Beginners Training Diary for a marathon

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Yvonne Monks

ymonks

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Beginners Training Diary for a marathon

As a complete novice to jogging I thought it might be a good idea to keep a diary of my training experiences, routes, and anything else that occurs to me.

I had hoped to secure a place in the 2014 London Marathon, so I downloaded their 24 week programme for a beginner. But that didn't happen this year (see below).  Sticking loosely to the programme though.

My first session was on Sunday 30th June.

VLM: Well that didn't happen as I got my sorry letter along with lots of others but I did get a rather nice jacket (which unfortunately is a bit tight on the tummy) but that's another incentive to get out pounding the streets.

I have instead signed up for the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon in March (day after my 53rd birthday) (charity: Children's Air Ambulance) and also the 2014 British 10k London Run in July (Help for Heroes).  

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Dulwich ParkRun

I only went and did it!  Think I came in last but can only get better? Couple of things learnt:  1.  Enjoy a breakfast a bit earlier next time or grab a banana instead.  2.  Don't start at the back.  3. Make sure stopwatch is set and ready to go. 4.  Do...

Week Six day 24 - Friday 9th ...

Jog 50mins First run on the road.  First time in the rain.   At 6.20am I stepped outside the door and very nearly turned around and went back in.  It was really, actually raining!  (Well we'd have called it 'spitting' in my youth, but the sky was defina...

Week Six day 23 - Monday 5th ...

Jog 15mins, Run 10mins, Walk 2.5mins, Jog 20mins Okay so I admit the 2 and a half minute walk wasn't on the plan but Berlin_Bolt said it's alright to walk a little and this time I remembered to add the extra on so instead of 45 mins my total was 48mins...

Week Six day 22 - Sunday 4th ...

Jog 25mins (and 24 seconds) Was out early today at 6.20am, pleasant sunshine (not too warm).  Enjoyed a nice steady pace, got round the park 5 times (averaged out just over 5 mins each lap) total of 2.8km @ 6.6km/ph so my natural pace has increased a li...

Week Five day 21 - Saturday 3...

Jog 10mins, Run 10mins, Walk 5mins, Run 5mins, Jog 10mins (That's what the Virgin training plan said.  What I achieved:  Jog 10mins, Run 10mins, Walk 5mins, Run 5mins, Walk 2mins, Jog 8mins) What a lovely morning!  Nice warm sunshine, but damp underfoot...

Week Five day 20 - Friday 2nd...

Jog 30mins Nice early start (not too early otherwise I have to put up with the smoking commuters waiting for the 6am train).  So left home at 06.10 and arrived at the park to spy a jogger already burning rubber on the track and a dog-walker both in the ...

Week Five day 19 - Monday 29t...

Jog 20 mins Not such a long session today so left about 6.10am (to avoid the early morning commuters). Bit of a 'nip' in the air but fresh and clear. Pace was considerably slower than yesterday, but knee is giving me 'jip', so kept it slow and careful. ...

Week Five day 18 - Sunday 28t...

Jog 40mins A late start but it was Sunday so started my jog at about 7.20am.  Crystal Blue sky and warm sunshine.  Had the park all to myself for 10 whole minutes. Was surprised to see my first 'lap' was a healthy 5 mins +, then subsequent ones all abou...

Week Four day 17 - Saturday 2...

Jog 15mins, Run 8mins, Jog 15mins Didn't succeed entirely, but mostly. Hardly anyone about at 6.30am, weather dry and quite pleasant. Walked around to my starting bench in the park and set off at quite a slow pace (certainly compared to yesterday).  Had...

Week Four day 16 - Friday 26t...

Jog 25mins Left a hint after 6am today and the roads were mostly empty (no one smoking outside the railway station). Bit chilly actually but still wore my green shorts.  No one in the park (only a wood pigeon and a couple of crows for company) to start ...

Week Four day 15 - Wednesday ...

