Couch to marathon

quadrifoglio verde

So, a little about myself. 24, 72 kg and 180 cm. The last time I ran was two years ago, the time before that was 2011 on a wet miserable bank holiday monday.
So yes, I've ran a marathon before.:cool: But i haven't ran much since.

Truth be told, i hadn't ran much prior to 2011 marathon either. A bit of cross country in school, the 2009 half marathon and the 2011 frank duffy 10 mile.
I was meant to do the 2011 half as well but I slept in

Times were as follows
2009 half marathon 1:50:05 (cross country training was in full swing:D)
2011 Frank Duffy 1:18:29
2011 Marathon 4:39:28 (10 km time was a respectable 45:41)

Training for the 2011 marathon was non existent. The furthest Id ran before that, that year was 10 miles during the Frank Duffy. Other than that it was 5km or 10 km runs twice a week. I hadn't really ran since the start of september either!
My dad ran the 1982 one in a time of 2:44 and was rightly of the belief that I hadn't trained appropriately. He was correct. Needless to say, my legs gave up on me around inchicore and i hobbled the rest of the way around. I think i stopped 20 times on the last mile around trinity but Im stubborn and crossed the line.

This time is different. This time I don't want to boast that I did a marathon sub 4:40 without training. This time I want to do sub 3:30 and as the weeks go on and the miles in the legs build up, Ill know where I stand.

Today was my first run in two years. In fact, today was the first bit of exercise that Ive done in two years:pac:
7 km, 35 mins. Christ Ive gotten slow. But body feels ok, not really stiff and I could have gone for longer but i figured couch to 7 km was enough of a challenge for one day.
I know I'm quite a bit off a sub 3.30 time at the moment. Miles in the legs come first, then the real training starts.
We're 24 weeks to D-day, plan is to be up around 40 miles a week come the middle of june :cool:

Murph_D

Best of luck. You're not a first timer but might be worth hanging out on the novice thread for some advice and support.

quadrifoglio verde

Went out for a slow 5 k today. Anyone have any tips to reduce chaffing. Previously it was the chest so if bad id just take off my top. Lets just say id get arrested if i took clothes off where its chaffing now :pac:

tailgunner

https://www.bodyglide.com/

I never leave home without it!

quadrifoglio verde

Ran Thursday and Friday 7km each day
Haven't really increased speed, but no pains in legs anymore
Core workout this evening and then going Bray to Greystones tomorrow.
Depending on how late I get home, I might go out for a run tomorrow evening.

So in total Ive ran 26 km this week.
Not much but at the same time, didn't see that happening at the start of the week!
40 miles is a long way off but Ive time on my side