Week 9 - parts 1 and 2!
Pt 1: 21.9 miles
Pt 2: 16.5 miles
38.4 mies
And a week's ski-ing in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy!
Monday 9th February
8.22 m @ 7.57 p/m
1hr 5 mins
BVH - Harborne Hills route
Ah, my favourite route - a good social toil over the Harborne hills. Feeling strong after yesterday's 20 miler and a little quicker than was intending, more at marathon pace. Felt tired by the end, but a good run nevertheless
Wednesday 11th February
13.7m @ 8.22 p/m
1hr 54 mins
After a deserved rest day at the theatre watching Edward Scissorhands. back to the marathon plight and possibly the longest midweek run I've ever done! Headed out with Jack after work and we went over to Canon Hill and beyond, a good 10.2 mile loop at 8.33 p/m. I then headed back home the quick way, up the Hagley Road, adding a little pace at 7.58 p/m. A really good run - feeling strong. With packing and ski-ing coming up, that's probably the last run for a while ……
Saturday 14th February - Saturday 21st February
Ski-ing in Italy! Wow, we had amazing conditions! It snowed on arrival and then we had 1 iffy and 5 glorious days on the slopes. I'm not the most natural of skiers - the boys are much better, but was just starting to feel the rhythm of it, as the week finished! Managed a good number of tricky reds and I'm sure we'll be back. Enjoyed my birthday too
Fitness wise I'm sure the altitude was a decent boost, as was the 5-6 hours of skiing every day. On the downside, the socialising was excellent (a positive but not for the training!), with a good bottle of red wine every evening, plentiful beers and lots of food. With that now out the way, I'm going to commit to good training practice; no alcohol (perhaps a little at Easter), a better diet (less snacking and more healthy eating) and more sleep. I really enjoyed being in bed at 10pm on holiday -will try to do this at him too!
Sunday 22nd February
16.5 miles @ 8.08 p/m
2 hrs 14mins
Canals + Harborne Hills
After a decent night's sleep, up at a reasonable time and out the door on an icy, cold morning wondering if I could still run! Thankfully no real skiing injuries although I did really bruise my left big toe - I suspect I may lose another nail, as my boot was too tight. Didn't seem to affect my running though.
No real agenda today, wanted to go out for a couple of hours and just run to feel, see how much fitness I've lost. Tingly cold for the first few miles but warned up hitting the canal and to Marathon talk, got into a decent rhythm. Saw lots of BVH'ers going the other way as i headed out of town and felt good after taking a gel breather at 10 miles. I guess it was the diet and lack of running but as I headed to the reverse of the Harborne Hills, the wheels started to come off! The long hills got to me, and I tired substantially; the last 3 or so were a real drag. Back in one piece though and ready now for the second half of the training plan, 9 good weeks. This was a good run though, unintentionally done at marathon pace and with a gentle (ish) recovery week coming up, I can ease back into it …
Sunday 22 February 2015
Sunday 8 February 2015
Week 8
45.2 miles and the first 20 miler. Feeling tired as I write this later that evening! Decent week but not quite managed the 54 miles on the schedule as life got in the way
Tuesday 3rd February
Gym - 6 miles @ 6.50 p/m
8 miles in all
Needed to get some decent speed work in, especially after missing Monday evenings BVH run to take Delilah to a dog class! Spent the day with Jack in Shefffield seeing clients and hit the gym on the way home.
After a warm up on the X-Trainer I hit probably the longest half-marathin paced run I've ever had on the treadmill. It does tend to go slowly, watching the cars out of the window and tuned in to some old house music, but I started at just under 7 m/pm and incrementally increased it after 2, 4 and 5 miles, ending up running the last mile at nearer 6.20 p/m. It was actually OK, certainly felt good afterwards!
So that's the speed work done for the week
Wednesday 4th Feb
11.2 miles @ 8.28 p/m
1hr 34 mins
A cold night (more threat of snow, certainly icy) and the midweek long run, was down as a long one. It's hard to get the head around 10mile + runs during the week. I headed out snugly in cold weather gear and took the favoured route down to Cannon Hill, around to Stirchley and Cotteridge and back to Harborne. Took a few little detours to add a bit of distance and really pleased with 11 miles, and another 1.5 hours of time on my feet, with Marathon Talk entertaining on the way around.
