Here's what I ran last week.
On Tuesday (after a rest day on Monday) I ran 6 miles. This was a sprint/jog/sprint run and it went well. My strained calf on my right leg seems to be getting better each day, although it is too late to help with the training as I am on the taper now and am running less in the last 2 weeks before the race.
On Wednesday it was 5 miles and Thursday 6. Nothing much to say about these except it feels strange to "just" be running 6 mile runs now.
Friday was a rest day and Saturday was only a 3 mile run.The difference this time was that I tried out a different running app. Instead of my usual Runkeeper app I used Map My Run. I have used this before but I prefer Runkeeper. The one advantage of Map My Run is that it has a function that allows you to post your current status live as you are running to Facebook and Twitter.
This seemed to work well for the 3 miles and I plan to use it during the marathon to keep you all informed! You will be also able to follow my progress live here. Just click on the "live" tab during the race.
And finally on Sunday I did my last long run before the big one. 12 miles and went OK.
So that's it just a few more short runs and it will be time to see if all the effort has been worth while. It certainly will have been for the money raised. Currently £300 online and more off line too.
If you haven't donated yet please think about it, even if it isn't much. You can do so here.
Every penny makes a difference. Thank you.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Monday, 14 May 2012
Starting to gel (Two weeks to go)
So here's a blog about my running week
I am on the taper now, gradually reducing the mileage so I am in the best condition on the day of the marathon. So after a rest day on Monday, I started the week again with an alternate jog/sprint 6 miles.
I have never found this easy to do, I think that's the point of it, but this one felt good afterwards. Although my strained calf is still giving me trouble, it is much less so that it was. This means that once I get started and warmed up I can push myself a little if I am careful.
I did on this run and it was my thighs that ached the next day like they should do after a good workout not my calf.
The next day my mind rebelled and I let it win and convince me not to run. I can't remember what excuse I used but I know I felt guilty for not running later in the evening.
The day after that I knew I couldn't not run but there was a problem, the weather.
Now I don't mind running in all conditions. I have run in rain, hail, snow and ice. When it has been pitch dark and hurricane winds (nearly). It was only raining this day, but very hard and I started to think about my health. I don't want to get a cold or be unwell for race day and it's coming very soon.
I know you don't get a cold from the rain but why take the chance?
I went to the gym.
On Friday I had to run. There were heavy rain shower forecast all day but I couldn't put it off any longer. I did 8 miles and guess what? It started to rain as soon as I set off. I was completely soaked within the first mile. It eased off later but I came home soaked and went for a long soak in a hot bath.
I was working the weekend and this has always been a problem during my training because the longest weekly runs are always scheduled on a Sunday because this is usually the race day also.
I work one weekend in every four but I had to work this one extra because the one I should be working is the day of the Marathon.
I did the 4 miles after work on Saturday easily but didn't know what to do about the 18 miles due to be done on the Sunday.The problem of not doing the long run on the Sunday means that I have to do it on my day off on Monday and that I don't get a rest day afterwards. I carb loaded on the Saturday night (ate bowls of pasta) and decided I would decide whether or not to run after work tomorrow.
After an OK day at work I decided to give it a go. I got on my running kit and set off straight away. I knew if I didn't I would make excuses again. It started well, my dodgy leg warmed up quickly and the weather was windy but not too hot. I had even left a water bottle about 8 miles along the route on my drive home!
The one thing I had forgotten to do was to charge my phone and it died on my after about 7 miles. This meant I could only guess how far I had run. I have run this route before and I knew where the extra water was so I wasn't too far out. It also meant I had to add the run to the website manually something I don't like doing. It never looks good, like I am making it up. I also had to guess how long it took me as I didn't record the start time when I set off. I must wear a watch. Here it is anyway, all 17 miles of it.
