Otherwise known as the week it was permanently windy. It has not been ideal conditions for the highest mileage week of my training programme to say the least. Lets just hope the weather has provided some additional training gains - that's about all I can say!

MONDAY: Rest Day and a day in London with work enjoying a rare time being in the Capital and not actually running!

TUESDAY: it was very gusty today when I woke, and naively thinking the wind would not persist all week, I switched to one of the easier runs on my plan - a comfortable 10 miler. The wind did indeed make it feel a bit more like hard work at times. I also had slight soreness on the inside of my ankle; it had felt tight after my long run on Sunday but I assumed this was fatigue. It did not affect my running too much, but just felt like each time I planted my foot the impact was like knocking against a bruise. 

WEDNESDAY: lying in bed I could hear the wind howling outside; it was even winder than yesterday. I postponed intervals again - surely tomorrow would be better? - and headed out for 8 miles alternating 1 mile easy, 1 mile hard. The hard miles were tough, especially if they fell facing a headwind, and even more so when this was mixed with any form of gradient. Good training I just kept telling myself!

THURSDAY: more wind, and no escaping the interval run now. I had 8 miles with 15 x 400m reps and 200m recoveries, and at times I have to say it really was not fun. Some reps were almost draining, trying to run at speed into a swirling wind. I just had to tell myself to stick at it, not focus on pace but just try and keep my effort levels high. My reps were quite varied, ranging from 7.20 min/mile to 8 min/mile, literally depending on the conditions I faced. Body Pump class in evening and I also saw my Sports Therapist today and had some cupping treatment on my ankle. 

Last week training was tough; I felt a little bit like I was heading towards burnout. The fact I was able to identify and reflect on this is the most important thing though, and this week I have acted. These last 7 days have been focused on looking after myself; life has still been busy with my pattern of early morning running and long days at work still continuing, but I have put things in place to cope with this demand. I feel much better in myself, so I guess it has worked!

MONDAY: after Sunday's Cambridge Half Marathon I was sore today and decided that 'just' doing my Strength and Conditioning for Runners class was enough for this evening, and cancelled my booked Body Pump session - starting the week as I meant to go on in terms of being kinder to myself.

TUESDAY: my quads were still a little tight and sore from Sunday's race, so I was happy to keep my pace under control for today's easy 6 miles. It felt like a nice and needed 'shake out' of the limbs. 

WEDNESDAY: two days of gentle exercise demands had paid dividends and today my legs felt much better, which I was pleased about as I met my friend for our now seemingly regular Wednesday morning run. We ran a 7 mile loop and at the start I did fear I was going to struggle to keep up with my friend (I am learning he can be seriously speedy!), but I settled into a stride. We ran at a good pace, all splits sub 8 min/mile except for one with a big hill right at the end of the run, averaging 7.47 min/mile overall. 

THURSDAY: I had a 6 mile progression run on my plan - never my favourite. As is nearly always the case when I attempt a progression run, I made an uneasy almost nervy start, trying hard to keep my pace steady and avoid having to sprint the final few miles. I managed it though, and as the faster end miles hit I felt really strong, logging perfect splits of 8.44, 8.25, 7.56, 7.42, 7.29 and 7.24 min/mile respectively. Body Pump class in the evening. 

​If I am honest, I was not truly feeling Cambridge Half Marathon in the days leading up to race day. It had been a tough week for all manner of reasons, more of which here, and I was simply very tired. The runner in me wanted a race day and the enjoyment, challenge and test it brings; but the other, perhaps you could say, more human side of me just wanted a rest. I had planned to run Cambridge Half Marathon in further support of my Brighton Marathon training, and because it also offers an opportunity to visit my parents, who live not too far away in Suffolk. Despite my reservations, it turned out that Cambridge Half Marathon was actually exactly what I needed…
 
Sometimes I wonder what my parents think of their running obsessed daughter – do they get what running means to me? I think they do; and I hope they know how special it is for me when I know they are coming to support me run. Waking up Sunday morning I did however feel a little guilty that I was dragging them out the house so early, in miserable March weather, to glimpse me a few times run through some streets…! It was not a pleasant day; cool and grey with a persistent rain in the air and the threat of gale force winds approaching. I was not sure what I was expecting from my performance; I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but I also wanted to try and remain close to my time from a couple of weeks ago – a 1:35:23 at Leicestershire Half Marathon. My time at Leicestershire was in fact a new PB, but I think I knew deep down before I even ran that I was not going to be challenging that today. That was ok though; this was part of my training after all.
 
