16
Thursday, February 24, 2005
7 weeks to go
Tuesday: lunchtime recovery run of 3ish miles, with stops at Jessops and Iceland for minor errands. I was still very stiff after Sunday – probably the most tired I’ve felt going into a run (unsurprisingly) – and so wondered whether it was the right thing to do. No harm was done though as I fought my way through the wind and snow (it lasted about 5 minutes – this is London), and my legs were definitely looser afterwards. Result!
Wednesday: lunchtime 7 miles, not quite the 8 on the training plan but hey – I have a regular 7 mile circuit. Towards the end my legs felt a little more sore than usual, obviously the after-effects of Sunday. I can cope with sore legs, I just need to watch that it’s remaining steady rather than getting progressively worse. Otherwise, the run was a real breeze (the weather was warmer than Tuesday, but still cap and gloves weather) and I recorded a PB for the circuit by 50 sec.
Thursday: the reverse of Tuesday, stopping off at Jessops again to pick up the photos - half a minute faster. Sleet, but not much wind, so it felt quite mild. The receptionists at work have commented all week that I must be really cold, but it only takes gloves and a hat and the rest of me stays toasty.
The weekend ahead: to fit in family activities, I’ve decided that the best time for my first 16 miler will be… first thing Saturday morning. I want to be out by about 6.30 so I can be back around 9.00 and get on with the day. It will be cold, dark and generally grim.
Strangely, just typing that makes me look forward to the challenge. “Eye of the Tiger” fires up in my mental walkman and I can feel my Asics pounding the pavement. LET’S GO BABY!
Next week: Sunday/Monday, collapse in a heap. Tuesday, travelling by train so 11 miles across four sessions, and then an ill-advised game of football in the evening. I promise to only play 20 minutes or so, but hopefully after FLM I will join this team and put my new-found fitness to good use. Not ideal preparation for the Reading half on the Sunday, but I will probably just do a light run on Thursday or Friday to shake off any lingering aches.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Wednesday: lunchtime 7 miles, not quite the 8 on the training plan but hey – I have a regular 7 mile circuit. Towards the end my legs felt a little more sore than usual, obviously the after-effects of Sunday. I can cope with sore legs, I just need to watch that it’s remaining steady rather than getting progressively worse. Otherwise, the run was a real breeze (the weather was warmer than Tuesday, but still cap and gloves weather) and I recorded a PB for the circuit by 50 sec.
Thursday: the reverse of Tuesday, stopping off at Jessops again to pick up the photos - half a minute faster. Sleet, but not much wind, so it felt quite mild. The receptionists at work have commented all week that I must be really cold, but it only takes gloves and a hat and the rest of me stays toasty.
The weekend ahead: to fit in family activities, I’ve decided that the best time for my first 16 miler will be… first thing Saturday morning. I want to be out by about 6.30 so I can be back around 9.00 and get on with the day. It will be cold, dark and generally grim.
Strangely, just typing that makes me look forward to the challenge. “Eye of the Tiger” fires up in my mental walkman and I can feel my Asics pounding the pavement. LET’S GO BABY!
Next week: Sunday/Monday, collapse in a heap. Tuesday, travelling by train so 11 miles across four sessions, and then an ill-advised game of football in the evening. I promise to only play 20 minutes or so, but hopefully after FLM I will join this team and put my new-found fitness to good use. Not ideal preparation for the Reading half on the Sunday, but I will probably just do a light run on Thursday or Friday to shake off any lingering aches.
"Mile" stones, ha ha
When in Frome
I completed my first fifteen miles on Sunday afternoon. We were in the fine town of Frome for the weekend and I had plotted a 2.5 mile circuit in advance. It was a tad more hilly than I’m used to. Upwardly speaking, the most notable was a longish, steady climb followed by a sharp corner, and then fifty yards or so of steep hill. On the descendant side was a lovely last half mile of each lap through open countryside, almost entirely downhill, when I could slow my breathing to tickover and just coast.
