Running Farther: Bring on My First Marathon!

Tracking My Running Goals

I could have given up two months ago when I was not tracking well with my running. I did it! I ran farther this year than last year. It was a total of 766.4 kilometres. I ran 174 km in December. This was 52 km more than the 122 km I ran in November. I managed to stick to the training plan whilst visiting family over Christmas. In seven weeks, I will be running my first-ever marathon!

Setting the Marathon Goal

What is my marathon goal? Given that it is going to be my first, my main focus at this stage is to finish the race. I can’t help but think of a time goal, but there are many parts at play. Currently, my watch race predictor estimates my marathon time to be 4:49:00. The longest run I have had so far is 27 km. This distance will peak at 32 km in a couple of weeks.

Training for a marathon has been a challenge. I have been limping on some runs, as I developed plantar fasciitis in the process of transitioning between shoes. I have always stuck with Asics Gel-Kayanos. The plantar pain has not stopped me running. Still, I have to listen to my body and rest on rest days. I have been consistent most weeks, running three times.

Nutrition for the Marathon

The nutrition and hydration are still a work in progress for the upcoming marathon. I usually eat a banana before a long run. I generally have less than 15 minutes from waking up and going for a run. I have taken some dates with me on some runs as well as some gels. I do not like the sticky, sugary film that you get with most gels.

A friend gave me a Maurten gel to try. I must say it tasted different. There was no sticky film. I will experiment with more. I received a gift card for Christmas, which I will use on running purchases for the marathon.

Chasing the Streak

Bring on 2025! I will run farther in 2025 than in 2024. I can’t break the streak; it’s seven years in a row. Bring on my first marathon in 2025! I also hope to run a race during our mini-retirement in South America. What distance will it be? At what altitude?

I am grateful that this 40-year-old body is holding up. One of these years, I will get to 1,000 km in the year! I will keep aiming to run farther each year than the previous year.