Saturday 7th Feb
Gym - 4 miles @ 8.00 p/m
20 mins X-T - 6 miles in all
Missed any running on Thursday and Friday due to a curry night with work (Thursday) and England's 6 Nation win against Wales on Friday. Fair excuses, I think!
Felt compelled to do something today despite it being a really busy one (watching Villa lose to Chelsea in the afternoon, another defeat!) so headed out early leaving the dog and family to have a gentle pounding on the local treadmill. Good little workout but the big first 20 miler tomorrow
Sunday 8th February
20 miles @ 8.41 p/m
2hrs 53 mins
20 miles really is a long way! Up at 7am and after a small breakfast of toast and coffee, headed out on another bitterly cold day to tackle this monster. Started off again with real trepidation as it was icy on the pavements (my absolute hate) but as this was about distance, not speed, it wasn't an issue. Headed out on the walkways to Woodgate Valley, crisp and clear, only to come out in a fog haze of Acocks Green. Strange running conditions. Hilly too, headed up the long way around to Northfield and after stopping for a gel and some water at 1 1/2 hours, I hit the familiar trail to Kings Norton and back on the canals. By this time it was a glorious morning and lots of runners out and about, including Harvey on his marathon training. Feeling really good, and just started tiring a little after about 15 miles, I think it's mentally just the sheer distance. Actually picked up the pace slightly throughout though and, unlike a few long runs in the past training, felt absolutely in one piece at the end of it!
Really good to have got that one out of the way, and enjoyed a couple of full Marathon Talk episodes, one with Steve Way, on route. As I write this in the evening I've been out again dog walking and enjoying the slightly later evening light (light until about 5.20 now), but my back hurts just a little bit and I'm really grouchy, a sign of tiredness definitely
45.2 miles and the first 20 miler. Feeling tired as I write this later that evening! Decent week but not quite managed the 54 miles on the schedule as life got in the way
Tuesday 3rd February
Gym - 6 miles @ 6.50 p/m
8 miles in all
Needed to get some decent speed work in, especially after missing Monday evenings BVH run to take Delilah to a dog class! Spent the day with Jack in Shefffield seeing clients and hit the gym on the way home.
After a warm up on the X-Trainer I hit probably the longest half-marathin paced run I've ever had on the treadmill. It does tend to go slowly, watching the cars out of the window and tuned in to some old house music, but I started at just under 7 m/pm and incrementally increased it after 2, 4 and 5 miles, ending up running the last mile at nearer 6.20 p/m. It was actually OK, certainly felt good afterwards!
So that's the speed work done for the week
Wednesday 4th Feb
11.2 miles @ 8.28 p/m
1hr 34 mins
A cold night (more threat of snow, certainly icy) and the midweek long run, was down as a long one. It's hard to get the head around 10mile + runs during the week. I headed out snugly in cold weather gear and took the favoured route down to Cannon Hill, around to Stirchley and Cotteridge and back to Harborne. Took a few little detours to add a bit of distance and really pleased with 11 miles, and another 1.5 hours of time on my feet, with Marathon Talk entertaining on the way around.
Saturday 7th Feb
Gym - 4 miles @ 8.00 p/m
20 mins X-T - 6 miles in all
Missed any running on Thursday and Friday due to a curry night with work (Thursday) and England's 6 Nation win against Wales on Friday. Fair excuses, I think!
Felt compelled to do something today despite it being a really busy one (watching Villa lose to Chelsea in the afternoon, another defeat!) so headed out early leaving the dog and family to have a gentle pounding on the local treadmill. Good little workout but the big first 20 miler tomorrow
Sunday 8th February
20 miles @ 8.41 p/m
2hrs 53 mins
20 miles really is a long way! Up at 7am and after a small breakfast of toast and coffee, headed out on another bitterly cold day to tackle this monster. Started off again with real trepidation as it was icy on the pavements (my absolute hate) but as this was about distance, not speed, it wasn't an issue. Headed out on the walkways to Woodgate Valley, crisp and clear, only to come out in a fog haze of Acocks Green. Strange running conditions. Hilly too, headed up the long way around to Northfield and after stopping for a gel and some water at 1 1/2 hours, I hit the familiar trail to Kings Norton and back on the canals. By this time it was a glorious morning and lots of runners out and about, including Harvey on his marathon training. Feeling really good, and just started tiring a little after about 15 miles, I think it's mentally just the sheer distance. Actually picked up the pace slightly throughout though and, unlike a few long runs in the past training, felt absolutely in one piece at the end of it!
