The half way point of my sixteen week marathon training. This week has not been easy though, with a combination of both minor illness and a minor injury affecting my running. I have been struggling with a niggling cold for most of the week, nothing too dramatic, but enough to be annoying. I also started the week with a very tight left hamstring, which from my own awareness of my body, I soon started to realise was more than just soreness. After seeing my Sports Therapist a tear in the hamstring was diagnosed, not ideal, but you can imagine my absolute relief when she said I could still run!

MONDAY: my Strength and Conditioning for Runners class felt hard work tonight after Sunday's long run. Although going into the session I felt ok, the fatigue was apparent in my limbs as I completed some of the exercises. Today was also the first day I really noted my hamstring problem; the muscle was tight all day, even as I was walking, and it felt like my hamstring was in constant state of contraction.

TUESDAY: early morning intervals which were plague by my niggly hamstring. The plan was for 7 miles with 4 x 1 mile reps and 400m recoveries, and whilst I completed the session, it was not overly enjoyable (see post run image). Slowing down and speeding up for the intervals made my hamstring really uncomfortable, it was as if during the faster running the muscle tried to loosen up, only to tense back up during the recoveries each time. I didn't quite hit my desired split times, but I accepted it under the circumstances.

WEDNESDAY: I was pleased today's plan was for a steady paced run and hoped my hamstring would cope better with this. My hopes were almost met; my hamstring was a lot less uncomfortable than during intervals, but still unnaturally tight and any form of stoppage, such as crossing a road, caused it to really contract again. The added battle today was with my cold; I had the 'bunged up' feeling and to be honest it made me feel quite sickly as I ran. I averaged 8.17 min/mile for the 7 miles, which again I was satisfied with. 

THURSDAY: today I managed to see my Sports Therapist about my hamstring. Although the news was not perfect, a tear in the muscle, I was almost relieved there was actually something wrong and it was not just my body giving up on me! With a fully taped up hamstring with an unmissable Union Jack design, I completed a much more comfortable 11 miles at 8.19 min/mile pace and then my Body Pump class after. 

This week has felt quite testing, especially towards the end of the week as my activity levels built. My legs and body have served me well though, and as I near the half way point of training I am pleased with my progress...

MONDAY: after racing on Sunday at the Leicestershire Half Marathon I was tired today. I felt a little weary going into my Strength and Conditioning for Runners class, but had no apparent aches or pains so gave it a go. Once I got into the activity I felt much better, it seemed to revitalise me a little, and I even managed some new progressions on exercises we had been practising across the weeks so far. 

TUESDAY: this week's intervals were the same as last week; 6 miles with 16 x 200m reps, 200m recoveries. Having already completed this session, it flew by this week as I seemed to know what to expect and how it would feel etc. I tried to run the intervals slightly quicker than last week even though I knew across 200m there is not a lot of room for improvement. I met my goal though on all reps, which pleased me even if it was only by one or two seconds. 

WEDNESDAY: icy early miles in -2 degree temperatures. Simply put, this 10 mile run took some determination. The glistening white paths meant it was hard to find a natural stride, and I had to run quite tentatively at times, which made the run feel less relaxed than it probably should have been. In the weather I managed 8.29 min/mile pace average which I was happy with, although the final 3 miles were tough as I felt I had ran out of energy both physically and also mentally to concentrate on running safely on the wintry paths. 

THURSDAY: for some reason I felt extra energised for this run, despite the cold conditions continuing I just wanted to get out there. I quite like tempo runs, and I had 7 miles to do, with the middle 5 miles at half marathon pace. After last week's half marathon, I wanted my tempo splits to be well under 8 min/mile pace, and even with some stronger winds at times, I was pleased to log 7.35, 7.45, 7.34, 7.35 and 7.26 min/mile tempo splits.

FRIDAY: Rest Day - although not quite as restful as I might like. Today I was on a staff development/team building day with work at an RAF base. This involved a mixture of multi sport activities, which I could not help but throw myself into, as well as a spinning class - so not quite the break my poor legs might have needed!

All week I had been excited about the prospect of running my first race of 2018, the Leicestershire Half Marathon. Race day arrived, and as I sat in the car with my friend on the rather exposed grounds surrounding Prestwold Hall, watching a mini wind turbine spin ferociously on its stand, I was slightly debating why I was so excited about running 13.1 miles on a bitterly cold February morning. It is what I love though; and even as we walked to the race village, queued for a portaloo, fussed with pinning on our race numbers, and battled baggage drop; I remembered why I look forward to a race so much.

