WEEK THREE - DONE

L

Liquorish

Welcome to my weekly chatter during the week I thought this was a rather dull week and that  I wouldn't have much to say.  But those of you who know me well know once i start talking about running well . . . . I dont shut up so sorry about the long post, you might just want to scroll down to sunday and my Brass Monkey Race Report!

Highlights – Brass Monkey 2010

Lowlights – Losing Liquorish the Rabbit

Inspiration – VARR - my run club and every single member

Below is my week,  day by day

DAY 15 Monday 18th January 2010 – The Tired One

It’s the day after Ilkley cross country and I am 110% shattered, was so hard to get out of bed this morning. I was sat at my desk when Debbie came in, she asked me if I was ok, thinking something had gone drastically wrong at work, but I was just so physically drained! Had to nibble chocolate during the morning to keep me going, couldn’t fight the urge!

Had thought I might do body pump today as missed it at the weekend but in the end decided to stick with my lunchtime recovery swim. I have just enough time to get there do 30mins, shower and back but today I had to get to a meeting and was a few minutes late and got a few strange looks arriving with wet hair!

Anyway although was suppose to be a recovery swim I can’t help but try beat my previous weeks swim and if I counted correctly I did 38 lengths in 30mins!

Was very hungry after, as hadn’t taken anything to eat after my swim. I resisted getting a Mac d after my meeting but got a pizza slice from Greggs, probably not much better.

I enjoy swimming at lunchtime as I still get the whole evening with the kids

Day 16 – Tuesday 19th January 2010 – Too Many chocolate Biscuits!

My work day was busy rushing around trying to cram everything in. I took fruit to snack on and a jacket with chunky veg & bolognaise sauce for lunch. I eat most of the fruit in the morning but didn’t have my dinner before going to a meeting at 1pm, there were biscuit at the meeting and I indulged without even thinking because i was hungry! Had my lunch when got back to office about 3 which was good for run club but need to plan better so not tempted by biscuits!

I chickened out of the Abs class that I want to try as I left work a bit late but just anxious that it would hurt!

Run club was another good session with lots of people back after the bad weather. I lead group 2 as usual and we had 13 all together including about 4 new faces, hope they come back next week and that I can remember their names,

When we got back there was lots of talk amongst us about Sundays cross country and I think just about everyone said how tired/achy they had felt on Monday! By the time i got home it was nearly 9 and i could easily have not bothered eating properly but Tom’s words once again came to me, MUST EAT DECENT FOOD ASAP AFTER a run Baked Beans on toast it was. Still think I’m not having enough protein though!

Ran about 5.5mile in 67 mins.

Day 17 – Wednesday 20th January 2010  Food Glourious Food

Have had a good day nutrition wise took fruit to work as was on a course and got a jacket salads and cottage cheese for lunch. More fruit before gym and some chunky veg soup and cheese on toast for tea . . . . . so i can do it. Though have to say I could eat chocolate now if I had it. Had to miss my scheduled tread mill session after work as worked late and wanted to do body pump as missed weekend session and I’m not sure ill get it in this weekend. The treads were busy any way so i think it will be worth the effort to get up early and do in a morning in future.

Dan  is excited tonight as he had come third in the cross country at school which is a big improvement for him. And more importantly he wants to get better!  I on the other hand am trying not to get excited about Friday night! But oh what to wear ???????

Day 18 Thursday 21st January 2010 - Early Bird Catches a Treadmill

My alarm went off at 530.am and although I didn’t get up straight away, I was up and out by 6! The gym was quiet but somehow I still managed to pick the tread that bangs with every foot fall. I forgot my i pod but think am probably better without it as need to concentrated on timing the intervals and changing speeds. After a 10 min warm up I took Toms advice and started with 2min interval at 11kph and then took the speed of my rest right down to 4.5 – 5kph, I did 3x2@11, 3x2@11.5, 2x2@12 and then a cool down and I’m really pleased with this! On my 11 I felt I could do stronger, not sure how to move this forward, do i increase my speed, increase the length of each interval or do more of them. I was tired at work and some what hungry!

