Oh dear, nearly a fortnight since I last wrote, that is not good.
So what has gone on since then - lots I suppose or I would have had time to write this.
Saturday 20th - a lovely little run today. Weather was lovely, pace was good so all in all a nice positive. Had to work at 09:30 so did the run before that. Had footy in the afternoon - FA cup game and we won!! Beat a Premier League team - happy days.
Sunday was a big one! 13 miles... took a completely different route. Went back to the football stadium. I knew from my Moonwalk training that this was exactly 6 miles, so just had to work out getting back again and adding an extra mile. Started good, took my drink (half a lucozade) at about 4 miles, then other half at about 6.5. I came down a big hill and decided I didn’t want to go back up it! Went up Basingstoke Road and ended up going up another hill, I had some drink then... and walked up the hill. I then just kept running not really sure where I was going. At one stage I thought my ‘lady’ had told me I had done 9 miles so was very happy, but unfortunately I had misheard cos the next mile she told me (again?!!) that I had done 9 miles. I managed to get home in one piece, struggled a bit towards the end, I did some walking, ate some jelly babies and ate one of the energy bars that Declan has bought me. Time was awful but I did it.
When I got home, I stretched, then had some toast and poached eggs. Later I then had a wonderful soak in a bath with epsom salts (these are the best).
Monday was bootcamp and hey I managed that too. So glad I do this as a lot is strength training and core strength, definitely need this.
The week commencing 22nd I slightly changed my training plan. Declan’s 30th birthday was on the Sat and we were having a family meal on the Sunday so no way did I want to run and then go out. So just moved my plan by a day.
Tuesday 23rd - a lovely little run. Weather nice, a little cold but ok. Pace good too. Liking these runs. :-)
Wednesday was a longer faster run. I did try to get up early, but decided I would do it in the evening. Had some porridge at work to help with energy levels. When I got home I decided I would try another of the energy bars. A strawberry thingy - opened and didn’t like the smell to start with, didn’t really like the flavour/texture either. Had half a bar and off I went. Was going really well, decided to push myself too. But oh oh..... at just over 4 miles I needed the loo.. and not just for a wee. I then got to the unfortunate stage where I needed to get home. First time in my months of training that I cut my run short and phoned home!! Dec had to come and get me. I had done just under 5 miles so suppose it was better than none at all.
Friday 26th - another nice little run, a little cold again but ok. These runs are meant to run (according to my plan) at a slow pace but I can’t go as slow as they say. Funny thing is though, that while I can run these ones faster on the long run where I am meant to be at a constant pace I end up being much slower.
So Dec’s 30th! Had a hair appt booked for 13:30, so choice was go for 13 mile run before hair appt or afterwards and ruin hair. No brainer really, but just didn’t fancy going there after run with sore legs and no bath.
Sat 27th - I got up early to have porridge/bread/peanut butter, then hoped my bodily functions would do their job...waited waited waited...eventually a little but couldn’t delay any longer. Off I went and hey, another different route. Ran to work, I had looked the night before and saw it was 6 miles, so like last week could do this and back but would have to find another mile from somewhere. This was not a bad run, I was very lucky with crossing roads, and on the major roundabout (showcase if anyone knows) managed to have the lights all the way across both going and coming back - result. I drank my bottle of lucozade at 5 miles, I felt I could go on a bit more but listening to all the experts know I need to refuel. I walked while I drank, just not able to drink and run at the same time. and bar that time, I didn’t really stop/walk again. However I was disappointed to find that I was only 5 minutes faster than the previous week.
Got home, stretched, showered and straight out to get hair done. And I was ok, yes my legs were sore whenever I got up or sat down in a chair. After hair, went to the shops (def mad), then home. Had lunch, watched 1st half of rugby game, then watched the 2nd in the bath (filled with Epsom salts!).
Sunday I was fine, hardly ached, (other than the up and down again), had a 5 hour round trip in the car - Woodley to Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes to Marlow, then Marlow to Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes to Woodley. In between we had a lovely get together for Declan. And as I say I felt fine. I also mention that I did have a good sleep and this does really appear to make a difference.
Wed 2nd March - another month gone. Less than 5 weeks to Reading Half and less than 8 weeks to London - it will fly by.
I have had scares in the last week. On the Facebook page, I have seen people that have been running 20 odd miles.... got me worried. However all the experts keep saying stick to your plan etc... but was still worried. On that Facebook page there are people that actually appear to have trained less than me so I begin to feel not too bad. Today one of the guys that works with me, who has done a few marathons, asked what I was up to in mileage. Told him and also mentioned how I was concerned that my plan only had me doing 18. He said for his 1st marathon his was the same - 18 miles longest run. He said that in fact his longest run ended up been only 16 as he injured himself but by the time the marathon came, he managed it ok. So he said if that is what it says then follow that. You can do it. I felt so much better after him saying that.
Also think the in the Reading Half we have that horrible hill at the top of Hartland to go up... oh that will be hard. Must try a few hill runs maybe.
Anyway must go, catch you all soon. Have a lovely evening.