Really good to have got that one out of the way, and enjoyed a couple of full Marathon Talk episodes, one with Steve Way, on route. As I write this in the evening I've been out again dog walking and enjoying the slightly later evening light (light until about 5.20 now), but my back hurts just a little bit and I'm really grouchy, a sign of tiredness definitely
Sunday 1 February 2015
Week 7
48.2 miles
A good week in difficult running conditions (icy). Feeling strong after an 18 miler at the weekend
Saturday 31st January
18 miles @ 8.30 p/m
2 hrs 32 mins
With the Burns night party at the Taylor's later, it seemed sensible to get the long run completed today, and I had the opportunity this morning with snow sabotaging the boys' rugby and football matches. After taking Delilah out for an early morning walk, I was a little worried about the conditions, it was very slushy, but had nothing to worry about
Got all the warm running gear on and headed down to town, meeting Jack at 5 ways roundabout, as he's doing his half marathoning training. I'm not used to doing long runs with company, but I think it really helped as we waxed lyrical over the next couple of hours, and the miles flew by. We headed out through town and over to Villa Park, taking in the A4040 route and back on to the canals to Winson Green. Jack was coping well too, and we steadied into a 8.30 pace, for the 13.5 miles that he ran with me, stopping just for a Go Gel at 1.5 hrs. I then increased the pace for the last couple of miles home, and was back before mid-day.
My body must be adapting to the mileage as I was definitely feeling strong. Mind you, I was very tired later in the afternoon and suffered in drinking and eating too much at the Burns Party later, amidst great company.
Sunday 1st February
6.72m @ 8.28 p/m
56 mins
A nice easy day of mostly sport; Andy Murray losing in the Australian Open, England losing in their cricket final and Arsenal thrashing the Villa 5-0. Indespersed I managed an easy run down the walkway and around the Reservoir, aiming for around 7 miles. Legs fine but feeling generally tired, although did miss the Stourbridge Stagger; not really an option after yesterday's long run and today's hangover …
Another week down.
48.2 miles
A good week in difficult running conditions (icy). Feeling strong after an 18 miler at the weekend
Saturday 31st January
18 miles @ 8.30 p/m
2 hrs 32 mins
With the Burns night party at the Taylor's later, it seemed sensible to get the long run completed today, and I had the opportunity this morning with snow sabotaging the boys' rugby and football matches. After taking Delilah out for an early morning walk, I was a little worried about the conditions, it was very slushy, but had nothing to worry about
Got all the warm running gear on and headed down to town, meeting Jack at 5 ways roundabout, as he's doing his half marathoning training. I'm not used to doing long runs with company, but I think it really helped as we waxed lyrical over the next couple of hours, and the miles flew by. We headed out through town and over to Villa Park, taking in the A4040 route and back on to the canals to Winson Green. Jack was coping well too, and we steadied into a 8.30 pace, for the 13.5 miles that he ran with me, stopping just for a Go Gel at 1.5 hrs. I then increased the pace for the last couple of miles home, and was back before mid-day.
My body must be adapting to the mileage as I was definitely feeling strong. Mind you, I was very tired later in the afternoon and suffered in drinking and eating too much at the Burns Party later, amidst great company.
Sunday 1st February
6.72m @ 8.28 p/m
56 mins
A nice easy day of mostly sport; Andy Murray losing in the Australian Open, England losing in their cricket final and Arsenal thrashing the Villa 5-0. Indespersed I managed an easy run down the walkway and around the Reservoir, aiming for around 7 miles. Legs fine but feeling generally tired, although did miss the Stourbridge Stagger; not really an option after yesterday's long run and today's hangover …
Another week down.
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