Brighton Marathon 2012

[marathondan]

A grippingly told tale as always, Sweder. I hesitate to use the phrase "giving 110%", but it may just be merited here. As you observed, quite similar to my own run, although I think I began to slip earlier than you. The key phrase for me is "My lungs felt good, I had plenty of energy; it was simply my legs". I felt just the same. The stamina was there, the aerobic fitness, the glycogen depletion management, the speed in the muscles. What is lacking is simply the ability to absorb that fourth hour of repetitive strain in the legs. So how does one train for that? By taking the long runs ever longer? By hammering out a hard session straight after a long one? Or something radical like two 10 milers in one day? It sounds like we really need to aim to hurt our legs in training until it becomes easier.

Or, is it time to revisit the run / walk strategy? Could judicious short walks in the second half rest the legs enough to make that last hour bearable? Or maybe leave enough time to run / walk the last 6, while still running at enough of a clip to finish in the target time.

One thing is for sure - a year of consistent training would help.

Anyway, I'm hugely impressed with your resolved to go back for another go at 3:45. I feel I'm a 4 hour man now. Or a 5 hour chicken.

Another Sweder classic in the bank. I'm sure there will be a few more adventures before BM2013.