My Marathon Challenge: January Update

Next month I’ll be travelling to Malta, alongside my Mam, to run the Malta Marathon 2018 in aid of St. Cuthbert’s Hospice; an amazing place which cared for my granddad before he passed away three years ago.

Training over the past month has definitely been difficult as we’ve been struggling with snow and ice although it has made for some very interesting runs and some fab scenery. We’ve also been starting to increase our distance and do longer runs. This has meant that we’ve passed the 13 mile mark and I’m now running further than I ever have before. This has been really challenging, both mentally and physically, but I have been enjoying it.

We try to do one long run on the weekend and two shorter runs, around four or five mile, through the week. I’ve also been going to the gym at least twice a week to do strength work. I’ve been really enjoying doing a mix of exercise, swapping between strength workouts, short fast runs, and long slow runs. I’m hoping this has a good effect on improving my overall fitness as well as my marathon performance.

Now Christmas is over I’m looking at my nutrition a lot more. On long run days we have porridge and fruit for breakfast and glucose energy gels en route. Now that distances are increasing I feel like I probably need more food in the mornings so I think I’m going to start adding in some eggs or other protein to my breakfasts. My New Year’s resolution has been to prepare and take my lunch to work every day rather than going to the shop at work all the time. So far I’m doing really well and it’s much healthier and cheaper! I’m concentrating on getting a good balance of carbs and protein, with more fruit and veggies. I’m not on a massive health kick but I think just being a bit more sensible and aware of what I’m eating makes a difference.

If you would like to donate to our Just Giving Page and help us raise as much as possible for the wonderful St. Cuthbert’s Hospice, you can do that here.