It actually went well despite having the wind against me and it starting to rain on the return run. I also took the opportunity to try out some energy gels. If you don't know what they are,
"High 5 Energy Gel is a high carbohydrate, ultra concentrated 4th generation gel with delicious, light, natural flavours"
according to the web. They are for when, towards the end of the race, your body runs out of fuel and I wanted to try them before the race because I have heard that some people can react badly to them.
I didn't have any bad reaction and did feel I had more energy then usually on the return leg so I will be using them during the marathon I think. They are given out at the water points.
Only two more weeks to go. High 5!
I am on the taper now, gradually reducing the mileage so I am in the best condition on the day of the marathon. So after a rest day on Monday, I started the week again with an alternate jog/sprint 6 miles.
I have never found this easy to do, I think that's the point of it, but this one felt good afterwards. Although my strained calf is still giving me trouble, it is much less so that it was. This means that once I get started and warmed up I can push myself a little if I am careful.
I did on this run and it was my thighs that ached the next day like they should do after a good workout not my calf.
The next day my mind rebelled and I let it win and convince me not to run. I can't remember what excuse I used but I know I felt guilty for not running later in the evening.
The day after that I knew I couldn't not run but there was a problem, the weather.
Now I don't mind running in all conditions. I have run in rain, hail, snow and ice. When it has been pitch dark and hurricane winds (nearly). It was only raining this day, but very hard and I started to think about my health. I don't want to get a cold or be unwell for race day and it's coming very soon.
I know you don't get a cold from the rain but why take the chance?
I went to the gym.
On Friday I had to run. There were heavy rain shower forecast all day but I couldn't put it off any longer. I did 8 miles and guess what? It started to rain as soon as I set off. I was completely soaked within the first mile. It eased off later but I came home soaked and went for a long soak in a hot bath.
I was working the weekend and this has always been a problem during my training because the longest weekly runs are always scheduled on a Sunday because this is usually the race day also.
I work one weekend in every four but I had to work this one extra because the one I should be working is the day of the Marathon.
I did the 4 miles after work on Saturday easily but didn't know what to do about the 18 miles due to be done on the Sunday.The problem of not doing the long run on the Sunday means that I have to do it on my day off on Monday and that I don't get a rest day afterwards. I carb loaded on the Saturday night (ate bowls of pasta) and decided I would decide whether or not to run after work tomorrow.
After an OK day at work I decided to give it a go. I got on my running kit and set off straight away. I knew if I didn't I would make excuses again. It started well, my dodgy leg warmed up quickly and the weather was windy but not too hot. I had even left a water bottle about 8 miles along the route on my drive home!
The one thing I had forgotten to do was to charge my phone and it died on my after about 7 miles. This meant I could only guess how far I had run. I have run this route before and I knew where the extra water was so I wasn't too far out. It also meant I had to add the run to the website manually something I don't like doing. It never looks good, like I am making it up. I also had to guess how long it took me as I didn't record the start time when I set off. I must wear a watch. Here it is anyway, all 17 miles of it.
It actually went well despite having the wind against me and it starting to rain on the return run. I also took the opportunity to try out some energy gels. If you don't know what they are,
"High 5 Energy Gel is a high carbohydrate, ultra concentrated 4th generation gel with delicious, light, natural flavours"
according to the web. They are for when, towards the end of the race, your body runs out of fuel and I wanted to try them before the race because I have heard that some people can react badly to them.
I didn't have any bad reaction and did feel I had more energy then usually on the return leg so I will be using them during the marathon I think. They are given out at the water points.
Only two more weeks to go. High 5!
Monday, 7 May 2012
3 weeks to go.
After last Monday's nightmare of a non run, let's see how I did the rest of the week shall we?
I did run the next day, 8 miles. I took it easy, worried that my leg might not work but was pleasantly surprised that it was fine. Not perfect by a long way but so much better than it had been for weeks.
The next day it was 9 miles. I ran this like the previous day, along the canal path. As I have mentioned before this is a nice place to run as it is flat and the ground is softer than the road. It is also traffic free. The only problems are bikes and dogs.
