A NEW year, a new me, a new start?

A clichéd ‘this is going to be my year’ rolls off the tongue of many on January 1, who by January 2 are back on the comfort chocolate and that gym session they promised ‘can wait until tomorrow’.

For me, I decided 2015 would be less about a resolution and more about realising an ambition – an end goal, something upon which I can judge my achievement.

So, having set my sights on running a marathon in the next six months, I decided to enter Prague on May 3, 2015.

‘Why Prague?’ is the reaction I’ve had from friends and family; my answer, if I’m going to be running for several hours I at least want to enjoy the scenery – and a well-earned Czech lager.

I felt justified in my decision once I spoke to Rob Griffiths, director of Warrington-based company Contest Sports, who organise the English Half Marathon.

The former Padgate High student, whose projects include the BT Rock n Roll Liverpool Marathon, told me race day should be a celebration.

“We very much pride ourselves on making it a celebration after months and months of training,” he explained.

“Whether it’s the first person or last person, everybody in between has a story. You can’t just turn up. There’s a big physical investment, the fundraising, the highs and lows of training.

“Each story is special and race day is just a celebration – we have an obligation to get race day right.”

That is a view shared by Birchwood’s former England marathon runner Louise Blizzard.

“The most important part to me of marathon training is just to enjoy it,” said Blizzard, who will race as an elite runner at London and Berlin in 2015.

“Know that with the goal in mind, it’s a focus and great for health and wellbeing too. The marathon is a journey – the sense of achievement, the pain and the months of effort all become worth it.

The forensic sceintist, who has run more than 40 marathons since her debut in New York aged 18, believes now is the time to set your goals.

"January is always a brilliant time with a spring marathon as an aim," she added.

"It’s a time to set goals, work out a progressive training programme and look at build-up races which are interim goals.

"For me, I love the build up to a race with training hard, then the recovery before preparing for a race, racing then the recovery phase before building up again.

John Walsh began running IronMans in his mid-30s and also stresses the importance of a marathon training plan (MTP).

“If you have booked a marathon, well done,” said the Thelwall father-of-two. “If you don’t have a MTP – get one and quick!

“Whether you are aiming for a club standard marathon time or just looking to ‘get round’ in under five hours, a MTP is vital.

“It will help organise your running into weekly blocks, helping to encourage good practice. Try to enjoy training if you can, race day may seem a while away but starting early is the best way.”

Walsh suggests doing your research and finding the MTP that works for you.

"MTPs are typically 12, 16 or even 20 weeks long, starting slowly, building up in distance then tapering off just before the event, leaving you in tip top condition for race day," he explained.

"MTPs are freely available via the internet, however if you are running for a charity they will often supply one for you. 

"Once you have selected your MTP, print it out and stick it somewhere in plain view, I use the fridge! Get buy in from family members by sharing you training plan and goal race time.

"Congratulate yourself on your progress as you go through the weeks and tick off completed sessions."

Blizzard added: "If you’ve not run before then it’s just a case of building up slowly, having rest days and just starting to feel comfortable with your style and being out and about running.

"I would really recommend running with other people at a pace where you can still have a chat! Setting goals, meeting at a certain time and setting running routes can all help with motivation.

"If ice and snow get in the way, hopefully you can have access to a  treadmill in a gym or find a field to run around. Even running a couple of miles is better than nothing!"

WANT to contribute to future 'Road to Prague' columns? E-mail alex.bysouth@nqnw.co.uk