So the other day I recorded an episode of my podcast Kiwi Yarns with the incredible Lydia O’Donnell – one of New Zealand’s most talented long distance runners (well, 5k, 10, half or full marathon you name it she can do it). I’ve had one of those “never-met, but basically friends” relationships with Lydia for a couple of years now, she is such an absolute sweetheart and loves taking the time out to share her passion of running with others.
So after the podcast we were chatting about what I might do next, and she said that I should do a marathon and she would coach me. I, without hesitation, said yes. Went immediately and booked the Queenstown Marathon in November and here we are! I have done one marathon before (Auckland 2018), and was mid-training for the Kepler Challenge last year and unfortunately had to take a bit of time off (about seven months) because of an achilles injury.
Yip, they happen and they’re a right pain. But I’m feeling really confident that it’s made a full recovery and if I look after it right, I should be sweet! So my best gal pal and now coach (LOL) Lydia has set me up with a programme – which is quite different to any other run training I’ve done in the past. The goal of my first marathon was to finish it and enjoy it (in a really weird, painful way haha) and that is pretty much what happened.
So my best gal pal and now coach (LOL) Lydia has set me up with a programme – which is quite different to any other run training I’ve done in the past.
This time around, I have said to Lydia that I’d like to hit the four hour mark – or even 3.59.59 would be pretty choice! The training programme started at the weekend, with a 90 minute run with my mate Jane. It was my longest run since August last year when I got my injury and I was pretty bloody pleased with how I felt during and after! Only issues were my tights got a hole right in the inner thigh, my Garmin has crapped itself and my Hoka shoes started coming apart! Talk about blowout!! But hey look, I’m ready to get back on the big mara journey again (with a dent in the bank balance) and am looking forward to documenting training along the way.
By Brodie Kane