I always knew this weekend would be a bit of a shakeup to the schedule. Having booked to go on a Marathon Training day a few months ago organised by Virgin Money and run by Liz and Martin Yelling, I figured there would be some Saturday running and finding time to fit in the Long Run maybe a challenge…

On Saturday we did end up doing some running. A 3 mile looping route had been set off around Dorney Lake in Windsor and we had been given time to run it 4 times if we wanted. Still nursing a semi painful knee I set odd at a 9min/mi pace and decided to take the opportunity to run with others. I ran with a chap called Richard who seemed to be happy to run with company, esp when the company had a garmin and could tell him his current pace! I had a great little run that day – 9 miles flew by in next to no time and after about 10mins my knee felt good so I left happy! The conference was also good, being in the presence of true professionals in the sport is very inspirational!

Having run just shy of 9miles on Saturday I didn’t feel that was enough miles in my legs for the weekend so I went out on Sunday for a run. I didn’t really plot a route, plus, for the first time in training this year I threw my gamin in my bag and just ran – I didn’t really care what time I did or how far I went. The run went really well, my legs started off a little achy from Saturday but after a mile or so I got into my stride and everything seemed to go to plan. I arrived back at the flat after 13miles it seems and to be honest I could have happily carries on and done more, everything today fitted together perfectly. Averaging 8:50min/mile
I believe which considering the fact I was just running I was really happy with! When I looked at my watch and saw the time/distance there was a part of me that wished I had carried on a bit further but that said I came back with enough energy to last the rest of the day!

Need to book in a threshold run this week as it’s been a while. Maybe I might try Niketown run if I can’t get company. With under a month to go – one long run on Sat then taper time this thing is almost here! Wooo

Till next time.

N

Tonight I was given the opportunity to go on a running track and do a few laps. Baring a lap at the start of the Roding Valley half a month ago I can’t remember when I last run round a track, if ever! At school they had grass markings and from memory back then 1 lap was enough let alone the 1.7Miles we covered this evening in the short 15min session.

I guess what made the evening better was having the opportunity to run with Andy Vernon one of England’s emerging hopefuls in mid distance running. Obviously he humored us with the pace whilst we ran and held a conversation – would have loved to see him do a fast lap and see how long on a 400m track it would take him to lap me – not long I suspect!

Anyway cool night and a couple more miles on the legs Hoping the sun comes out for tomorrows run.

N

Having to swap days due to commitments this evening I was doing the shorter run listed for Thursday. This was a 1M warmup 3M sub 8min/mi and then a cool down. Much like yesterday I was to fit this in before 730 in order to get to work for 9.

The ‘niggle’ was still there however I did manage to achieve the target falling short on the warmdown a bit. I came in at just over 4M – one of the shortest runs I have done in a while, but averaged a pace of 7:52min/mi, quicker than required, I’m happy with that.

I do have a little bit of running scheduled for tonight but not sure how much or fast that will be bit still leg miles in the bank.

Hopefully these two shorter runs haven’t been so tough on my legs and will allow me to successfully complete the 9M+ route scheduled for tomorrow!

Till then.

N

Still slightly concerned by the ‘niggle’ on my left knee I decided to take it easier today. The schedule had it listed as 1M warmup 3×1.5M intervals then a cool down. Instead of risking anything I did the distance and added a few hills but did not do them as intervals.

Something is definitely up with my leg but I’m not too sure what as it’s not painful just…different. Anyway the run went as well as to be expected, trying to fit it in before heading to the tube at 740 meant an early start but I managed to fit in 5.7Mi with an av pace of 8:36min/mi which isn’t too shabby considering I planned on taking it easy!

Resting the leg throughout the day and will ice pack it again this evening.

Till next time.

N