I’d decided that this year was going to be a little different from the usual for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, I’d been talking to this guy I work with back in October, who kept going on and on about being accepted to run the Edinburgh marathon. Now I’d just been dumped from the London Marathon ballot for what feels about the 10th consecutive year, so you can appreciate me feeling a little frustrated. So during a short period of frustration, disappointment and reflection, I thought ‘what the heck’ and also decided to participate in this historic Scottish marathon.

The second change to alter my training cycle is that my wife is entering her 1st half-marathon this year as she’s been accepted for this September’s Great North Run, so I intend to part train and race with her.

This changes my usual training schedule for this season, not that I’m complaining too much as it feels quite good to be going back to my running roots! I already have a schedule planned which has been in place since the turn of the year to cater for my marathon on 31st May. I’m aiming for 3hrs 30 mins (or better) come race day, albeit being able to train injury free for the training period.

I only intend to run train every other day and have longer rest periods where necessary following my harder sessions. Included within the schedule will also be the odd road race (and duathlon) to keep me race sharp. Interspersed between my runs will be cross training bike sessions (either ‘the commute’ or endurance rides) to maintain my cardio fitness and leg strength. I may even throw in the odd swim session to keep ticking over. There was me saying that I was looking forward getting back to ‘just running’ again!

Once the marathon is over I’ll start to pick up the training with my wife, however I will revert some of ‘my own’ run focus back to swimming in order to participate in a couple of triathlons August and September. That will take me up to the Great North Run and just about another year done!

I intend to log as much of this years training and racing activities as possible through Trispace so you can see how I’m getting on.