Reverting to the tried and tested is often a wise option when faced with a familiar challenge. So, with that in mind, I return, for the next few months at least, to the habit of a regular blog, a practice that definitely added value to the mental preparations for my last marathon attempt in 2015.
Being somewhat a creature of habit, it's not just the blog that I'm calling upon to add a degree of familiarity. Sticking to what I know, in almost every sense, I'll return in late October to the pancake flat Amsterdam course seeking to improve on the 2.57 recorded there three years ago.
The race weekend itinerary nearly looks after itself by now. Arrive on Friday, and do little aside from collecting my race number and resting before taking in a short, final run around the wonderful Vondelpark early on Saturday and then an afternoon catch up with some Dutch based friends ahead of the main event on Sunday morning. Oh, and a great big feast of an Indian meal to celebrate later that night, which will probably be enjoyed in Tandoor on Lange Leidsedwarsstraat, unless I feel very adventurous and try somewhere totally different! I wouldn't bet on a change of venue though, it's not in my nature!
If you can remove as much uncertainty from any situation, there is less likely to go wrong, or so my thinking goes anyway! Of course, you can never rule out the unexpected either so while I’m confident I have a solid game plan, I know it must be open to being flexible when the need arises.
Ask any sportsperson about confidence and nearly all will say that it comes from no greater source than your own preparation. If the work is done, boxes ticked, miles clocked, you know you are ready when the call goes up for showtime.
With 16 weeks to go, I’m still very much in the build phase of training but there is a nice feeling of momentum gathering with seven of the last eight weeks seeing me exceed the 50mile mark. A mixture of good training partners for company and the feel good factor of this unforgettably hot summer combining nicely to add fuel to the training fire.
Next Thursday’s Streets Of Youghal 5k offers another opportunity to update a personal best, which is more than a little overdue at this stage. Recent race efforts at John Buckley Sports 5k (17.18) and Dublin Athletics Graded League 3,000m (10.07) suggest that form is finally coming back to a similar level as 2015. While I could analyse forever more what held up my progress for the best part of three years, I’m just really happy and grateful to be feeling strong again.
I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress over the next few months and encourage anyone with marathon related questions to drop a comment below and I can hopefully respond to some of these in future blogs.
Nearly time for another run, until next time...
