London Landmarks Half Marathon: Weeks 12–9 Recap
Sunday 2nd Feb
Four weeks down, nine to go! Training for the London Landmarks Half Marathon has been a mix of highs, lows, and plenty of lessons along the way. From early long runs to a brutal 10-mile race, these past few weeks tested my endurance, patience, and ability to power through. Here’s how the journey has gone so far.
Week 12: The Start of the Journey
With 12 weeks to go, I kicked off my training plan and committed to weekly updates to stay accountable. I ran 15km across three sessions, incorporating hill sprints, easy runs, and a long run—which still felt manageable while my long runs were in single digits!
This training wasn’t just about the race. I was running as part of Team Target for Target Ovarian Cancer, a cause incredibly close to my heart. After having stage 1c1 borderline ovarian tumour cells removed, I continued to have 3- and 6-month check-ups. Raising awareness and support for this charity made every run even more meaningful.
Week 11: Training Took a Backseat
A stressful week at work meant training wasn’t the priority, but I still managed to log 11km, focusing on hill work to prepare for an upcoming hilly 10-mile race.
I also experimented with hydration and race nutrition, testing out caffeine and electrolyte chews. Some worked, some didn’t—but figuring out what fuelled me best for race day was part of the process.
Week 10: Back on Track
With 10 weeks to go, I ramped up my training, covering 26km, with a mix of intervals and hilly long runs. This was also the 2025 Couch to 5K kick-off with my local run group, which had been a highlight of my running journey in 2024. Supporting this year’s group was a great experience, and I hoped it would also help me finally get my pace under control!
This week was also Health Information Week, so I shared Target Ovarian Cancer’s Wellbeing Hub, a brilliant resource for support and information. You can still check it out here.
Week 9: The Toughest Run Yet
This week was all about mobility and recovery, leading up to what turned out to be my most physically challenging race so far—a brutal 10-miler. It had been another stressful week personally and at work, plus I had a scan to check in on the ole ovarians.
The race itself? Beautiful but absolutely brutal—there was mud, more mud, and endless hills. Garmin had told me my fitness was “prime” at 98/100, but let’s just say it did not feel like a 98-ready run. The final 1km was pure grit, and those last 10 meters were sheer relief!
At least there were some great moments—a pink squad selfie, pre- and post-run pics, and a very broken me in the lift post-race. I definitely earned my post-run pizza and prosecco—because Dry January was officially over!
What’s Next?
Now, the focus shifts to shorter, speedier runs before the next mileage jump. The past few weeks had their challenges, but every run brought me closer to race day. The journey continued, and every donation, cheer, and word of encouragement meant the world.
#LondonLandmarksHalfMarathon #TeamTarget #TargetOvarianCancer #RunningForACause #HalfMarathonTraining #MudMudAndMoreMud #FinalCountdown #DryJanuaryIsOver
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