OLD - Lucozade Sport Super Six: Vicky (sub-4:30)

Goal: sub-4:30 Mentor: Liz Yelling Forum nickname: Hashette Age: 46 Running for: 10 years No. of marathons: 2 PB for 10K: 52:01 Half-Marathon: 1:54 Marathon 4:39 Strengths: I really really want to break sub-4:30 and know that with proper training I'd have a cracking chance. Weaknesses: Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc. Did you know? I've got a fabulous, feathery family of five ex-battery hens. They're currently lined up in front of the back door, yelling their heads off and demanding cheese... Vicky's Schedule | Vicky''s Training Thread | Vicky's RW profile

About Vicky

Vicky says: I started running when I became a Special Constable. I had to run three miles in 27 minutes to pass the fitness test, but my idea of exercise at that time was walking to my car. Training for the test was six months of hell, followed by a murderous bleep test. But I got through, and then the next morning I decided to go for "one more run" - and absolutely loved it. That was nearly 10 years ago and I've been hooked ever since.

I did my first marathon in 2005 – I was adamant I'd only do one. In fact, the next year I didn't even apply. But then I went to Mudchute with the other forumites to support at Mile 17, and I just wanted to jump over the barrier and join in. I ran again this year and it was great - it felt like one big party, from Mudchute to the wall of people screaming my name along the Embankment. I cried with happiness at the finish, so I feel like I've got to do it one more time, if only for a decent photo!

I'm looking forward to the support and general nattering on the forum, and us Super Sixers feel like a bunch of mates already. Those tough long runs in the depth of winter are so much easier if you know everyone else is doing one too...

Liz says: I guess you could call Vicky an experienced runner - she's been running for 10 years and regularly races over different distances. Yet despite being a runner for a decade this will only be her third marathon. The marathon is a totally different animal to other distances and helping Vicky get to grips with the preparation and race itself is going to be great fun and rewarding for us both.

Despite being a regular runner this will be the first time Vicky has received any running coaching. She's really looking forward to seeing what areas she can improve on technically, physically, nutritionally and mentally. There's a lot there and I hope I get it right and can help!

Vicky's training loads have recently been limited by a back niggle that she has to manage and balance with rest days. We're really going to have to pay attention to the subtle balancing act of progression and enthusiasm - trying to get her strong and robust with regular running before "upping" anything. This will require me to adapt the schedule to fit with Vicky's individual needs as a runner - to pull out the most important sessions, and work with herto seamlessly blend everything together to get her to the start line in great shape.

The journey to a successful marathon is 90% before the day and only 10% on the day. If you can get to the start line having banked all the miles and confident you can do that's the battle mostly won!