Well seeing as I'm enjoying 2 weeks off running I thought I'd break the radio silence with some thoughts on the race and what I owe it to as these are things I've been asked recently!

Obviously I'm pleased with the outcome. I believed I could run 2.15/2.16 and if I could have held it together for the last 3-4 miles slightly more I could have dipped under 2.16 and also gained automatic Commonwealth selection. I don't think I got the pacing wrong - I felt comfortable up until 20 miles and was really holding myself back. I think I just didn't quite have enough strength to hang on slightly more and this is something that can just happen on the day or can be worked on with more long runs and miles over time. I'm still relatively new to marathons with this being only my 3rd one and certainly 2.16 territory and more work is certainly needed before I feel it is 'my' event.

What did I change? Well, there were no drastic changes, but I found I coped well with volume and could keep my steady runs at a good pace when I felt it necessary. I had very few days where I felt the training load was getting on top of me. I upped the volume in Portugal but otherwise it was pretty similar to previous marathon preparations. I kept the same focus on long threshold runs and 20-24 mile runs with marathon pace included. 

I did make a concerted effort to cut alcohol out of my life, and it seems this had a positive effect. I also believe the 3 weeks in Portugal with Tom Payn had a good effect. Not only could I recover more and focus on my training but training with Tom helped me believe that I could compete at the 2.15 level. Combined with my PB over the half marathon I felt equipped to run a quick time at London, and certainly feared the race less.

Since the race, I've been socialising more and enjoying my break from running. I will start again next week, and also have been invited to a training camp in Font Romeu by UKA with the marathon squad and I just need to decide the best time to go. I also have to see the UKa physiologist about acclimatising and coping to the 30+ degrees that will occur in Barcelona. I'm still over the moon and trying not to think too much about the prospect of running a marathon in those conditions!