This week there have been some tough runs, but also some very pleasing training results. With three weeks to go until the London Marathon this has given me a slight confidence boost and extra faith that the last few months of hard work are hopefully getting me somewhere...

MONDAY: with my block of Strength and Conditioning classes finished I headed back to my trusted Body Pump class at the gym.

TUESDAY: after a very brief spell of Spring like weather, this morning conditions had reverted back to being miserable. As I rose early for 8 miles of intervals I could hear the rain lashing on my window in a gusty wind. Great. This run looked tough, with 5 x 1 mile reps at a suggested 7 min/mile pace. The plan I am following is slightly ambitious for me at times (it is supposedly for a 3:30 marathon which I know I am no where near achieving!), so I went out with the aim of simply trying to get as close to this pace target as possible. The run looked hard and was hard. After the third rep I actually stopped for a few seconds to compose myself which I thought may just help me mentally and physically push through the final miles. After a slow start my splits were satisfying though, with the intervals at 7.37, 7.08, 7.16, 7.13 and 7.20 min/mile pace - so not too far away from the plan's target. Another Body Pump class in the evening. 

WEDNESDAY: today was a really early start and one of those days where you realise just how mad marathon training can make you at times! With a long day at work ahead my alarm went off at 5am and I was out the door just before 5.30am - the street lights were not even on. I had a 7 mile tempo run to complete with the middle 5 miles at marathon pace. I did not run this especially to plan as firstly I could barely see where I was running on some streets and therefore had to tread very carefully, and secondly I also chucked in a longer hill section simply for the fact I knew it was more of a main road that would at least have some lighting! My final splits did not really show a tempo run at all, if anything more a progression run. But after rolling out of bed that early I was happy just to get some good miles in!

THURSDAY: I really enjoyed tonight's run; maybe because unlike the rest of the week so far it was not 5am or lashing down with rain! My plan was for 9 easy paced miles, so I also felt like there was no real pressure on me or my legs. I hid my watch and decided to run comfortably to feel. I was therefore shocked that at times when I did catch my watch face when stopping for road crossing etc., that my pace seemed to be hovering below 8 min/mile. I actually finished with an average pace of 7:56 min/mile which was really pleasing and I hope shows some of the progress I have made...

Sitting writing this blog post I am absolutely shattered - simply put it feels an effort to even think what I am typing (so apologies in advance for any typos!) This week has been the biggest mileage week of my marathon training plan, add to that, this week I have also had an active and 7 day working week. So Sunday night I feel like my tank is running a little empty!

MONDAY: today was the final session of the eight week block of Strength and Conditioning for Runners I had signed up to. I have really enjoyed the past weeks and pleasingly have also noticed progress. One very clear milestone is that during Week 1 I was too scared to even attempt a box jump, but this week I managed a 24 inch jump - which felt amazing!

TUESDAY: intervals; 8 miles with 14 x 400m and 200m recoveries. I started this run slowly, my legs just felt asleep, but grew into the run, which meant it did feel good not to be struggling in the final miles. I ambitiously aimed for around the 7 min/mile marker on the 400m reps, and with sleepy legs my first two reps were way off this, but the remainder were much more aligned. Body Pump class after. 

WEDNESDAY: I ignored my plan slightly for this run, which advised a 9 mile alternating run, switching between a mile at 9 min/mile pace and then a mile at 8 min/mile pace. I knew I did not have the discipline to run 9 min/mile pace, so opted instead to alternate between a hard mile and a recovery mile and just see what pace that felt like. My splits seemed to indicate this was about a 8:20 min/mile and a 7.20 min/mile - so at least I maintained a minute difference between the miles, just slightly quicker than my plan suggested! 

THURSDAY: Rest Day - an early break to account for switching my long run to Friday, and as this was going to be the big 22 miles, I wanted to try have as fresh legs as possible. 

FRIDAY: the long, long run. My friend and steadfast run buddy was away at the weekend and therefore would not be able to run on Sunday. When she told me this some weeks back I straight away made sure I could start work later this Friday, as the prospect of running 22 miles alone was simply not something I wanted to have to face! Despite having rested the day before my hamstrings both felt a little tight early into the run, but again we vowed to keep it steady and just get these miles logged, so I was not too concerned. ​15 miles passed by quickly; I love a proper long run for the conversation and the opportunity to really talk, and I had barely noticed the time or distance that had elapsed. 

