I signed up for the Paris Marathon on April 12, 2026.
It will be my fifth marathon, the first one outside of Scandinavia. This is one of the races I have long wanted to do, and racing it means crossing an item off my bucket list.
My goal is threefold:
- to enjoy the race,
- to finish it, and
- to break 4h 7m (my PR is 4:14:31).
This is what I train for now. Here we go.
#ParisMarathon in T minus 170 days.
No need to sugarcoat it: getting my shoes on and getting out the door was hard today. But once I was out there, this was a very nice and quiet morning run.
"I'm movin' through the dark of a long black night
Just movin' with the moon and the light it shines
And I'm thinking of a place and it feels so very real
Just movin' through the dark"
#ParisMarathon in T minus 170 days.
Distance: 5.13k
Pace: 5'28"
It was a dark and stormy morning, even if the sun soon rose, but I did the long run of this week. The first half was a struggle (because of strong headwinds), so I'll think of it as character-building... Running in the woods, though, was just wonderful.
35/52 of #52weeks52halfmarathons done.
#ParisMarathon in T minus 168 days.
Distance: 22.03k (total this cycle: 27.16k)
Pace: 5'40"
My first speed run in ages, I did the "First Fartlek Run" with @coachbennett in the #NikeRunClub app: 17 minutes of alternating pace to push myself (+ 15 minutes to get home). This was hard but fun.
Let's make today count!
#ParisMarathon in T minus 166 days.
Distance: 6.22k (total this cycle: 33.38k)
Pace: 5'13"
Today, I'm in Oslo, so my morning run had lots of hills.
The highlight of the run was listening to https://youtu.be/YzhjTeSz9y4 as I ran through the warm autumn colors and the cold sunrise in the Vigeland Park. It was such a beautiful moment.
#ParisMarathon in T minus 163 days.
Distance: 7.95k (total this cycle: 41.33k)
Pace: 5'29"
My daughter wanted to go for a run together (that's a first), so we did.
It was quite short.
It was quite slow.
And it was quite amazing to spend time with her this way.
#ParisMarathon in T minus 161 days.
Distance: 2.42k (total this cycle: 43.75k)
Pace: 7'40"
I was never really in the zone today, but experience carried me through. It was an ok run. This was week 36 of #52weeks52halfmarathons.
More important and impressive, however, my wife is walking a 27k route today ("Amarminoen"). This is a massive undertaking for her, but we will be there to support her and celebrate with a pop-up energy station later.
#ParisMarathon in T minus 161 days.
Distance: 22.35 (total this cycle: 66.1k)
Pace: 5'39"
Friday was Halloween - and this morning, I went on the "Spooky Speed Run" with Count Bænnætt (aka @coachbennett) in the #NikeRunClub app.
At 1k, in the dark and the quite of our small town, I passed a crowd with torches. I think they were on their way to surprise a friend on his birthday, but with John Carpenter synth in my ears it sure was a little spooky.
#ParisMarathon in T minus 159 days.
Distance: 4.98k (total this cycle: 71.08k)
Pace: 5'16"
A tempo run in the dark of the morning with The War on Drugs as my soundtrack. Many runners out there. This was a hard run, and it felt good.
I test the #Runna app these days. The guided runs in #NikeRunClub are gold, but I need something to push me a little further on especially long runs. Maybe this is it..?
Distance: 9.63k (total: 80.71k)
Pace: 5'17"
#ParisMarathon in 157 days. (Runna, ridicuously, projects my finish time to be 3:45:46. LOL!)
Such a joyful long run this morning. I got to see the sun rise over the sea, I met my mother and brother (quite a surprise), and I just had a blast out there. This was week 37 of #52weeks52halfmarathons.
I'm still testing the #Runna app, tweaking the settings to best suit my preferences.
Distance: 21.29k (total: 102k)
Pace: 5'31"
#ParisMarathon in 155 days.