The weather was undoubtedly harsh; bitterly cold and with a strong, very apparent wind. My friend and I stood huddled in the small patches of sunshine we could find in an attempt to keep warm before the start. I was not really sure what I was expecting from this race; I had signed up to it to fit with my London Marathon training as a fast 13 mile long run. I was going to push myself enough to demand more of my body than I would do on a normal long Sunday run, but what finish time this would equate to would be left to be seen!

From the start I ran strong; my first five miles were at a quick pace and glancing at my watch I was shocked to see the splits tick over at sub 7.30 min/mile pace. I had some doubts as to whether I had in fact gone off too quickly, however, forgetting actual numeric paces, I felt in control and comfortable. The initial parts of the course looped around a racetrack situated behind Prestwold Hall, and as the route shifted directions, the strong wind hit me, giving an indication of the battles to come. The route also passed a ten mile course marker quite early on, which filled me with a little bit of dread at the thought of having to eventually circle around these sections again.

After the first five miles passed, I broke the race down into another five mile section. I vowed to try and stick to my current running pace, make it to ten miles, and then see how I felt then. These next five miles were on more rural roads, taking in a few smaller villages, and were a little undulating at times. This felt slightly harder; especially when the wind was in my face, but nothing too draining and I kept my pace up. I lost my bearings a little as we ventured through this section; I knew we would head back to the racetrack at some point to ultimately meet that 10 mile marker, but I had no idea which direction that was in!

Eventually the route did turn back into the racetrack, which led to probably the least inspiring part of the course; a long stretch which seemed to take us behind some disused lorries and not much else to look at. Aside from this part though, the half marathon route was reasonably interesting, with a mix of terrain, gradient, and surroundings to make it appealing enough to run through. What I am sure no one in their right mind would find appealing are the running conditions we met from mile 9 to mile 10 though.

As I turned a corner to start this mile the marshal warned me I would need to ‘dig deep’. It was instantly apparent why. The headwind here was brutal, almost like running against sheer resistance. I muttered swear words under my breath and had to tuck my head down toward my chest as it was hard to even look straight forward, let alone run! My pace obviously dropped for this mile, but it was just a case of keeping moving until the course changed direction again.

Turning out of the wind was a huge relief, and passing the previously spotted 10 mile marker meant I could now focus on the final three miles. I had been glancing at my watch sporadically throughout the race, but now I paid more detailed attention. I realised at this point if I maintained a sub 8 min/mile pace I would be heading towards a good PB, which currently stood at 1:42:07. With two miles left I realised if I kept well below 8 min/mile pace I would be able to run under the 1 hour 40 mins marker. I really drove for the finish from here on; I sometimes lack confidence in my legs at the end of a race, but today I felt I wanted to prove myself wrong. I left the small group of runners I had seemed to naturally have been sticking with and really tried to see what I had left in the proverbial tank.

​With one mile to go I was really powering, I could feel that I was and the enthusiastic encouragement from the supporters lining the final mile told me I was too. Even as the wind lashed icy rain and hail into my face, I didn’t stop. Looking at my splits later I actually ran my fastest mile in this final push to the finish line. The gravel paths that lined the final few hundred metres felt a little precarious as I tried to maintain my speed, but I resolved not to slow down. I crossed the finish line in 1:39:15 - wind battered, slightly bedraggled, but very, very happy. I then quickly skipped through the finish area, rushing to capture my friend‘s finish. My little jog to squeeze into a spot on the barrier at least told me I had not completely wrecked my legs in the process of running a new PB!
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So my first race of 2018 saw me leaving with a new PB and running under 1 hour 40mins for the first time in a half marathon. I really enjoyed the Leicestershire Half Marathon, even in the extremely challenging weather, and I think the conditions actually make me feel even more proud of my time. My body felt strong throughout, and compared to the last half marathon I ran, which was only a week after taking on the Berlin Marathon, it was unsurprisingly a much more pleasurable experience! I love a race day, especially with my friend, and even in some questionable conditions, Leicestershire Half Marathon was a pleasure, and importantly also very good training on my journey towards the London Marathon. ​

This week featured my first race of 2018 - the Leicestershire Half Marathon. My last race was in November, which although only a few months back, seemed like ages ago! I love a race day, so the prospect of Sunday was a big motivation throughout this week. 

