Week 14

36 miles

A week of deviating from the plan (work commitments) but still managed some quality sessions. Mentally fighting whether this Sunday's run will be the last 20 miler before the race, still not decided. 
Marathon pack came as well this week and started raising some decent money for Bliss, the premature baby charity, so no way back … No real niggles too so far, touch wood. 

Tuesday 24th March 

7.33m @ 7.28 p/m 
54 minutes 
Canals and Star City 

Missed BVH as was on a work trip to Huddersfield Town FC and Rugby League club yesterday, and didn't get back in time, so eager not to miss out on a run after work. Jack wasn't around so, on a pleasant spring like evening, it was a quick dash down to the canals and around the Spaghetti Junction / Star City loop. Usual dodgy characters out in force, but thankfully no problems. Was feeling really good. Went out expecting a plod, but a decent tempo run at mid 7's was a real boost, with a bit of old school Soul2Soul to accompany.

Thursday 26th March 

BVH - coaching 
Pyramids on 5km route - 1-5-1
5.5 mile session - reps at 6.30- 700 p/m 

It was my turn to coach this evening so kept it really simple; working hard on the 5km route for a progressively longer 1 to 5 mins pyramid session and then back down to 1 minute, covering the loop 3 times. There's a tough gradient so not the easiest, but felt strong running with Andy and Laura. Could be the last of the dark evening sessions for a while …

Saturday 28th March 

Saucony Midlands Road Relays - Sutton Park
3.14 m @ 6.30 p/m 
20.23 
Club 33rd/55

Great to be back in Club Competition - the ever favourite 12 stage road relays; some long, some short. This really is a tough event, it's these competitions that makes you realise just how many strong club runners there are. I was running one of the later stages for the A team (they had a few injuries, normally I would be down the order!), starting at around 3.30 on a day that had been very wet, and was still windy - not exactly great conditions. There was quite a gathering, a lot of teams from as far as Bath and   East Midlands, a good atmosphere and it's all taken very seriously!
The course has changed as well, adding an extra loop at the start to only accentuate the drag effect, as the leg just seems to always be on an upwards gradient. The running Esher equivalent! Anyhow, taking over from a speedy Rich Bayliss I thought I'd try and conserve something once the climbs had gone, but after a couple of guys went passed me (it transpired they were actually lapping us!) I worked on the basis that I would battle with anyone who was running the same leg and try and hold position. It was a tough hold up to the heath but then a more relaxed final mile before an almighty sprint up a shortened Cardiac Hill, blowing out of my proverbial. Good to really extend the legs
The cake was great afterwards, but this and walking Delilah 3 miles earlier, took it out of me for the rest of the day. Pleased with 20.23 and running the same times as Dan Wilson and Andy Hoole was decent, as they are usually a little quicker. Think I will definitely have a little focus on some quicker running after the marathon and sharpening up - the appeal of more marathon running later in the year is definitely becoming less appealing, the more I'm running.

Sunday 29th March 

20 miles @ 8.25 p/m 
2hrs 48 mins 
Long canal loops 

A decent long run enjoying the longer evening light, as the clocks went forward this morning. Sian was away so on rugby duty this boring, another chance to take Delilah walking too! Meant I had to protract the long run. 18 miles was down on the schedule but aware that I haven't done a 20 for a while, so with the intention of taking it very easy, on a damp, blustery afternoon, I headed down on the Harborne Walkway and Edbaston Reservoir before hitting the canals and the Spaghetti junction loop again, coming back via the University. Finding it tough to run slower than 8.30's but feeling good. Had a little dip at about 16 miles, but managed to sustain it again at the end. Post run pizza and legs are definitely feeling it - a busy running weekend

Really not sure now whether this will be the last long run or one more next week. May ask for advice through the BVH website - see what others say.