London Marathon report by Dawn Lloyd
London Marathon 2022 Training Update – Dawn Lloyd
2022 was the year I decided to complete a marathon, after watching my friends complete London Marathon last year I felt inspired to take the next step and move from Half Marathon distance up to Marathon. I entered the CMRC London Marathon ballot and waited for the Christmas party.
When the ballot was drawn & Lindsay called my name out I was thrilled, I felt like I had won the lottery. Our table erupted with screams and cheers, I really couldn’t believe my luck. It was me, I had won the 2022 ballot and was going to run London Marathon!
At this point in time, I had nearly a year to prepare myself for the distance, I was 95% excited and only a tiny bit terrified. The 2022 Marathon is 2nd October, it will return to its normal April slot next year.
For the next 6 months, I concentrated on running regularly, getting my trainers on and out of the door four times a week, covering roughly 25 miles a week including a longer run on a Sunday. The long slow run has become my favourite run of the week. I look forward to this time spent with friends chatting away when we run and sometimes a nice coffee stop at the end. I feel very lucky to have friends, family and club members to run with and rarely run on my own. The support and encouragement I receive is fantastic. I just love the connections the running club gives me. I am definitely not alone on my marathon journey.
Over the spring, I completed 3 Half Marathons, London Land Marks in April, next Birmingham, our club championship event, and finally Edinburgh at the end of May.
As the months ticked by and the marathon became closer, I decided to get a personalised plan from Runwell for my marathon training. A plan to prepare me both physically and mentally for the distance. I am now running 4 to 5 times a week, and complete a variety of run types, some faster than others. My typical week includes CMRC Tuesday training, Friday’s cake run and a Long Slow Run so keeping it all very social.
Summer training brings its benefits, as it opens up lots more routes being able to get off the roads and more onto the footpaths/fields. During the really hot weather spell, I completed my runs early in the morning. It’s a juggle some weeks to find the time/opportunity to complete each run, but so far I have managed this.
As some of you will know I had a niggle in my right knee during one Tuesday night training session & followed Ade’s immediate advice to walk back and seek guidance. With the help of Paul Scott (PS Precision Sports Massage) and an adjusted plan from my Runwell coach Jo I was soon able to get back running and back on plan. This blip in my journey was a stark reminder I need to spend more time stretching, something we all know we need to do but if I’m honest I hadn’t been doing very well.
The marathon is now only 5 weeks away, I have trains & hotel booked, supporters coming with me and new trainers to break in ready for the big day. In the meantime, I hope to see lots of you at Worcester City HM/10K on the 4th September.
