40 miles in the bag.
Sep1820118:23 p.m.
This week was the marathon mileage week of 40 and it's now behind me - ticked off, and in the bag!
This week saw me run Tuesday 5, Weds 10 (run home from work) Thurs 5 and yesterday 20 miles.
I've only ever done 5 individual 20 mile training runs, apart from my marathons and I still find them so hard to do. To me, 20 miles just feels like such a long way! And I guess when I look on a map, it is!
I did the same route as the last 20 miler a couple of weeks ago and set off with the idea of trying to run it at a slighly quicker pace, of about 12 mins per mile.
The weather was fine when I set off and then at mile 4 it started raining and by mile 5 it was absolutely torrential. I couldn't believe it was raining that hard, I was just absolutely soaked and when I thought I couldn't get any wetter, a huge lorry passed me and sent spray right over me as if someone had poured a bucket of water over me. I had to stop to get my breath back. It was like a wave coming right over the defence wall on the promenade. 
After dusting myself off, I carried on..... extremely wet......only another 15 miles to go! Ha ha..... It did fine up for a short time to give me a breather but then started again later.
1) 11:08 2) 11:52 3) 11:43 4) 11:33 5) 12:21 6) 11:39 7) 12:20 8) 12:12 9) 12:18 10) 11:53 11) 12:41 12) 11:59 13) 12:52 14) 11:55 15) 11:47 16) 13:32 17) 11:48 18) 11:46 19) 11:29 20) 10:47 - yes I really did give it a BIG effort on the last couple of miles!
Finish time 3:57:47 Very pleased!
Although my splits do seem to be a little erratic, there is a pattern - either hills or re-fuelling! And I really need to try and speed up with taking my gels/drinks on race day. Although trying to keep up a fast walk while doing it, it does seem to slow me down.So, as usual I had an ice cold bath followed by a hot bath and my legs are A1 today. My L knee that was niggly is much better. The exercises that I got from the physio are obviously working.
So, next week it's 5, 8, 4 and 12 but I may have to re-adjust the LSR at weekend as I'm doing the famous Morecambe Bay Walk with the Queen's Guide, Cedric Robinson. This is something I've always wanted to do and missed the opportunity before so hopefully I will get chance to do it this time round. The walk is about 8/9 miles depending on the tide etc, so I may just skip the run or do a shorter one the day after. I'll see how I feel.
So......... it's 3 weeks today.....let taper commence!!!!!
Hope you're all well. Have a good week.
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Comments (15)
Petecw29 'You've trained really well Alison, what time are you aiming for? ' added 18th Sep 2011
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kraftykat 'Pete - aiming for anything under last year's time of 5:14 but would be really happy with around 5 hours, although when I do these long runs I can't actually imagine myself managing to do them at around 11:30 pace. We'll see!' added 18th Sep 2011
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moose10 'very well done alison thats a very impressive weeks training good luck with the taper and keep up with those knee exercises. And yes my name is in the hat for London' added 19th Sep 2011
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Hat '20 miles IS a very, very long way!! And you have trained so, so well despite the downpours and soakings. Enjoy your taper-time!xx' added 19th Sep 2011
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Keith_L 'Well done on the 20 - since I have been doing more marathons I find doing the long runs on my own really hard as well. Seem very well set for a great time at the marathon and if hard work gets its reward am sure you will achieve it.' added 19th Sep 2011
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aphid 'Well done. A mammoth effort in the rain. Hope I can be as dedicated over the next few months.Good luck on the big day.' added 19th Sep 2011
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Alaistair 'So glad your big mileage week is behind you with no major issues...good luck with your remaining training schedule...really wished I'd entered again this year again.' added 19th Sep 2011
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Alaistair 'So glad your big mileage week is behind you with no major issues...good luck with your remaining training schedule...really wished I'd entered again this year again.' added 19th Sep 2011
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Alaistair 'So glad your big mileage week is behind you with no major issues...good luck with your remaining training schedule...really wished I'd entered again this year again.' added 19th Sep 2011
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Nick 'Have fun at Morecambe! Make sure you don't get stuck in the quicksand!' added 19th Sep 2011
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simonedumergue 'Alison you deserve to have a really good marathon. You have been such a trooper with your training and in such tough conditions too. I am rather daunted at getting back into 20 mile runs - it will have been nearly two years by the time I get back to that distance and I can still recall how tough they feel - currently I am only doing 10miles as my LSR and that feels enough!!! Taper time - isn't that a marvellous feeling. Enjoy!' added 19th Sep 2011
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crooxi 'I continue to be SO impressed by your organization and dedication. You deserve to do really really well! And yes, having just tackled a 20 miler myself for the first time in ages, I can vouch that it is indeed a very long way! Enjoy your well-deserved taper now.' added 19th Sep 2011
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tinabee 'Anyone who continues on with a 20 miler when getting soaked so early on deserves a medal! As usual your training has been spot on. The 12 miler will seem like a doddle in comparison to the 20! Hope you enjoy the walk.' added 20th Sep 2011
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shazzer 'Hurray - great to get that one out the way - you have done some long runs in some appalling conditions. Enjoy your taper. x' added 20th Sep 2011
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judith 'Excellent run. Enjoy the taper madness. I've done the Morecambe Bay half marathon and enjoyed it. The views are amazing, but it also feels desolate. Really weird and thoroughly enjoyable.' added 24th Sep 2011
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