580 mile plan, now for the hard bit!

So, I've just completed my 17 week training plan which will take me all the way up to April 28. Based on the Runners World Improvers Marathon Plan I'm hoping it will get me to that elusive sub 3:10 time.   I've added the plan to the blog's calendar so that if anyone fancies joining me they know when and what I'll hopefully be running.

Currently got one other definite fellow runner for Manchester with some others undecided. Let me know if you fancy it.

Steve

5m Easy Run by stevetrotteruk at Garmin Connect - Details

Nice to get out around West Bridgford, Nottingham whilst paying a flying visit to my parents. Lots of memories of growing up!

5m Easy Run by stevetrotteruk at Garmin Connect - Details

5m Easy Run

Clobwebs blown away and great to feel that running bug again. A fairly steady run although, for the pace, my heart rate took a little settling between mile 2-3. Great to be back though!

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	42:59.9	5.00	8:36
1	8:53.9	1.00	8:54
2	25:09.4	3.00	8:23
3	8:56.6	1.00	8:57

5m Easy Run by stevetrotteruk at Garmin Connect - Details

MANCHESTER MARATHON THE BEGINNING!

I've officially signed up for April's Manchester marathon. If anyone fancies joining me, even just for the odd training run let me know. My ultimate goal is a sub 3h10min time to gain a guaranteed 'Good for Age' place for The 2014 London Marathon. The Manchester course claims to be the flattest in the UK, even flatter than Edinburgh so would be a super 1st marathon or PB course for anyone thinking about it. Right, time to right up that training plan, less than 20 weeks to go!

ROBIN HOOD MARATHON 11 September 2011

A massive thank you to everyone who showed their support and helped me to acheive a marathon time of 3hrs 39mins 51secs, raising a massive £1271 for The British Heart Foundation. It was a superb day and can't wait for the next one.

1 week to go!

So here we are, 28 weeks and 575 miles of training completed and I'm just 6 days away from my first marathon.

I've taken things pretty easy this week as part of my planned tapering, allowing muscles to heal and my body to recover. The worrying twinge in my left hip after Mondays 10 miler has now become just a slight niggle and I'm hopeful it will have healed completely come Sunday. Apart from that I feel great and can't wait for race day to arrive.

I've calculated my pacing throughout the race and will be aiming to run a negative split using the following times.

Miles 1-2 8:13/mile

3-9 8:05/mile

10-17 7:59/mile

18-26.2 7:51/mile

My trusty Garmin 305 watch should hopefully help me monitor me times and, if all goes to plan, I should finish the race in just under 3hrs 30mins - although I will be more than happy to just finish.

Sponsorship has really taken off this week, a big thank you to all those who have have given so generously. I am currently just £169 away from my £1000 target and am hoping, with the last few sponsors still donating, that I will reach this target by Sunday. If you would like to give please let me know and I'll pop it on my sponsorship form. Alternatively you can use my fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/stevetrotter.

The week ahead is all about making sure I'm relaxed and well rested and that I feel good, both mentally and physically. I plan to get a few short runs in but fitness and training wise the work is all done. Sleep is the doctors order for the week, so am planning plenty of early nights, as there is little chance of a lie-in during my first week back at school.

I will be posting how I got on and, eventually, a full race report (including my final fundraising total) so please keep checking back for my latest news.

See you on the start line!

Steve.

10 days to go!

Heart Runners race shirt arrived today, plenty of room and a decent wicking material. You'll certainly see me coming!