Laps 5 and 6 were a bit of a killer on the legs, but I did feel that I could have managed another lap if I had to. So much of this seems to be mental – almost every step of the way I was aware of how far I’d gone and how far was left.
Fuel-wise I got through 2 litres of water and half a pound of figs. (I’ve decided that buying another 2-3 boxes of gels just to get me through the training is a waste of money – I’ve tested them and they’re fine, I’ll just save them for the race.)
Time-wise I came in at 2h 23 min, which is about 4hr 10 min pace for the marathon, slightly outside what I’m hoping for but totally pleasing. Overall, it felt much better than the 12.5 miles a fortnight earlier. Today, the legs are still pretty stiff, but I’m sure that three miles tomorrow will loosen them up.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Laps 5 and 6 were a bit of a killer on the legs, but I did feel that I could have managed another lap if I had to. So much of this seems to be mental – almost every step of the way I was aware of how far I’d gone and how far was left.
Fuel-wise I got through 2 litres of water and half a pound of figs. (I’ve decided that buying another 2-3 boxes of gels just to get me through the training is a waste of money – I’ve tested them and they’re fine, I’ll just save them for the race.)
Time-wise I came in at 2h 23 min, which is about 4hr 10 min pace for the marathon, slightly outside what I’m hoping for but totally pleasing. Overall, it felt much better than the 12.5 miles a fortnight earlier. Today, the legs are still pretty stiff, but I’m sure that three miles tomorrow will loosen them up.
Bring it on! Er, I think
The run home was completed with a minimum of fuss yesterday – although I was reminded how relentlessly uphill the final leg from the station to home is. The really good news is that I ran 11 miles yesterday, and today there isn’t the slightest hint of soreness. This weekend will be interesting…
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Hello, Dawn
Another run/ride/run this morning, and again tonight – so I can have an extra rest day tomorrow!
In contrast with last Thursday, this was probably the best ever for this route. Getting off a warm train for a half-hour uphill run with a rucksack is never appetising, but once I’d got into step it went pretty easily. Plus there are plenty of interesting sights to distract me – Ealing golf course, St Mary’s churchyard, footbridge over the A40 into London (seriously – quite a sight at rush hour), and Horsenden Hill – and this morning the sun was actually coming up. That’s something I haven’t seen since November - it’s nice to feel I’ve been through winter and come out the other side.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
In contrast with last Thursday, this was probably the best ever for this route. Getting off a warm train for a half-hour uphill run with a rucksack is never appetising, but once I’d got into step it went pretty easily. Plus there are plenty of interesting sights to distract me – Ealing golf course, St Mary’s churchyard, footbridge over the A40 into London (seriously – quite a sight at rush hour), and Horsenden Hill – and this morning the sun was actually coming up. That’s something I haven’t seen since November - it’s nice to feel I’ve been through winter and come out the other side.
Sorted for Squeezy gels
I took the easy option on Sunday and stuck to the planned 10 miles. It was the sixth time I’ve been that far or more, so it was quite pleasingly routine. I’m starting to find the long runs a bit boring now – so much of this training is in the mind. It was also my first chance to try out the lemon and lime Squeezy gels.
I had a couple over the hour and a half (they’re only 25g) and was pleasantly surprised. They weren’t at all as sickly sweet as I expected, but I was taken aback at the gloopiness of them. Like drinking emulsion paint or something. I guess roughly speaking they’re made of cornflour mixed with fruit squash, and that’s pretty much what they tasted like. Anyway, they did the job, so I’ll be abandoning my organic principles and embracing mass-processed stimulants from now on.
This morning, I was up at five for a 3.5 mile run around work at six. Half-hour runs go by in a flash now, and I couldn't tell that I'd done 10 miles two days earlier. Gradually, my fitness and stamina are creeping up.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
I had a couple over the hour and a half (they’re only 25g) and was pleasantly surprised. They weren’t at all as sickly sweet as I expected, but I was taken aback at the gloopiness of them. Like drinking emulsion paint or something. I guess roughly speaking they’re made of cornflour mixed with fruit squash, and that’s pretty much what they tasted like. Anyway, they did the job, so I’ll be abandoning my organic principles and embracing mass-processed stimulants from now on.
