There are three weeks left of *proper training* before a week of not-that-much, and then it's marathon time.
Oh.
That isn’t very long AT ALL, but I have decided that instead of FREAKING OUT (well, maybe, after freaking out…) that the best thing to do is concentrate on training (duh) and the race will take care of itself. Or rather, I’ll train for the next three weeks, have a week of wind down, and then drag myself to Barcelona and run a marathon. I have my twenty-miler left, which I have planned for Monday – I’m taking the day off for my birthday and thought I might as well take an extra day and do my long run then – and then I’ll probably just fit in another ten miles before scaling everything back. Think that sounds about right.....
Since my last post, I have one update to make re. last weekend: wash out. Not dwelling on it, that won’t make me feel better about it, but that’s it.
Managed a cheeky four miles with Vic on Monday, nothing yesterday (trapped in interviews all day and late out of the office), and planning at least four miles tonight with something on either Thursday or Friday (or BOTH). I have a birthday (from last year…) massage booked on Friday night so I’m going to use that as a reward for training this week.
Yes, we are now operating in a reward training culture. Whatever works…..
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Friday, 24 February 2012
Tired
The last two weeks of training have really kicked my ass, and this week, it really caught up with me. A sixteen miler followed by a half marathon five days later hit me harder than I thought, and this week I have been l-a-m-e at training. My knee has been playing me up a little bit so I’m guzzling the glucosamine, and one of my toes seems to have committed to a long and rotten battle with my trainers, so there has been a bit more recovery than running this week.
Last night I got home full of intentions to sneak in a six mile loop and although I can usually “trick” myself into training – head home, get changed into kit and head out the door almost before my inner Gollum (“NO RUNNING EVER AGAIN HOBBIT!”) has kicked in – but I was utterly shattered last night. My husband came home to find me half asleep on the sofa in my work clothes with the cat at 7pm. Rock on. So there’s been little to report. There was a 4.5 mile uber-run on Wednesday night – we were heading to the theatre at 7pm so I decided it was entirely reasonable to get my run in (9.5 minute miles which presumably didn’t help the overall fatigue), get showered and changed, and get to the theatre (almost) on time. Unfortunately, I didn’t really factor in dinner. Oh, I gulped a bottle of chocolate milk and a bottle of water, but there was no real food. On returning home at 11.30pm, I inhaled a left-over blueberry pancake and then passed out. Not such a wise move. I spent all of yesterday feeling like I was underwater and got such a head rush when I headed out at lunchtime that I had to sit down. Fool. So, valuable (but fairly obvious…) lesson learned: running = needing to refuel.
Looking towards the weekend, I’m either planning a five miler tonight (probably not going to happen) or tomorrow morning (more likely) before spending all day doing wedding things with a recently engaged friend and friends, and then a l-o-n-g run on Sunday. I’m not sure how long (there’s a small part of me whispering *17 miles or more*) but either way, my longest pre-marathon run is scheduled for the weekend of 10/11th March so I know it won’t be 20 miles. Yet. Excited? Maybes….as long as I can shut the inner Gollum up for long enough….
Last night I got home full of intentions to sneak in a six mile loop and although I can usually “trick” myself into training – head home, get changed into kit and head out the door almost before my inner Gollum (“NO RUNNING EVER AGAIN HOBBIT!”) has kicked in – but I was utterly shattered last night. My husband came home to find me half asleep on the sofa in my work clothes with the cat at 7pm. Rock on. So there’s been little to report. There was a 4.5 mile uber-run on Wednesday night – we were heading to the theatre at 7pm so I decided it was entirely reasonable to get my run in (9.5 minute miles which presumably didn’t help the overall fatigue), get showered and changed, and get to the theatre (almost) on time. Unfortunately, I didn’t really factor in dinner. Oh, I gulped a bottle of chocolate milk and a bottle of water, but there was no real food. On returning home at 11.30pm, I inhaled a left-over blueberry pancake and then passed out. Not such a wise move. I spent all of yesterday feeling like I was underwater and got such a head rush when I headed out at lunchtime that I had to sit down. Fool. So, valuable (but fairly obvious…) lesson learned: running = needing to refuel.
