Week 4 - A Brass Monkey

Week 4 seems to have gone well. I have been able to up my training and although my legs have complained during running, they actually seem to have coped with it quite well and have not ached the day after a session.

What I had forgotten was how hungry running makes me. I was woken up at 4:30am one day this week by my tummy rumbling very loudly. Today, after the Brass Monkey yesterday, I just couldn't seem to be able to eat enough despite eating a reaosnable amount yesterday too.

Monday I rested.

Tuesday was a 35 min tempo session. True to how I have been since returning to running, I was 1 min per mile down again. I was a little disappointed when I downloaded my Garmin because I had felt like I was flying. Not going to go very far flying at 8:27 per mile though...

Wednesday was a recovery run but up Stonegate Road again. I cut it short at 4 miles - partly because I had to get back to pick K up and partly because I was very aware that my legs had a longish run the next day.

Thursday was medium length run day except medium is actually quite long at the moment. It was an easy 8 miles. My legs had that weird thing they used to do where they felt fine to about 5 miles then turned to concrete then were fine again for the last 2 miles. I came to the conclusion that it was a switch in energy systems that used to cause it. No idea if that is right though!

Friday was another rest day. Following Tom's advice of resting the day before the day before a race instead of the day before.

Saturday I thought I was not going to be able to run as it was a busy day, but John stayed on Friday night which meant I could sneak out for a quick one before K woke up. And I do mean a quick 2 miles by the way! Then it was time to be proud mum as K powered round the school cross country race and came in 11th out of over 100 girls. Her friend came 4th and the team came 2nd. P R O U D :)

Sunday was my first half marathon since GNR in 2009 - 16 months! I had really not been sure whether I should do it. Not because I didn't think I could, more that I wondered whether I would be able to rein myself in enough to not wear my legs out and wipe out a week or more of London training. I decided that I would take the first 2 miles easy and then up it a bit and see how it went.

The day started strangely with a surprise phone call at 7am when I was in the shower. The call distracted me and I found it very hard to get my racing head on and even had to be reminded to have my breakfast.

To keep myself a bit in check during the race, I decided to start closer to the back than I would normally and luckily I found the Hyde Park Harriers ladies' group and they kept me calm. Off we went and I just aimed for around 10 minute miles...ish. I had set my Garmin for 2:09, but didn't follow that at all (there's a surprise!). Actually, I didn't do too badly and my first 4 miles were done around 9:30 pace. It then got a bit faster, but still around the 9:15 mark. It was really nice not pushing myself so hard that I couldn't breathe. I actually enjoyed catching people up and slowing the pace to have a natter to them. In fact, it was brilliant! My heart rate didn't want to get above 160 for most of the race. Special mention to Rich K who it was a lovely surprise to see - thanks for your cheers.

When I reached mile 10 I cheered outloud because that was officially the longest I had run in well over a year. It was only when I got to mile 12 that I decided to push it a bit. I wanted to start to train my legs to run when they were tired. So I pushed it and they responded - much to my surprise! The last mile I decided to really push it and I managed. I must have overtaken at least 30 people in that last mile and it felt really good. It was wonderful to turn into the racecourse and see John and all the Hyde Park Harriers there cheering. It really lifted me and I sprinted faster only to feel sick on the corner and have to slow it back down again!

Officially a pw at 2:02 - I managed 1:50 as part of my 22 miler when I was Edinburgh training, but it's done now. It has given me the confidence boost I needed that I can still run distances and suddenly a marathon seems more doable than it was a week or so ago. My legs are fine today and stairs have not been an issue. FAB.

I am not racing during this marathon training. Partly because there isn't a half marathon that is at the right time within a reasonable distance, partly because I need the longer distances and partly because I know that racing takes up so much extra time that I need to focus on my masters. It's going to be weird because I love racing so much, but I have to try to balance my time carefully.

I have adjusted my schedule for this week. I had 16 miles down as my long run on Sunday, but thought it was probably sensible to not have a 4 mile increase one week followed by a 3 mile the next so have decided to make it 14 instead. It has meant moving my first 20, but I think that is best. I am getting better at listening to my body (HURRAH!)


PS My 'super fast' last mile at the Brass Monkey was actually 8:31 pace which is slower than I ran the whole of Edinburgh at. Ho hum.....

MILEAGE FOR THIS WEEK: 32:49 MILES