Road to Sydney: Marathon Training Diaries

On 31st August, I’ll be standing on the start line of the Sydney Marathon, about to run my second marathon, and my second World Major.

Last year, I ran London, my very first marathon. It was something I’d thought about for years but never quite believed I could do. Crossing that finish line changed something in me. Not just physically, but mentally. It showed me what’s possible when you commit, stay consistent and trust yourself even on the days when doubt creeps in.

This time feels different. Not easier, just more intentional. Sydney isn’t about proving I can run a marathon. It’s about building on what I’ve learned, respecting the process and slowly, deliberately working towards a bigger ambition: to run all six World Marathon Majors.

This series is my honest account of that journey, the training weeks, the tired legs, the small wins, the lessons, and the life that continues to happen alongside it all. No perfection, no pretending. Just showing up, one run at a time, and seeing where it takes me.

Sydney, I’m coming 🇦🇺🏃‍♀️

Sydney Marathon Training: Week 1

Rain, Puddles & 52 Kilometres of Commitment

If marathon training were glamorous, this week would like a word with you.

Week one of my build towards Sydney on 31st August is officially done, and it turns out my first challenge wasn’t distance, motivation or tired legs — it was rain. Constant rain. The kind of rain that soaks you five minutes into a run and never really lets up.

And yet… somehow, I loved it.

The Week at a Glance

Total mileage: 52km
Easy runs: 10km & 8km
Workout sessions:
- 10km pyramid intervals
- 7km on-and-offs
Long run: 17km
Weather: Wet. Very wet. Relentlessly wet.

The Runs

This week was a proper mix, which I always enjoy, enough variety to keep things interesting, but nothing too intimidating this early on.

The easy runs (10k and 8k) were exactly that: steady, conversational, and mainly focused on not slipping over on wet trials. They were the kind of runs where you settle into your rhythm, get lost in your thoughts, and mentally congratulate yourself for just being out there.

The pyramid interval session was a reminder that speed work is… humbling. It went well overall, but it definitely required some internal pep talks, especially when the rain decided to really commit. Still, there’s something oddly satisfying about finishing a structured session knowing you stuck to it, even when conditions weren’t ideal. Why do the speed sessions kick in when I am running up hill ?!!

The 7km on-and-offs were short but sharp, the kind of run that looks innocent on paper and then quietly steals your energy. Nothing dramatic, just honest effort and legs that knew they’d worked.

And then there was the 17km long run. Wet, puddle-filled, and surprisingly enjoyable. There was a lot of weaving around giant puddles (with varying levels of success), but it felt strong and controlled — exactly what you want this early in the build.

Rain, Puddles & Podcasts

Running in the rain can go one of two ways: miserable or oddly empowering. This week, it was mostly the latter. Having the right running gear can really make or break your run, but more about that in another post.

I spent a lot of time dodging puddles, occasionally failing, and accepting that dry trainers were simply not part of the plan. Once you’re soaked, you’re soaked — there’s a strange freedom in that.

Podcasts helped massively. I listened to Paula’s Run Club and The Running Channel, which felt like having friends in my ears reminding me why I do this. There’s something comforting about hearing other runners talk about the highs, the lows, and the very normal struggles that come with marathon training.

How It Felt

Physically: solid.
Mentally: motivated.
Emotionally: quietly proud.

This isn’t my first marathon anymore, and I can feel that difference. There’s less panic, more patience. I’m not chasing perfection — I’m focusing on consistency.

What I Learned This Week

Bad weather isn’t a reason to skip runs — it’s just part of the story.
Podcasts can genuinely rescue a soggy session.
Early marathon training is about laying foundations, not proving anything.

Looking Ahead

Next week is about building gently, staying consistent, and continuing to trust the process — rain or shine.

Sydney feels far away right now, but that’s the magic of marathon training. You don’t get there all at once. You get there one rainy run at a time.

Photos below — puddles and all.

I am running to support We Run Foundation, you can sponsor me here: https://sm26.grassrootz.com/we-run-foundation/sylvia-chind