Hitting 17 miles though things all began to feel hard work. 'I wish we were just doing 20 miles' - I said to my friend (even my positivity waivers at times!) - 'I can imagine three more miles, but not five!' I grimaced. 'We can do it'  she simply said - and I think the 'we' part was crucial, I knew together we could. These final five miles just felt an effort for my legs to move, but the conversation between my friend and I just kept my head focused enough away from thoughts of just wanting to stop. We urged each other on through the final miles, acknowledging that it hurt at times, but also squashing the doubts. We made it to 22 miles - of course we did - and finished with an average pace of 8:44 min/mile. On days like today I feel really lucky to have found a such a good friend and running buddy as I have; there is an honesty and openness that develops between the shared miles, an honestly about both life and running that cannot really be replicated in other friendships.

​SATURDAY: a parkrun the day after a 22 miler - great idea right!? Even I was not really sure what I was expecting my legs to do when I turned up at my local Lincoln parkrun on Saturday morning. I decided to keep that open mentality though and run with no expectations; I never even looked at my watch and just ran to feel. The fatigue was apparent in my legs, but it was not as harsh as I maybe had anticipated, so I tried to keep my stride as strong as possible. I chased a rapid young girl for the first two laps (we have some super talented youngsters at Lincoln!), and after finally catching her on the third and moving into First Female spot, I tried to hang on. I did, and in a time which I was really happy with - 21:04 - after Friday's effort. I just can't miss parkrun!

SUNDAY: I had ten miles left to log of this week's mileage, and was presented with a gorgeous spring day to complete them. The joy of some sunny and mild running conditions helped me forget how unwilling my legs felt. The plan was for an easy paced run, so I did not push the pace, keeping steady at around 8.20-8.25 min/mile. I could not really blame my limbs for their protests - I had asked a lot of them from the last few days ... and probably weeks!

This week should have seen me complete my third race in three weeks, with my hometown Lincoln 10k event due to be held on Sunday. However, the return of snowfall sabotaged my plans (and that of many others!)

MONDAY: my body was very sore after Sunday's Milton Keynes 20 Mile Race. My quads, which had troubled me during the race, were tender to say the least. During my evening Strength and Conditioning for Runners session I could understandably feel the fatigue in my body during certain exercises, but overall my weary body did cope better than I had feared!

TUESDAY: today my muscle soreness was still apparent. To be honest I think was feeling the accumulative effects of having completed two hard races (Milton Keynes 20 Miler and Cambridge Half Marathon) in the last two weeks, and now my recovery was just taking a bit longer. My plan was for 6 miles of relaxed fartlek, so I started gently and increased the pace as my legs simultaneously loosened up. The first mile felt like my first run back after a marathon - almost sick making! I survived though and went to a Body Pump class afterwards. 

WEDNESDAY: an early morning 7 mile progression run. I had some doubts if my legs (which were still sore) would be ready to cope with this type of test so soon, especially as I am notoriously rubbish at keeping my pace in check during progression runs. I tried to push aside my fears though and just see what my legs could manage. In the end I made it extra hard for myself, my poor pacing (shock) meaning I went sub 8 min/mile pace very early in the run, and I therefore had to really force my aching quads to knock those extra seconds off from each mile. I was pleased with my final splits though; 8.26, 8.09, 7.50, 7.43, 7.43, 7.38 and 7.16 min/mile respectively. 

THURSDAY: with the Lincoln 10k (supposedly) on Sunday, I had switched my planned weekend runs around a little, and with my long run now scheduled for tomorrow, I kept things nice and easy today with a very gentle 3 miles.

FRIDAY: I was a little nervous about today's long run - another 20 miles. It was only 5 days after the Milton Keynes 20 Mile Race, and my legs had only really just started to feel recovered. I was not sure if they would be up to another 20 miles so soon and I literally had visions in my head of it being a long painful slog. Thankfully I was wrong. I ran with my friend (see image), who had also completed the Milton Keynes race, and we consciously tried to take the run steadier, which I think really helped our legs. Now and again my quads did protest a little, and the final three miles were tough, but overall I was really happy with how we managed to get ourselves through the miles again. We ran an average pace of around 8.40 min/mile and what was extra satisfying was post run I did not feel too knackered and nor did my legs feel totally battered - which was probably a good thing as I then had to go to work!

SATURDAY: Rest Day - and volunteering at possibly the coldest Lincoln parkrun I have ever known!