Nicky called tonight with a slice of yummy homemade Xmas cake, lots of chat which I miss when we are not running together and a presents of some of my favourite running socks for my marathon training! Have warned the kids - hands off!

This week training is feeling a bit dull after the excitement of the last few weeks, but hopefully can settle in to some good solid training now! Though it feels the focus is on racing rather than building up the long runs! Still a couple of weeks before I hit my 14miler

Day 19 Friday 22nd Jan 2010 From Date to Data

It’s a rest day – I’m bored!

Had exciting plans for a date this evening but they were cancelled due to a nasty chest infection which I don’t want to catch!

So instead I eat a bar of chocolate, just one chunk at a time, but it was soon gone – Dam it! And decided to analyse my training data!

I increased my mileage in 2009 by 173 miles that was a 22% increase sounds good till you look at it another way and I discovered I increase my mileage by about 3 miles a week!

I compared my training mileage for Edinburgh Marathon with my planned mileage for VLM and (if I do all my planned mileage) I will have increased my mileage by 22%, Now if this equated to a 22% increase in my marathon time I would achieve a 4hour 10min marathon! LOL

Still bored I put my Abbey dash 2009 PB in to the runners world race time calculator which also predicts I could do a marathon in something like 4 hours 15mins. ROFLOL

Still bored I loaded the Garmin software for Vikki Garmin on to my laptop and downloaded my last few runs, i was puzzled, staggered and for a moment even began to wonder if the runners world prediction was a possibility? My last run showed I had run a top speed of 60miles per hour!. Then I remembered I had forgotten to turn the Garmin off until I was half way home in the car. What it did show me is I drive too fast!!!!

Day 20 Saturday 23rd January 2010 Run with Dan


Yeah got up early for Park Run, Dan came too! It is the Brass monkey tomorrow and I would normally rest the day before a major race but Tom recommends an easy run the day before a race and so we will trust him and give it a go. A nice steady 3 miles, I kept Daniel company because it was his first run back since the bad weather came. My legs felt stiff and achy, so will see what tomorrow brings.

Day 21 Sunday 24th January 2010 Brass Monkey Half Marathon – a rather long race report!


Woke up feeling unusually relaxed for a race day. I’m normally running around a little stressed and chasing myself on a race morning, but not today everything went like a dream, even my porridge was the perfect consistency on the first go and managed to find my safety pins straight away!

Yes everything in place everything running smooth, until Adele went to feed Liquorish (her pet rabbit) and came in sobbing – poor Liquorish had passed away through the night. After lots of cuddles and comfort I dropped Adele at her Dads and was on my way. But have to say hated leaving her when I knew she was so upset.

Went to Nicky’s who was coming to support and had kindly volunteered to drive. We still got there in plenty of time. But typical of me I left going to the loo to the last minute and ended up having to sprint to get to the start line in time!

Mile 1 As usual with the Monkey we seemed to start off at a fast pace. I set off with Sue but knew within 5min I could not keep up with her and slowed down, then I caught up with Gill and we ran together for a while. I nearly missed our support crew who I had planned to throw my jacket to, the photos show me trying to struggling to take it off in a hurry so that I didn’t have to stop!.

Mile 2 At some point I lost Gill but my calves were complaining like mad and I tired to consciously slow my pace but the bridge was upon us. At the top a Marshall was shouting at us that’s two of the four hills done! There were groans from the other runners around me and I reassured them the bridge was as hard as it got!

Mile 3 calves still aching, I reminded myself it always takes 2-3 miles before I feel comfortable, I kept trying to pace myself behind other runners but found I would catch someone up and then be taking them, my Garmin (or should i say Vikki’s) was telling me that I was still running at sub 10min miles, a pace I can just about keep up for a 10k, but not a half marathon.