This morning, I was up at five for a 3.5 mile run around work at six. Half-hour runs go by in a flash now, and I couldn't tell that I'd done 10 miles two days earlier. Gradually, my fitness and stamina are creeping up.
Midweek fixtures
Tuesday night: a quick 2.5 miles, to check that everything was still working after Sunday’s exertions. It felt like I was flying round, but as is almost always the case, the stopwatch told a different tale – only 5 seconds per mile faster than Sunday night, when I ran five times as far.
Wednesday night: intended 7.5 miles but stopped at 5. I’d over-indulged at an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet at lunchtime (I always take these things literally) and my insides were still awash with protein and fat by the evening. Good job the restaurant didn’t serve alcohol, or things would have been worse. The run was fairly plodding, but I’m glad I at least got a few miles on the board. Afterwards, I was still sustained by curry power, so my recovery meal consisted of a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Thursday morning: out just before 5.30 am for a run/ride/run to work (1.75+4 ish). The first leg was OK, if a little panicked – I made the train with about 2 minutes to spare. But the second leg was pretty unpleasant. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the facts that:
1. It was only 10 hours since I’d done 5 miles.
2. I hadn’t eaten for 18 hours.
Great work. The run was little more than a stumbling jog, the worst I can remember. That bowl of muesli at my desk never tasted so good.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Wednesday night: intended 7.5 miles but stopped at 5. I’d over-indulged at an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet at lunchtime (I always take these things literally) and my insides were still awash with protein and fat by the evening. Good job the restaurant didn’t serve alcohol, or things would have been worse. The run was fairly plodding, but I’m glad I at least got a few miles on the board. Afterwards, I was still sustained by curry power, so my recovery meal consisted of a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Thursday morning: out just before 5.30 am for a run/ride/run to work (1.75+4 ish). The first leg was OK, if a little panicked – I made the train with about 2 minutes to spare. But the second leg was pretty unpleasant. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the facts that:
1. It was only 10 hours since I’d done 5 miles.
2. I hadn’t eaten for 18 hours.
Great work. The run was little more than a stumbling jog, the worst I can remember. That bowl of muesli at my desk never tasted so good.
New ground
I broke new ground for the first time in 10 weeks last night and did my 12.5 miler. It wasn't too bad - the first couple of laps felt pretty good, the next couple were slightly uncomfortable, and the last one a little grim - so no real surprises. But I felt pretty good afterwards and am not suffering any major ill-effects today.
One thing is for certain though - the bananas are off. They went down fine, but after 10 miles of swinging around in a bum bag they were in a pretty sorry state. And I do not want to be arsing around with squashed bananas after twenty miles of running. So I'm off to order some energy bars and gels.
Now I just need to decide whether to stick with the planned "step-back" long run next weekend (10 miles) or do another 12.5 to make up for the 12 I missed.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
One thing is for certain though - the bananas are off. They went down fine, but after 10 miles of swinging around in a bum bag they were in a pretty sorry state. And I do not want to be arsing around with squashed bananas after twenty miles of running. So I'm off to order some energy bars and gels.
Now I just need to decide whether to stick with the planned "step-back" long run next weekend (10 miles) or do another 12.5 to make up for the 12 I missed.
Exactly 10 weeks from now...
All is revealed
...well, not quite. But more than usual. Friday was Shorts Time for the first time this season.
Very pleasant weather for my first run for eight days - a midday five miles. As expected, it was a little hard going, but not disastrous, and the stopwatch showed just under 4hr marathon pace. Tonight I will attempt the much-anticipated 12 miler. I'm not exactly in tip-top condition for it, but sometimes you just gotta get out there.
Very pleasant weather for my first run for eight days - a midday five miles. As expected, it was a little hard going, but not disastrous, and the stopwatch showed just under 4hr marathon pace. Tonight I will attempt the much-anticipated 12 miler. I'm not exactly in tip-top condition for it, but sometimes you just gotta get out there.
