The rest of 2011 - between marathons

[marathondan]

Yes I normally just use fartlek for intervals but something more structured might help. The only trouble is, I don't think I could find all those paths in the dark.

Last summer I did hill intervals for the first time and I think they really helped. But I need to find a decent off-road hill that's navigable by torchlight. Not a problem for you hardcore downland / fell specialists I know, but I need to ease into this wilderness running slowly.

I also tried full barefoot running for half a mile or so, in the dark. It was great in terms of getting in touch with nature - I wonder, is that a leaf between my toes, or a dog turd? - but the lower leg tendons take several days to recover so I think right now it would cause more problems. Something for next summer.

Sweder, you have a place for Brighton marathon? Excellent. As you probably know, my plan is super simple: one long slow, one tempo approx half the length of the long, one fartlek approx a third of the length of the long. Step back the long every third week. Build up the long from 6 miles to 20 over about 4 months. It seems to cover most of the bases. It's good to be able to tick the sessions off and look back over progress. I expect you cover most of this already, just with a little less structure (and more aplomb...).

In other news, I bagged a triathlon wetsuit for £16 on eBay (it seems XL isn't a popular size). So I now have all the gear for a multisport attempt next summer:

- cheap wetsuit - check
- 30 year old bike with half the gears missing - check
- swimming and cycling techniques - er, hold on a minute...
- foolhardy attitude and willingness to look ridiculous in public - ah yes, we're back on track

Sounds like (yet another) plan then.