6. The long runs begin

Welcome to the Sixth Newsletter!

Training is well underway, and the distances are starting to creep up. As expected, the weather is taking a turn for the worse, which surprisingly, I don’t mind. I’ve always struggled with running in the heat, so the cooler, windier, and rainier conditions are actually a welcome change. It’s probably one of the reasons I don’t mind the thought of running the 50k on a coastal route in the UK—especially in late November.

First Route Proposed

I’ve been hinting at sharing a route, and now it’s finally settled! The run will take place along the South Coast, starting from Eastbourne and finishing at Worthing Pier, totaling 50 kilometers (though it may end up closer to 52 km). You can check out the proposed route in this mocked-up image, though some details may change. The run is scheduled for Sunday, November 17th. I’ll provide more details and an updated map closer to the date, so you’ll know exactly where to show up if you want to heckle me!

Training Ramp-Up

The last week has seen a serious ramp-up in training. After mostly sticking to 8-10k runs, I took a big leap with a 19k run on Sunday, September 22nd—the longest of my training so far. I completed it in just under 2 hours, which I’m really pleased with.

This week I have three runs planned. I already completed a 12k yesterday, maintaining a solid pace and finishing in 1 hour and 12 minutes—keeping to my goal of 6 minutes per kilometer or less, which is crucial for the 50k. Up next, I have a short 6.5k recovery run, followed by a half-marathon on Sunday. I’m particularly looking forward to the half marathon as my last one took me 2 hours and 30 minutes—a time I’m determined to beat.

Looking ahead, the distances are starting to feel a bit daunting. Running 50-75 kilometers a week is quickly becoming the new norm, something I never imagined for myself as someone who didn’t do much running before starting this challenge! That said, it’s encouraging to see myself setting personal bests nearly every week on Strava as I improve. On my recent 19k run, I managed to break my 10k, 15k, and 10-mile PBs—something I didn’t expect but was thrilled to see.

Another benefit of the long runs is now that I’m consistently running distances over 10k and half-marathons, I can start focusing on race day nutrition. I’ve been heading out with my vest fully loaded with water and snacks, experimenting with the best times to eat and drink without feeling bloated while running. My goal is to make hydration and fuelling a natural part of my training, rather than figuring it out for the first time during the 50k race.”

With just under two months to go until the 50k, as long as I stick to the plan, I feel confident I’ll be able to (somewhat) comfortably finish in 5-6 hours. While I’d love to hit the 5-hour mark, I’m being realistic and preparing for the possibility that it could take a little longer.

Of course, I didn’t forget—here’s the JustGiving page if you’d like to support!