Week 11 of London Marathon 2026 training was a big one. Not because everything went perfectly, but because it felt properly marathon-shaped.
It started with my longest run of this training block so far: a planned 90-minute run that turned into 12.2 km, nearly 1 hour 30 minutes on my feet, and somehow my second fastest 10K along the way.
Which feels wildly unfair, considering it was:
- Long
- Hilly
- Slow
- And mostly powered by stubbornness
At an average pace of 7:21/km, this was never about speed. This was about learning what it feels like to keep moving when your legs politely suggest that sitting down would be a better life choice. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a huge confidence boost, proof that I can go longer than my brain thinks I can.
Then came the weekend, and a change of scenery.
We spent a few days in Dawlish, which meant I got to sneak in one of those runs that remind you why running can actually be quite nice sometimes. A beautiful, flat-out-and-back along Teignmouth beach, fresh air, sea views, and legs that, briefly, remembered how to move quickly.
That run clocked in at 3.72 km at 6:10/km, complete with a 2-mile PB, and personal bests in the mile and 1K for good measure. Apparently my legs do still work… as long as there are no hills and a nice view.
Feeling brave (and possibly overconfident), I headed straight into the second part: the run back to Dawlish.
This is where the hills reappeared.
The 4.63 km return came with 112 m of elevation gain, a much slower pace (7:40/km), and legs that were very clear they’d already done enough for one day. Progress was steady, spirits were dented, but quitting wasn’t an option.
Mainly because I had a mobile cheer squad.
My wife and kids were leapfrogging along the route in the car, stopping every so often to cheer me on like I was already in the London Marathon. Horn beeps, waving arms, shouting encouragement, all excellent motivation, and excellent preparation for their real job on marathon day.
Did it hurt? Yes.
Did I consider walking? Also yes.
Did I keep going? Somehow, yes.
And if I can get up those hills with tired legs and kids cheering from a car, I can definitely keep going from here.
Week 11 was a reminder that marathon training isn’t just about miles and minutes. It’s about long runs that build belief, scenic runs that lift the mood, brutal hills that humble you, and the people who make you keep going when your legs would rather not.
Next week marks the start of the final 24 weeks to marathon day, and with it a move onto a full training plan using the Coopah app. It’s a longer block than most, 24 weeks instead of the usual 16 or 20 but this journey has never been about shortcuts. It’s about building properly, respecting the process, and showing up ready when it matters most., I know this much for certain: I will return to those hills. I won’t avoid them, I won’t fear them and eventually, I’ll get the better of them.
Onwards to Week 12, ideally with fewer hills… but no promises.