Well, just a few hours before running my first marathon, and to calm my nerves a little, I feel like writing about how my training has been for a race like this.
Of course, I had no idea how to do it, so the first thing I did was ask for advice from those who know: Ramiro and Pytu. My coaches from the Athletics Club of San Sebastián de los Reyes. They are amazing in this sport, not only as athletes but also as people. Each one in their own way, but both very respected and loved by everyone.
At the beginning of January I asked Ramiro about his training plan. Right away he gave me his standard plan, a structured schedule with six training days and one rest day. The mileage in the first week was already around 120 km and increasing, while I had only been running between 50 and 60 km per week. Training six days a week instead of four– wow, that was a huge jump. Sundays meant long runs starting at 24 km increasing each week up to 30. I was in shock. People had told me that marathon training is very hard, but from the very start it felt like an impossible wall.
So I went to talk with Pytu. He told me not to worry, that Ramiro’s plan was for people trying to run under three hours, and that in my case it had to be adapted. He explained that the most important days were two: Wednesdays for marathon intervals, and Sundays for the long runs. The other days would be adjusted to my needs. Monday: the usual training with the rest of the club. Tuesday: gym or an easy jog. Wednesday: follow the intervals from Ramiro’s plan. Thursday: again an easy jog or gym. Friday: rest. Saturday: club training again. Every day: 30 minutes warm up before training, and at least 10 minutes cool down. And on Sunday, a long run, but no more than 2 hours and 30 minutes, around 26 km.
That conversation with Pytu calmed me down a lot. It wasn’t such a brutal change compared to what I was already doing. It would be long and hard, yes, but not the crazy thing I imagined at the beginning. Everything started to make sense. And Pytu also promised to be with me during all this journey so I could feel more confident. Great!
The first week didn’t go very well, because my daughters caught a stomach virus and passed it to me, so I missed the first day of intervals. Luckily I recovered fast and was able to do them on Thursday instead of Wednesday. It was 3 x 4000, when I was only used to doing 2. I ran well considering I was still a bit sick, and the third one was tough, but I finished it. What a boost! Then Saturday short intervals, and Sunday a 21 km long run. I ended up feeling very good, with 67.5 km in total.
The second week went much better. On Monday I did some “kas” (3k1, 3k2, 3k3) at a good pace (“kas” means a continous run where you increase the pace every 3 kilometers in this case), Tuesday gym for strength, Wednesday a 10k steady run. Pytu asked me to run at 5:10/km but I ended up doing it progressive instead of steady. Still, I finished full of energy and very happy. Thursday I did 10 km around Sputnik in Alcobendas, a very hilly route. I think this circuit helped me a lot, it made me stronger physically and mentally. Saturday short intervals (8 x 500 and 8 x 400), and Sunday a 23 km long run. Almost 80 km total that week. Very happy, feeling strong.
Here I want to pause to talk about long runs. I tried to do them with people when possible. But normally, unless your friends are also training for a marathon, they run shorter distances. So what I did was start earlier, and then join my friends in the last part of my run. That was great for my mind, because when you are more tired you can talk with someone and make it more enjoyable.
Third week. Monday some pace changes, Wednesday more “kas” (4k1, 4k2, 4k3, changing pace every 4 kilometers), Thursday a 10 km run, Saturday short intervals (8 x 1000), and Sunday again a 23 km long run. Around 80 km total, which seemed to be the weekly target, more or less. I felt strong and confident. So much that Pytu had to tell me to change my mindset, that I couldn’t train at the same pace as for a 10k, and that I needed to slow down or I could burn out or get injured. I listened.
Fourth and last week of February. Monday “kas” (3k1, 3k2, 3k3), Tuesday gym, Wednesday intervals (5 x 2000 with 2’ rest), Thursday 10 km run, Saturday short intervals, and Sunday Pytu asked me to increase the long run to 24 km. My energy was overflowing. And my confidence too, I was finishing all trainings very well, I couldn’t believe how good I was feeling. Another 81 km in total.
March began. This was the month with the longest trainings, and also a race in the middle, as a test and a chance to run faster.
The first week started with 9 “kas” 1-1-1 (changing pace every kilometer) on Monday, Tuesday gym, Wednesday very tough intervals (8000 + 6000) alone, the 8000 at 4:50/km and the 6000 at 4:55/km. Some clubmates came to warm up while I was finishing and cheered me a lot. Thursday 10.5 km at around 5:50/km near Sputnik. Saturday more short intervals, under the rain, and Sunday a 24 km long run in Sanse and La Dehesa, again mostly in the rain. A week of 81.5 km, and very happy because I felt strong.
Second week of March, again raining. Monday was supposed to be pace changes but a heavy storm stopped me after 15 out of 20. Tuesday gym. Wednesday 10 x 1000 on track, wet again but fine. But with all the water and cold, I caught a cold, and had to stop training for three days. So frustrating. Sunday was the MetLife Activa 15k in Madrid. Since I felt better on Saturday, I decided to run it, but easy. I ran with Cris for most of it, then at km 13 I lost her and decided to push a bit on Avenida de Valladolid, running 2 km around 4:20/km, overtaking people and enjoying it so much. And luckily, it didn’t rain. The bad part: the shoes I planned to use (Brooks Hyperion Elite 4), which I love, destroyed my heels. So I had to think about other shoes for the marathon. I couldn’t risk that happening at km 15 of the marathon.
