5 Weeks to Go – Don't Let the Wheels Fall Off Now

By: Adsy Gordon

This is the week when things can get shaky.

You're probably tired. The long runs are getting long. Midweek sessions are stacking up. And your brain starts doing weird things. You're questioning your pace, your plan, maybe even whether you're cut out for this. It's totally normal. What you do this week won't win you the marathon. But it could lose it.

1. Run the Plan, Not Your Ego

You don't need to "prove" your fitness. You're building it. Stick to the pacing you set. Ignore what your mates at run group or on Strava are doing. Don't chase that random stranger who overtook you on your long run just because you feel competitive. Hold steady. You'll be glad you did come race week.

2. Tweak, Don't Panic

If something feels off, your hammy's tight, you're sleeping like trash, your mood's flat, take a breath. You're in peak load territory. Pull one session back, swap your Thursday run for a bike ride, and get to bed 30 minutes earlier. A small reset now is smarter than pretending you're fine and blowing up in two weeks.

3. Long Run Strategy

This week's long run should be your biggest so far, somewhere between 26 to 32 kilometres. If you're on track and recovering well, try running the final 6 to 8 kilometres at goal marathon pace. But don't force it. If you're grinding from halfway, hold effort instead of chasing splits. You're still banking the work.

4. Strength? Still Matters.

Don't skip it. Just keep it simple. Two short sessions focused on glutes, hamstrings and core. Keep reps controlled, weights moderate, and don't train to failure.

The Goal This Week?

Stay consistent. Don't panic if one session feels off; that's part of the process. Keep moving, keep ticking the boxes. And remember, running a marathon isn't easy, but it's a privilege, embrace the challenge.

Next week, we'll discuss when to peak your final long run and how to start trimming the load without losing fitness.