Looking towards the weekend, I’m either planning a five miler tonight (probably not going to happen) or tomorrow morning (more likely) before spending all day doing wedding things with a recently engaged friend and friends, and then a l-o-n-g run on Sunday. I’m not sure how long (there’s a small part of me whispering *17 miles or more*) but either way, my longest pre-marathon run is scheduled for the weekend of 10/11th March so I know it won’t be 20 miles. Yet. Excited? Maybes….as long as I can shut the inner Gollum up for long enough….
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Half of a whole
On Saturday, Vic and I ran the Race Your Pace half marathon, organised by Human Race, around Dorney Lake. It was four laps around the lake where the Olympic rowing will be held, where I have previously raced in a former life as a rower, and where I’ve stood on many summer weekends cheering for my husband and friends in regattas leading up to Henley Royal Regatta.
I’m not really sure what to say about the race itself; it was hard, possibly harder than I had anticipated, and it was very very windy. Having raced on the lake before, and having been warned by my husband who has spent a lot of time training there, I knew there was a good chance of a cross wind, but it was really windy. Almost too windy. Windy enough for birds to look like they’re about to be blown out of the sky. My face felt burned by the evening and V’s skin looked as if she’d been baked on a beach somewhere tropical….rather than powering around a rowing lake....
The Runner’s World pacers – we were in between the ten and eleven minute mile groups for most of the run (well, the eleven minute group for almost all of it…) – were amazing and my heartfelt thanks go out to them. The guy pacing the eleven minute group gave marathon advice throughout, and on the last lap, he picked people up on the way past with an encouraging “don’t get left behind!” which really helped. I stayed with him (and V) for most of the four laps – V powered off on the last lap due to being an awesome powerhouse – and the creepers trying to tuck into my slipstream really kicked me on for the last half of my last lap.
Running creepers weren’t a phenomenon I have been aware of before, but after complaining about them once I got back, C explained that they’re basically the same as the cyclists who happily sit behind you and enjoy your slipstream. I was taking the brunt of the wind and they happily jogged *just* behind me to make sure I took the hit for them. Charming. Had I known, I would have suggested a chain-gang, but as it was, I simply swore repeatedly as they slink up behind me and then pushed on, which I guess is better in the long run (excuse the gag….)
Creepers aside, running with only a thousand other runners in loops meant that we were lapped – sometimes twice! – by members of the elite, but rather than worrying about it, it was actually amazing to see them streaking past, often shouting words of encouragement for our pace group. It was hugely inspiring and utterly awesome.
It was good practice to experience the pre-race atmosphere (stressed and slightly manic as they were running behind) and the sensation of running with a lot of other people ahead of Barcelona. The laps were obviously repetitive but I think four is just about manageable (although I can’t imagine the tedium of doing a marathon around the area…) but my music really bothered me – I didn’t really start listening to it properly until the third lap, but I found it irritating and not as motivational as I’d hoped. Its making me wonder whether I might run the marathon with an audio book although I’m not sure….need to do some research….
Important lessons from the race:
1) I MUST do some yoga before the marathon as I have almost no core strength and my back was killing me from half way.
2) Half a gel, some sips of lucozade and a half-cup of water is not fuel.
3) I’ll need some good sunscreen for Barcelona.
4) I need to decide whether to listen to music or a book.
5) I should probably invest in some kind of pacing/GPS watch so I can at least check what time it is...
My time was 2:24 – about twenty minutes off my only other half marathon, which was absolutely great and I'm really pleased about. The first race of 2012 is DONE so now it’s time to get the trainers back on *weep* and start racking up the miles for this week.
I’m not really sure what to say about the race itself; it was hard, possibly harder than I had anticipated, and it was very very windy. Having raced on the lake before, and having been warned by my husband who has spent a lot of time training there, I knew there was a good chance of a cross wind, but it was really windy. Almost too windy. Windy enough for birds to look like they’re about to be blown out of the sky. My face felt burned by the evening and V’s skin looked as if she’d been baked on a beach somewhere tropical….rather than powering around a rowing lake....
The Runner’s World pacers – we were in between the ten and eleven minute mile groups for most of the run (well, the eleven minute group for almost all of it…) – were amazing and my heartfelt thanks go out to them. The guy pacing the eleven minute group gave marathon advice throughout, and on the last lap, he picked people up on the way past with an encouraging “don’t get left behind!” which really helped. I stayed with him (and V) for most of the four laps – V powered off on the last lap due to being an awesome powerhouse – and the creepers trying to tuck into my slipstream really kicked me on for the last half of my last lap.
