Training is now well underway for our three Big Marathon Challenge participants. We caught up with them to get an update on their progress…

PHOTOS: JOE BRANSTON

Last month, Sophie, Caroline and Elizabeth – our three Big Marathon Challenge runners – were just starting to get to grips with their new personalised training plans, set by coach Richard at Full Potential.

This month, the team got the chance to meet up at Stars Gym, London, for a catch-up and training with Richard, who took them for a threshold session at Battersea Park Athletics Track. Their reward? Some brand new ASICS kit!

We caught up with the team afterwards for a chat, to find out how the last month of training has been treating them…

MEET THE EXPERTS

Richard Coates, Full Potential

Richard has been running since his teens and has completed over 30 marathons and ultras. He’s a UKA Level 2 running coach, so the team’s training is in safe hands.

fullpotential.co.uk

Gareth Pashley, ASICS

Gareth has been with ASICS for five years, as Category Manager for Running, working across PR and ASICS’ Elite Athletes. He will help the team to get the most from their shoes and kit.

@gazzpash

Instagram: @seeking_silver_linings

CAROLINE STAFFORD

Age 37

From Oakham, Rutland

Occupation Self-employed baker and owner of the-kitsch-hen.co.uk

How’s the training going?

Really well. I’m lucky I can be so flexible with work, so can usually fit training in during daylight hours. But even so it takes an awful lot of motivation to turn out on cold dark mornings. I’m up to 120 minutes for my long runs now. It seems crazy that a few months ago that was the time/distance I’ve always worked towards (in half-marathon training). Now it’s just a training run!

What’s going well?

I’m enjoying all the different sessions and grateful for the variation, to keep them interesting! The threshold and hill sessions are pushing me, but I’m seeing results. I’ve always loved my strength work, so I’m still including some of my favourite gym classes and workouts, and I’ve just started a new Pilates class, which I’m hoping will benefit my flexibility and core strength.

What isn’t going so well?

I’m learning a lot about myself and some things have surprised me! I’m actually very competitive (against myself) and sometimes push too hard, not using my recovery runs to recover. Richard reminds me that really I’m a young runner (in experience, not age, unfortunately!) and should look back at how far I’ve come already, rather than comparing myself to more experienced runners.