The key is to keep your brain’s emotional side in check and focus on the process. I even go as far as to say that until 20 miles, you can’t even think about the finish line. Just stay in the moment!<\/strong><\/p>\nSimon’s 5km split up to the 25km marker was his fastest in the race so far, taking just 24 minutes and 41 seconds. For context, around this time last year, Simon wouldn’t have managed this for a flat-out parkrun, which shows just how far he has come on in the last 12 months!<\/p>\n
AFTER 25KM<\/h3>\n
After 25km, the course then winds into the Isle of Dogs, which is quite a lonely part of the London route. After the high of Tower Bridge, you really have to regain focus at this stage. Through the 30km marker with a split of 25:29 minutes, the 3:30 clocking was still on. However, it would require Simon to hit the last 12.2km at 5:00mins a km or 8:00mins a mile exactly.<\/p>\n
THIS IS WHERE IT GETS TOUGH<\/h3>\n
This is where the Marathon gets seriously tough. The body typically has around 2 hours’ worth of fuel from carbohydrates stored within. That’s why with Simon’s race plan, we have a gel every 30mins to prolong the use of the carbohydrate energy system for a longer period. We will never finish a Marathon in energy balance. A good example of this is Galen Rupp, the American Marathon record holder would need roughly 30 gels in the Marathon to maintain energy balance.<\/p>\n
MIND GAMES<\/h3>\n
As the energy levels start to deplete, the mind begins to play horrible tricks on you. Suddenly the 12km you have to get to the line seems longer than every run you have ever completed, despite the fact that on any given day, most marathoners could knock out a 12km runner any day of the week! This is where you have to delve into those mental channels of resilience and toughness to keep digging in. Simon and I spoke about this before Paris, where he would take a moment where he has been resilient in his training and in his normal life. When it gets tough, we think about those moments and use them as strength when the going gets tough.<\/p>\n
*APPLAUSE & CHEERING*<\/h3>\n
The last 12km of the London Marathon course is such an electric atmosphere. The only break from the noise and the cheering is in Blackfriars tunnel! No matter how tough things get, the crowd will get you home! Through 35km, Simon started to drop a little more with a 26:08 clocking followed by a 26:42 min clocking to 40km. However, he still held it together well to finish just short of his time from Paris, coming across the line in 3:35:15. An awe-inspiring run considering Simon’s debut was just three weeks ago! Even more impressively, Simon was among the first 10,000 people to finish the event, and with over 47,000 runners starting the race, this is incredible!<\/p>\n
I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER<\/h3>\n
A superb block followed by two superb marathon races. As a Coach, I couldn’t be happier with Simon and his efforts. To complete two marathons in such a short space of time is incredible. And now the planning and work have started into getting that sub 3:30!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A (FEW) WORDS FROM SIMON<\/h2>\n
I read a quote recently that \u2018Running is 90% mental and the rest is physical\u2019, and this certainly rang true throughout April.<\/strong><\/p>\nParis felt like the end of a journey, the goal I had been working towards for months, and I loved every minute of it. But it wasn\u2019t the end of the journey, I still had London to go. Leaving Paris on a real high, the mental wrestling soon began to creep in. The training program in the three weeks between the two events felt too light. It didn\u2019t feel like I was doing enough, only 20km in week one, then 46km in week two. Feeling some pressure of running on home soil with family and friends standing along the route, I needed to put in a decent show. All ridiculous thoughts in hindsight, but as always, Coach to the rescue.<\/p>\n
As I have noted in earlier instalments, you have to trust the process and trust your Coach. He knows best. All the work I had done leading up to Paris and that race itself, I would be getting the benefit of just as I hit London. The three weeks in between were just about keeping my legs ticking over, fuelling and sleeping well. In the week before the race, my confidence and anticipation grew, and I was ready to go again.<\/p>\n
Race day arrived, and the atmosphere was immense. Arriving at London Bridge for the final leg of the journey to the start line in Greenwich, 47k runners were all ready to run their own marathon journey. You could feel the excitement radiating from the crowds. Given how I felt after Paris, my goal for London was to break 3h 30m. I was on track to hit this at the halfway point despite all the puddle navigating and stopping\/starting at congested parts of the course, crossing Tower Bridge feeling strong. I kept near to pace for the third quarter, but coming out of Canary Wharf, I started to struggle.<\/p>\n
The last 5km was a real battle in my head, doubting myself, feeling every pain in every muscle \u2013 \u2018I\u2019m done, I need to stop and walk\u2019 train of thinking. However, I knew my daughter was watching somewhere on the final part of the course\u2026that was the focus I needed. I pulled my head together and got it done, finishing slightly slower than Paris at 3h 35m.<\/p>\n
What an incredible experience, I am so grateful for all the support throughout my marathon journey. A special thanks to the SKINS team, who had to listen to me bleat on about running every single day, and all the crew at PGC1 Coaching. You guys are all incredible and such an inspiration, and of course, Josh \u2013 no words.<\/p>\n
Two marathons, One month \u2013 done – Peace out\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
He’s only gone and done it! Simon has completed his second marathon in 3 weeks. Discover how he got on in London. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45805,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142,143,144,330,145,260],"tags":[133,315,128,137,131,261,264],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
COACH JOSHUA: TRAINING SKINS CCO PT.6 LONDON<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n