Running creepers weren’t a phenomenon I have been aware of before, but after complaining about them once I got back, C explained that they’re basically the same as the cyclists who happily sit behind you and enjoy your slipstream. I was taking the brunt of the wind and they happily jogged *just* behind me to make sure I took the hit for them. Charming. Had I known, I would have suggested a chain-gang, but as it was, I simply swore repeatedly as they slink up behind me and then pushed on, which I guess is better in the long run (excuse the gag….)
Creepers aside, running with only a thousand other runners in loops meant that we were lapped – sometimes twice! – by members of the elite, but rather than worrying about it, it was actually amazing to see them streaking past, often shouting words of encouragement for our pace group. It was hugely inspiring and utterly awesome.
It was good practice to experience the pre-race atmosphere (stressed and slightly manic as they were running behind) and the sensation of running with a lot of other people ahead of Barcelona. The laps were obviously repetitive but I think four is just about manageable (although I can’t imagine the tedium of doing a marathon around the area…) but my music really bothered me – I didn’t really start listening to it properly until the third lap, but I found it irritating and not as motivational as I’d hoped. Its making me wonder whether I might run the marathon with an audio book although I’m not sure….need to do some research….
Important lessons from the race:
1) I MUST do some yoga before the marathon as I have almost no core strength and my back was killing me from half way.
2) Half a gel, some sips of lucozade and a half-cup of water is not fuel.
3) I’ll need some good sunscreen for Barcelona.
4) I need to decide whether to listen to music or a book.
5) I should probably invest in some kind of pacing/GPS watch so I can at least check what time it is...
My time was 2:24 – about twenty minutes off my only other half marathon, which was absolutely great and I'm really pleased about. The first race of 2012 is DONE so now it’s time to get the trainers back on *weep* and start racking up the miles for this week.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Morning vs evening
One of the (many...?!) benefits of starting to record all of my training is seeing how patterns emerge. I’m guessing this is why Charlie suggesting it in the first place (he isn’t a yoda for nothing), but it really is strating to prove its worth it as M-time starts drawing nearer.
This week I have done two shorter runs – about four miles each – before work. This used to be my golden running time – I LOVED getting up and running before heading into work – I think it was a hangover from my university days and going out on the river to row before lectures began, and although I usually felt a bit tired (sometimes a lot), the sense of achieving a run before most people got out of bed was worth it. Plus it meant I could usually fit in at least one run a week if I was out most evenings (obviously not drinking....too much....) However, over the past few weeks I have noticed a marked difference in my runs pre- and post-work. Whilst I am still happy to get up and out before heading into the office, my runs after work have been of a completely different standard (the same goes for my shorter runs at the weekend but I’m not comparing these right now as there’s no way I’ll ever be up for ten mile+ run before 8am….) Not just in terms of feeling more awake and more prepared - I've usually eaten well at lunchtime and drunk enough water throughout the day - there is sometimes a two minute difference in my mile-splits over fairly short distances (four-eight miles). That is a lot of time when you’re running just over twenty six miles. A lot of time when you're adding it on to a five hour shuffle.
This realisation simply reconfirms my decision to start planning everything around running during the working week (it’s already sorted all of my weekends between now and the end of March *yey*….) rather than trying to slot in early morning runs if I’m out/working in the evenings. Obviously I’ll fit in a morning session if there isn’t an evening option, but realising the marked difference in my performances in the evening means that I really need to make sure the majority of my training takes place after 6pm.
Essentially, I guess this all means that running will now be taking priority over my after-work activities and my weekends. *joy* That's not to say I will only be running after work every day between now and Barcelona *snore* but things will need to step up a little bit. Again...
(this is probably a bad time to remind myself that I’m thinking about an autumn marathon to keep the training up over the summer…..)
This week I have done two shorter runs – about four miles each – before work. This used to be my golden running time – I LOVED getting up and running before heading into work – I think it was a hangover from my university days and going out on the river to row before lectures began, and although I usually felt a bit tired (sometimes a lot), the sense of achieving a run before most people got out of bed was worth it. Plus it meant I could usually fit in at least one run a week if I was out most evenings (obviously not drinking....too much....) However, over the past few weeks I have noticed a marked difference in my runs pre- and post-work. Whilst I am still happy to get up and out before heading into the office, my runs after work have been of a completely different standard (the same goes for my shorter runs at the weekend but I’m not comparing these right now as there’s no way I’ll ever be up for ten mile+ run before 8am….) Not just in terms of feeling more awake and more prepared - I've usually eaten well at lunchtime and drunk enough water throughout the day - there is sometimes a two minute difference in my mile-splits over fairly short distances (four-eight miles). That is a lot of time when you’re running just over twenty six miles. A lot of time when you're adding it on to a five hour shuffle.
