue.
This is mainly due to having cerebral palsy. I can use up to 5 times more energy than most people.
I realised that although I had a training program that I needed to devise one myself and look into ways I could do this. I now do small segments of around 3 miles every day with a full days rest on a Sunday.
I now feel more rested with my own program and can change this according to how I feel any given day. I’m looking at around 15 miles every 6 days and 20 miles max at the most.
I have less than 2 weeks left before my London Marathon. A very dear friend helped to be officially entered in the virtual London Marathon so I have 26.2 miles to do in 24 hours. A tough ask but know I can achieve this.
These small segments of 3.30miles each time will help me. Obviously I use the Run/Walk/Run method by Jeff Galloway. This has helped me no end.
Reasons for doing a marathon was to run in memory of my mum who passed away on 8th October 2021 aged 92 she was diagnosed with vascular dementia.
Other reason is to stay as fit and healthy as I can with the power of running and to raise funds for The British Heart Foundation. ❤️
Remember all you can achieve greatness to anything you set your heart on. You just have to believe in your own ability.
Impressive stuff, Richard. The way you've tailored your training to meet your needs in ways that work for you is a lesson that a lot of us could learn from. Best of luck with the rest of your journey to completing a Virtual London Marathon!
You’re doing brilliantly Richard! It’ll be a memorable run for all sorts of reasons and I’m sure your mum would have been so proud of you. Running in memory of your mum is a wonderful tribute.
My dad died from vascular dementia too so I know how cruel a disease it is.
Inspiring Richard. What a wonderful journey you’re on, and it’s even more impressive that you’ve devised your own bespoke training plan which is most certainly working. 👊
I wish you all the luck in the world for the London Marathon. Running it for your mum is poignant for me too, as mine also died with (not officially diagnosed) vascular dementia in October 2019 and I ran the virtual Bath Half for her in March 2020. It was pouring with rain and I had tears streaming down my cheeks when drivers were honking their horns at me, seeing my Alzheimer’s Society top and my race number. ❤️
Irishprincess cheekychipmunks ground_level thank you for for the kind comments 🙏 I’ve decided for the next 2 weeks to slow down (official word, taper) so doing around 10 miles each week and the rest with walking. The 2nd going to be difficult as using a lot of energy that day so need to be as refreshed as I can. With Cerebral Palsy we use up to 5 times more energy than most.
I am also doing a memorial run for my Mum over the space of one month. 92 miles for every year she lived in this world. If any of you are connected with Strava it would be great if you can join me. Just trying to get as many friends as I can to contribute. I will be setting up a separate fundraising page for this if you’d like to contribute this way.
Will update you all with how things go with fundraising page link. It’s my life’s calling that I fundraise as much as I can for the BHF as the 💙 heart is important in my family until it’s my time.
Hi to all Irishprincess cheekychipmunks ground_level last few days I’ve tried a few different things to see which is the best way to register some distance. Tried with a 15 secs run and 45 sec walk. Not going to lie…even that was pretty hard and suffering with my back a little this morning! I managed around 1.2 miles I think. Just need to make sure I take a longer walk break when I need to 😉
I had heard from a few people that running on the spot wouldn’t physically register on the London Marathon app so thought I’d try it anyways. It actually does but the time doesn’t really reflect the work I put in so to speak. So if I’m really feeling it on the Sunday there is always this option.
I might have to swallow my pride and take a bit longer to do this. Just wanted to do in 24 hours! As long as I log each run then send everything to London Marathon events team I’ll still get a finishers pack
Isn't that so true. Belief is almost everything. Wishing you the very, very best of luck ... but I don't think you need luck, you're way ahead of that 😊Do let us know how it goes.
Hi to everyone 👋 well I managed to complete my virtual marathon in 2 days and have uploaded evidence to the events team. Just waiting on my finishers pack and medal now 👍
In all it took me just under 8 hours and am pretty ecstatic although now feeling very sore with my quads literally feeling like fire 🔥 at the moment and a little sore underneath but know eventually everything will be ok again.
Being my first time it’s knowing what to do to aid recovery but, been doing some gentle walking and a little bit of massage. Some rest too but from what I’ve read and watched runners have said to keep moving to improve blood flow into the muscles.
Will probably take a full weeks rest before I start running again as it’s been a shock to the system but glad I achieved something greater than myself and all for a good cause in helping the BHF 💖 much love all 🥰x
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Virtual London Marathon training week 9 run 3 - long run
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Marathon training Week 12 of 18. Final Week! .... and.....relax. 
