The training programme

(Pic: running down from the Chiltern Hills at mile 14)


Three runs this week totalling 40km. This included one of my longest and hilliest runs ever, 25km up and down the Chilterns. Muddy, but sunny and a beautiful day out in the countryside, running with Dr David Taylor.

I am now 18 weeks away from the marathon and it is time to start a proper training programme. Several people have recommended Advanced Marathoning and I have bought the book. It is a little bewildering, not least for two points that i picked up from flicking through a few pages!

Firstly, there are three training programmes based on running 88km, 113km and 137km per week. The most basic one involves doing up to twice the distance i did this week!

Second, it is advised that you are consistently running at least 40km per week before starting one of the schedules. 

Despite stepping up my running significantly and including some cross-training, cycling and occasional swimming, i have struggled to do more than 30km a week.

Time to step up the training programme.

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