This realisation simply reconfirms my decision to start planning everything around running during the working week (it’s already sorted all of my weekends between now and the end of March *yey*….) rather than trying to slot in early morning runs if I’m out/working in the evenings. Obviously I’ll fit in a morning session if there isn’t an evening option, but realising the marked difference in my performances in the evening means that I really need to make sure the majority of my training takes place after 6pm.
Essentially, I guess this all means that running will now be taking priority over my after-work activities and my weekends. *joy* That's not to say I will only be running after work every day between now and Barcelona *snore* but things will need to step up a little bit. Again...
(this is probably a bad time to remind myself that I’m thinking about an autumn marathon to keep the training up over the summer…..)
Monday, 13 February 2012
Long run
So it happened….I ran further than I ever had before. I ran sixteen miles *BOOM*
As previously said, I planned to run sixteen miles this weekend. I had wanted to run from home to Hampton Court and get the train back on Sunday, after running or going to a yoga class on Saturday. I ended up having a five mile trot along the river with my marathon-busting friend over Saturday lunch time, and then catching up with post-running coffee (for me) and an amazing looking sandwich (for her). L has run at least one marathon a year since she was 20 years old, starting with the London Marathon. As already mentioned, her best time is 3.14, so its fair to say she knows a bit about running and, perhaps more importantly for me at the moment, training. I laid out my plan to run out and get the train back on Sunday and whilst she was massively enthusiastic about the distance, she was a bit worried about getting stuck waiting for a train on the wrong side of sixteen miles in the freezing cold. Fair point. So there was a slight revision and I decide to run bridge to bridge – Putney to Westminster and back. Well, I originally planned to go from Putney to Vauxhall and then back to Hammersmith and home, but when I saw Westminster in the distance, I thought I might as well go all the way there, and see how much further I’d need to go on the way back. Ended up doing another loop…but when that loop is sixteen miles, it turns out I don’t actually care. Plus I went up one side of the river and back over the other, so there was a change of scenery.
I ran sixteen miles. In just under three hours. When I got back, I actually couldn’t believe it – it felt awesome. It wasn’t easy, but I downloaded my audiobook – The Ghost by Robert Harris *immense* (I felt a certain amount of glee listening to this as I ran past MI5…) – and just kept on trucking all the way around. My eventual split was just over 11 minutes per mile – not groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination, but I did it, and I did it without finishing and thinking I might die. I didn’t think I could have happily polished off an additional ten miles there and then, but the thought didn’t seem utterly ridiculous, which was obviously the point of doing the run. The marathon doesn’t seem such a huge stretch in my imagination now that I’ve tackled this….
Oh and one important realisation this week – if you train, you get better. Three runs this week and one longer one at the weekend works. Not sure why this only occurred now, but you know, better late than never…
As previously said, I planned to run sixteen miles this weekend. I had wanted to run from home to Hampton Court and get the train back on Sunday, after running or going to a yoga class on Saturday. I ended up having a five mile trot along the river with my marathon-busting friend over Saturday lunch time, and then catching up with post-running coffee (for me) and an amazing looking sandwich (for her). L has run at least one marathon a year since she was 20 years old, starting with the London Marathon. As already mentioned, her best time is 3.14, so its fair to say she knows a bit about running and, perhaps more importantly for me at the moment, training. I laid out my plan to run out and get the train back on Sunday and whilst she was massively enthusiastic about the distance, she was a bit worried about getting stuck waiting for a train on the wrong side of sixteen miles in the freezing cold. Fair point. So there was a slight revision and I decide to run bridge to bridge – Putney to Westminster and back. Well, I originally planned to go from Putney to Vauxhall and then back to Hammersmith and home, but when I saw Westminster in the distance, I thought I might as well go all the way there, and see how much further I’d need to go on the way back. Ended up doing another loop…but when that loop is sixteen miles, it turns out I don’t actually care. Plus I went up one side of the river and back over the other, so there was a change of scenery.
