Mark G : The Test Run

Hi folks :) Final chance to have a guess at what my finishing time will be in my sub 20 5k attempt, this Saturday (6th).

Garmin currently thinks I can do 5k in 20:03. Who knows how accurate that is!

If you also want to guess an exact finish time in the comments below, then the closest guess will get a shoutout on the race day vlog!

3 months ago | [YT] | 13

Mark G : The Test Run

Here we are then, halfway through the 10-week Sub-20 ALL IN training plan. If you've been watching the weekly training vlogs, you'll have some idea of what kind of shape I'm in at this stage. Garmin currently estimates I could run 5K in 20:11.

What do you think I could realistically achieve at the race on 6th September 2025? The course has a total of 40m of elevation over the 5K.

4 months ago | [YT] | 8

Mark G : The Test Run

Sub-20 ALL IN has begun. If you've seen my Week 1 vlog, you'll have some idea of what shape I'm in at this point. Garmin thinks I can run a 5k in 21:16 right now. The aim to is to run it in less than 20:00 at the end of Week 10. What do you think I can realistically achieve by the end of this plan - be honest! :)

5 months ago | [YT] | 2

Mark G : The Test Run

Q&A: Ask me anything! Thanks to everyone who has already posted questions in the comments of my half marathon recce video. Any other questions you might have for me, please comment on this post. I will attempt to answer all questions in my upcoming Q&A video, as I celebrate reaching more than 600 subscribers. Thank you!

1 year ago | [YT] | 6

Mark G : The Test Run

How fast do you think I will run the Mansfield 10k this Sunday? My race PB is 53:38 from June 2022 at Carsington. Strava says my 10k best is 49:56. My target is 45:30, but I'm not sure how realistic that is! I ran my fastest 5k in 22:08 in August.

1 year ago | [YT] | 6

Mark G : The Test Run

Here's a sneak preview of something that happened while I was filming today's running video! Suffice to say I got a bit wet :)

I just wanted to drop a note to say a big thank you to all of you who have continued to attempt to keep up with my videos since my mad influx of content recently. I've been recording something on every run during my training for the Shires and Spires 56km/35 mile race (May 2024) and it has been keeping me busy.

The new subscribers and all of the positive comments have really helped to keep me motivated to document my training and come up with new topics for discussion during my rambles. Thanks so much, one and all, and I hope you're all having a great holiday season.

I'll be back in the morning with my splashy hill session video.

Cheers,

Mark G.

1 year ago | [YT] | 15

Mark G : The Test Run

Half marathon training took a bit of a turn for the worse, but hopefully I'm back in action now. My left calf got progressively worse during a run on 8th October, so I aborted that and proceeded to hobble-jog home.

Managed to get a sports massage booked in for Weds 10th, with a different massage practitioner this time. The place I used a couple of times in the lead up to my ultra in May was booked up. The new chap did a great job though, and his office is closer to where I live, so that was a double win :)

Did a short practice run today, 15th Oct, having not run for a week. Seems ok so far. Just two weeks until race day. Need to do that weird thing where it's taper week, but I haven't actually been training recently, so I've no idea what runs to do. Same thing happened for my last race, the 50k. Will I ever get the hang of this? lol.

Hope you're all doing well.

Cheers,

Mark G.

2 years ago | [YT] | 8

Mark G : The Test Run

Feeling amazing after my ultra 😂 Check out my recent video to see how recovery is going:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPcWk...

2 years ago | [YT] | 9

Mark G : The Test Run

Hello! Welcome back to my community page, aka the injury feed :)

After consistently sticking to my training plan since the start of the year, my left leg has started to feel beaten up, with roaming aches and pains all over the place, some of it focused close to the shin bone. After pushing through for one or two runs, and trying to recover well in between, I listened to the ever louder complaints from the leg, and opted to take some time off.

I have been resting since my last run on Thursday, and have a sports massage (my first one ever!) booked in for Tuesday evening. Feeling a bit better already but definite twinges when I get up from sitting down for a while.

Hopefully back running (a test run!) on Wednesday.

Cheers,

Mark G.

2 years ago | [YT] | 10

Mark G : The Test Run

Hi folks,

Week 2 of ultra training has not gone to plan, due to injury trouble.

My right knee, formerly the "good knee", has developed a dose of runner's knee.

I decided to take a week off, having recognised the symptoms from a previous dose in the other knee.

I know that taking a break from running, and making sure I keep up with strength training, is what fixed it last time.

This will eat into the 2 weeks of contingency I built into the plan, but that is what it's there for.

Hopefully I'll be back in a week's time 🤞

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying your running.

Cheers,
Mark G.
👍🏻🏃‍♂️🙂

3 years ago | [YT] | 13