Vilnius Marathon 2024

 This year’s Vilnius Marathon marked a major milestone in my journey as a runner. Representing my company, Biomapas, I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:58. It wasn’t just about shaving off minutes; it was the culmination of 17 months of training and a 24-minute improvement from my first marathon in the spring of 2023, where I finished in 3:22...

  After my race in Riga earlier this year, where I finished in 3:11 (my fourth marathon overall and second in 2024), I knew I needed to tweak my training strategy if I wanted to break the elusive 3-hour mark. While most people swear by sprint intervals, I have to admit - I hate them. There’s nothing worse for me than running all out, then stopping, then doing it again...  Instead, I decided to take a different route, literally. I ditched the sprints and embraced 10k runs on the track at a steady pace of 3:50. I much prefer keeping a good rhythm over those dreaded bursts of speed! My goal was to train my body to maintain that fast, steady pace over longer distances, and thankfully, this approach seemed to prepare me better for the marathon’s demands.

  Weekends were essential for building endurance. I split my training across two days: one day for trail running and another for cycling. Occasionally, I pushed myself with a 35 km run, which further developed my stamina. My weekend cycling routine often involved 100 km rides, giving me the endurance needed for those final, tough marathon kilometers.

  In addition to my running and cycling, I participated in one triathlon and a 100 km Velomarathon over the summer. These events not only kept me motivated but also provided excellent cross-training to improve my overall endurance.

   During the workweek, my routine remained consistent. Nearly every day, before work, I would bike 8 km to the track in the early morning - a perfect warm-up - before diving into a 5 to 10 km high-paced run, depending on how my body felt. This routine helped me steadily improve my pace and develop a stronger foundation for the marathon. The regularity and intensity of these morning sessions kept me in peak condition.

 When race day in Vilnius finally arrived, I felt confident and ready for my fifth marathon... My primary goal was clear: to break the 3-hour barrier. As I pushed through the kilometers, the 10k track sessions had prepared my legs for the fast pace, and the long-distance bike rides gave me the endurance to sustain it. The last few kilometers were a test of mental strength, but I held on, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:58.

  This was more than just a time on a clock; it represented a personal achievement and proof that my unique approach to training had paid off. The feeling of accomplishment was incredible, knowing I had improved my marathon time by 24 minutes over 17 months...

 The day was even more special because my wife ran the half marathon and set a personal record with a time of 2:17. Seeing her accomplish her goal was just as rewarding as my own success, making this race a shared victory for both of us.

   And it wasn’t just me and my wife who had a great day at the Vilnius Marathon - my friends from Biomapas also set personal records in the half marathon race, making it an even more memorable event!