Long run nutrition isn't just about getting through the session - it's about training two fuel systems your body needs for endurance events. This guide explains the strategic decision tree for when to fuel (and when not to), plus how to develop metabolic flexibility that prevents you from hitting the wall on race day.

A negative split takes practice, but I believe that it delivers the likeliest chance of you running your target time.

Race week! I still had a few workouts to do but otherwise was trying to keep occupied and keep 'maranoia' at bay, before flying to Valencia!

Week 12, the penultimate week! The fatigue of marathon training is starting to fade away as the taper is working its magic.

Week 11 and it's taper time! I'm going for a 3-week taper but that's not to say I'm putting my feet up. This week had workouts and a race!

Week 10 was my biggest and best training week of the block, featuring a 4 x 5k 20 mile workout to take me into the taper.

Week 9 of Valencia Marathon training required some down time at the start of the week, and ended with a confidence-boosting long workout.

Week 8 of training for the Valencia Marathon, ploughing on as normal with a big Sunday workout, but the body is creaking and seeking rest.

Week 7 training for the Valenca marathon included a lighter week as I prepared to race my least favourite distance - the half marathon!

Week 6 of Valencia marathon training was a solid week despite battling very sore calves. I took in (and won) a new parkrun!

A full week of marathon training, week 5 means I'm not quite at the halfway mark, but building nicely towards the key part of the block

Week 4 of Valencia marathon training. A week of two halves, a strong start before being hit by a heavy cold, and trying to manage it!

Week 3 of training for the Valencia Marathon saw a good response to the patchy week before, including a relay race and a long hilly run.

Week 2 of Valencia Marathon training, featuring a 5k race, and illness!

Week 1 of training for the Valencia Marathon. Off to a solid start, a few workouts and capped off with a 15 mile run.

Here's how I plan to approach my Valencia marathon training block. Focusing on quality over quantity, 13 weeks of fun awaits!