SUNDAY: this was supposed to be Lincoln 10k day; a day I look forward to every year as not only is it where my running journey kick started, but also because I know so many people taking part, and it just has a great atmosphere. However the weather had other ideas. Heavy snowfall over night saw the event postponed. I was sad, but it was totally the right call, and there was nothing the organisers, Run For All, could have done. To be honest it might have been a blessing not to put my legs through another hard race. It was also a blessing we had got our 20  miles in early as the prospect of 20 treadmill miles would have been pure hell for me! I had been looking forward to the social element of Lincoln 10k day though, and a treadmill 10k, in which I kept ramping up the speed just to get it over and done with, was simply no substitute. ​ Fingers crossed that Run For All are able to agree a rearranged date - I want my Lincoln 10k day!

​Just a training run, that’s what Milton Keynes 20 Mile Race was supposed to be; good training for the London Marathon. I was a little worried about taking part in the event though – this was my first ever 20 mile race and the first 20 miler of my current training plan. It felt like ages since I had last ran a distance of 20 miles, and my longest run in training so far had been 17 miles, which was three weeks ago. The thought of being in a 20 mile race day scenario made me apprehensive; ‘we can’t even stop for a road crossing!’ I messaged my friend (whose idea this race had been, and as I never turn down a running invite, obviously agreed it was a great idea!) ‘Its fine’ she replied, ‘it is just training,’ she reiterated, ‘it will be a nice steady run’. I felt more reassured by this, and we came to a mutual agreement to try run 8:30 min/mile pace, but if either of us felt good we could (as I jokingly put it) ‘p*** off and leave the other to struggle’. That’s real running buddy love right there…!

Race day arrived. It was misty and grey in Milton Keynes, but the weather had forecast a milder day, so I boldly opted to run in a t-shirt. I had looked briefly into the route; not to much extent, but I knew we were running a couple of loops, but had no idea what sort of surroundings to expect. I liked that though; these 20 miles would make a change to running our usual loops around Lincoln and I almost wanted the surprise. A moderate field of runners huddled with my friend and I on the 20 mile start line; the 20 mile race formed part of the MK Festival of Running, so there were lots of other distance races starting later in the day. The start gun then literally made me jump out of my skin, it was so loud, and suddenly  we were off. 

The initial miles were nothing too exciting, running on some main roads in central Milton Keynes. I chatted to my friend sporadically as if we were out on our usual Sunday long run, although the silence of the runners around did feel like everyone was listening to our conversation at times! After about 2.5 miles we started a loop which I knew we would complete twice; in my head I hoped it would be interesting and not something I would dread running around again. The route was actually more stimulating than I expected; there was some pleasant green spaces, running past a lake, twisting and turning through bridges and small residential areas; it broke up the miles and there were not too many long sections of drawn out running. I was not really paying much attention to our pace during this part, running beside my friend I felt comfortable, although she did note a few times we were running a lot quicker than our planned 8.30 min/mile, and were closer to more like 8-8.10 min/mile pace at times. I am unsure why this did not worry me – but it just didn’t at the time. We must have looked at ease as a couple of ladies openly said they were using us as pacers since we looked like we knew what we were doing – on reflection I am not really sure we did!

The first ten miles were the practice; the second ten were the real test. As we completed the first loop my friend and I braced ourselves for a repeat, although I didn’t know how long we would be able to keep running and pacing so consistently. Up to this point we had hit a kind of natural rhythm, still ahead of our planned pace, but we were just going steady. However as we began the second loop we met the half marathon runners who had began their own race. This was slightly off putting; not only did the route suddenly become a lot more crowded, but also these runners were at a much different pace, and no matter how hard it was to avoid, you found yourself getting swept up with them.
 
Between 10 – 15 miles I started to feel my quads beginning to protest a little. I tried to distract myself by attempting to spot new things on this loop that I had not noticed before, but it was not always working. An unwelcome distraction for my friend and I was a half marathon runner who we found ourselves stuck running near. She was running all over the place; speeding up and then slowing right down, meaning we kept catching her up and overtaking, only for her then to find a way past again, taking up most of the path in the process. She clearly wanted to race us (even though we were not even in the same actual race!) and put simply, it was annoying. I actually lost it with her eventually. She had slowed down again on one section, and we caught up and overtook, to which she responded by pushing through the middle of us, muttering loudly under her breath in an indignant tone ‘coming through!’ Coming through! That was something I had never heard any runner say in any race – I could not believe it. ‘Did you just say ‘coming through’?’ I shouted after her in disgust, but her facial reaction showed she didn’t even care I had pulled her up on it. If it was not for the fact we were in totally different races, I probably would have charged after her and raced my legs off to make sure I beat her to that line – but I let my anger dispel quickly. Not the type of runner I am thankfully used to sharing paths with!

