Road To Sydney: Marathon Training Diary Week 3
Things Just Got Real đź’š
This week felt BIG.
Not just because of the miles (although there were plenty), but because I officially hit my fundraising target for The Run Foundation and secured my place in the Sydney Marathon.
Sydney, I’m coming.
I honestly cannot put into words how grateful I am to my friends, family and colleagues who have supported me. Every donation, every message, every share — it all adds up. Thank you 💚 You’ve made this dream real.
And it wasn’t just my week…
My lovely brother ran a charity 10K in Melbourne — not a “natural runner” (his words, not mine!) but he trained hard and showed up. I’m so proud of him. There’s something very special about doing hard things for good causes.
And then there’s my hubby Sunny 👏
He’s deep in training for the Reading Half Marathon, and this weekend ran a half marathon training run — his second fastest time ever. On hills. Proper hills. No flat, forgiving footpaths here. Huge respect.
It feels like this season isn’t just about one marathon. It’s about all of us pushing ourselves in different ways.
And while the rain absolutely refused to take a day off… neither did I.
Monday: Tempo & A Little Surprise
11k total with the middle 5k at tempo pace.
The plan was simple: ease into it, hit the middle section hard, then bring it home at conversational pace.
What I didn’t expect?
A 4:52 per km average in that middle block.
In February.
In grey skies.
Dodging showers.
I genuinely surprised myself. There’s something so satisfying about seeing pace improve without it feeling forced. Controlled. Strong. Confident. That’s the goal.
Tuesday: Strong Legs = Happy Runner
30 minutes of strength training for runners on my Peloton.
Deadlifts.
Romanian goblet squats.
Planks.
Chest flies.
Lower body focus, as always. I do genuinely enjoy weights (once I’ve started). Stronger muscles don’t just make you faster — they help prevent injuries. And at this stage of marathon training, staying injury-free is the real win.
No drama. Just solid work.
Wednesday: Intervals & Recovery Rituals
Quick 15-minute treadmill interval session followed by more strength work.
This session was all about:
Single-leg strength
Ankle loading
Building flexibility
The less glamorous side of training… but absolutely necessary.
And afterwards?
Jacuzzi. Sauna. Slow exhale.
I’m really trying to be better at recovery this block. Training hard is one thing. Absorbing it properly is another.
Thursday: Between-Meetings Tempo
Another rainy day. Another treadmill session.
5k at tempo pace, squeezed in between meetings.
This is where real life marathon training happens. Not always golden sunsets and scenic routes — sometimes it’s calendar Tetris and damp trainers.
But it got done ✔️
And sometimes that’s enough.
Friday: Recovery (The Tasty Kind)
No running today. Instead:
Borough Market with my sister who was visiting for the weekend.
We ate very well.
Persian food at Berenjak — the black hummus was a solid 10/10.
And obviously a crème brûlée doughnut from Bread Ahead because… priorities.
Fueling? Yes.
Joy? Also yes.
Saturday: Muddy Fields & Vitamin D
An easy countryside walk with my sister and my dog Finn.
And for the first time this year… it didn’t rain.
Cold, muddy, crisp air — but sunshine! The fields were still heavy underfoot, but after weeks of grey skies it felt like such a gift.
Sometimes active recovery looks like this:
Fresh air.
Slow pace.
Vitamin D.
And zero pressure.
Sunday: Motivation vs The Weather
9k to close the week.
It is honestly miserable out there at the moment. Grey, damp, relentless showers. Getting out the door is taking all of my motivation.
But I managed to sneak this run in between the rain again.
It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t fast.
But it was consistent.
And that’s what marathon training really is.
Week 3 Reflections
This week wasn’t about huge mileage. It was about:
đź’š Securing Sydney
đź’Ş Building strength
🌧 Running through the weather
đź‘Š Watching the people around me push themselves too
The fundraising milestone makes it feel real now. The miles matter more. The discipline matters more.
Spring, I am absolutely ready for you.
Sydney… we’re getting closer.
