1 in 4 Marathon Challenge – Manchester Marathon completed

Why am I running 4 marathons?

• My challenge for 2016 is to run four UK marathons in one year starting in Manchester and ending in Chelmsford, to highlight that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. 

• However the statistics are similar in America. Please support Gamut’s ALONE Campaign which revolves around community and helping one another through the difficult times. No matter what you may be going through, the good, the bad, or the ugly, know that you are not alone. We all struggle with something  and can help one other. It’s ok to feel pain and so important to look directly at it and face your true self. The more we all face things head on and the more we grow, the more empathy we feel toward others, and the more we love and accept ourselves. #GamutALONE

Manchester Marathon:

• I completed the first marathon in Manchester with a PB. My coach Andre Schieck incorporated speed work into my previously evenly paced training plans of the past. At the time when I was doing the interval or fartlek training I didn’t enjoy it, but slowly but surely I was getting quicker. It’s not my intention to win a marathon or focus on other peoples PB’s, my intention is always to do the best that I can do.

• Even though my body aches today, it was all worth it on the day of the marathon, to get my PB. I’ve learnt that there is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory…

One question I get asked a lot about is…What do you think about during the marathon?

• I generally think about the pace I am working towards. However at the times when it hurts or I get distracted or bored, I try and focus on the why behind my goal to regain my focus. 

• If you want some specific advice about mental techniques please look at my last blog titled: 10 tips for mental preparation for running a marathon.

Lessons learnt…

• Moving forward I need to be more mindful of the food I consume before and after the marathon, as it did impair my performance in the last few miles.

• Towards mile 24, I was still within eyesight of the 3:30 pacer and I started to dream of a sub 3:30. As I looked around me the last few miles of the marathon, was like looking at a casualty scene from the walking dead. 

• At this point I was felt OK…Then I started to feel like I was going to throw up, which made me slow to a walk on several occasions. So I’m going to review my diet so I don’t repeat the same mistakes again.

So 25% of my 1 in 4 goal achieved, so on to the next one…The Halstead & Essex Marathon. 

Thanks and regards 

Marathon Marcus