Sean Rose writes.

This year I am again training for the Flora London Marathon and by now we should all be at least 7 weeks into a training schedule. Irrespective of our end targets some things will have already come to pass:

• running will have become an addictive habit….not necessarily pleasurable at that
• Sunday long runs will be just that loooooooooooonnng
• with each week the miles seem to be going up and up

According to the schedules you may have been following the first four weeks were likely to have been all about just getting used to the idea whereas these last 3-4 have been about developing some serious running and endurance. Now as you enter week 8 now is the time to take stock and start the preparation for the big day. These are the thoughts and questions that go through my mind at this stage in my training.

-         “Am I ignoring any injuries, are there any developing sore areas?”

o       This is when despite your hard efforts to stretch and recover you will have been slowly accumulating wear and tear. Week 8 can often be an opportunity to cut back on the mileage and to rest and recover. Take it and even better go see a sports masseur for a once over.

-         “Am I running at the right time of day?”

o       The beginner’s tendency is to take their long runs on a Sunday afternoon. I did this myself when I first started running and then tried to convert to the morning just before the race. Needless to say I was a sick as a dog. So its worth starting to run in the morning.

-          “Have I developed the right training and race routines to get me through the big day?”

o       The trouble with running early on a Sunday morning is that you don’t get chance to digest your breakfast. On the big day you will as you’ll have been unable to sleep and will no doubt have eaten by 6am. For now though its about getting things right on a Friday with a good nights sleep, eating well and cutting back on the alcohol to make sure you are fresh for Sunday. Sunday morning I don’t eat breakfast, only having a sugary cup of tea before setting off.

o       Now as I have breached the 2h mark I have started to carry water and next month will be planning to carry a couple of jelly babies to give me more fuel. With these in hand you need to practice when you’ll take them. With the FLM you have water stops every mile after the first couple so plan your drinks.

-         “Are my shoes ok and which will I be running in on the big day?”

o       No matter what your ability then it is important to plan for what shoes (and kit) you will run in. Shoes have a finite lifespan which varies from make, model to runner. The reality is that because of the mileage you will do during training that you will need a different pair of shoes on the day. Plan to buy that race day pair so that you have a good 3 weeks to break them in. I have mine now!

In the end of the day the marathon is a race that tests the physiological barriers of both mind and body that requires both committed training and PREPARATION!

Good luck everyone!