Marathon Taper Workout [] 4 x 1 Mile [] Who Went Wrong? [] Are We In Shape For London GFA Times?

We decided to stop off on the Cloud Trail in Leicestershire on the way down south for a holiday. The session was 4 x 1 mile at marathon pace. going up and down this lovely trail. How hard could that be, yes?
Well one of us made a fundamental error...
What do our split times tell us about our marathon potential in 12 days' time?

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

It’s great to come across your channel as a 56yr old runner who enjoys the outdoors and running. Currently training for a 85km Ultra Trail run in December, week 5 of base training trying to stay focused and enjoying the process after a 4 month layoff from running due to family obligations. Cheers and thanks for the content.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Welcome to the channel, and good luck with your training for your event!

[@markg99]

:) The drama was almost too much in this one, as you got split up! I bet Dawn was starting sentences and wondering where John was to finish them 😁😁 You certainly licked that session in Tonge, despite the mix up. Hope your training is coming together nicely in time for the race.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks, Mark. Let's hope Dawn runs in the right direction at Manchester. 😀

[@johncomrie2303]

Brilliant Brilliant john and dawn I always look To your channels I'm sure you will do your target time for Manchester Marathon.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks for watching John

[@samsonslaphead1]

Both looking sharp for Manchester Guys, great session & perfect technique extracting that Gel John!

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes just got to do it 6 times over from various pockets 😉

[@neilrobins4253]

Enjoyed that still would like to know how to pronounce the village name - good luck for 14th

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks Neil. Hopefully a local expert will be along as an Internet search has left me none the wiser.

[@doingmybest6438]

Both looking in great shape. Do you have an idea of how many calories you'll take on board during the course of the marathon itself?

[@tworunningbrooms]

I'm looking at about 80g of carbs per hour in gels and chews. Dawn a bit less as she burns through less glycogen than I do.

[@callmeal4183]

Thinking about it, not too much, grant you, "disused railway line" is probably a misnomer as these formerly railway lines are probably greatly used, these days. As it were. Probably.

[@tworunningbrooms]

Great point. Although wouldn't that be an 'unused' railway line' whereas as disused implies not used for its original purpose? Perhaps 'former railway line' removes ambiguity? 😀

[@callmeal4183]

@@tworunningbrooms Why don't we just refer to them as Dawn and John's preferred training environment? It works for me. And my knees.

[@IRunDaily]

Well done, guys, great session. Question for you... Do you ever have a really terrible run in the week or so before an A race?

[@tworunningbrooms]

It's possible. In the past we have overtapered and felt very sluggish. This time we're picking our way day by day more carefully and focusing on diet and hydration.
One of the reasons we picked Manchester is that we have 2 weeks off work beforehand so most controllables are in our hands.

[@RunThePlanet]

Thats a good workout, should sharpen you up nicely for mamchester 😃

[@tworunningbrooms]

Yes hopefully the legs will be able to hold what the fitness says.

[@michaelcampton9661]

Tongue is the correct pronunciation

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks Will remember for next time

[@timeonfeet]

Great session both, always good to hear how you put a session together and your analysis and reflections after. Looking good for Manchester 👍 You do like a disused railway line to train on! Do you know how many different ones you've covered? If you're even down south south then the Downslink that runs through Surrey and Sussex is one to check out

[@tworunningbrooms]

Thanks Ben. There is a list somewhere in parkrun world of routes that include old railway lines.
When we lived in Barnsley the area was a training heaven of old railway lines, canal trails and pit paths left from the era of coal.
We could well be heading Down Your Way on 6th April next year 😉

[@timeonfeet]

@@tworunningbrooms Ah good to hear you'll be down this way next year and I think I can guess what that'll be if it's early April 😉 Be good to meet up at some point.