Cambridge Half Marathon is a well organised event and we arrived in good time on the efficient park and ride system. My parents were a little horrified by the lengthy portaloo queues (a sight us runners are quite used to!) but the lines moved quickly, and before I knew it, I was waving my umbrella clad supporters goodbye and heading to the start wrapped in a very unflattering plastic poncho. It was here it hit me just how many runners were taking part in the event, as masses joined the start line. I had ran the event last year, but after the infamous ‘Beast from the East’ I think some had stayed away (I later looked and saw that there in fact an extra 1300 runners this year). One in the start pens, one of my favourite athletes Jo Pavey gave us the starting signal, and I began to run.
 
I say I began to run, but in fact I began to weave, dart, jog, walk and even stop during the first 2 miles. The start was incredibly narrow on single side Cambridge roads and it was a little bit ridiculous at times; on a couple of turns we actually came to a complete standstill. This did not help me settle into the race, my pace was all over, and I felt like I was probably annoying other runners trying to get past when I needed to. After two miles the course thinned slightly, which I was extra pleased about as it meant I could focus on spotting my parents, who I waved madly at like an excited child.
 
After 3 miles the course left the city centre of Cambridge and headed out toward a village called Granchester. The roads widened here and I felt I could finally get some running rhythm. Although I found my stride, I could feel my legs were not as sharp as a couple of weeks ago when I last raced 13.1 miles. I did not let this bother me, and instead focused on running as well as I could and not obsess over pace differences. I liked the rural sections of this part of the course, which loops out before returning back to Cambridge city centre at about 9 miles, and it featured a nice mix of gradient and lots of pockets of supporters. Arriving back into Cambridge though I could feel the energy from my legs starting to fade.
 
Up until mile 10 my splits had all been reasonably consistent and below 7.30 min/mile pace, even with the slow start. I think the start rather than slowing my average pace had actually just made me run less efficiently, running in bursts rather than steadily conserving energy. As mile 10 ticked over on my watch I knew I was going to have to fight for the finish. Thankfully the course weaves back through the city centre at this point and the crowds lifted me, as did the knowledge my parents would be on the roadside around mile 11. My quads felt like heavy masses at this point with absolutely no power, and my pace felt like it had slowed much more than it had – just keep moving. I spotted my mum and dad and they brought a smile to my probably pained face. I gestured it was hard, but it was also equally hard not to be spurred on by their own smiles beaming back at me and the pride in their eyes.

The final two miles was tough work, especially running over a relatively gentle bridge which at this point in time felt like Mount Everest to my limbs! As my watch hit 12 miles though I found that little bit of something, picking off runners until I turned into the finishing stretch. This part of the course reminds me of The Mall in the London Marathon. It’s a long road with supporters lining both sides, and like in London, the finish archway just never seems to appear on the horizon when you want it! I pushed hard down this section, somehow finding something more in my legs. I was relieved to make it to the line – although my body hurt a lot even when I stopped running!
 
I stumbled to the side barrier and waited for my parents who had made a swift move from Mile 11 to watch my finish. What they must have thought now of their daughter I do not know – I was an exhausted and slightly delirious mess! Their faces looked more like concern now, but I was actually alright – just very tired! My mum asked if I was happy and I instantly said yes; my finish time was 1:37:49, and I was very pleased to run another sub 1.40 half marathon, especially when I had not felt my best all week. It was a very pleasing result in fact.  
 
