Tuesday night saw the fourth of the 2009/2010 Bridge Inn 5K Winter Series races and also my first PB of the year.
I completed the race in 21:56 - which is nearly 20 seconds off of my previous PB!
Lucy finished in a fantastic 19:51 which is both a PB and her first time under 20 minutes for that distance.
Clearly the miles in our legs did not have a detrimental effect over this much shorter distance. My thoughts can't help but turn towards my two upcoming half marathons - I would so love to crack the 100 minute mark. May have to do a little schedule juggling to try and get to those start lines with fresh(ish) legs!
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Just a Thin Layer of Deep Heat...
After a suprisingly light week (just a 3 miler and a VO2 Max session for various reasons) the week ended with a 19 mile run. Suddenly it feels like marathon training has really started. A long, slow, slog just grinding out the miles, this is how the runs last year felt. Much longer than you are used to but with the realisation that come the day there would still be another 7 miles to do.
Of course the thing that is different this time is knowing what to expect - I know that it is going to hurt, hopefully some time after 23/24 miles. That my general tiredness is only going to increase. That at some point very soon I will want to eat all of the time. That the dull aching in my legs will probably be there until the tapering starts about 2 weeks before the big day.
This 19 miles was the furthest I have run since FLM2009 yet it will be the first of many over such distances. It was pleasing that despite needing a thin layer of Deep Heat to get going there were no real problems to report come the end, and whilst it felt slow the half marathon time was 1:53 - which this time last year I would have been over the moon with.
And that's the thing, whilst FLM2009 is still fairly fresh in my mind so much has changed for me, running wise, since that knowing what to expect only helps me plan better to hopefully achieve so much more.
Of course the thing that is different this time is knowing what to expect - I know that it is going to hurt, hopefully some time after 23/24 miles. That my general tiredness is only going to increase. That at some point very soon I will want to eat all of the time. That the dull aching in my legs will probably be there until the tapering starts about 2 weeks before the big day.
This 19 miles was the furthest I have run since FLM2009 yet it will be the first of many over such distances. It was pleasing that despite needing a thin layer of Deep Heat to get going there were no real problems to report come the end, and whilst it felt slow the half marathon time was 1:53 - which this time last year I would have been over the moon with.
And that's the thing, whilst FLM2009 is still fairly fresh in my mind so much has changed for me, running wise, since that knowing what to expect only helps me plan better to hopefully achieve so much more.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
...and it gets worse...
My hip is very, very sore today - even had to apply some Deep Heat just for general walking around. The slight groin strain that I had just before Christmas seems to have come back and is even walking me up when I stretch at night, hence I am now sore, stiff and very tired - not a good combination :(
This all feels a little like deja vu...
This all feels a little like deja vu...
Saturday, 16 January 2010
The Highs and Lows....
By Friday the snow and ice had all but cleared. Where it did remain it was just a slushy crust. To celebrate I completed a 4 miler in 31 minutes so that's averaging a fraction under an 8 minute mile.
It was hard going, the last week and a half of running at slower, slippier speeds was clearly beginning to take it's toll. Last year, whilst I gained an overall fitness and endurance I had no speed at all. Having gained some speed post 2009 marathon I am determined to cling onto as much of it as I can!
Nearing the end of my 4 miles it did all start to feel smoother, breathing even out, pacing was better all felt good. A great run....
Sadly, the same could not be said for Saturday. Having already reduced the weekend long run distance following the epic mid week run I set off on the same route that we trekked through the other night. Everything felt stiff and immovable. My left hamstring is once again tight and stiff, reducing the amount it will extend. My right hip is sore and my lower back has had better days.
I had to stop a couple of times to stretch during the run and whilst the overall average speed was within the training range it didn't feel good.
The worrying thing is that this seems to be becoming a theme - good run one day, bad run the next - if there's one thing that a marathon schedule needs it's consistency and at the moment it is definitely lacking.
I struggled throug hthe 14 miles in a bit over 2 hours. Only a year ago I would have been over the moon with that kind of time in a race let alone a training run - but a year on and the marathon seems a very long way away at this point
It was hard going, the last week and a half of running at slower, slippier speeds was clearly beginning to take it's toll. Last year, whilst I gained an overall fitness and endurance I had no speed at all. Having gained some speed post 2009 marathon I am determined to cling onto as much of it as I can!
Nearing the end of my 4 miles it did all start to feel smoother, breathing even out, pacing was better all felt good. A great run....
Sadly, the same could not be said for Saturday. Having already reduced the weekend long run distance following the epic mid week run I set off on the same route that we trekked through the other night. Everything felt stiff and immovable. My left hamstring is once again tight and stiff, reducing the amount it will extend. My right hip is sore and my lower back has had better days.
I had to stop a couple of times to stretch during the run and whilst the overall average speed was within the training range it didn't feel good.
The worrying thing is that this seems to be becoming a theme - good run one day, bad run the next - if there's one thing that a marathon schedule needs it's consistency and at the moment it is definitely lacking.
I struggled throug hthe 14 miles in a bit over 2 hours. Only a year ago I would have been over the moon with that kind of time in a race let alone a training run - but a year on and the marathon seems a very long way away at this point
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
It's Snow Joke...
ok sorry for the bad pun...but really getting fed up with this snow!
Tuesday night substituted the weekly interval session for a long run with Lucy. She is away at the weekend and wanted to get her long run in during the week. The plan was for her to run 4 or 5 miles before meetingup to so the GWR winter 10.