Mile 4 to distract my mind from the pain in my legs I started “people watching”, at my end of the field you can see how inclusiveness the sport of running is as i share the field with all shapes and sizes. Each with their own reason for running and I wondered about their running stories. I noticed one guy in particular in front of me, he looked like he had a three course meal in gels on a belt round his waist. I listened to girls chatter about summer holidays and boyfriends and smiled to myself as I used to chatter like this in races but now all I can manage is a gasping thank you to the marshals! And slowly one by one I ran passed all (well many) of my fellow runners.

Mile 5 Finally i started to feel comfortable though I was still running at sub 10min mile, my mind turned to numbers as I start to analysis the data from my Garmin and I realise if I could just keep going I would be on course for a PB, I mused about what that might be, 2.15.16 was my PB at Sheffield and 2.16.22 my pervious BM PB. I set my PB goal at 2.15.00 but really I wanted 2.12.00! I thought about the 5 miles we had just run and thought great only 8 more to go, I then heard this in my head and thought OMG STILL 8miles to go and decided to run the rest of the race just one mile at a time.

Mile 6 I thought about the guy with all the gels and wondered if he had had any yet which reminded me of the one gel I had in my pocket and although I wasn’t hungry decided to have this as I often feel hungry at about 8 miles. I managed to have this gel without stopping. I think it’s about this point you pass through a village just as you start to head back on the loop. Outside the village school was a group of supporters including lots of young children looking out for people they knew but giving everyone a huge cheer, for me it was such a lift as they shouted my name and words of encouragement. The children seem so enthusiastic and despite the cold were enjoying themselves, I wondered how many of them will be running this race when they are older!

Mile 7 I had to dig deep now my pace slowed a little but I tried to keep under a 10.5 min mile. I thought about Adele and her sadness at losing her Rabbit.

Mille 8 Only 5 miles left and although I was digging deep I still felt strong. The guy with the gels passes me  I notice he has had at least 3 of his gels. All of a sudden I wanted to walk my legs ached my breathing was hard, I thought of Debra and the texts she has sent me, I could hear her voice calling me, “Its not a walk club you know” and at that point running the whole race and not a PB became my primary goal. I slowed but kept running settled back into my pace for a while before building my pace back up slightly, I managed to keep the guy with the gels in my sight for a few more miles!

Mile 9 I realised that I kept dropping my head and shoulders as I was becoming tired and each time my pace slowed, when I made myself run tall again I felt better and my pace picked up!

Mile 10 – only 3 and a bit to go, that’s just a park run – I can do this, run girl run!

Mile 12 – don’t ask me what happened to mile 11 somehow I missed it and there i was at mile 12 the bridge looming up in front of me. I have never managed to run all the way up this on the way back, but I could hear Debra still and I wasn’t going to give up now. This time Helens words came to me and I remembered her advice on hills “Little Bambi steps” it worked I was at the top and sprinting down the other side. As I came round the bend back in to the village there were some very cheerful and encouraging marshals who I had a little banter with and went through this point smiling, one of them shouted “Kay you look as cool as a cucumber”, I’m sure as red as a tomato would have been more apt! But I did feel very relaxed. But I knew was still a little way to go and so tried to pace it.

Mile 13 – could see the stadium now, and wonder if anyone would notice if I took a shortcut across the muddy field? . . . . . . “Kay come on Kay keep going” . . . I looked up and there is Paul S shouting me on, he ran to meet me and his encouragement made me want to run faster but I knew if I went too soon I would not manage a sprint finish. Running past the VARR support crew (which I think is the best) is just fantastic you feel like a celebrity on the red carpet and I had to have a cheery wave. Then on to the last stretch, I hoped I had enough left for my normal sprint finish, checked my Garmin 2.11.40, head up I was off sprinted pass everyone in front of me on that last stretch to just miss my 2.12 with a 2.12.04!

Job done  2.12.04  Brilliant!

WEEK TWO DONE

Week two feels like it has been a very long week with more snow and ice and lots and lots of mud! It has to be said I feel tired!

