After having a year off the full 26.2 miles marathon distance I am making my comeback in 2018 aged 33. By the time the London Marathon comes around on Sunday April 22nd it will actually be two whole years exactly since I last ran it.
I'm really looking forward to it and I think it will probably be my last one, atleast for the foreseeable future if I am completely honest. After running the marathon five years in a row and running 'Good For Age' five times I think I have lost a lot of the same desire I had a few years ago.
When you are running the marathon you have to be 100% committed and previously I was, both mentally and physically where as now I know I no longer have that same desire to push myself to my limits. I have to say, I'm not particularly looking forward to the training and the races I have scheduled in before the marathon are the toughest around for build up races. Both races are very hilly and both will be in freezing cold conditions, they certainly aren't glamour races like the London Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon but they will definitely prepare me for what's to come.
Below is my schedule:
My winter / spring Marathon Season 2018 comeback schedule plan:
February 18th: Liversedge Half Marathon (best course time: 1:24:15 in 2012)
March 11th: Spen 20 Mile Race (best course time: 2:15:04 in 2015)
April 22nd: London Marathon (best course time: 2:57:29 in 2014)
May 13th: Leeds Half Marathon (best course time: 1:22:45 in 2014)
My training will start after Christmas & New Year 😬🎽
I just need to start running again properly and getting that passion back because if I don't then training and the races leading up to London are going to be really tough and they are already tough as it is. I was getting back into my running during the back end of summer but it has since fizzled out.
I'm going to take training a bit steadier than previously where I was pushing myself to limits, I'm not putting any extra pressure on myself. I have been there done it and worn the t-shirt, I've ran Good For Age times so many occasions, I've had so many PB's and I've won a few local races too over the years so I don't have anything to prove to myself, I have consistently ran great times over and over, especially at London Marathon.
I take a lot it pride in my times and I'm very competitive but I'm going to try not let my lack of desire to push to that same level and pain barrier effect me and I'm just going to enjoy the whole season as much as I can. The London Marathon is probably going to be my last one and I'm running on a prestigious Good For Age place for the sixth time in marathons and I am very proud of that.
It would be great to run my sixth and last London Marathon in seven years with another Good For Age qualification time but I'm not going to kick myself if I don't - for me - it's about taking my last one in and enjoying the whole experience.
Me and Katie have booked a little apartment down there for three nights.
Follow my sports, fitness and spiritual journey at:
INSTAGRAM: @joycinho
TWITTER: @rjsports1 @joycinho @rjrugbyleague
SPIRITUAL TWITTER: @JoyceParanormal