By the time we met up the snow had started. Bear in mind this was snow falling on to already hard packed snow and ice the prospects of a fun run didn't look good!
Despite the snowy onslaught we were doing OK until Lucy admitted that she wasn't 100% sure of the route. Unfortunately, we didn't err on the side of shorter and by the time we were pounding down the Portway, trying to avoid the hard ice whilst getting a full on blizzard in the face we had already racked up 8 of our 10 miles.
Strangely, there weren't many other runners about that night trying their luck on the snow and ice. On top of the slippery dangers the cold air plays havoc with controlling my asthma and I had to take my inhaler at a couple of strategic points.
By the end of the run I was thoroughly cold and wet and had completed a 14 mile run - only two days after our 15 mile run. At this rate we'll have completed our training within 6 weeks and will be able to taper for 10!
This evening I went for a slow 4 - sadly when it's one step forward and half back in the ice and slush it really is a slow affair. An eight minute mile seems a far off memory, every moment spent running on ice-clear tarmac or concrete is an all too short treasured moment.
After one slip too many I ran along cursing the weather and conditions - I can only hope that it will soon clear and I can get back to some proper running.
Tuesday night substituted the weekly interval session for a long run with Lucy. She is away at the weekend and wanted to get her long run in during the week. The plan was for her to run 4 or 5 miles before meetingup to so the GWR winter 10.
By the time we met up the snow had started. Bear in mind this was snow falling on to already hard packed snow and ice the prospects of a fun run didn't look good!
Despite the snowy onslaught we were doing OK until Lucy admitted that she wasn't 100% sure of the route. Unfortunately, we didn't err on the side of shorter and by the time we were pounding down the Portway, trying to avoid the hard ice whilst getting a full on blizzard in the face we had already racked up 8 of our 10 miles.
Strangely, there weren't many other runners about that night trying their luck on the snow and ice. On top of the slippery dangers the cold air plays havoc with controlling my asthma and I had to take my inhaler at a couple of strategic points.
By the end of the run I was thoroughly cold and wet and had completed a 14 mile run - only two days after our 15 mile run. At this rate we'll have completed our training within 6 weeks and will be able to taper for 10!
This evening I went for a slow 4 - sadly when it's one step forward and half back in the ice and slush it really is a slow affair. An eight minute mile seems a far off memory, every moment spent running on ice-clear tarmac or concrete is an all too short treasured moment.
After one slip too many I ran along cursing the weather and conditions - I can only hope that it will soon clear and I can get back to some proper running.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Weak Hips, Snow and Boy Skirts...
Week one, day one and not a great start. My final pre-schedule run was a 13 miler in brand new trainers which after having only run a couple of times over the best period was perhaps not the wisest choice. Week one day one and I was about as stiff as you can be. My five mile run started with my right leg refusing to follow the left the hamstring feeling like it was about and inch long and determined not to stretch! Did slowly get it moving and struggled around a couple of miles making up the difference post interval training on Tuesday.
Wednesday brought the snow.
Prime training routes covered in white slidey stuff! At least whilst it's still crunchy you can gain a certain amount of traction and therefore still actually run - albeit a bit more slowly than planned.
Exactly twelve months on I have a slight re-occurance of the injury I had last year. Whilst the result is pain in my ankle it is actually caused by a weak hip. The particularly cold weather is probably not helping it and advice from Hannah, a GWR coach and physio, is to wear an extra pair of shorts as an additional layer to keep the hip warmer. Sadly, my choice of shorts is restricted to ones from when I was somewhat larger and on teaming with running tights resemble what can only be described as a boy skirt!
Yep, I know - lets hope a.) the hip gets better soon and b.) it gets warmer!
Wednesday brought the snow.
Prime training routes covered in white slidey stuff! At least whilst it's still crunchy you can gain a certain amount of traction and therefore still actually run - albeit a bit more slowly than planned.
Exactly twelve months on I have a slight re-occurance of the injury I had last year. Whilst the result is pain in my ankle it is actually caused by a weak hip. The particularly cold weather is probably not helping it and advice from Hannah, a GWR coach and physio, is to wear an extra pair of shorts as an additional layer to keep the hip warmer. Sadly, my choice of shorts is restricted to ones from when I was somewhat larger and on teaming with running tights resemble what can only be described as a boy skirt!
Yep, I know - lets hope a.) the hip gets better soon and b.) it gets warmer!
Monday, 4 January 2010
....finally....
Good news!
Spoke to the marathon office this morning they have my form, and I am definitely in!
The post office system still thinks it hasn't got there yet - so be warned if you ever have anything valuable to send.
Spoke to the marathon office this morning they have my form, and I am definitely in!
The post office system still thinks it hasn't got there yet - so be warned if you ever have anything valuable to send.
Friday, 1 January 2010
A Starting Point...
I have been taking it easy, running wise, over the last few weeks. Had reached the point where everything was very sore, the injury that ruled out training during all of January 2009 has flared up and just generally needed a rest.
However, today I ran the Hangover 10K in 47:16. My second fastest ever 10K, taking 4 minutes off of my best time over the course. I was pretty pleased with it as I have only run once over Christmas plus I was more at my half marathon racing speed as I didn't feel sick all the way around!
So thats a starting point - training starts in earnest on Monday!
However, today I ran the Hangover 10K in 47:16. My second fastest ever 10K, taking 4 minutes off of my best time over the course. I was pretty pleased with it as I have only run once over Christmas plus I was more at my half marathon racing speed as I didn't feel sick all the way around!
So thats a starting point - training starts in earnest on Monday!
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