Highlights – a week full of them, Wednesday had a brilliant workout, Satyrday a solid run outside with Trevor’s playlist for entertainment and the Peco Cross Country Sunday!

Lowlights – None!

Next week – still got to get that nutrition sorted though have lost a few pounds in last few weeks!

below is week two day by day for those of you that need something to help you fall asleep!

Day 8 - Monday 11th Jan 2010

I wanted to do a recovery swim today and thought about getting up early to go. Set my alarm but couldn’t motivate myself to get to gym first thing. I went to the gym at lunchtime and although my body, particularly my arms, felt tired I swam 35 lengths in 30 mins and was happy with this. My legs felt a little tired when I got back to work but in a relaxed way so to speak.
Feel really tired tonight, should just go to bed and sleep

Day 9 Tuesday 12th Jan 2010

I felt I slept well last night but still felt tired and could easily have stayed in bed. But got up and did a few chores before work, not motivated for work at moment would rather be looking at training plans and nutrition and stretching and well all things related to 25th April 2010. But work has to be done and need to refocus some of my energy here!
I felt tired this afternoon at work but not physically so and was looking forward to run club! We ran with 3 groups and Helen took the middle group, I did debate briefly about going with Toms. We did Spen Lane and Queens Wood Drive 5ish miles in 60 mins. Was hard going in places as snow turning to slush! My calf were very sore and tight and walked up a little of Spen lane. Settled after this and found my pace.
Haven’t stretched yet and my legs feel tired and achy!
My programme says an 8 mile run and body pump for tomorrow but I can’t work out how to fit that in with work, kids and weather – see work just gets in the way –
So I think ill set alarm early go to gym and either do an hour on tread or an interval session then can still do Body pump after work. But key is to get some sleep!

Day 10 Wednesday 13th Jan 2010

What a day! I was determined to get up early and go to the gym to run on the tread as didn’t feel comfy going out on my own on the roads first thing. Although I was worried because my legs had felt really tired yesterday after club! Anyway alarm went off 5.30ish took a couple of snooze before I managed to get up, had a banana and a cup of hot water, peeked outside roads looked same as last night, got dressed braved it in just shorts and a fleece cos didn’t want to mess about with changing. Put my still sparkly white new road runners on, said bye to Dan and opened door at 6 am. Put one then two feet out the door and thought OMG, went back in changed to trail shoes. Had to walk up the snow to get to car as drive way that was cleared was sheer ice! Cleared my car of thick ice, slipped all over on road and reluctantly but sensibly came back in. No way was I going to be the first one down the street especially when I didn’t know what was beyond! Anyway long story short stayed at home till 10.30 them managed to get to Kirkstall.
It was ok after work so went to gym and did intervals on tread, had to warm up on a cross trainer while I waited for a tread to come free! Then went into Body pump charged up and feeling like I wanted to dance, had a brilliant class felt got my strength back, put my squat weight back up, and added on to back track and biceps part way through track. Left shoulder hurt on chest – watch this!
All in all felt in the Zone tonight excellent work out, quite tired now!

Day 11 Thursday 14th Jan 2010

Rest day today even had a bit of a lie in as schools opening late and I was working from home in the morning. Had a bad night again, not sure if this was because I had over trained or things going round my head or something else. Either way was a little tired but still felt I wanted to train, almost felt guilty I wasn’t doing anything but know I need the rest. Had planned to do some stretching but didn’t. Need to start this and core work .

Day 12 Friday 15th Jan 2010

Was awake from about 3 AGAIN but still managed to get up for spin at 6.15. Was a different instructor who was very thorough in her instruction but I struggled to put effort in, sweated buckets so still had a work out but I was glad had rested yesterday. Dan wants me to show him how to do abs exercises properly tonight!
Spent nearly all day sat in meeting room at work had fruit with me but once it had gone went on to the chocolate biscuits, need to make sure I have lunch with me!