This week has felt a little more straightforward after the snowy madness of last week's training! Akin to last week though, these past seven days have also featured another race (albeit slightly longer in distance!) - the Milton Keynes 20 Miler. 

MONDAY: I started the week with very sore quads following the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday. I did not feel too tired physically - just very sore! This meant today's Strength and Conditioning for Runners class was a little challenging at times!

TUESDAY: I had to run early today and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to do justice to the 9 miles of intervals my training plan had written on it. My quads were too sore still and I did not see the point in stressing them again before they had really recovered. I therefore switched my plan to a steady 7 miler, averaging 8:14 min/mile pace. Any form of stoppage took a bit of effort to get my legs moving freely again, but once running the stiffness in my quads did ease a little.

WEDNESDAY: more early morning miles. Again intervals got pushed back a day as I could still feel a level of soreness in my quads (I think I really did push more poor limbs around Cambridge on Sunday!) I switched to a tempo run which was 'only' 5 miles, with the middle 3 miles supposedly at marathon pace. I say 'supposedly', as I really did not pace this run well - my splits were nothing like what I would be aiming for as my actual marathon pace, with the majority in sub 8 min/mile territory. To be honest, I just was not focusing or being strict enough on myself today, I simply just ran!

​On the morning of Cambridge Half Marathon I found myself stood staring at the race number I had pinned onto my running top with a feeling of nerves inside my stomach. After a week of heavy snowfall playing havoc with life, let alone running, I was really looking forward to running the race, and being nervous was something I had not anticipated. I had stayed at my parents’ house back in Suffolk before the race and had enjoyed relaxed race prep watching Laura Muir run with gritted teeth to greatness at the World Indoor Athletics Championships on TV, whilst eating Malteser cake (my favourite!) I should have been calm, but I was not. Later on I realised it was not so much nerves about my performance or the prospect or running 13.1 miles, but with my parents coming to watch I think I simply just wanted them to see me running happily and was slightly anxious to make that happen.

By the time we boarded the Park and Ride Bus to the half marathon start my nerves had dissipated; the familiarity of race day was making me feel ease. I was happy to have my parents with me, they rarely get to see me run and even though I am 26, it felt special being able to share the whole day with them, and I guess the child in me still wanted to do them proud. My dad found it strange that the fellow runners on the bus were so jolly; he is used to grumpy football fans moaning about their team – this is running I told him, we are a unique community! Arriving at the Midsummer Common start area the weather was almost unrecognisable from conditions in the week; at 5 degrees it felt almost hot! The team at OSB events have to be congratulated too for their efforts in ensuring the race was on, and they had even organised free foil blankets for all runners to wrap ourselves in as we stood waiting on the start line. I took my blanket, arranged with my parents where I hoped to see them on the route, and joined the start funnel, where as if by fate I found my friend to stand with.

Before the race, with fears of the conditions being perhaps slippery/dangerous or down right miserable, I had contemplated treating Cambridge Half with more of a training focus, but with my parents coming to support, after being chained to the treadmill for all my runs already in the week, and with the weather revival, I found myself tearing away from the start line. I was racing.

The first five miles absolutely flew by, I had a fast running rhythm going and with the route predominantly in the city centre of Cambridge, the crowd support was very good. I spotted my mum and dad at the agreed point, beaming a huge smile and waving enthusiastically at them. I hoped that when the route would eventually return back to these streets I would be feeling just as jolly!

The route then left Cambridge and completed a loop out to the village of Granchester. It was much quieter here, but not at all dull, with some gentle ups and downs, but again nothing horrendous. I was still running strongly, and entering the second five mile section I told myself to keep confident and keep pace. I had completed Leicestershire Half Marathon in February, and had found breaking the course down into two five mile sections and a 3 mile finish was something which helped me. However unlike at Leicestershire Half, this time I could feel my legs fading as I neared the ten mile marker.

My legs starting to tire coincided perfectly with the course re-entering Cambridge and hitting the crowded city centre section. The supporters here took my mind of any doubts I had in my body and lifted my spirits. My parents had moved from their previous location, but I spotted them again, shouting at my dad and then waving manically at my mum (they had stood a few metres apart just in case one of them might miss me!) I was nowhere near as comfortable as when they had first seen me some miles ago, but I was so happy that they had been able to watch me run past again. After passing my supporters I was left with a final two mile battle to the finish. I say battle, as by now my legs wanted to really slow down. At Leicestershire Half Marathon I had picked up my pace over the final two miles, but I knew this was definitely not going to happen today.

