I very rarely find myself going out and taking it easy. Going at a steady pace and just holding a conversation with my running partner. This evenings serp run gave me that opportunity.

Having raced on Sunday I was always intending on today’s run being a gentle one. I had set myself up to do a 2.5 park (4.5 miles) run at a 8:30-9min pace, a recovery run! As usual I had my arm twisted and agreed to the 3 parks but I wasn’t going to budge on pace. We set off with the correct pack and plodded along at a nice and steady pace. The conversation was easy and I wasn’t finding it too tough, a breath of fresh air from the previous 3 runs all done at sub 7:30 average pace!

About 3 miles in my running partner complained about needing the toilet and as I was happy enough to do the 2.5parks before turning up I didn’t mind cutting the route short and heading back through Hyde Park to speakers corner. We did a short section at the end at a faster intensity which increased my heart rate a bit but other than that a good little 35min ‘jog’.

This jog followed on from a relatively long swimming session in the pool this morning covering over 50 lengths crawl or over 1km. Not since I was a small child have I swam that far, I’m pretty sure I got a 1000m badge having gone up and down the pool at ‘The Bubble’. Sadly I don’t know how long it took me back then but today it didn’t seem too much of a problem and a good routine to add to my training schedule. Plus Baker St Fitness First is a cracking gym and it seems that after 815 or so the pool clears out to only have one or two people in it! Bonus

Till next time.

N

420 miles covered, gallons of energy drinks consumed and several energy gels swallowed all in order to train for the one of the biggest marathons in the world.

This post maybe better suited following the run but I think the huge amount of training that I have done is easily lost in the glory (or not!) of the big day itself. Therefore, after 16 weeks of training unlike anything I have ever done before, and yes I did run the marathon last year, I am going to share my ups and downs since January 1 2010.

I was fortunate to get a place in this years marathon around September time, for the months leading up to the new year I knew I ought to go out for a run but I didn’t. Luckily, I still hadn’t lost fitness and on an initial ‘tester’ run I managed a half marathon distance, it was tough but a good footing for the months to come. At the beginning of the year I had an email from Runners World stating 16 weeks to go, so I decided this year I would take a schedule and stick to it…for 16 weeks!
» Continue reading “Virgin London Mararthon: Before…”

Following recommendations from a few people I shortened my final run to the local ‘classic’ route. The schedule listed 12 miles which most people thought was mentally far and in fairness in that run it’s too late to improve fitness or ability and there is a greater risk of becoming injured and increasing recovery time.

I set out on Saturday am with the camelbak and one spare gel to see me through the run. It was a sunny morning but still early enough to be a little chilly. The run went perfectly, no real issues and stuck to the pace recommended in the schedule. I added the extra 2 mile segment onto the journey resulting in a 9 mile run.

That’s it now for runs over an hour until the big one! Busy week ahead, expo, final massage as well as other bits and bobs. 15 weeks of fairly structured training. Over the next week I hope to write a blog highlighting all I have achieved including the races and hundreds of miles covered.

See mile splits

Until next time.

N

Schedule listed having to do 3 miles at 8min mile pace, before heading out I was a little sceptical about this. It has been a while since I have done any threshold stuff due to knee problems etc but was willing to give it a whirl.

Being only a short distance I knew I’d be able to cover it over a lunch break so just when my stomach was telling me to eat lunch I went to get changed and head for a run. Not one to do much in the way of warmup I set off at a fast pace and plodded on for 3 miles. As it turns out I had nothing to worry about clocking in sub 7:30min miles for the first 3 and then after forcing myself to slow down a bit for the final mile an 8:08min/mi. I actually felt pretty good which is a result and I’m happy

See mile splits

12mile at a reasonable pace at the weekend. Certainly not race pace but faster than the scheduled long slow run speed.

Not sure what the weather will be like still next week as it’s soooo temperamental at the moment!

Till next time.

N

The sun is out! On Saturday I have planed to run a gentle warmup for Sundays run and then go for a swim with Laura. The local pool is 3 or so miles away so it made sense to have a very gentle jog over to her before jumping in the pool for a few laps. Shorts finally out and it was lovely to run in the sun. No real issue on Sat but then again it wasn’t far! Good swim and then off for a relaxing afternoon, and some garden nursery time!

The schedule lists 18M for Sunday, and fortunately, Oliver, who I have run with before on a previous long run had volunteered to accompany me for a portion of today’s run. I had planned to meet him at Mile End and head round the 2012 Park and back to the flat, unfortunately things don’t always go to plan! At Mile End I saw Olly and he was already a little out of breath – thanks to TFL the route was to change, the central line was out between Liv St and Leytonstone and he had run down to meet me from Tower Hill! He had already covered 2.5 Miles to meet me and obviously I didn’t want to send him off on a 12 mile run! We doubled back towards the Olympic Stadium and I took him along the Greenway, hogging the side of the park.

My goal was to end up at Leyton as I wasn’t sure if it was planned engineering or a disruption to service, unfortunately it was the former and we had to carry onto Stratford where he would be able to continue on National Rail. I think it was hit Stratford after about 10miles for him (inc his first bit) and he seemed happy. He’s a good runner, wouldn’t take much to push him through a fast half marathon I don’t think! At Stratford, we parted ways and I headed home. I was 13 or so miles in so new the route home would cover the remaining 5 miles perfectly.

The run was certainly hot – the final two or three miles where a bit of a challenge as I’m not sure I had drunk enough – that said I followed my plans and run at a 9min/mi average pace so hopefully recovery time this week should be shorter! Lets hope that the temp falls a little bit otherwise we may have the same as last year on the big day!!

See mile splits

Woo that’s the last serious distance covered and it went well so brilliant! Rest day tomorrow

Till next time

10miles scheduled for today and that meant the standard run to Ox Circus. Flicking through my diary now this is the last long midweek run and the last time I’ll have to run up the hill on lea bridge road for a while!

Following a restless night sleep I set off out of the flat at 730. I know the route now without even thinking about it, as usual the first mile sent my heart-rate through the roof and I questioned what I was doing (just to fill you in the first mile is a very slow incline but a bugger to start with!).

Right now I’m struggling to think of anything eventful during the run so can only assume that is a good thing as obv there was no pain or issues! I didn’t check what pace I should have been doing today at and after looking annoyingly I was down a little bit. Hopefully not an issue but that said I haven’t done a street speed session for a little while so need to consider going out and widening my stride a bit.

18M scheduled for this weekend need to slow it down on that one so as not to kill me for the following week!

Till then.

N

Completely unscheduled following shifting my long run to Friday I decided to go out for a very short gentle run.

It always amazes me how two runs can feel completely different – during this run if you’d have asked what I found more difficult the last 3miles of the long run or the run I was on I would have said the former. My legs felt heavy and nothing seemed to be smooth.

Oh well, to be expected really as my body was still recovering from the long run. Treadmill interval session for Tuesday to get my legs moving fast again!

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

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