An early and easy morning run. It was nice, and I felt good out there. Not much to report, really; it was just a run.
This was the third test run of the #Runna app. I look forward to Thursday, where I'll do intervals, and it'll have to show its true colors.
Distance: 10.6k (total: 112.6k)
Pace: 5'33"
#ParisMarathon in 152 days.
Intervals. 5 x 1k @ 4.55. Plus 3.5k warm-up and 2.5k cool-down. This was FUN! And occasionally fast. And hard. But mostly fun.
Have a good one, folks. Let's make it a beautiful day.
Distance: 12.96k (total: 125.56k)
Pace: 5'22"
#ParisMarathon in 150 days.
Edit: reposting this as part of my thread; sorry for the confusion.
An amazing morning run. It was cold (0 degree C), and it was pitch black when I started, but over the two hours the sun rose and I got to watch the world wake up. I spotted hares and a flock of geese, a young deer just 10 meters from me.
My free trial of #Runna expires now, and I won't move to a paid subscription. #NikeRunClub is better for me.
Week 38 of #52weeks52halfmarathons.
Distance: 22k (total: 147.56k)
Pace: 5'35"
#ParisMarathon in 147 days.
On a writing retreat with good colleagues, I started the day with a run.
This one was technically challenging. The light from my vest reflected in the raindrops on my glasses, making it hard to see were I ran. That combined with some uneven roads made it ... interesting. All in all, this was a run where I collected XP.
Distance: 6.89k (total: 184.45k)
Pace: 5'30"
Edit: pace corrected
#ParisMarathon in 144 days.
Morning intervals: 8 x 80 secs of various fast paces. Again, mixing things up on speed runs (and in general) was so much fun.
Due to windchill, it felt like -7 celsius out there (this one's for you, @pfernandes). Cold, but nice and clear.
A minor issue with the #nikerunClub app is that it doesn't count the light running I do between the intervals. It is what it is.
Distance counted: 3.92k (total: 188.37k)
Pace: 5'06"
#ParisMarathon in 142 days.
As @coachbennett says, "commitment is not giving up, it is giving more." This is about running, and this is not about running.
This was a long run through the cold and beautiful dawn. I felt good; this was nice. A big shout-out to the drivers who slowed down when they met this solitary runner in the dark of the countryside.
Stage 39 of #52weeks52halfmarathons.
Distance: 22k (total: 210.37k)
Pace: 5'40"
#ParisMarathon in 140 days.
Edits: typos.
Boy, that escalated quickly. My easy morning run with quite some hills in rainy Aarhus turned into stage 40 of #52weeks52halfmarathons. At 10k I just felt like #running far today, and YOLO got the best of me.
This run was heavily #MastoRunDK-supported. @nerdd suggested Aarhus Ø and Riis Skov as good places to run. @jimmyhartington provided the soundtrack (Radiohead, "The Bends"). Thank you!!
Distance: 21.28k (total: 231.65k)
Pace: 5'49"
#ParisMarathon in 138 days.
A nice afternoon run in Elsinore. It was fine, and Kronborg (the castle of Hamlet) is impressive.
This was likely the last time I used my pair of pink Nike Pegasus 41s. But they have covered 1,256k, so we literally had a good run.
Distance: 5.99k (total: 237.64k)
Pace: 5'27"
#ParisMarathon in 135 days.
I pushed hard to get a fast run in this morning. It worked out well, though I would have loved to go a little longer.
This was the first run of my new shoes. I still use a pair of Nike Pegasus 41, so I couldn't feel much of a difference. But I know these are an improvement.
It's December 1. Happy Christmas - or what you celebrate. Let's make this a good one without any fear.
Distance: 5.95k (total: 243.59k)
Pace: 5'07"
#ParisMarathon in 132 days.
This was a hard fartlek to start the day with: two minutes of hard running, one of easy, repeated seven times over. This was fun.
