Oh I say!
Jun0720116:58 p.m.
..looks like I have a bit of task on, finding my way around. From what I can tell, All Blogs under the Blogs section seems to bring everyone up. Could take some keeping up with though!! So although I am a week and a half behind on comments, I may just go back 3 or 4 days and comment on those blogs from then. Apologies to anyone missing the boat, I do care..honest!!
Anyway, back in blog land, to blog about running (generally). Week 1 of the 16 week Nottingham plan finished reasonably well, with a nice 8 mile run around the streets and coastline of Filey. Miles 5 to 7 were tough, as it was the Saturday of Bank Holiday weekend, and it was along the clifftops, but mainly uphill, and into a very strong wind. But the final mile was with the wind sideways on, and I felt quite fresh at the end, which was a positive sign!
On the Sunday I ran again, running my first session from week 2 of the plan. This was 12 x 200m with 200m recovery, at a pace of 7 min/miles. This was tough, and done on the field on the site we are based at, with a nice view of Scarborough. It was actually interesting to find all the bushes on the coastal path below the field was on fire, with plenty of fire engines in attendance! My running didn't exactly feel like I was on fire, but all of the times were between 7:12 min/miles and 6:43 min miles, so I was happy with that.
Bank Holiday Monday (naturally) it was absolutely banging it down. So perfect running weather then - it actually got heavier the longer I was out. A 3 mile speed session, at 7:50 pace, with 1 mile w/u and c/d. I actually clocked the speed bit in 7:54 so I can settle for that!
Tuesday was a day off, followed by my LSR on Wednesday. But as I was planning a 10k race for Saturday afternoon in Bridlington (which didn't happen due to my daughter being quite ill, so we returned home to South Yorkshire early), it was only an 8 mile LSR again. This felt much tougher than Saturday, and the pace slowed towards the end, a pace of 9:25 min/miles being achieved.
My next run then was actually on Sunday due to my daughter not being well, as mentioned above. As I had missed the race, I decided after a few days off to up the mileage and do a proper LSR with double digit mileages. So 10.2 miles were done, and the last 3 were shocking, my legs were aching and tired before I even started - probably lack of sleep and preparation due to the sleepless nights with Hannah, and a pace of 9:32 min/miles. I am starting to remember how much the LSRs can take it out of you, and I need to be doing double the distance very soon! I am sure it will come back!
There was a speed session this morning, the plan said 1 mile w/u and c/d with a middle section of 2 x 1 mile at 7:28 pace, with 1/2 mile recovery after each. The first one was 7:34 pace, and the second was 7:25 pace, so again, I am satisfied with that.
I actually have 2 plans downloaded from the net, and I am kind of flicking between the 2. One of them has 5 runs a week, including 2 speed sessions, one middle distance steady run, one recovery run, and one LSR. The other one has 3 runs a week, and 2 cross training sessions. I am kind of muddled as to which to follow, and feel like settling on a mixture of 4 runs and a cross training session (cycling, swimming or spinning, not sure which to be honest!!), and seeing if less stress on one of the sessions each week improves my performance or not! Any thoughts most welcome.
I think that is me up to date running wise. I am toying with the idea of a HM this weekend, the plan says 11 miles, and the 10 was a struggle, but then for the next few weeks, weekend activities will prevent me running in another until it is too late really. So my uncertainty is due to the fact that I know I am not at that level to do it justice, and it is a few weeks early, but I am weighing it against the fact it will be a HM under my belt anyway?????
One final point, I wish to congratulate anyone who managed to succeed in that pastime which is less likely to succeed than pulling 6 numbers on the lottery on a Saturday night. Yes, I got no tickets for the Olympics, but apparently I am in the majority!!
Happy Trails.......
