How I’m Training For Loch Ness Marathon

Loch Ness Marathon is in October – so I’ve plenty of time to train for it. However, there are a couple of training errors that runners make when signing up for a marathon. There’s the group of runners who are super excited to start training for a marathon and jump straight in, building up their long runs. Or there are the runners who take a much more relaxed attitude and plan to start training when it gets a bit closer. Both groups could run into problems.

Error: Doing too much running too soon

Marathon training is a long slog. Training for a marathon is far harder than actually running it. The running it will take you less than 8 hours even on a bad day but the training takes weeks and months. You need to maintain your enthusiasm for training, stay consistent and avoid injury which is no simple task.

Though it’s great to be full of enthusiasm for a race, don’t let this lead you to do too much too soon. Aim for consistent running and maybe work in a few shorter races. Then really focus on your marathon training from 16 weeks out from your chosen marathon.

Error: Putting running off until later

Often runners aiming for a spring marathon will wait until January to start their training. But depending on what race they’re targeting, this could give them as little as 12 weeks to train. Autumn marathon training plans often get delayed until after Easter or after holidays you might have booked. The best thing to do is count out 16 weeks in your diary and allow a couple of extra weeks for illness, holidays and life being generally bust. Now make this the start of your official marathon training.

But if you’ve fallen out of the habit of running, don’t put off starting until 16 weeks out. Make running 3 times a week a habit between now and then.

My training plans for Loch Ness Marathon

Last month I ran a parkrun as the first stage of my training towards the marathon. The parkrun was a chance for me to test my fitness after being unwell for a few weeks. It also gave me a time to base any tempo runs or interval training I might do on.

I also ran a half marathon in March. It went better than I’d expected after some time off and this gave me a race to base my goal for Loch Ness Marathon on.

The next couple of months for me are going to be able consistent training: running three times per week, keeping my longer run to around 8-12 miles and working some pilates into my week more regularly.

I’ve also been eyeing up local 10k races this summer and will be working some sessions like hills and tempo runs into my week. Marathon training itself will begin in June and hopefully I’ll be in good shape to start building up my runs some more.

All kit featured was gifted by adidas: Fast Running t-shirt, Daily Run 5 inch short leggings, Adizero Boston 11 running shoes. I’ll be testing out more of adidas women’s trainers later this year.