Fittingly, my soundtrack was Springsteen:
"And hard times come, hard times go
Hard times come, hard times go
And hard times come, hard times go
Hard times come, hard times go
Hard times come, hard times go
Yeah, just to come again"
Have a good one!
Distance: 6.12k (total: 249.71k)
Pace: 5'01"
#ParisMarathon in 130 days.
Oh my!
For the first time in my life, I have won a lottery - so I will participate in the 2026 Half-Marathon World Championship!!
(Along with a gazillion other people. For all practical purposes it is just the Copenhagen Half-Marathon, which I have done since 2019.)
The #ParisMarathon on April 12 is still my primary race of next year. But getting into shape to race the HM fast has just moved up my list of priorities.
See you on the starting line.
My race calendar for 2026 is taking shape.
Edit: Paris Marathon removed, Malmö Marathon added.
This morning, I took the train to Avedøre and then ran home, just to see something else than what I usually do. And yes, I am aware of the irony: it was dark when I ran in uncharted terrirories, and then the cloudy dawn lit it all up when I got to my home turf...
This was stage 41 of #52weeks52halfmarathons. There were headwinds all the way, but it was a nice run nonetheless.
Distance: 21.94k (total: 271.65k)
Pace: 5'37"
#ParisMarathon in 126 days.
This was a short easy run in the evening.
I would have loved to run further, but this was all there was time for before picking up my daughter. Every run done is a victory, though, and this one is no exception. Onwards.
Distance: 3.76k (total: 275.41k)
Pace: 5'36"
#ParisMarathon in 122 days.
This was stage 42 of #52weeks52halfmarathons.
I train for a 42(.2)k race.
I'm 42 years old.
42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything.
Coincidence? You bet! But this was a great run, where I explored some new roads (yololy adding 4k to the run), struggled with hard winds, and listened to a decent old playlist of mine. What a way to start the day.
Distance: 25.56k (total: 300.97k)
Pace: 5'44"
#ParisMarathon in 119 days.
Had a blast with #NikeRunClub's "Worst Advice Ever Run" this morning.
"No pain, no gain."
"If you aren't #running hard, you're hardly running."
"Numbers don't lie."
"Sleep is for the weak."
"You need to run every day."
"Running is boring."
@coachbennett, my philosopher of running, humorously shredded all this terrible advice, setting me up for a fun run. It was just what I needed. Thank you.
Distance: 5.60k (306.57k)
Pace: 5'23"
#ParisMarathon in 115 days.
Stage 43 of #52weeks52halfmarathons.
Curiously, the run was mentally challenging. Experience carried me through, but even on autopilot this was an unexpectedly tough one. I probably needed this to process something, and a run is a run.
After all, running is my meditation.
Distance: 22.12k (total: 324.69k)
Pace: 5'32"
#ParisMarathon in 112 days.
A cheerful tempo run to start this day. The days are getting brighter now.
I compiled a playlist of Christmas music for running. It's 47 minutes of pure holiday spirit. 'Tis the season to be jolly. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2exZpqp5Fjl6wEdgw73SKA?si=GUnlSsHYTeumo3jzjfhOmA
Take care, folks. Remember to tell your loved ones that they matter - just like *you* do!
Distance: 10.52k (total: 335.21k)
Pace: 5'16"
#ParisMarathon in 110 days.
A long easy run, windy and humid. It was very nice to get out.
I should have done this run yesterday, but instead we watched "Hundreds of Beavers" and had mulled wine and cookies. I regret nothing.
Distance: 13.77k (total: 348.98k)
Pace: 5'37"
#ParisMarathon in 106 days.
A long run on a cold and beautiful winter morning.
This was stage 44 of #52weeks52halfmarathons.
Distance: 27.11k (total: 376.09k)
Pace: 5'40"
#ParisMarathon in 104 days.
Indeed.
I contemplated dialing it up to 30k - but as I had already run for longer than what I had said I would, and as we have other plans for the day, I decided against it.
Thank you!