Day 13 Saturday 16th Jan 2010

Park run was cancelled due to the bad weather so decided to have a rare Saturday lie in and thought I would probably go do a session on tread before body pump, but lying in was a mistake. It threw me out for the day. When I did get up I saw that most of the snow had gone from roads and was melting on paths so debated if to run outside. Then as I was getting ready to go to run a few chores and go to gym my brother turned up and I missed Body pump. I’m glad though because in the end (after a chat to Vikki who persuaded me - thanks Vikki) I decided to go out for a run in the afternoon and actually wore my new road running trainers that I bought in December for the first proper run! I told myself I only had to do about 4 or 5 miles to make up for park run, but I knew really I wanted to do the 8 miles I had missed on Wednesday!
I’d like to say thanks to Trevor for giving me his old ipod shuffle (to replace the one I lost) complete with his playlist still in tack. And so I plugged in and set off on one of my favourite routes from my house, up Tong Road towards Tong Village and then across Back Lane, this is a reasonably quiet country road surrounded my fields and with views across to Pudsey and back down to Leeds, I find this route peaceful and relaxing, but today all though I enjoyed the views I have to apologise for anyone living around here for shattering the peace. As there wasn’t anyone else on this road I couldn’t resist singing along to Trevor’s playlist as I ran. It was full of hits from the past that I remember my brothers playing when I was a young girl and even nearly broke into a “foot bop” (if anyone else remembers that!)
As for the run it I had to watch my step as was quite icy in parts and I didn’t seem to have the strength to get up Tong Road without a little walk. But by about mile 3 I’d found my speed and kept going and before I knew it I had done 8.5 miles.
It was a good run and I enjoyed my own company and more importantly, I’m not filled with dread at the thought of doing runs on my own like I used to be.

Day 14 Sunday 17th Jan 2010

Well what can I say. Cross Country time again! I had promised myself I would not do this if I was at all worried about the course and possible injury! But who am I kidding I know I can’t resist a race! The snow and ice had thawed but the consequences were the field was one big bog! And by the time 300 people had run round it 3 times those of us at the back were wondering if there had ever been any grass in that field, ankle deep in mud and other things we would rather not mention! We also had to cross what they called a stream but what I would describe as a great big hole filled with water, if I didn’t know better I would think someone had filled it up with a hosepipe on purpose! 2ft deep we had to cross it 6 times! I unexpectedly had Adele and she came along to watch, she was a little star, she held my water and had it ready for me each time I passed cheering me on and clapping everyone else. She took some ace photos and despite the cold seemed to really enjoy herself. The last time I crossed the stream she was waiting for me so I had to just jump in and make a big splash, caught on camera by Paul forever! The run itself was very hard going and I did walk a few times particularly in the last lap and half! I have no idea how long it took me and I don’t really care, it was blooming good fun! Everyone says it will make me stronger but I’m not sure that they mean physically, think it is more the mental battle of just getting in there, staying on your feet and doing it! As Debra said “It’s good for the soul, if you can do that and still smile you can do anything!” And have to say on all the photos I am smiling!

The other quote of the day comes from Adele “Mum I know why all your team mates are faster than you . . . . . . . It’s because you are SO SO SLOW!” Still I think she was proud of me!

It was brilliant to be part of our club everyone waited till the end to cheer everyone back home and then we waited to cheer in Arthur who was last home but I’m told he is in his 70’s he is amazing!

And so I am finishing week two on a high but with my legs aching as if it was week 10!

WEEK ONE – DONE

That’s the first week of training done and considering the weather I’m more happy with both my effort and my outcomes!
Highlights – being first lady in my age category across the finish line at Park Run
Low lights – Losing my new shiny pink iPod shuffle at Park Run
Next week – Improve my Nutrition in terms of what I eat and when!

Below is a day by day diary!

Day 7 Sun 10th Jan 2010 – The Long One

Had a good night sleep and was thankful to find it had not snowed anymore over night! Ran 12 miles with Sue and Harp joined us at mile 3. Although it wasn’t as cold or slippy as last weeks run we all felt it was harder or maybe we just worked harder, evident by the lack of conversation between us! I struggled running up hill through Horsforth and have to say walked a little, but other than that and a 10min loo stop i ran the rest of the way till the last half mile when i started to feel a slight twinge at the back of my knee again, so i slowed and ran walked the last half mile. As i sit here now my legs ache but in that nice had a good work out way! Looking forward to a recovery swim tomorrow!

