I got 50 miles done this week – this month is shaping up to be a record I think, just need to keep it up! Still very motivated and enjoying the training although feeling very slow!
Monday 16th Jan – 7.3 miles, speed session with the club – 4, 5, 6, 6, 5, 4 mins. Mildly faster than last week and faster on the second set than the first so pleased with that.
Tuesday 17th Jan – 5.4 miles, speed session with Susan at the track – 2 laps, 1 lap, 2 laps, 1 lap, 1 lap. I just joined in the actual session to pace her and she did really well. I did better than I thought I would on the second day in a row, which wasn’t what the plan had been! 20 mins cross training and 30 mins weight training
Wednesday 18th Jan – 4 slow miles by myself, partly because of the last two nights and partly to take it easy before the weekend.
Thursday 19th Jan – 20 mins cross training and 30 mins weight training
Saturday 20th Jan – training weekend in Balmaha, 30 mile run
Balmaha to Rowardennan – 1 hr 47mins, 13.55m/m pace
I started at about 9.15am by myself as my breathing has been so difficult lately that I wanted to settle into my own pace and I think it is better if I am not talking either – kind of defeated a lot of the purpose of this nice social weekend but needs must! Stayed dry for the first 20 mins and then got caught in hail which was not pleasant. It was while going along the beach and I coudn’t believe the waves – it was like being beside the sea not a loch!
I’m getting to like this section a lot more and enjoyed it this morning.
Rowardennan to Invernsnaid – 1.39, 13.58m/m pace, 3 hrs 26 total
It was that time of the month again and my painkillers had worn off so this section was a struggle. The first group of guys passed me just after I had been doubled over at the side of the road clutching my stomach with cramps and even though I tried to say I was fine when he asked Thomas clearly realised I wasn’t feeling myself. I did perk up after a while once the next lot of painkillers kicked in thank goodness but it certainly spoilt that section for me. Nine people passed me before Inversnaid, I had been expecting more.
I had not planned on taking breaks at all but the stomach cramps brought on an enforced 5.5 min toilet break at Inversnaid which I was very annoyed about but I should just be grateful there are toilets there!
Inversnaid to Rowardennan - 1.34, 13.07m/m pace
A lot of people were just on the approach to Invernsnaid as I was leaving and it was good to see everyone. Apart from the nine people who had now passed by twice just another couple of people passed me until John and Ryan caught me up with a couple of miles to go until Rowardennan. This came at a great time as it was either big up’s or down’s so I was able to keep up with them and enjoyed listening to the chat. Once we were on flat ground though they left me for dead. Sandra and then Ian passed me at Rowardennan and at this point I started to get my throat problem so got a bit down. However I tried to keep Ian in my sights for as long as I could and that kept me going.
Rowardennan to Balmaha – 1.49, 14.03m/m pace
Total – 3hrs 49 mins + 5 mins at Inversnaid unplanned, 13.52m/m pace including stop
As this part was so undulating I managed to keep the throat problem under control although it was still there. I concentrated on my average pace and trying to make sure not too many other people went past me and I think only another four did. I enjoyed the way back too, well until about the last 2 miles when the weather got really wild again – I’m glad I started early and finished at that point. I thought I was going to get blown over on the last hill!
I ran a 3 min negative split which I am really pleased about and reasonably happy with pace considering my stomach and back cramps and the conditions, I will just be working on speeding that up a bit. I also carried my ipod (music) and my iphone (audiobook and podcast) with me but didn’t listen to them at all. I stayed pretty focused and concentrated on what I was doing and had my least lazy long run I think – as in there wasn’t too much where I should have been running but I didn’t!
It was great to see everyone in the evening and catch. Thanks to Ian for organising, John and Katrina for bringing me and for JK, Katrina, Thomas and Silke for looking after me!
Sunday 21st January – walk up Conic and 3.2 miles on the treadmill, not as hard as I thought it might be.
I’m pleased with how well my legs seem to have recovered but I’m still under strict orders to take it easy this week. Roll on the next weekend though! And Neal I still haven’t cleaned the house! Suppose I better do it before you come home though – got a while yet though!
