Kraftykat is still in the running.... by kraftykat

Well, it's 3 weeks since I last blogged. I may have been a little bloggy lazy but I've certainly not been lazy in the running department! So here's a quick catch up.

Since my last blog I've stuck to the training plan religiously except for the odd short run midweek which has been mainly due to my niggly knee (more later).

 The long midweek runs are on Wednesdays which have now increased to 8 and 9 miles and so I've been getting a lift into work with my 'car share' buddy and then running home which has been working well. He can't get his head round me running all the way home..... (and neither can I sometimes!)

The long slow runs have also been going well. I last reported on the 18 miler. The following week was a step back week of 12 and then it was the first biggie of 20. The training plan only has 1 x 20 in it but like last year (and on coach's advice!) I threw in an extra one for good measure! I decided to do this about 12.30 pace, which is about a minute slower than my planned marathon pace. All went well and I did it in 4:08:28. Last Saturday I did 15 miles but did this at a slightly quicker pace of 12 mins per mile, finishing in 2:58:32.

So, this week is THE BIG ONE. It's the biggest mileage of the plan before taper.

Tues 5, Weds 10, Thurs 5, Sat 20 - Total 40.

I always find this really hard, not just physically but actually fitting it into my week, along with work, which just gets in the way totally!

I knew I would have to work late tonight and was desperate not to miss the 5m so got up at silly o'clock and was out the door at 6am. It was dark, cold, raining hard, blowing a gale and eerily quiet. NOT LIKE!!! I really didn't enjoy it. Stuck to the busiest road I could find and was just waiting for it to come light. I know for a lot of you run this is your favourite time of day to run, but I'm not a morning person and find it really hard. But, after I'd had a quick shower, dashed out & got to work I actually did have a feel good factor and was dead chuffed that I'd managed to fit it.

So, tomorrow it's a run home from work, another 5 on Thurs and then the 20 on Saturday. And then................ TAPER TIME!!!!!!!!! Wey hey!!!! And you know what follows that....... CARB LOADING!!!!! Wey hey!!!!

Almost forgot - I mentioned in my last blog that I'd been having a niggle with my knee. Well it's still ongoing. No pain or any feeling whatsoever when running, just odd twinges when I'm moving around. Decided to get it checked out & saw a physio yesterday. Confirmed that it's nothing serious. Turns out my R leg is the dominant one when running and as I pronate my L knee is twisting slightly which is pulling on the muscles. He's given me some exercises to strengthen it. Should be back to normal in about 6 wks. So it's the green light for Kielder! 3 weeks & counting!

Good luck to everyone racing and especially to all you Great North Runners. Have a fab day.