I ran sixteen miles. In just under three hours. When I got back, I actually couldn’t believe it – it felt awesome. It wasn’t easy, but I downloaded my audiobook – The Ghost by Robert Harris *immense* (I felt a certain amount of glee listening to this as I ran past MI5…) – and just kept on trucking all the way around. My eventual split was just over 11 minutes per mile – not groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination, but I did it, and I did it without finishing and thinking I might die. I didn’t think I could have happily polished off an additional ten miles there and then, but the thought didn’t seem utterly ridiculous, which was obviously the point of doing the run. The marathon doesn’t seem such a huge stretch in my imagination now that I’ve tackled this….
Oh and one important realisation this week – if you train, you get better. Three runs this week and one longer one at the weekend works. Not sure why this only occurred now, but you know, better late than never…
Friday, 10 February 2012
Loops
My training this week seems to have generally gone in loops; both literally and metaphorically. All of my plans have gone awry due to work (mainly) and continually shifting arrangements but the most important thing is that I’ve got two six milers under my belt. Well, two just-over-six-milers under my belt, but who’s really counting the part-miles? (me)
Both runs have been in loops around the local area – one ended up longer than I’d planned due to getting lost, and the other was a rearrangement after my after-work running buddy had to go home early sick. When I first started training for my first half-marathon last year, I LOVED running in loops (or rather, long laps) as it meant I knew exactly where I was, how long it’d take me to get back home if I needed to, and how far I had done/had left. My very first four mile run consisted of two laps of streets near home, and I run a very regular loop of about five miles some mornings if I get out of bed in time and don’t have time for a session after work. It is also good practice for the upcoming Race Your Pace half next weekend, which is four loops of the rowing lake at Dorney *shriek*. I’ve previously raced ON the lake but racing AROUND it is going to be a completely different kettle of fish. I’m signed up with Big Red for the 12 minute mile group, which is *slightly* slower than I’m aiming for at Barcelona, but as it’s my first marathon, I’m not putting any crazed time limits on myself. Finished is finished, and I’ll be happy with that. I’m actually looking forward to the race as it is followed with a Lucozade seminar with running supremo Liz Yelling. My sister attended a similar session last year as part of the London Marathon prep and sang its praises, so I’m looking forward to some motivational awesomeness.
The running plan for this weekend currently consists of either a short run tomorrow morning or a yoga session, and then a *fanfare* sixteen mile run to Hampton Court on Sunday. Judging by my online map, I can run all the way there along the river and then get the train back, so there won’t be any looping. It’ll be the longest that I’ve ever run, but with the half looming next weekend and Barcelona fast approaching, I really want to get a l-o-n-g run done. So bring it: I’m going to download an audio book to keep me company and give me something to think about whilst running at a fairly controlled pace (music tends to make me change tempo) and try out some new gels recommended by Sweat Shop. I’m perversely looking forward to it….
Both runs have been in loops around the local area – one ended up longer than I’d planned due to getting lost, and the other was a rearrangement after my after-work running buddy had to go home early sick. When I first started training for my first half-marathon last year, I LOVED running in loops (or rather, long laps) as it meant I knew exactly where I was, how long it’d take me to get back home if I needed to, and how far I had done/had left. My very first four mile run consisted of two laps of streets near home, and I run a very regular loop of about five miles some mornings if I get out of bed in time and don’t have time for a session after work. It is also good practice for the upcoming Race Your Pace half next weekend, which is four loops of the rowing lake at Dorney *shriek*. I’ve previously raced ON the lake but racing AROUND it is going to be a completely different kettle of fish. I’m signed up with Big Red for the 12 minute mile group, which is *slightly* slower than I’m aiming for at Barcelona, but as it’s my first marathon, I’m not putting any crazed time limits on myself. Finished is finished, and I’ll be happy with that. I’m actually looking forward to the race as it is followed with a Lucozade seminar with running supremo Liz Yelling. My sister attended a similar session last year as part of the London Marathon prep and sang its praises, so I’m looking forward to some motivational awesomeness.