I have no associations whatsoever with the numbers 1337. But some rabbit-hole visits later, I think I learned something today.
Ah, yes! Tempo run!
I've been rewatching the Jack Daniels videos on VO₂ max and the goal paces to use for different workouts and what the benefit is for each one of them, and it's given me a new way of motivating myself because I feel the purpose of each run more.
And yes, the season has turned and the sun is coming back.
Only 110 days for the Paris Marathon?
It's going to be a fantastic experience!
I'll be doing shorter race distances, but perhaps in the future...
Once the motivation is there, the rest will follow. Looking forward to following your runs again through 2026.
And yes, Paris Maraton will (hopefully) be a blast. Training is going well, and I feel like I am setting myself up for a good race and a good experience. I would love to have one race in February or March to get back into that mode, though.
Der er mange ting at tænke over i disse dage, og en del ekstra opgaver, så måske ikke så mærkeligt?
5:32/km over en halvmaraton er sgu også ret pænt tempo!
Spændende om du kan dykke ned i det og mærke efter hvad det er der har fyldt meget.
Kæmpe godt kommet ud!
Som Claus Hempler synger: I enden er der altid en bagage at bære.
Det var vist mest af alt blot en kombi af træthed efter et langt år (nu, hvor det er ferie, og skuldrene sænkes), mørke og en tung vom efter en stor middag hos svigermor i går. Sidstnævnte gjorde i hvert tilfælde sit til, at jeg aldrig fandt et rigtigt godt flow.
Der er nok at tænke over i disse tider, så det bliver næppe heller sidste gang, at løbeturens fokus udfordres.
Tak for betænksomheden.
Mission løbetur efter mission "stor middag hos svigermor" kan jeg levende forestille mig som en udfordring!!
Det er også vintersolhverv, så bare det at kunne sige man ikke er særligt vinterdeprimeret er et win i sig selv vil jeg tro.
Og så er det måske også bare kontrasten. Jeg oplever beskrivelsen af langt de fleste af dine ture som meget positiv, så en enkelt mindre optimal tur skal der jo absolut være plads til! 😊
Lige præcis. Måske var det bare frustration over ikke at ramme den tilstand af flow, som jeg normalt opnår efter ca tre km.
Til gengæld har vi både set Enigma-museets julekalender-udstilling i dag (klar anbefaling, men fruen er også julekalender-nørd) og klaret de sidste julegaver, så humøret er højt. Livet er jo i grunden skønt.
Sounds like a good start of the day!
It was absolutely enjoyable! :-)
Thank you!! And very soon, I'm in single-digit territory with that countdown. :-)
Sure. Once you know your plans, let me know, and then we'll see what's possible.
Yes - consistency is key, and a run doesn't have to be long to count.
I've got the agreement with myself that I run twice (or more) each week. It can be 422 meters, or it can be 42.2k. What's important is that I put my shoes on and get out there.
@askekammer looks good 💪🏼👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. You are really progressing - eating half marathons and marathons for breakfast 😎
(You could - if not 100% finalized - throw in a 3/6 hour race or something crazy just to have something odd in the mix … I’m sure you’ll like it. And you can do it for sure)
Thank you!
I am quite happy with the plan, truth be told. And it is dynamic, so I can easily throw something more into it.
i would love to do some odd-distance races to mix things up. But the challenge is to find good/interesting races that are not too far away from where I live and also align somewhat with my general calendar. I have a very patient and supportive family, but there are limits. :-)
Oh, nice. That much travelling won't be for 2026, but I've noted them all for the future. Thank you!!
Just by its name, the Champagnegaloppen sounds like a great time!
Congratulations!! I was going to sign up through the Novo Nordisk running Club, but that's obviously out of the question now 😅
I'll have to sign up and see if there are spare/leftover tickets closer to the race.
There will definitely be some tickets available at some point, at least through the re-sale platform. And you should sign up for that as soon as possible, as demand far exceeds supply for CphHalf (in general as this year in particular).
