Run like the Wind…

Today officially marks the beginning of my Marathon training. I have 4 months to get into shape to complete my second 26.2 miler. Not the most inspiring of starts. The weather is pretty dull, grey and cold, and my ipod failed me. Usually I wouldn’t mind but I hadn’t planned a particularly exciting route, so I was looking forward to zoning out a bit. Anyway, I had set myself the mission of doing a pick up on my run. A couple of weeks back, I went to a pottery painting thing with my cousin, where I painted a rather handsome mug. Not knowing when I was next going to be in Greenwich I decided I should pick it up mid run. A little challenging running back with a mug in my right hand, but my run had had a second purpose, and I felt good because of it. I ran 8 miles, at around 9min mile pace. I need to do some sums and decide what my marathon pace is going to be, as I know my longer runs should be run at around a minute slower than this. So I guess 8min mile Marathon. This gives me a straight 3:49 to aim for. However my last Marathon I ran a 3:51, with what felt like a little extra left in the tank. So perhaps I need to have a rethink and step up the challenge a bit….