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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Session 40 - Sunday 27th October

Had a 35 min jog during last week, but following my success at the parkrun yesterdday I went for a longer, slower jog today.  The programme suggested a combination totally 1hr 20 mins, but I got lost so it turned into an epic 2hour trip (some of that wa...

Dulwich ParkRun No 8

I'm a happy bunny today.  Smashed my PB at the parkrun.  Thought I'd done okay by the fact it was a slow walk back to the railway station and I was still a bit puffed out.  But the results (if they are to be believed :  35.32mins (previous PB 37.02))  S...

Dulwich Parkrun No. 7 and Ses...

Yesterdays parkrun went okay.  No PB's but 2 girls behind me - just hope they turn up again next week!!!  Results Sunday run: Programme said Jog/Run combo totalling 85mins.  I finished at 84mins 17 seconds, so I counted it as 85mins. 9.2km @ 6.5km/ph (9...

Session 38 - Wednesday 16th O...

Only good thing about today was my morning jog (left home at 6.10am).  Just wish I'd done it yesterday.  Suppose to be been 45mins session but I got back home after an hour (it took me 30 mins to reach the furthest point up the top of the hill above Syd...

Dulwich ParkRun No.6

Well that's weird, the times have changed and last week had me down as a PB!  My text message had me down as 38.45 secs.  I'm confused! According to the changed stats, managed to get around last week in 37.02 which is pretty amazing for me.  That's like...

Session 37 - Thursday 10th Oc...

Horrid day at work yesterday so went out for my 70min jog this morning. Very dark and quite chilly at 6.05am but warmed up quickly by heading up the hill towards Crystal Palace, (nice and slowly) then along the road (up'd the pace a bit) and down the hi...

Dulwich ParkRun No. 5

Parkrun results are finally out and last again with no pb this time. Only excuse I have is that it's my first in a month, so I was actually amazed I got in under 39 mins!  Oct 5th: 38.46     Aug 31st: 38.25 Really thought I was going to catch the girl i...

Week Ten day 36 - Thursday 3r...

Combination 100mins that's what it said on the programme today.  But I only managed an hour.  When, pray tell is one suppose to get the time to run 100mins during the week? I was out at 6.20am this morning (dark and dry again) and headed  up the hill to...

Week Ten day 35 - Tuesday 1st...

Jog 30mins Got out just before 6.15 this morning.  Dark, but dry and nippy.  I wore my nice new Virgin Marathon jacket (compensation for not getting a place).  I rather like it but it's a bit tight around the girth.  (Extra incentive to get out and poun...

Week Ten day 34 - Sunday 29th...

Jog/Walk 50mins (5.8km) Late night last night (TV: Strictly and  Harry Potter book reading in bed) so felt too tired for an early morning run so tried a lunchtime one instead, different feel, not unpleasant.   Suppose to be one of those nasty combinatio...

Week Nine day 33 - Thursday 2...

Jog 40mins Set off in the dark today (a first).  Not as cold as it looked but kept my jacket on for most of the way round.  Decided to go around the road with a slight extention.   4.4km @ 6.5km/ph so still a bit slow, but it's the second jog this month...

Just got my Sorry letter

Just got home very late from work to find my nice new jacket has arrived, along with the Sorry letter from Virgin. Never mind, always the following year.  Might be ready then.  Anyone got any suggestions for other runs I might be able to apply for in 20...

Week Nine day 31 - Sunday 22n...

Not one to argue with HollywoodDave, I got back out there this morning and if felt fine.  No coughing and only one stop to blow the nose (I can't multitask).  Weather felt humid which was probably a bonus but early enough that the streets weren't aired ...

Dulwich ParkRun Volunteer

Still feeling the after effects of my cold so haven't been training recently (well nothing this month at all).   But decided to volunteer at my parkrun to see if it'll give me the inspiration I need to get my butt back out there. I was put on Bar Coding...

Dulwich ParkRun No.4 (last week)

Last weeks parkrun was a goody.  Had the radio on which helped. Got around without walking and got a new PB by 16 seconds.  Came in last though, the girl I beat the previous week beat me this time. Good diverse bunch at the start including an under 11, ...

Week Nine day 31 - Friday 30t...

Jog 40mins Just a little note today.  Crawled out of bed and was on the road by 6.20am.  Decided to go on the road instead of heading for the park.  Same route as last time, but this time it was warm(ish) instead of drizzling.  A lot of people had forgo...

Week Nine day 30 - Wednesday ...

Urgh feeling grotty..  Tired and achy so the planned 60mins turned into 25mins.  First time I've been out after work, it was a bit warm for me and the park was full of kids. Persuaded my daughter to come with me and she walked genteely around in the opp...

Week Nine day 29 - Sunday 25t...

Another combination:  Jog 15mins x3, Run 10mins x2, Walk 5mins x2 Weather:  Cool and damp, v.slight drizzle to start with but cleared up.  Could have left my jacket at home.  Time: 7:45-9am (bit late but it was a Sunday) As usual I got confused (obvious...

Dulwich ParkRun No. 3

Hollywooddave is so right.  I did get a new PB in my parkrun today. Although I'm not too sure how it happened, I have no explanation for it.  I let everyone head off and trotted along, a bit faster than I'm used to, in fact on nearing the first full cir...

Week Eight day 28 - Friday 23...

Jog 25mins After 3 days rest one would think I'd be rearing to go, unfortunately not.  Crawled around the park at a lazy pace, although I felt I was going for it.  Turned out to be 6.6km/ph pace which is quite good for me. Went round on the extended cir...

Week Eight day 27 - Monday 19...

Jog 5mins, Run 10mins, Jog 5mins, Run 5mins, Jog 15mins (well that was the plan) Total of 5.2km.  I'm really not keen on these combination sessions but I believe they do work.  I much prefer the long slow slogs instead of these puffy, huffy, 'runs' that...

Dulwich ParkRun No. 2

At least I know the way to the park now.  A young girl (in jogging shorts) was on my train and got off at West Dulwich, even headed in the same direction, but then met up with a friend, consulted her phone and they disappeared off in a different directi...

Week Seven day 26 - Friday 16...

Completed 30mins Jog (again!) Misread the timetable this morning and repeated the 30min jog (should have been doing 35min Jog).  Never mind Left the house at 6.20am and headed for the Rec Park.  Weather was grey and overcast, Hint of dampness in the air...

Week Seven day 25 - Monday 12...

Jog 30min Back to the Virgin Beginnings Training plan today (had a break yesterday).  Excuse time: Well as you know on Saturday I had a go at a parkrun, later that day hubby and myself went for a little walk in the Kent countryside (3.5 mile planned).  ...