Third week of March. Still raining. Monday “kas” (3k1, 3k2, 3k3), Tuesday physio for leg massage, Wednesday intervals (3 x 4000), much better than in the first week. Thursday 9 km with Cris at 6:00/km, Saturday short intervals (6 x 1000, cut short because of rain again). Sunday a 26 km long run in Sanse and La Dehesa, first 10 km with Miguel Angel and the next part with the group, Cris, Vicky, Susana… I felt very lucky to have so many people to run with. But it was cold, rainy, and my legs were killing me, probably from fatigue and bad weather. I think it was the hardest day of all the training. But I finished it, another 80 km.
Last week of March. The rain was now a bad joke. Monday 20 pace changes, Tuesday rest, Wednesday intervals (6 x 2000, felt very good, María joined me for the first five, and the last one I ran full speed). It was funny that I started the training tired, but halfway through I felt better and finished strong. Thursday another 9 km in the rain. Saturday short intervals (3 x 1000 + 4 x 500 + 3 x 1000), but this time at a moderate pace so Sunday wouldn’t be so hard. And Sunday was amazing: 26 km in Casa de Campo, around 18 km with company and the last 8 km alone. Those last km felt long, but I managed. And the best part: the sun came out! After the run we had a snack and a beer at Urogallo, one of the bars by the lake. Another 81 km total. I felt happy, though fatigue was clear after 8 weeks and so much rain. Pytu was very happy with me.
April started. This month meant a bit less mileage, a half marathon as a test, and finally the big goal.
Monday “kas”, Tuesday gym, Wednesday intervals (10 x 1000, very good feelings), Thursday 10 km near Sputnik. Friday rest, and I went to the runners expo at Telefónica to pick up my bib for the Movistar Half Marathon in Madrid. I bought new Joma R1000 shoes with carbon plate, at a very good price (110€). Saturday 5 km easy to prepare the legs, testing the Joma shoes. And Sunday, race day. My first time running this distance without pressure, the idea was just to run it, not too slow but not competing hard. Since I wanted to test the shoes, I wore them, even if it’s risky to wear new shoes in a race. Running down Castellana I felt full of energy, so I left Jose Antonio and Rafa behind and ran alone. The sensations were amazing, I managed to hold 4:40/km almost all the race, except the last km uphill on Recoletos, where I slowed a bit. But wow, my “easy run” gave me a new personal best: 1h43’50”, almost 2 minutes faster than my previous one, average 4:49/km. Incredible. My confidence was at its highest. And the shoes were great, no blisters at all.
Only 3 weeks left, with less distance and less pace, trying to avoid injuries. Monday 20 pace changes (easy), Tuesday rest, Wednesday intervals (4 x 3000, easy, felt good), Thursday 10 km run near Sputnik, I felt more fatigue here, probably because of the half marathon. Saturday a test: 2 x 6000. First one at marathon pace (around 5:15/km), second one as fast as I could. I was lucky to meet Lorenzo and Chusi who joined me. The first 6000 we did at 5:00/km, a bit faster than planned, but fine. The second started at 4:40/km and finished at 4:20/km, very strong. At the end, many clubmates joined to cheer me, Kike, Irene, Bego… You are all amazing! Sunday’s run was hard after Saturday, I did 20 km with Rafa (should have been 22, but stomach pain stopped me).
Two weeks left. Monday “kas” (2k1, 3k2, 4k3, very good), Wednesday intervals (5 x 2000, good), Thursday 11 km with Cris in Alcobendas, morning run during Easter week, easy pace. Saturday a 10k steady run with Pytu, which I loved, because he gave me a full masterclass during the 50 minutes about everything to expect in the marathon. Nerves were rising already. Thank you so much Pytu, I should have recorded it all haha. Sunday 12 km easy run. At this point, it was all about avoiding injuries. The work was almost done.
And finally, marathon week. So many nerves. So much excitement for Sunday. Monday, back to the physio for a light massage. That was all. Wednesday intervals at easy pace (6 x 1000). Thursday a short 6 km run in Valdelatas pine forest. And that was it! Training done.
Right now I feel like I’m on a cloud. I’m impressed with my preparation. At the same time I feel uncertain, because the longest distance I’ve ever run in my life is 26 km. I don’t know if I can hold the pace for so long, or how I will handle the fatigue after so many hours. I guess these doubts are very normal, so I try to manage my nerves the best I can.
I feel grateful for all the encouragement I’ve received, for Cris always being by my side with full support and trust, for Pytu’s help and motivation, and for the rest of my clubmates who were always there too.
And now, yes, it’s all done. Just hours before standing on the start line, I can only look back and smile. It has been weeks of cold, rain, tiredness, and doubts… but also of joy, company, learning, and unforgettable moments. Of course I’m nervous, but also very excited. Because I did everything I could, I followed the plan, I trusted, I surrounded myself with good people, and I let myself go. Whatever happens on race day, this already has been worth it. See you at the finish line.