MONDAY: the second week of the Strength and Conditioning for Runners sessions I am completing. After chickening out of attempting box jumps last week, my mission this week was to complete at least one! I am pleased to say I managed a few tentative, slightly ungrateful (read  I actually sound like a baby elephant as I land!) jumps this week - progress!

TUESDAY: this week's interval run actually felt quite pleasant; 6 miles with 16 x 200m reps and 200m recoveries. Although there were lots of intervals, they did not really feel long enough to cause too much stress. I find this type of short, sharp interval run a bit too stop-start, and think I actually prefer more gruelling, longer reps - which does sound slightly mad I know!

WEDNESDAY: an early morning ten miler before work. This run took some extra discipline to get out there. I practically rolled out of bed, slipped into my running gear, and tied my bed head hair into a scruffy ponytail - my glamorous life! I wanted to keep this run at a conformable effort, so did not focus too much on pace, and instead just ran round the streets of Lincoln to feel. I felt my energy dip slightly as 7 miles passed, but kept ticking the miles off, logging an end average pace of 8.20 min/mile. I was pleased with this considering it is not my usual routine to run a longer in the early morning. 

THURSDAY: a 7 tempo run, with the middle 5 miles at half marathon pace. I aimed for the tempo miles to be sub 8 min/mile pace and thought it would be a good indicator for what I may be able to manage at Sunday's race. After a warm up mile my legs felt strong as I moved into a more powerful stride. My splits were pleasing, especially because of their relative consistency, logging at 7.39, 7.49, 7.39, 7.38 and 7.37 min/mile pace. Body Pump class after.

FRIDAY: another early morning run, which thankfully was only 3 miles. My body was aching from last night's run and exercise class so I kept the run gentle, allowing my legs to gradually and naturally  loosen as I ran.

​SATURDAY: Rest Day and a volunteering stint at Lincoln parkrun. 

SUNDAY: Leicestershire Half Marathon (see image). Full blog to follow; but on a cold and extremely windy day I was delighted to run a new half marathon PB. I ran strong from the start; my first five miles were at a quick pace, and I had some doubts as to whether I had in fact gone off too quickly. However, forgetting actual numeric paces, I felt in control and comfortable, so kept going. There was a brutal headwind at times, and mile 9-10 in particular was almost like running against sheer resistance. With two miles to go however I realised not only a PB was on the cards, but also a chance to go under 1 hours 40 mins. I really drove for the finish from here on; I sometimes lack confidence in my legs at the end of a race, but today I felt I wanted to prove myself wrong. With one mile to go I was really powering, I could feel that I was and I looking at my splits later I actually ran my fastest mile in this final push to the finish line. I crossed the line in 1:39:15 - wind battered, slightly bedraggle from the sleet which had also been falling, but very, very happy. ​

This week there has been some challenging runs. These have felt like good challenges though, as they have been runs which I hope are pushing my training in the right direction...

MONDAY: the first week of the Strength and Conditioning for Runners block I have started. I really enjoyed the session and found it eye opening to see the differences in aspects such as balance in the separate sides of my body. I also met my nemesis in the form of a box jump - the prospect of completing  this exercise fills me with fear, and my aim is to master it by the end of the sessions!

TUESDAY: a lot of intervals; 6 miles with 12 x 400m reps and 200m recoveries. I find this type of interval session challenging as whilst the reps are a little shorter, there are just so many, and I find picking the pace up over and over again hard work on my legs - but good training nevertheless! I aimed for the intervals to be at my 5k pace, roughly sub 7 min/mile, and was really happy to manage this on all bar one repetition, with a couple of 6.40 min/mile paces in there too. 

WEDNESDAY: this run was a bit of a mid week test. I had 8 miles on my plan, which felt long for an evening run, but is also something I need to start getting used to again as my marathon training progresses. To add to this there was an icy and persistent headwind - nice. I just had to focus on ticking the miles off at a steady rhythm and was pleased to stick roughly to 8 min/mile pace throughout.

THURSDAY: an early morning tempo run, which again was a bit of a challenge. It was still very cold and there was a lot of hidden ice patches on the ground which made me run a little tentative at times, plus I had not had that much rest between my run last night. I had 6 miles to run, with the 4 middle miles at half marathon pace, which I aimed for sub 8 min/mile. My warm up mile felt sluggish and I struggled still on the first tempo mile, with a head wind and slight hill making it seem extra hard. I rallied for the remaining miles though, hitting my target tempo paces at 7.52, 7.46 and 7.42 min/mile splits. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day