Day 6 Sat 9th Jan 2010 – First Lady in age category / Lost iPod

More snow last night but i was determined i was going to make Park Run, I have a little wager on with Russell to see who gets their 50 t shirt first and so i will go to all that i can!

And so armed with Vikki’s Garmin and my new i pod shuffle off i went. I arrived in time to do a warm up and the first song that came on was Snow Patrol, very apt! I ran steady and un plugged my shuffle to chat to Andy, i couldn’t keep up with him though! I came in 49th position but more importantly i was the first lady in my age category over the line (I was also the only and therefore last lady in my age category) But once i crossed the line i discovered id lost my shuffle :-( and had a cool down lap to look for it but no joy! After coffee with the park runners i went to the gym for Body Pump. Strangely i didn’t feel like doing much for the rest of the day

Day 5 Fri 8th Jan 2010 – Inspiration comes from any places

I set my alarm for 5.20am to give myself time to throw on my Gym Kit, grab an apple and then clear the car of ice and get to the gym for spin at 6.15. I was a little disappointed at first that it wasn’t Kelly teaching, the instructor covering gave a good class thought. I didn’t work as hard as i could have done but I was feeling proud and smug with myself that i had got up in such weather to go to a 6.15 spin. But when at the end of the class the instructor said she had walked from Bradford to Kirkstall because she couldn’t get her car out i felt guilty that i hadn’t given her 100% effort.

I don’t know her name but remembering the effort and commitment she made to ensure we had a spin class will give me motivation and inspiration over the coming weeks!

Day 4 Thurs 7th Jan 2010 – First Rest Day

Had a really bad night probably got about 3 hours sleep i got up and had some cereals in the early hours but was still starving when i got up in the morning, surley its too early to have my Marathon Hungry Munchies!

I was frustrated today as the weather eased a little and i wanted to run outside but i could still feel the niggle behind my knee and when i got up from my desk i found myself limping a little. Toms words echoed in my ears “Smart Training is as much about what you DON’T do as what you do do” and so I rested!

A Big Thank you to Vikki today who has kindly lent me her Garmin to help me train!! I will have to work out how to change the settings though otherwise it will constantly be beeping at me to say i am going to slow!

Day 3 Wed 6th Jan 2010 – First Niggle!

Slept in today by an hour and half, add to that the snow snow snow and how it slowed everything up it was going to be hard to catch up with myself today! Wanted to make sure i got a run in today with doing yesterday’s session on the cross trainer but also wanted to do body pump as really missed classes over the Xmas period and feel losing some of my strength already!

Got to the gym in time to do a tread session before pump but was feeling a little tired and didn’t feel confident to do the Interval session Tom has suggested and so I used the programmed on my key. 21 minutes (1 min walk 2 min run) gradually increasing my speed! I didn’t warm up first and my legs felt heavy and tight but after a couple of rounds i decided to extend the session with a further 5 rounds and adjust my run speed manually to a consistent 11kph for each 2 min run, which would have reflected Toms suggestion a bit more.

But as i reached the end of my key programme i got my first Marathon training Niggle, a slight twinge/ pull just below the back of my left knee. So i decided not to do any more and stopped after 21min and a little 3.09km. But if I’m honest it was probably my mind rather than my body that gave up . I did go to Body Pump, which i enjoyed but it seemed to hurt more than it should even though i dropped my weights a little!

I picked the Kids up on my way home and they both needed some time to chat about their exciting and unexpected day off school so i grabbed a slice of bread and peanut butter but by the time i got round to eating properly I was absolutely starving and later to bed than i would have liked and then had a really bad night sleep.