The running plan for this weekend currently consists of either a short run tomorrow morning or a yoga session, and then a *fanfare* sixteen mile run to Hampton Court on Sunday. Judging by my online map, I can run all the way there along the river and then get the train back, so there won’t be any looping. It’ll be the longest that I’ve ever run, but with the half looming next weekend and Barcelona fast approaching, I really want to get a l-o-n-g run done. So bring it: I’m going to download an audio book to keep me company and give me something to think about whilst running at a fairly controlled pace (music tends to make me change tempo) and try out some new gels recommended by Sweat Shop. I’m perversely looking forward to it….
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Snow stops play
It snowed this weekend. It was neither a slight flurry nor a huge storm, but it was enough for my planned long run on Sunday morning to be cancelled. And for Run Dem Crew West to be cancelled last night *mope*
Whilst disappointing, after a friend shattered her elbow slipping on a patch of ice when running outside a couple of years ago, safety really does come first when it’s that cold outside. There was lots of chat on twitter about how everyone could be out if they really wanted to; how you could find some way to train if you really wanted it; and questioning what you would do if it was so snowy on race day…but as one of the main pieces of advice I’ve had since starting to train has been AVOID INJURY, running when its as icy as it was this weekend, running outside just seems one (potentially huge) unnecessary risk.
So there was no running this weekend, and there was no second session of RDC West. But there will be running tonight – my long run from the weekend has been shunted to tonight. I’m planning to run to meet the friend I ran home with last week (I’m running to meet her rather than getting the tube, and then we’re running back home) – and I’ll be running at least twice again before Friday night. I’m planning another long run over the weekend – I haven’t decided whether it’ll be Saturday or Sunday, but it will be happening. I’m currently thinking of home to Hampton Court along the river – a cheeky 16 miles – and I’m getting a little excited….
Whilst disappointing, after a friend shattered her elbow slipping on a patch of ice when running outside a couple of years ago, safety really does come first when it’s that cold outside. There was lots of chat on twitter about how everyone could be out if they really wanted to; how you could find some way to train if you really wanted it; and questioning what you would do if it was so snowy on race day…but as one of the main pieces of advice I’ve had since starting to train has been AVOID INJURY, running when its as icy as it was this weekend, running outside just seems one (potentially huge) unnecessary risk.
So there was no running this weekend, and there was no second session of RDC West. But there will be running tonight – my long run from the weekend has been shunted to tonight. I’m planning to run to meet the friend I ran home with last week (I’m running to meet her rather than getting the tube, and then we’re running back home) – and I’ll be running at least twice again before Friday night. I’m planning another long run over the weekend – I haven’t decided whether it’ll be Saturday or Sunday, but it will be happening. I’m currently thinking of home to Hampton Court along the river – a cheeky 16 miles – and I’m getting a little excited….
Friday, 3 February 2012
Rearrangement
My run on Thursday morning didn’t happen *mope*. Not through anyone’s fault; I had completely forgotten I had a press briefing in North London from 8am so it really wasn’t practical to try to fit a five miler in before leaving the flat (looking presentable…) at 7.15am. BUT I ran five miles this morning instead *hoorah*. In the cold. Feeling like my ears might fall off.
Having so recently announced that its time to get real and get training, I fretted a little about not running yesterday. I wanted a plan and I wanted to stick to it, but then I realised that having a training plan really doesn’t mean that things cannot be rearranged. It doesn’t mean that running has to completely take over my life. It is important to be realistic and practical in terms of what I can manage and what I can’t, and I couldn’t have run five miles yesterday morning before work and had a shower, changed, eaten and reached the briefing by 8am without planning to run at 5am, which would have ruined me for my ten hour working day (yesterday was a manic one). So I ran today. It was hard getting up – the thought of the minus 1 degree wind greeting me at the door was not hugely motivating – but having only run twice this week and with a long run planned over the weekend, I had to go. There are no two ways about it right now; I have to get the miles in. So I did. Yes, there was a bit of snoozing when the alarm went off, and yes, this meant that there was a bit of rushing afterwards and I ate porridge at my desk rather than scrambled eggs at home, but I ran five miles and got to work on time. These were my two aims for the beginning of the day. The miles had to be done and they were.
We’re heading to Oxford tonight for some fun times with the two people we’re renting an apartment with in Barcelona for the weekend of the marathon. P is an ex-lightweight international rower who’s done the Boat Race (the same as my husband) and M is a marathon-running veteran who has a whole host of other amazing athletic events under her belt. Our apartment is going to be an athletic powerhouse of running awesomeness badasses. Even my fears about the raised temperature have slightly dulled (especially after this morning’s run…..)
