The Grand Ambition
2:44pm, 23rd Oct 2023 | 6 Comments
Blog by ptr_runner
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There's just something about marathons that gets me hooked on running like it some kind of illicit drug.
I ran Munich a couple of weeks ago and it's put me into marathon fever. I've booked a half marathon, two marathons and a 50k for next year. There may be more to come. This blog is about my marathon ambitions, but first let me tell you about this Half i've entered.
About an hour from me is the town of Regensburg. I've never been, but i hear it's a nice place. I came across the website for the Regensburg marathon (May 24) but the site also listed the Spindellauf - a spindle run. When I looked into it, I found that it's a half marathon through a shopping centre on a Saturday evening after all the shops have shut. The route goes up and down the multi-storey car park ramp, hence the monker Spindle. I spoke to a German colleague and he told me that it's a famous race in the area and getting a place isn't easy. Find the race here: regensburg-marathon.de
Fast forward a week and it's almost midnight, i'm in the kitchen - laptop open refreshing the page every few seconds waiting for the entry page to go live.
When it does, the site crashes. A few minutes later and i'm in, but the entry form is all in German and Chrome isn't translating it for me (mein Deutsche ist nicht sehr gut). I have to use the translate app on my phone whilst i'm frantically trying to get through the registration whilst seeing the number of available places dropping rapidly.
Success! I made it through the form and have confirmed my entry. Look forward to a blog about that race in January.
I then went back onto the entry website and entered the full Marathon in May. I've not quite worked out my goal for this event yet. It might be just a training run. It might be an early-mid year test of fitness. It might be a PB by accident. I'll work it out nearer the time.
But tangent aside, the grand plan is for October 2024 and the Three Countries Marathon. An event so-called because you start in Germany, on a small island in Lake Constance (or Bodensee if you're local), then run around the lake crossing into Austria, before passing another boarder, this time into Switzerland where you do a U turn and head for the finish back in Austria. Find the race here: sparkasse-3-laender-marathon.at
Right now, I have my sights set on a Sub 3 finish. I am convinced that had I got more long runs into my most recent training block, I would have finished Munich in around 3:30 or under, and I want to continue this training, incresing the mileage, upping the intensity (both slowly, of course) and incorporating some strength and conditioning. I believe this will see me to a finish time starting with a 2.
Being realistic, I know this is is trying to take 20% off my current PB. I know it's going to be hard, but I really think it's possible. Getting a 2:50something would be a Boston Qualifier and London GFA, so the further into the 2s, the better chance I have for both of those races.
I'll try and write more blogs on my progress, particularly in the new year once my training plan really kicks in. I have other things to talk about next week though first.
Thanks for reading. next time i'll put in more pictures!
I ran Munich a couple of weeks ago and it's put me into marathon fever. I've booked a half marathon, two marathons and a 50k for next year. There may be more to come. This blog is about my marathon ambitions, but first let me tell you about this Half i've entered.
About an hour from me is the town of Regensburg. I've never been, but i hear it's a nice place. I came across the website for the Regensburg marathon (May 24) but the site also listed the Spindellauf - a spindle run. When I looked into it, I found that it's a half marathon through a shopping centre on a Saturday evening after all the shops have shut. The route goes up and down the multi-storey car park ramp, hence the monker Spindle. I spoke to a German colleague and he told me that it's a famous race in the area and getting a place isn't easy. Find the race here: regensburg-marathon.de
Fast forward a week and it's almost midnight, i'm in the kitchen - laptop open refreshing the page every few seconds waiting for the entry page to go live.
When it does, the site crashes. A few minutes later and i'm in, but the entry form is all in German and Chrome isn't translating it for me (mein Deutsche ist nicht sehr gut). I have to use the translate app on my phone whilst i'm frantically trying to get through the registration whilst seeing the number of available places dropping rapidly.
Success! I made it through the form and have confirmed my entry. Look forward to a blog about that race in January.
I then went back onto the entry website and entered the full Marathon in May. I've not quite worked out my goal for this event yet. It might be just a training run. It might be an early-mid year test of fitness. It might be a PB by accident. I'll work it out nearer the time.
But tangent aside, the grand plan is for October 2024 and the Three Countries Marathon. An event so-called because you start in Germany, on a small island in Lake Constance (or Bodensee if you're local), then run around the lake crossing into Austria, before passing another boarder, this time into Switzerland where you do a U turn and head for the finish back in Austria. Find the race here: sparkasse-3-laender-marathon.at
Right now, I have my sights set on a Sub 3 finish. I am convinced that had I got more long runs into my most recent training block, I would have finished Munich in around 3:30 or under, and I want to continue this training, incresing the mileage, upping the intensity (both slowly, of course) and incorporating some strength and conditioning. I believe this will see me to a finish time starting with a 2.
Being realistic, I know this is is trying to take 20% off my current PB. I know it's going to be hard, but I really think it's possible. Getting a 2:50something would be a Boston Qualifier and London GFA, so the further into the 2s, the better chance I have for both of those races.
I'll try and write more blogs on my progress, particularly in the new year once my training plan really kicks in. I have other things to talk about next week though first.
Thanks for reading. next time i'll put in more pictures!
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ptr_runner
I've been a runner for as long as I can remember. I was a 100m sprint specialist during my school years, before moving to long distance running around 2014 when I decided I wanted to run a 50k. Have completed 8 marathons and 3 ultras since then, and only plan on doing more!Profile | Blog | Other Blogs