Week 15 

35.7 miles (with the long run on the following Bank Holiday Monday) 

A slightly 'flat' week - legs feeling a little tired and heavy and lacking in motivation; enjoyed a few sessions in the gym instead though. Strange feeling of going through the motions, although a great longest run the following Monday … 

Tuesday 31st March 

Gym - 6 miles 

Delilah was spayed on Monday so I was working from home, and in looking after her missed BVH Monday. Thankfully she seism OK, I think we were more worried than she was, poor thing! Personally I think I needed the extra recovery time too, after racing on Saturday and a quicker than intended 20 miler on Sunday.

So, an evening jaunt to the gym, staying away from the dreadmill! Bit of elliptical X-Training, a decent 200m row in about 8.30 and a sweat fest on the bike for 20 minutes. Felt much better after but nothing makes we sweat like the bike set on a hard course!

Wednesday 1st April 

Gym - 4 x 1200m reps @ 6.20 - 6.30 p/m pace
6 miles in all 

The start of Spring, on a dark, cloudy mid-week day, it certainly didn't feel like it! After a long day it was a burst of gym based speed work, with some great late 90's Ibiza house tunes! 1200m reps at roughly 5km pace felt good, the legs seemed to work again. It does seem strange though, I'm really enjoying the short speed work outs but not enjoying the thought of just running for the miles. Have entered the Cardiff Half Marathon World Championships for next March, too, so already planning ahead.

Thursday 2nd April 

Gym - 5.08m @ 8 p/m 

It may have been a Thursday but to all intents and purposes it felt like a Friday, with the Easter bank holidays coming up. Disciplined to do a quick work out after work, a gentle 5 miler. Bit of a vanilla run, bit good to keep the legs turning.

Friday 3rd April (Good Friday) 

11.2m @ 8.22 p/m 
1hr 33

The joys of the Bank Holidays; the opportunities to run early on a usual work day! Before we went to Wales I got up early and headed out on a drizzly, miserable morning with little enthusiasm for the longish 'mid week' run. Headed into town, avoiding what I suspected are very wet canal path, through a quiet Good Friday City Centre and out to Cannon Hill Park. Legs feeling OK, but hardly a run to store in the memory banks. Weather wise, it has been a drab old week, which has been reflected in my general running mood!

Saturday 4th April 

7.42m @ 7.23 p/m 
54 mins 
Pembrey to Llanelli (Millenium Coastal Path) 

Now this is why we run, this is what it's all about! Down in West Wales had a fabulous walk along the beach with family and dog in Pembrey Coastal Park, before they left for John's and a spot of shopping. I was left at Pembrey and ran the coastal path back to John's in Machynys, following much of the track of the Llanelli Half Marathon along the Millennium Coastal Path. It was a really stunning afternoon, the warmest this year, and, for no particular reason, decided to push the pace, going through Burry Port and Llanelli, en route, Fabulous run and legs feeling good at sub 7.30 pace.

Pleased to have planned ahead for a quick change in the car park and the chance of a run. We runners need to be resourceful!