Having so recently announced that its time to get real and get training, I fretted a little about not running yesterday. I wanted a plan and I wanted to stick to it, but then I realised that having a training plan really doesn’t mean that things cannot be rearranged. It doesn’t mean that running has to completely take over my life. It is important to be realistic and practical in terms of what I can manage and what I can’t, and I couldn’t have run five miles yesterday morning before work and had a shower, changed, eaten and reached the briefing by 8am without planning to run at 5am, which would have ruined me for my ten hour working day (yesterday was a manic one). So I ran today. It was hard getting up – the thought of the minus 1 degree wind greeting me at the door was not hugely motivating – but having only run twice this week and with a long run planned over the weekend, I had to go. There are no two ways about it right now; I have to get the miles in. So I did. Yes, there was a bit of snoozing when the alarm went off, and yes, this meant that there was a bit of rushing afterwards and I ate porridge at my desk rather than scrambled eggs at home, but I ran five miles and got to work on time. These were my two aims for the beginning of the day. The miles had to be done and they were.
We’re heading to Oxford tonight for some fun times with the two people we’re renting an apartment with in Barcelona for the weekend of the marathon. P is an ex-lightweight international rower who’s done the Boat Race (the same as my husband) and M is a marathon-running veteran who has a whole host of other amazing athletic events under her belt. Our apartment is going to be an athletic powerhouse of running awesomeness badasses. Even my fears about the raised temperature have slightly dulled (especially after this morning’s run…..)
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Two's company
Following Monday night's epic run with Run Dem Crew West and the never-ending encouragement, I planned a run with a friend last night. We both met through university rowing training about a hundred years ago so have known each other through some very good times and some very bad times - rowing tends to be a sport of extremes, just check out the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race for some examples. Add to this the fact that we both lived together when we moved to London, and now live five minutes walk away from each other – we’re very good friends. Oh, and she ran a marathon in 3:14. No jokes.
Despite her amazing time, she is an awesome running buddy (I can't over-emphasis how concerned I was the first time she suggested running together..."how will I EVER keep up??!") because she completely paces herself to your speed rather than the other way around. So when we both were talking about how much better it can be to run with someone, we decided to buddy up a couple of times a week for company. This meant we could catch up (despite living five minutes from each other, life seems so hectic that sometimes we'll only email each other, which is crazy) and motivate each other to get the necessary miles done. Now I (conveniently) work twenty minutes walk from home - approx. one mile - so a run home from my office would not be particularly badass. But she lives about five and a half miles away from her office – a far more badass distance - so I changed into the ever-attractive lycra after work and took the tube to meet her for an epic run back.
Despite the cold, it was a good run and having someone beside me really made the miles go quicker. I was a little sore after running on Monday night - my legs were a bit tired - but as we were running home and it was absolutely freezing, running really was the quickest way to get back, we just kept on trucking. So that's another five and a half miles under the belt *whoop*. And although today is a rest day, we've booked in another early morning run tomorrow morning with a caffeinated reward at the end to make sure we both get out of bed.
When it's this cold in the morning, it's all about the end-of-run-reward time...
Despite her amazing time, she is an awesome running buddy (I can't over-emphasis how concerned I was the first time she suggested running together..."how will I EVER keep up??!") because she completely paces herself to your speed rather than the other way around. So when we both were talking about how much better it can be to run with someone, we decided to buddy up a couple of times a week for company. This meant we could catch up (despite living five minutes from each other, life seems so hectic that sometimes we'll only email each other, which is crazy) and motivate each other to get the necessary miles done. Now I (conveniently) work twenty minutes walk from home - approx. one mile - so a run home from my office would not be particularly badass. But she lives about five and a half miles away from her office – a far more badass distance - so I changed into the ever-attractive lycra after work and took the tube to meet her for an epic run back.
Despite the cold, it was a good run and having someone beside me really made the miles go quicker. I was a little sore after running on Monday night - my legs were a bit tired - but as we were running home and it was absolutely freezing, running really was the quickest way to get back, we just kept on trucking. So that's another five and a half miles under the belt *whoop*. And although today is a rest day, we've booked in another early morning run tomorrow morning with a caffeinated reward at the end to make sure we both get out of bed.
When it's this cold in the morning, it's all about the end-of-run-reward time...
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