Oops

As I walked in to work this morning in the miserable weather I thought it odd that I had a little extra spring in my step. Odd considering my calves are a little sore and that weather like this on a Monday morning is not normally condusive to springy steps.

So, why the spring (despite the soreness)? Well, it's partly due to the soreness...I had a great couple of runs over the weekend - 4.5 miles on Friday evening and 10 miles yesterday. Both runs were cold but yesterday had the added spice of being wet for half of it too.

Now, having the right gear really is a big help - I now fully understand the value of being warm but not too warm. Good rest and fuelling are the other two priceless ingredients.

Cutting a long (well 10 mile) stroy short - 1:43 - pb. Chuffed. Sore calves but rest and stretching will get me back on form. I was actually properly running for the last mile but with a nice flat pace line - steady constant pace. I had some left in the tank but I would have had to pace quite differently for a full half marathon.

A summary of last week:

Gym x2
4.5 miles Friday
10 miles Sunday.

Plan for this week:

Gym x2
8-10 miles in two runs during the week
10-12 miles this weekend.


I am certainly not aiming for any more speed runs - just looking to extend endurance now. I guess the cross training is working.

Now that's what I call a long run

So, to recap the last week or so:

• a couple of good gym sessions


• wet orienteering


• illnesses gone!

That last item is the best though! I got a 3.75 mile easy run in on Friday evening to try out my new skins. Crikey, they really do work better when they're new - felt great but a bit too warm. How odd is this weather? Balmy mid-November days are not normal.

Anyhow, I cranked out a half-marathon today. Felt pretty good about the whole thing. 2.5 hours is not stellar but it was just a training run - injury free please and the hills....my God the hills. The 3.75 miler on Friday went up and down about 500ft which is normally plenty thanks! The half marathon - South Ruislip to Rickmansworth in case you're wondering - climbed and fell 2500ft. I'll happily admit to taking sensible walking breaks throughout the run.

All good. More of the same next week ;-)

That was the end of the last of the old trainers - all new GT 2130 shoes from now on.

PT hates me part 2

Actually, it's more like 5 months to go...ooh!

Orienteering was a hoot on Saturday. Very wet but great fun. We sorta, kinda, totally got at least a bit lost in part as you can see in my Motion Based data. Old trainers in the bin...yukky.

Still - 2 hours of running is great.

PT session again this morning. The body of evidence that all personal trainers are sadists is growing steadily. I hurt.

5-10k Wed, Gym Thu, 13 miles Sunday? We will see.

New Trainers! GT2130

Progress

Friday evening - 3.66m (cold!)
Sunday - 7.5m - no walk breaks, avg 161bpm not massive distance but quit good feeling anyway.

Gym this am - good weights session, core and legs.

Run Tuesday evening - 10k I reckon.

Gym Wed.

Orienteering on Saturday!

This fitness lark is busy but fun ;-)

6 months to go...