On the journey to the London Marathon, our team of runners are focused on building strength, improving their running and of course, raising money for SSAFA. We spoke to the team to see how their training is coming along.
Barry Byers, UK Managing Director-
I started training a few weeks ago in late August/early September. As I haven’t done any running for a while, it has been a slow start but I can already feel myself getting fitter and it getting easier. Early morning runs in the constant rain haven’t been particularly inviting but I am getting into the habit.
I usually do a longer run at the weekend, which has currently been around 6k with the goal to increase the distances I’m running by 5k by the end of each month. So by the end of October, I will be completing 10k runs every week and by December it will be up to 20k, which is almost half marathon distance. During the week, I’m doing a couple of shorter runs before work with other strengthening exercises in between. At the moment, it feels like more of a grind to get my fitness levels before I start to enjoy the process more.
Paul Robins, Group Finance Director -
Things with my training are moving in the right direction and I’m feeling more positive as I’ve managed to increase my distance and time each week. However, I’m still focusing on maintaining a steady, but slow pace. I’m currently on track with three runs per week, with a longer run over the weekend.
Where I live is rather hilly which is not ideal for training, but I am working through this and seeing a marginal improvement in fitness.
Michelle Naylor, UK Commercial Director –
My training is going well and after having a break of five years since I last ran, I’ve decided to start Couch to 5k, which is a nine week programme, three times per week for 30 minutes each time. The goal is to be able to run 5k in less than 30 minutes, which is a great starting point for me personally. I’m also going to the gym twice a week to build up my leg and hamstrings. It’s about building the runs into your week and putting them in your diary so that way you stick to them!
I never thought I would say this, but I’m actually starting to enjoy running – but ask me in a few week’s time when it’s cold, dark and raining constantly.
John Bisland, Hub Manager –
I have been travelling around the UK this year on my journey to London, attending various running events with the occasional trial and wolf runs thrown in for fun. I regularly attend 5K and 10K events but have been increasing my training runs to get used to the longer distances in preparation for a number of half and full marathon events later this year.
So far over the last month, my runs have included:
8th September - The Kenilworth half marathon and 5K, wet and windy on the day, but even with the bad weather, the beautiful small town with its old castle at the heart was a great first stop of the month.
Saturday 14th September - Draycote water running festival, a red hot day with the sun blazing down. This run takes you around the reservoir at Draycote in all its natural beauty. I finished 4th in the men’s category.
Sunday 22nd September - A trip back to my home country for the Wild Deer Scottish trial run at Dalkeith Country Park on the outskirts of Edinburgh, finishing in 4th.
And the last weekend of September involved another 5k in the small market town of Hitchin.
To kick start the month of October, I headed back to my home city of Glasgow for the biggest and best running event of the year in Scotland, The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run.
Frank Gee, Managing Director at Millbray Group -
My training is going well, I’m currently having a recovery week after completing the Norway marathon a couple of weeks ago. My finish time for the Oslo marathon was 3 hours and 4 minutes, so I’m hopefully on track for my goal of a sub-three hour finish in London. I am also training for a Half Ironman in between now and the London Marathon so I’ve got plenty to do.
Tim Clements, Managing Director at Team C Express Logistics –
I’m running in the Chicago marathon this Sunday so I’m currently taking a slow week this week and resting up. After completing that, I’ll take two weeks off to recover and then it will be straight back to training for the London Marathon!
To donate to the Pall-Ex Group team, please visit: https://www.pallex.co.uk/london-marathon
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