It may sound corny but at this point I thought back to watching Laura Muir on TV and her gritted teeth, determined running. I wanted to run like Laura. So I dug deep, and even as we climbed over a very unwelcomed bridge, which felt like it was finishing off my legs, I hung in there. The final mile hurt, and the finish archway just never seemed to appear, but when I finally glimpsed the red gateway I tried to muster everything I had left in my limbs. I crossed the line, ground to a halt and looked at my Garmin screen. It read 1:36:51 – a big new PB, beating the 1:39:15 record I set at Leicestershire Half only a few weeks previously.

Although I had the intention of racing, I never anticipated this result, and I was very happy. My happiness elevated further as suddenly my mum appeared on the barrier after the finish. Unbeknown to me my parents had made it to the finishing stretch to see me cross the line, and that suddenly meant a lot. I collapsed onto the barrier next to my mum; I was shattered, there was no hiding it now! ‘How did you get on?’ my mum asked, as my dad (who had been stood slightly further up the finish to capture a pretty good shot of me running the final straight – see image!) joined her. ‘A new PB’ I replied lifting my head up from where I had been leaning it against the metal barrier frame, to reveal a smile. This was shortly followed by a weary question - ‘But where’s my medal?!’

It turned out I had to walk a few hundred metres to gain my medal reward, and after receiving it, I waited around the finish area to spot my friend. It didn’t take long for me to locate her; its funny how out of all the hundreds of runners you can zone in on that one person you really want to find. I then had to find my parents again. Although my legs were knackered I mustered a little run to meet them, hugging my mum and grouping them both into a selfie (see image). The PB had not really sunk in to be honest, I was more joyed by the fact they were there and had been able to see me running three times on the route!
​
I had run hard at Cambridge Half Marathon, there is no denying that. Climbing down the stairs of the return leg of the Park and Ride bus it felt like I had completed a marathon; my legs were already sore and my quads in particular felt battered. It was worth it all though; I loved the day. My PB time is something I never really thought I would be able to run – to be honest I am surprising myself most of the time at the moment! Perhaps what will not be a surprise is the food I requested when I arrived back at my parents’ house – the leftover Malteser cake! My love of Maltesers is one thing that will never shock anyone! ​

If last week my hamstring was out to test me, this week it was the turn of the weather. Living in Lincoln meant I have been fully hit by the 'Beast From The East' and this week has seen very heavy snowfall, mixed with ice and sub zero temperatures - delightful weather at the best of times, let alone when trying to train for marathon! After a tough week, Sunday did give me some reward...

MONDAY: despite the minus temperatures and threat of snow flurries I braved my (outdoor!) Strength and Conditioning for Runners session this evening, still wearing my usual attire of running shorts naturally! It was a little fresh shall we say, but once I got stuck in, it was fine. I wish the rest of the week could have been like this weather-wise, as the cold was bearable and at least still allowed me to be active outside...

TUESDAY: the first 'snow day'. Scattered snow showers throughout the day meant by the time it came to my evening run the risk of ice and slipping was too high for my liking, and the treadmill sadly beckoned - bear in mind I hate the treadmill! Intervals on the treadmill at least broke the monotony a little, although it still felt longer than if I were running outdoors for some probable psychological reason! I ran 7 miles with 6 x 1km reps and 200m recoveries. I chose a level on the treadmill which felt hard to push myself during the intervals, although it was hard to gauge exactly as my gym's treadmill operates only in 'km', which as 'miles' person I find hard to get my head around! I felt knackered afterwards though so knew I had pushed myself well.

WEDNESDAY: the second 'snow day', with significantly more snow falling overnight. I was supposed to be travelling with work today (which snow also thwarted!) so had woke early to get a run in, which I had already predicted would have to be on the treadmill again. As I walked to the gym the snow was up to my ankles and I feared the gym may even be shut. It was open though, and I joined a few hardly soles sticking to our exercise regimes. I had another 7 miles to do today, alternating the miles between a faster mile (sub 8 min/mile) and a steadier mile (sub 9 min/mile). As soon as I started to run I could feel yesterday's treadmill effort in my legs; my muscles were sore and not used to the change, but I was determined to get my run completed even if it felt another long slog. 

THURSDAY: unsurprisingly the 10-15cm of snow which had fallen had not melted overnight in the sub zero conditions, so you guessed it, the treadmill was my safe running option yet again - the joys. To add to this, my gym was now closed and so I had to find another gym which was open and pay for the pleasure of running on a moving belt! My training plan was for ten miles today, but I knew I was never going to make that happen on a treadmill, especially as my legs were still accumulating a lot of soreness from my adventures on the treadmill already this week.