I had a little chuckle to myself before doing this schedule because if you found last week frustrating this is that little bit worse. It’s important to ease back though. Not long now. You’ve smashed this plan. You should be so pleased we’ve reached this point raring to go and fighting fit. Any problems with the schedule let me know.

80 Points Achieved

MONDAY

15 Points

All done and moved Tuesday’s run to Friday as I’ll be off work. Probably need to get back to the seafront and get back in the wind aaaargh

Great work Lucy, yeah looks a little windy Friday. I’ll be honest I’ve spent most of my running days avoiding the wind. If it’s more than 10mph I tend to head to the park, but I understand. It’s good to prepare yourself for what might be the biggest challenge on race day. Although you should have a nice pack to tuck in behind, even if the wind is a dick. First speed session back for me last night. Came through unscathed with a just a couple of short sharp pain in my hips. But fingers crossed 🤞 Feeling good today. Brighton still a no go though. Sadly Manami has deferred London as well. Such a shame as she was going great guns but has a small ankle issue. She seems very careful when she gets niggles but I respect her decision. I have 19 other runners on the team doing an April marathon or Ultra and so far she’s the only one to stop her plan. So that’s a bloody good ratio.

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

18 Points

I was going to drive to Horntye but then I filled up the tank and it cost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS so I am running around Hawkhurst until things are a bit less, you know, apocalyptic. So sorry to hear about Manami, I noticed she was running less, thank you for letting me know so I can adjust Strava comments! She’s such a strong runner and really hope her time comes next year

Sorry how much? Are you driving round in a double decker bus or something? It all adds up though, I do get it. Well done on the run. Yeah Manami is great, I think she’s perhaps a little over cautious when she does pick up niggles, but some of us could learn from that.

thursday

FRIDAY

36pts | 60 Mins @ MP

36 POINTS

A chance to get some important marathon paced miles in. Should feel relatively comfortable, but also like you are running with good form. If conditions are tough or hills are involved, focus on RPE rather than pace.

36 Points

Practised several vital skills like: ✅ Running @ MP ✅ Running into the wind ✅ Getting a perfect slicked back ponytail with my new marathon scrunchie.

That’s what these sessions are all about right, practicing all the important things like your marathon scrunchies. Glad it went well. Early forecast for Brighton looks good.

SATURDAY

12pts | Lucy’s S&C

12 POINTS

See how you fair with this session for now and we can always make some changes. It’s a strong all round workout that covers all fundamental movement patterns along with all the key muscle groups. If there is any area you feel is particularly weak and needs work I can add different exercises in. I like to keep the S&C simple and those that have stuck to their routines and not made continual changes have made real progress.

11 Points

Hip has been hurting this week – not sure how I did it but my best guess is the abductor / adductor machine. It’s been grumbling away but much worse after yesterday’s run (5/10 pain). Back down to 3/10 today. Couldn’t do side planks. Sooo thinking maybe skip tomorrow’s run just to be super cautious? Gym is closed so cross training not an option but can drag my family on a nice long Easter walk. Any tips for hip pain pls let me know! Anyway the good news is my foot and back and knees are all good 👍🏻

Something always starts to hurt in the marathon taper. Just keep stretching. Rest tomorrow for sure. Figure of four stretch, butterfly stretch, can both help. Make sure you don’t spend too long in your office chair without getting up and moving (I’m typing this having not moved now for 70 mins, must get up), I normally do 45 min sessions and have a break. Hopefully it will pass over the next few days, you’ve got a light week building up to race day which should help. I’ve changed the target this week so you can have tomorrow off and still hit 100%.