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Comments (11)
Nick 'Yes, it is a bit confusing finding your way around this new site. London Marathon blogs are under Event Blogs but General Running seems to have disappeared! Anyway, well done on keeping up the training and maybe we'll see you back running soon.' added 7th Jun 2011
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Suziewee 'Sounds like great running to me Glen, the long ones will get easier. I can't really advise about plans, I just followed Hal Higdon which was just based on getting miles on the clock without specifying speed sessions. It did work but I think to get faster you do need those 'quality' workouts. A bit of cross training is good but nothing gets you fit for running like running. As for the HM, can you trust yourself not to get carried away and race it before you are ready? If you look at it as a training run and an indicator of your fitness, have a go - but don't go mad!! (Look at me waffling on, can you tell the boy is asleep and I don't have to type one handed!!)' added 7th Jun 2011
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Petecw29 'Found you Glen!! Yes it is proving difficult to find everyone but I'm going to follow you so hopefully I'll get updates! Good week's training and if you go for the HM take it as a training run and set off steady.' added 7th Jun 2011
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Firefly123 'Sounds like quite a tough plan, Glen, but you seem to be coping with it very well. I like the idea of mixing two different plans to suit what fits in with life. I hope your daughter is fully recovered soon.' added 7th Jun 2011
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Jenny1961 'Nothing wrong with blending together 2 schedules Glen. My feeling is that if your legs are feeling a bit tired then go for replacing one run with a cross training session- like cycling. Maybe not every week. But it seems to pay dividends in the long run. I know I seem to be doing a lot of mileage but I still only do a maximum of 5 runs a week . In fact last week I only did 4 running sessions but I did do 3 cycling sessions as well. What seems to have happened is that my legs have recovered pretty well from the very long Sunday run. I do believe that if you DO do a cross training session then make it worthwhile- ie if cycling maybe do a focused interval session etc. As for using the Half Marathon as a 'training run'.......ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! In short- it's impossible! No matter what the intentions are once you get on that start line then race mode kicks in! Been there, done that etc!!' added 7th Jun 2011
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kraftykat 'Well done with the running Glen. On the Olympics front, I'm MEGA pleased to report that I am in the MINORITY! I got some tickets for 2012. Got about 25% of my application so very pleased. I applied for various athletics, swimming, cycling, table tennis, badminton & fencing so I am now eagerly waiting to hear what events I've got!' added 7th Jun 2011
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Hat 'I'm with Jenny - it just isn't possible to use a race as a 'training run' issssit? I usually say I've used (past tense) a race as a training run if I've run slower than a snail!! When I trained for the VLM last year I followed Hal's Intermediate 2 plan and it totally wiped me out - it was too much. So when I trained for Brighton this year I decided to do less but be more specific and have a purpose to my runs - I ran 4 times a week and cycled once - 1 run was hill reps, 1 run was speed (Parkrun), 1 medium general run of about 8/10 miles and then the LSR. I also added in one cycle session when I could (I really think this helps) and some weights and Pilates. And of course I lost weight which helped my running no end...So, my advice, for what it's worth, is probably do what you can fit into your schedule comfortably, so to my mind your suggestion of 4 runs and 1 cross training session sounds perfect - I think less stress will give you more time to recover.' added 8th Jun 2011
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ClareVR 'Sounds like you are getting some really good running in Glen. I agree with Jenny too, half the reason I am enjoying Tri is the variety of the discipline as the thought of the LSR's had become to be a bit much! Its really nice to have the option of swimming or cycling on the nights when the legs are a bit heavy and then you enjoy the running more.' added 8th Jun 2011
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Ruth22 'Check you out with your speedwork! Nice going. Oh, and I got sod all tickets for the Olympics too. At least the marathon will be free!!' added 12th Jun 2011
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lou21 'Ooooh, now I am reminded why blogging is so helpful to training! All that advise! Thanks for asking the question... I have learnt loads. I am going with Harri's training plan for Brighton. I have always been a bit hopeless when it comes to following a plan, I get bored! I think Harri's plan offers a bit of flexibility, and I sould be able to fit it around work and governors meetings!! ' added 12th Jun 2011
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gunes 'Found you Glen, great to catch up with you on this new site! I haven't been ignoring everyone, its taken me some time to work out and find my way around on here! Some brilliant running going on there, and great pace! Hope your daughter is now better! As for the Olympics we didn't even bother to apply, but will defiantly be following all the coverage of it on TV :)' added 12th Jun 2011
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