Otherwise, I must say that this race looks pretty good: https://www.sportstiming.dk/event/16001
Cool! Det lyder som en god træning, flot gennemsnits tempo du holder!
Tak!!
Den syvende og sidste del, hvor jeg ydede 8/10, var streng, men i sidste ende gav det pote.
@askekammer
Negativ split ovenikøbet!!
Ja, det er lidt vildt hvad man kan med kroppen når hjernen bliver engageret og fokuseret på et bestemt mål! 😎
Tak! Der må gerne være lidt spræl i løbeuniformen, som især her i Norden kan have tendens til at blive holdt i vinterfarver året rundt.
@askekammer Jeg kunne ikke være mere enig. Cykeltøj har de seneste år også brugt den palette med gråtoner og jordfarver. Specielt de danske mærker er slemme til det.
I den mørke del af året er det især skønt, når der er knald på farverne.
Sådan! Det er pænt hurtigt det der!
Hvor meget kraft skulle du lægge i det for at holde det? Var det cruise-tempo eller lidt vildere?
Tak.
Jeg pressede mig selv - dog ikke så meget, at jeg på noget tidspunkt for alvor var presset (hvis det giver mening). På en 1-10-skala for intensitet lå jeg nok omkring 7,5, så der var et ekstra gear, jeg kunne have brugt over en kortere distance. Alt i alt går det planmæssigt fremad med at skrue op for tempoet.
@askekammer det giver rigtig god mening!
Jeg føler i hvert fald jeg forstår hvad du mener, og kan næsten mærke det som en oplevelse jeg selv kan have.
Fedt med fremgang i tempo, hvis jeg forstår rigtigt så mærker du garanteret også efter at det ikke bliver for meget.
Jo, jeg løber stadig meget på gefūhl.
Træneren i Nike Run Club-appen arbejder med, at man i stedet for at løbe et bestemt tempo løber en bestemt anstrengelse (altså, hvor hårdt er det på en skala fra 1 til 10). Den tilgang har jeg overtaget.
Så hvor jeg normalt måske ville løbe 6, prøver jeg for tiden at presse den op på 7. Og så videre. Teorien er, at det efterhånden forbedrer både udholdenhed og tempo - og samtidig tager højde for dagsform. Det virker for mig.
Det lyder som en rigtig god måde at gøre det på.
Jeg har tendens til at løbe lige omkring det højeste af det interval jeg skal løbe.
Så f.eks tempo interval fra 5:15-4:55, så vil jeg komme til at løbe omkring 4:55 eller 4:50
Så det tror jeg klart er en dårligere idé 😬
Jeg kan forestille mig, at det kan gøre turene lidt for hårde og derved øge risikoen for både skader og for at brænde ud. Men det gør dig også lynhurtig. :-)
Pjat! De kan da holde lang tid endnu!
(Kigger bedre på billedet)
Nååååå, ja ok, det kan jeg godt se 😂
De har holdt overraskende godt - men da de begyndte at være slidte, gik det pludseligt stærkt. Heldigvis har jeg et nyt par klar, og i weekenden skal de indvies.
@askekammer For almost 1300km they look quite good, seems you treated them well!
Hearing the clock ticking for your Paris marathon, it reminds me of this quote from Don Kardong:
"No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success. Although if it comes down to a choice, pick the shoes." 😁
Yes, they have stayed in good shape for surprisingly long. Before, I had a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire - and they were completely worn out at 1,000k. So I am staying with Nike now.
And what a wonderful quote. :-) I had a good laugh over it.
Aske Kammer
Kat O’Brien
Vicomte Folmer af Helvede
Claes de Vreese ☑️
Pedro Fernandes
cricket_bacon
Sebastian Hahn
Ethan Weed
moelholm🏃🏻♂️
Michel Bozgounov 🇺🇦 🇪🇺
Kigelia
Rasmus Grouleff (he/him)
udo m. rader ☕ 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 🐧