The cancellation of nearly all marathons due to Covid-19 has been an interesting opportunity in athletics regardless of road running or trails.

Most people seem to have gone on with training despite no races, although without a goal (which is fair enough). A few ditched running almost entirely, understandable for those whose main motivation is the club spirit. The other option for those who had planned to run a marathon was to go ahead and do it anyway. But why? Why bother if the race isn’t happening?

 

Location vs self-mastery

If the location of the race was particularly important in your decision to run a marathon, it would be understandable to not train for it, especially if you were someone returning from injury who would be hard-pressed to be ready.

For me, when the race I’d been thinking of during all my training runs was called off around 4 months before the day, I did consider not training to do one this year. 2020 started badly with a chest infection and injury meaning 5 weeks out in the first 3 months, even before Covid-19 kicked in and I had to rapidly adjust my business.

Then I thought about what my goal REALLY was. It wasn’t to run the particular venue (Snetterton race track), the goal was to run a marathon in under 2 hours and 45 minutes. So why wouldn’t I train anyway. 

 

Better preparation for your next marathon

Training for a marathon is a complex process. Many variables need to be considered to run your best, but if you’re aiming for a personal best or personal course record, why not take the time as a dry-run? Experiment with new training methods, add in strength training, technique work, yoga or mobility focused exercises? You can then see if it works for you, but if it doesn’t you’ve risked nothing for when it would matter most.

If you’re someone on an upwards fitness trajectory, the marathon training cycle will only see you continue to improve. It’s an opportunity to take a massive leap in your official race PB over a longer period of time. 

 

No racing distractions

With so few races, there are fewer distractions from a high-quality marathon block, meaning it could be the best training you ever do, without having to choose between other races you’d like to take part in. We’ve seen it in the professional running world too with several world records tumbling (shoes and any undiscovered doping aside). 

The year of my first marathon I wanted to race a lot even though I knew it would mean a slower marathon. The 25 races before the big day were helpful in some ways and very enjoyable for the most part, but definitely hindered progress with the mini-tapering and lower mileage every other week. 

In my experience, reduced racing in 2020 meant a 4 minute half marathon PB (from 1hr 21 to 1hr 17) in 12 months even though it was a time trial and on a harder course.

 

Solo racing

My marathon didn’t end up being the high standard I had set out for and was capable of at the time, although still a PB. One thing is for sure though, if you can run a marathon with nobody to chase or tag along with and still run a faster time, when racing commences you’ll have so much more potential. You’ll know the lonely struggles all the better but still emerge triumphant. 

 

I can’t tell you what to do. That’s not my place. My only desire is for people to realise the opportunity before them and to reach for self-mastery even if the number and scale of the external rewards are much smaller than usual.

 

Written by Kyle Brooks, Running Coach based in Norwich, Norfolk