When is it enough? 

Most runners who are marathon training will have an ideal mileage figure in their head of what they want to get to. 

I think that’s a good thing, especially if you can be disciplined about it. 

I’ve got a figure of around 45-50 miles in my head to get to during a peak week before the Berlin Marathon at the end of September. 

I’m getting towards that figure but recently I’ve been going on Strava and feeling like it’s not going to be enough. 

I confess that I struggle with Strava. You could argue the same for any social media platform but 90 per cent of the time I come off it and feel worse about myself. 

I know that’s not Strava’s issue – it’s my own personal insecurity around my running. 

Strava can be an excellent tool to log your runs and track your progress but there is a flipside. Your feed is populated by the runs of others and it is human nature to compare yourself. 

With marathon training starting to peak, I’m tired, and that’s when I’m susceptible to letting some of the demons in. 

‘You’re not doing enough.’ 

‘Your easy pace way too slow compared to others.’ 

‘Your heart rate is too high.’ 

‘ just did a 13-mile midweek run – maybe you should, Mark...’ 

Just some of the regular thoughts that go through my head after a little lurk on Strava. 

The reality, of course, is that I’m doing the best I can in the circumstances I’m currently in. Everyone is, of course, and I’m genuinely pleased when I see friends and club-mates make excellent progress. 

However, when you don’t feel on the same upward trajectory, I find that it’s sensible to try and shut out some of the outside noise... that means staying away from my Strava feed for a few weeks at least. 

I had a high mileage week last week for me, but I finished it feeling like I needed to do more. 

I’d love to be able to get to 60 or 70 miles per week and who’s to say that can’t happen in the future? But when my highest weekly volume stands at around 45 miles it would be foolish to go well beyond that at this stage. 

My body isn’t ready for it. I know my current limitations and I’ve pushed beyond them once already this year resulting in me missing the Manchester Marathon. 

As we head into crunch time for the Berlin Marathon I can’t let myself do the same again. 

Focus on doing the best you can.  

It’s enough. 

 

Worstead 5M 

I thoroughly enjoyed my first Worstead 5M experience last Friday. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in a position to give it a ‘full send’ and attempt a new personal best. 

I used it as a chance to run steadily on tired legs after a long run earlier in the day. I wouldn’t recommend this for any new runner but part of any marathon build for me is to get used to running when I don’t particularly want to. 

Fortunately, I was helped round by a couple of friends, whose talking kept me constantly engaged rather than wondering how much longer I had before I could enjoy a beer and a bucket full of chips. 

Thanks to North Norfolk Beach Runners for putting on a great event.