I slowly walked through the finish area to collect my medal and a jam packed goody bag, as well as carefully carrying a pint of the alcohol free beer that races seem to like to give out (I hate it!), which I thought I would reward my dad with! I met my soggy supporters again and posed for a few photos with my latest piece of running bling. After a tough week and a tough run the best part was that I now had people to look after me post-race. Arriving back at my parents house and after a warm shower, I relaxed with my feet up watching football on TV with my dad and then athletics, all whilst being fed some of my mums delicious homemade cooking and baking. I even got to lie in on Monday morning until the crazy time of 7.30am! I needed this weekend, I needed to share what I love with the people I love, and it sounds almost ridiculous, but I think I needed just to feel loved too. ​

This week has been tough – I will not beat around the bush. Tired - I think that is the only word I can use to describe how I have been feeling; physically, mentally and at times emotionally. I had guessed this week might be challenging, with high running demands combined with a very busy few days at work, but it hit me harder than I expected. 5.30am alarms for running with some days not getting home from work until past 10pm – I love both my job and running - but it’s not a good combination. I have survived though, but I know I really need to look after myself this week ahead to avoid burnout and undoing all the good I have achieved so far.

MONDAY: following 20 miles on Sunday I was weary today. I had a double combination of Strength and Conditioning for Runners and Body Pump planned for the evening and really was not sure I had the energy for it. In the end I completed both, and felt better for it. Later that evening I then had quite an emotive personal situation, which affected me a little, and with lots of thoughts and reflections running through my head (and indeed for most of the subsequent week) I really did not sleep well.

TUESDAY: my word for how I was feeling today is drained – and it was only Tuesday. A tired body and emotional mind made me chose to switch to a slightly easier run on my plan – 5 tempo miles, with the middle 3 miles at marathon pace. What my marathon pace actually is, I am not sure, but I seemed to run around 7.45-7.50 min/mile. A shorter run was much better for me, although the tempo miles felt a little tougher than perhaps they should have been.
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WEDNESDAY: after getting home post 10pm Tuesday night, I was pleased I was meeting my friend from Strength and Conditioning for another run this morning, as it simply made me get up. The 5.30am alarm would not have been welcomed otherwise. I still felt fatigued, but chatting to my friend helped take my mind off it, and running at his pace meant we logged strong splits across 7 miles of 7.39, 7.25, 7.38, 7.35, 8.32 (a big hill!) 7.31 and 7.30 min/mile.

THURSDAY: is it boring if today I said I felt tired? The only run left I had on my plan was the 9 mile interval run I had postponed from Tuesday – safe to say the prospect of which did not fill me with absolute joy! The run went better than I feared, 9 miles passed quickly with 8 x 800m reps thrown into the mileage. It essentially paved out as a 7 mile interval run with a 2 mile cool down at the end. I felt spent during the cool down, but was pleased to see my pace remained steady, just over 8 min/mile. My interval reps were mainly sub 7.20 min/mile with a couple slowing as I tired. I then worked until 10pm at night again…

FRIDAY: with a race on Sunday and a planned Rest Day for Saturday, today should have been 3 easy miles. I did not run 3 miles; with another long day at work ahead, I knew there would be absolutely no benefit to my fitness or wellbeing. I rested. 

SATURDAY: Rest Day and a lovely morning volunteering at my home Lincoln parkrun before heading back to Suffolk ahead of Sunday’s Cambridge Half Marathon. At this point I was probably looking forward to seeing my parents more than I was running a half marathon. Monday’s personal events were playing on my mind, and to put it frankly, I needed a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

SUNDAY: after a couple of days rest I felt fresher going into today’s race. The weather was a bit bleak with rain steadily falling, and I felt a bit guilty for my parents who were coming to watch! I loved having them there though, and it spurred me on (see images), especially towards the end. Run wise, as soon as I started I knew my legs were not as sharp as my PB at Leicestershire Half Marathon two weeks ago. I had also forgotten what a big race is like - 10,000 runners on narrow Cambridge roads meant the start was ridiculously slow. Full blog to follow – but I ran well for the first ten miles; sub 7.30 min/mile pace and consistent, if slightly slower than a few weeks ago. The final 3 miles were tough though – my legs just drained and I had to dig deep for the finish. My finish time was 1:37:49, and I was really happy to log another sub 1.40 half. I was knackered though – and as my parents found me at the finish arch, I was an exhausted mess! My mantra from Cambridge Half is - share what you love with the people you love, that is what matters most.  ​