Sub 2.25 or Bankruptcy! by Thomas_Bedford

The saying goes you have to forget your last marathon before you can attack the next one. I think that is true. Looking back I was so happy to be at the end of that marathon training period. Not because I was ready to race but, I was getting bored. I have just done my calculations and think I now understand why.

Starting January 1^st I had put together over 20 weeks of training and felt as tired as a Michael Jackson joke at the end of it. Admittedly the marathon specific training was just 13 weeks but 20 weeks was too much for a guy with an attention span like mine!

I have now regrouped, taken a complete break from running and now have that hunger back. I have just completed 3 weeks of decent aerobic/ easy running, lost a bit of puppy fat and now looking to get stuck into some sessions again.

Tom, let’s draw a line under San Diego and look ahead to Chicago! October 11^th will probably see the next attempt and I have already calculated it is just under 12 weeks to go. Take out the two weeks ease down and that leaves just 10 weeks of training. Does not look much on paper but I am starting higher up the mountain than before. A program of less quantity (duration) and more quality marathon training (higher mileage and specific marathon training) will hopefully be the golden ticket!

The timing of this training block is much better than last time. If I am not confident I can make it in Chicago (i.e. injury) there is a fall back plan of Dublin two weeks later. Both are fast and competitive and have the infrastructure to hold a dam good after party (which you will notice is very important for moral support!).

Key changes for this training period:

• More mileage
• More people- I need to train with other people especially on the long runs (I’m bored of playing with myself!)
• More silence- Use my iPod less (I honestly think I drifted through some workouts with an ipod on….)
• More decorating – in an attempt to keep myself out of trouble I am going to get the paint brush out and make my flat look the bee’s knee’s!

Here I go, watch this space!

p.s. some great athletics is on TV tonight from 6pm BBC2 (the good athletics starts at 7pm).

Good luck Mo Farah who is going for the British 5,000m record at 7.30pm. David Moorcroft's amazing 13mins 00.4 secs has been standing for way too long and Mo is a worthy athlete to be the first British athlete to run sub 13mins! Usain Bolt is also running at Crystal Palace just after 8pm. Make sure you tune in!