When you get out of town the owners of the dogs let them off the lead which is ok but when you are running towards them from behind they don't see you and on this run I had two incidents.
One was when I nearly stepped on a tiny dog as it ran under my feet and the other when I was attacked by a dog jumping up at me and bearing it's teeth near my arm. The owner shouted at it as I pushed it away and apologised to the owner, I am not sure what for!
I don't blame the dog, it was only protecting itself and it's owner from a man running towards it but it did shake me up a bit.
I finished the week with a short 5 miles on Thursday. On Friday I went to the gym and on Saturday instead of running the 4 miles I was scheduled to do, I built a shed.
And so to Sunday. The long run. Would I do it this time? Or just stop dead after 2 miles?
I had my carb loading pasta the night before and my porridge for breakfast, put on my running kit and grabbed my water bottle and set off. My goal was 22 miles.
The start was cautious and steady, slowly warming up. I made it passed the 2.5 mile mark where I had to give up on Monday and settle down into a comfortable pace. I tried to run mainly along the grass verges on the side of the road as it was softer there. It was going well.
I had run this distance before but that time it was on the flat canal path, this time there where hills.
It was also sunnier than I had expected. As always running these 20 plus mile distances I ran out of water halfway but this time I was prepared. The previous day I had left a sports drink at the 11 mile mark behind a bush.
So after topping up my bottle I started on the return. Although the return is always slower, it seems faster as I count down the miles to home and I was very glad to finish it this time.
I finished only 3 minutes slower than the last time I ran 22 miles and as I said earlier, there were hills!
This was the last run run before the marathon with only 18 miles next week and 12 the week after, then the big one.
I now have more confidence I will be able to do it. Just a little nervous that it's coming around so quickly!
And if you haven't already sponsored me, why not do so now? It's for a really good cause.
I did run the next day, 8 miles. I took it easy, worried that my leg might not work but was pleasantly surprised that it was fine. Not perfect by a long way but so much better than it had been for weeks.
The next day it was 9 miles. I ran this like the previous day, along the canal path. As I have mentioned before this is a nice place to run as it is flat and the ground is softer than the road. It is also traffic free. The only problems are bikes and dogs.
When you get out of town the owners of the dogs let them off the lead which is ok but when you are running towards them from behind they don't see you and on this run I had two incidents.
One was when I nearly stepped on a tiny dog as it ran under my feet and the other when I was attacked by a dog jumping up at me and bearing it's teeth near my arm. The owner shouted at it as I pushed it away and apologised to the owner, I am not sure what for!
I don't blame the dog, it was only protecting itself and it's owner from a man running towards it but it did shake me up a bit.
I finished the week with a short 5 miles on Thursday. On Friday I went to the gym and on Saturday instead of running the 4 miles I was scheduled to do, I built a shed.
And so to Sunday. The long run. Would I do it this time? Or just stop dead after 2 miles?
I had my carb loading pasta the night before and my porridge for breakfast, put on my running kit and grabbed my water bottle and set off. My goal was 22 miles.
The start was cautious and steady, slowly warming up. I made it passed the 2.5 mile mark where I had to give up on Monday and settle down into a comfortable pace. I tried to run mainly along the grass verges on the side of the road as it was softer there. It was going well.
I had run this distance before but that time it was on the flat canal path, this time there where hills.
It was also sunnier than I had expected. As always running these 20 plus mile distances I ran out of water halfway but this time I was prepared. The previous day I had left a sports drink at the 11 mile mark behind a bush.
So after topping up my bottle I started on the return. Although the return is always slower, it seems faster as I count down the miles to home and I was very glad to finish it this time.
I finished only 3 minutes slower than the last time I ran 22 miles and as I said earlier, there were hills!
This was the last run run before the marathon with only 18 miles next week and 12 the week after, then the big one.
I now have more confidence I will be able to do it. Just a little nervous that it's coming around so quickly!
And if you haven't already sponsored me, why not do so now? It's for a really good cause.
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