This weeks #marathonspotlight falls on the Aberdeen Metro Running Club’s Ali Mathers. With a whopping 16 marathons under her belt including 4 majors her expertise and knowledge, shared below, is priceless. Ali, yoga queen, has thee best positive outlook on training, marathons and life.
Marathons completed?
16! ( 4 Majors)
PB Marathon time?
3.40:01!!
Favourite marathon and why?
Too tricky I have a few Favorites for different reasons – here goes!
First one NYC – The experience! Phenomenal marathon !
PB – Amsterdam (done it twice) regardless of PB I love this marathon. The start and finish are fab and the route takes in city and rural! (probably my fav)
Paris – it’s really a sightseeing tour of the city!
Dublin – it’s like a party the whole way round! Plus I ran a good chunk with Claire Smith
Worst marathon memory and why?
Every marathon tells a story !
I completely blew up in NYC (first one!) Hit the wall like a ton of bricks !
The old Lochaber course (flat and fast apparently!) I went into it not feeling well and basically it was a disaster! Somehow again Claire Smith and I managed to cross the line together ( there is an epic picture)
Marathon plan 80:20, Pfitz, Hal Higdon or other?
My goal is also to come out the other side injury free. You’re never going to PB on every marathon. I always have a goal and it’s usually based on how my training has gone.
Used loads of schedules! Jackie gave me the one for my second marathon (Amsterdam) and I took my time from 4.29 to 3.52.
I have used Hansons (though would run 5 days ) and 20/80 – I have gone into the marathons feeling a lot stronger and fitter. My best time was using Hanson. The year I turned 40 I got an online coach – which I liked as it was weekly schedules adjusted according to your last week she used a mixture of Hanson 20/80 I did 3 marathons that year in 3.46! I have to say when I did Chicago I was on for and trained for 3.30 (however EXCUSES! I suffered horrific jet lag and didn’t sleep for three nights before and consequently wasn’t fueled that well) the night before she said go for 3.45 as you will blow up at 3.30 pace – I got 3.46!
Hydration & Nutrition snack of choice on long runs?
water!
On marathon paced runs I would use an isotonic drink / blocks
But my go to on race day is Flat coke – it has never failed me yet ! I swear by it!
Shoes – minimal or maximal ?
Brooks glycerin! Been round houses and back – even got a stress fracture with minimal!
Terrain – trail, track or tarmac?
Both – long slow, recovery on trials / hills but you need to practice on the hard stuff if you’re doing a road marathon. Probably 50/50
Top tip for #project345 ?
Weekly goals and training plan – adjust according to life / work ! it is a hobby and keep it in perspective
Strength / stretch – Do IT!
Runs should vary in pace – recovery is absolute key
Build endurance miles
Weekly mileage – the long run is important BUT the others are essential to! For me back to back runs work e.g. building up to 16/18 miles say 10 at MP then the next day doing a slower 10/12
When you run up to 3 hours your way more prone to injury and your immune system starts to flaw ( evidence based research suggest!)
If plan A doesn’t work have a plan B – C,D &F!!!!!
Allow wiggle room there are always a couple of weeks in training that don’t go to plan don’t try and compensate! I will stop now! It’s like my fav researched topic!
Thanks to Ali. Ali also runs the Yoga for runners at Run4It on a Monday evening 6:30pm. This is a huge important part of staying injury free and general body maintenance.
Some great perils in there, please feel free to share the gems.
Thanks for reading
Run Long and Prosper
James
SPEAR:Run
Marathon Spotlight #2 David Scott
Marathon Spotlight #3 – Nikki Gibson