Day one & two

I decided a while ago that if i wanted to be succesful and achieve my training plan for VLM 2010 training I need to be organised, structured and pre plan (traits which are NOT my natural strengths)! And so with this in mind i went to bed on Sunday clear in my mind what my goals were for the week and how i would balance the different demands on my time . . .

On Monday morning i was woken up my friend texting me to remind me that Adele's school was closed for teacher training! Woops hadnt planned for that! So i had to call work and book a day off, normally i would fritter such aday away but i created a new to do list and did many of the things, but most importantly I stuck to my training plan and did a recovery swim!

Now i lost count a couple of times and so im not sure if i did 30 or 34 lengths in 30mins! But i was pleased with my effort.

On Tuesday i woke to a snow white covered Leeds, school closed (adele will have had nearly 3 weeks off school by the time they go back). The snow brought with it another change of plans on the work front but unlike many my journey into work was in fact quicker than usual and i also got home reasonably easy. But once home safe with the children i decided against venturing out to run and replaced my planned club run of approx 4 miles with an hour on the cross trianer in my dining room at home. This also gave me a chance to try out my new i-Pod shuffle. Now i havent really used this cross trainer since i bought it many years ago and wasnt sure how i would last an hour!

But i did, helped by adele who came through for the last 10 - 15 mins and shouted at me to go faster, your in a race mum, your nearly there, run faster, there is a big bar of choacolate waiting for you! Followed by a "do you always look like that mum?"

Although i cant imagine i did anywhere near my planned 4 mile run Im not really sure how far i went as the machine said i had done a distance of 25.21 in 60mins but i dont know what unit it measures . . . . . miles, km or centimeters! lol But it did tell me i had used 575 calories now just how many chocolate bars is that (only joking Tom & Nicky before you tell me off)

The other advantage of this was that as i finished my last 5 minutes adele served up our jacket potatoes ready to eat!

The kids were not happy about so keen on my singing along to the I-Pod though!

So not the organsied start i had planned, but what i have learnt is that my strengths lie in being adaptable and flexiable and that so long as i stay focused on my goal i will find a way to balance things . . . . Hopefully :-)

Blogging Is New

Ps Blogging is new to me and it will take me a while to sort photos ect out!

The Eve Before Training Begins!

Sunday 3rd January 2010

Well here it is the evening before the start of training for The Virgin London Marathon 2010, my third marathon! Though i feel the preparation began on the 1st October 2009 when i got home from work to find my acceptance magazine waiting for me on the door mat.

My first thought was OMG OMG OMG as many of my friends and family will know! I have written and re written my programme spoken to Tom and re written it again, put some more races in and re written it again. Think Draft 18 has become my starting programme!

I have my training Programme, loan of a garmin, advise from Tom, new trainers (road and trail), my first ipod a shuffle, new running hat and gloves and most importantly the promise of company on my long runs from Harp, Sue, Helen and Nicky (when she is fit) and so I am looking forward to the next 16 weeks of focused work!

Though i am sorry that Nicky is not yet able to run with me and Vikki is not able to travel this journey with me this year. I wish you both back to full running fitness as soon as possible!

As mentioned above this is my third Marathon and you may think i would by now know what i was doing, but i feel i have as many questions as answers i have gained from my previous two outings?

Am i doing enough mileage, have i enough rest days, how will i stop myself eating a full malt loaf after a long run, am i trying to do too many races, will i put weight on like i did in my previous marathons? This is where Tom and the support of my friends come in. And these will be some of the many questions i will ponder and reflect on in this blog.

So what does week one look like?

Monday - a recovery Swim (I did a 10 mile run on the snow and ice today)
Tuesday - Run club intervals
Wednesday - Run 4 mile & Body Pump
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Spin
Saturday - park Run & Body pump
Sunday - Long Run 12 Miles

I feel tired all ready LOL

And my other main goal of the week is to prepare and take a nutritious lunch and snacks to work everyday!

Hope you have the time to pop in and catch up and share my London Marathon journey with me. Please feel free to offer comment and advise, all thoughts will be welcome!