Jog 10mins, Run 5mins, Jog 15mins Not looking forward to this session, nearly talked myself out of it this morning, then remembered that Supernatural is on tonight and I have to stay up late to watch it, so no way was I going to be able to go out tomorr...

Week Four day 14 - Tuesday 23...

Jog 25mins Really had trouble getting out of bed this morning, but eventually persuaded myself to get out before the sun was up. Even at 6am it was pretty warm and humid.  After my warm-up, I left the house about 5.55am.  Was surprised to see 7 differen...

Week Four day 13 - Sunday 21s...

Jog 20mins Still sticking with the Virgin Training Schedule, it says jog for 20 mins today. Headed for the park at 7am and managed 3 full circuits and just over a half in the 20 mins.  Got a bit puffed towards the end but I had been trying to increase t...

Not strictly training but a w...

Kent Ramblers walk 36 - Four Elms and Bough Beech Reservoir Left about 10am and arrived just before 11am so not really much earler than last week (but it was a longer drive). Enjoyed the walk but it was rather adventerous for us.  Quite a few of the pat...

Week Three day 12 - Saturday ...

Jog 30 mins Thought I'd get out early before the sun started to heat things up so left the house before 6am. Felt a bit guilty as I should have gone out on Friday but just couldn't summon up the energy to do a 30 min jog and go to work as well. It was r...

Week Three day 11 - Tuesday 1...

Jog 15mins, Walk 5mins, Jog 15mins Munched on a banana before leaving earlier than normal (about 06:10).  Set off clockwise again and went round v.slowly (bobbing walk pace).  Accidentally stopped my stopwatch after the first circuit so lost track of th...

Week Three day 10 - Sunday 14...

Jog 20mins Just read a really good blog from a lady in my age range doing the same, but she is way ahead of me, still does give one encourgement. Today I was feeling a little tired from yesterday but only a little, but it was very hot and sticky getting...

Week Two day 9 - Saturday 13t...

Jog 15 mins, Walk 10 mins, Jog 10 mins Munched a banana before my trip today.  Didn't get out as early as planned, but still early for a Saturday.  Even so, the sun was up and it was beginning to get warm. Took it gently today (as usual) as I'll be goin...

Week Two, day 8 - Friday 12th...

Jog 20 mins Back from a few days rest (had an excuse - had to have a 'procedure' under general at a local hospital) - got the all clear so back with a vengeance today. May I add a huge Thank You to everyone who has commented with such lovely encouraging...

Week Two, day 7 - Monday 8th ...

Jog 15 mins Back to work today, so out nice and early (about 6.30am).  Weather quite pleasant.   Had planned to jog around the opposite way today, but forgot, so did one circuit anti-clockwise (as usual) then did an about turn and tried it the other way...

Country Walk instead of training

Week 2 Sunday 7th July Decided to save my energy for the walk today.  Hubby and myself went over to Downe in Kent and completed a lovely walk - Kent Ramblers Walk 67 High Elms and Downe. Bit of everything really, wooded areas, open, ploughed fields, mea...

Week One, day 6 - Saturday 6t...

Jog 20 mins Saturday 6th July.  nice warm sunny day.  About the same time as yesterday but as it's a Saturday it was quieter.  More dog walkers about today but most in a more relaxed frame of mind. Feeling a little stiff but did a fair amount of walking...

Week One, day 5 - Friday 5th ...

Jog 15 mins, walk 5 mins, jog 10 mins Friday morning, 5th July.  On the advice from someone who has been there, done that, got the t'shirt and the medal, I had a rest day yesterday and felt the benefits today - thanks Hossen, Left a little later today a...

Week One, day 4 - Wednesday 3...

Jog 15 mins Wednesday morning, 3rd  July.  It’s dull, overcast and wet underfoot today.  Grabbed a banana at 6am before setting out at 6.35am today.  (After a brief warm-up).  Also dug a jacket out of the wardrobe. No dog walkers when I arrived but a co...