So far..
Making a move to the South coast of England at the age of 18 to go to Bournemouth University took a very ordinary start joining the rowing club enjoying the social side and just generally having fun. I had always ran a bit but never anything really serious, but in May 2013 I decided to enter Bournemouth marathon. Training for this was fitted around 3 weeks traveling around Europe followed by 9 weeks where I could get in a decent amount of miles to get round the 26.2 miles. On a relatively hot day in October I got round in 2:55.05 and really enjoyed the experience and the running continued...
Prior to university I ran a bit, attended circuits a couple times a week but nothing regular or serious, I was to busy chopping it around the golf course for 8 hours a weekend. Was not really a competitive runner made steady progress in School cross country but by no means the most talented of sports man. Circuits were run by Ian Eisentrager's which I thoroughly enjoyed got me to a good level of endurance which I could apply as I wished. The circuit sessions are quite frankly brutal at times but a great mix of people to training with which really push themselves. At university was where I began to realize the endurance I had rowing for just under 2 years finishing with a 2 km PB of 6:38.5 but a new challenge was needed. Participating in an individual sport fitted the bill with an ever increasing work load from university and allowed me to 'control the controllable' much more than was the case in rowing. Rowing was great for getting me into regular training, and taught me the importance of consistency, but with the time required for the training I felt that I could more effectively use my time else where.
Bournemouth marathon was the time lights went on in my head and longer (or what I considered longer) endurance racing was what I want to do. Still being only 20 the training was chance to explore and with simple application and hard work improvements would come. Joining the local athletics club (Bournemouth AC) where I really learnt what endurance racing was, 18 miles including speed work were training sessions on a Tuesday evening and 100 mile weeks were common for the guys focusing on London and longer races beyond London. Within the road racing section of the club there is a great work ethic and some great results created (no coincidence I am sure).
I am know only a week away from my second marathon entered to make good use of the key sessions over the winter and to get experience over the distance. The last 3 weeks have been about getting some real miles in with 70 Miles, 75 Miles and 50 Miles running under the belt it is time to get some rest and see how race day goes. With the unconventional route into running, unconventional training is hardly surprise but with experience and hard work I can look forward to improvements for many years to come, one of the joys of getting into marathon running young.
