Preparing for the Loch Ness Marathon: A Journey of Determination and Realism

Hello everyone,

There's about four weeks until the Loch Ness Marathon, my autumn marathon for this year. As I look ahead to this significant milestone, I want to share my preparation journey, thought process, and how I'm battling the inevitable injuries that come with intense training. I hope you find my story useful and inspiring.

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As I dive into today's post, I want to talk about my plans for the Loch Ness Marathon and how they've evolved. Typically, I aim to complete a couple of marathons each year, possibly including an ultra marathon. This year, I managed to tackle the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge, which qualifies as an ultra. However, plans for a spring marathon didn't pan out, leaving me a bit short on marathon events this year.

Last October, I ran the Yorkshire Marathon with a finishing time of 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 48 seconds, a personal best by a considerable margin. Despite the achievement, I knew I could've gone three or four minutes quicker if it weren't for a horrendous blister that burst towards the end. So, my goal for Loch Ness was initially a PB, venturing possibly into a sub 3 hours 15 marathons, which is a qualifying time for my age group for the Chicago Marathon, one of the majors.

However, life has its way of throwing curveballs. I'm now battling a recurrence of plantar fasciitis, the same foot injury that plagued me before. Although I can run through the discomfort, it’s definitely there. So, I've had to reassess my goals. It's crucial to set realistic expectations based on the hand we're dealt. No one wants to get injured, but reality often dictates otherwise.

Presently, my gut feeling is that a sub 3 hours 15 marathons might be out of reach for Loch Ness. Instead, a more realistic goal is simply to achieve a PB. Last year, I believe I could've shaved off a few minutes if it hadn’t been for that debilitating blister. Loch Ness, albeit undulating, is a net downhill marathon, which may work in my favor.

My current training regime involves over 50 km a week, running at a pace of around 4 minutes 40 seconds per kilometer. Unfortunately, two of those weeks were spent in plus 40 degrees centigrade heat in the mountains, where maintaining my usual pace was a struggle. On top of that, I've been dealing with illnesses and health tests, meaning my training hasn’t gone as smoothly as planned.

So, as I prepare for Loch Ness, my minimum target is simply to beat my York time. A stretch goal would be subbed 3 hours 20 minutes, and best case scenario, an audacious attempt at 3 hours 15 minutes. Realism is crucial in setting these targets. Pushing for unrealistic goals only sets you up for disappointment.

I'll continue to update you on my preparations over the coming weeks, as this marathon is high on my priority list. Remember, setting realistic, tiered goals is key. Having a minimum target, a stretch target, and a best case scenario helps maintain motivation and sets you up for success rather than disappointment.

Question, comments? Drop me a line—I respond to everyone. If you believe in my mission, please subscribe, share, like, and comment. The more people we reach, the more we raise for saving children's lives.

Thank you for all your support. Stay positive, stay happy, and I’ll see you again tomorrow.

Kevin Brittain