As the title suggests, this week I had no training focus whatsoever. My next race is the Great North Run half marathon in September for which I am following a ten week programme; so during this week and the forthcoming week I have no plan to follow. I had intended to use these two weeks to have a bit of a break from running, cut back on the distance of my runs or the amount of times I run, but I will admit right now I have failed miserably at this during week one.... MONDAY: I wasn't really sure what to expect from my legs today after X Runner on Saturday and a ten miler straight after on Sunday. I was pleasantly surprised by them though, which meant I happily ran 8k before my Body Pump class, averaging 5.08 minute kilometres. I was feeling the effects of X Runner in Body Pump though, my arms stilled ached which made a weights class that little bit more challenging. I also was very obviously displaying my X Runner battle scars, aka bruises, which caused a fair bit of attention (see image)! TUESDAY: Body Attack class and a chance to try the new release of tracks. Les Mills classes update the tracks and exercises you do roughly every ten weeks, and the first time you try a new set is always interesting. I absolutely loved this new Body Attack, it has burpee tuck jumps galore and a challenging section of jump clap press ups which I cannot wait to try and master fully. WEDNESDAY: today would have been a perfect opportunity for me to give running a rest. I was working later than normal, so would only make it to my Body Pump class in the evening and not have time to run before. Instead of settling for this, I opted for an early morning 8km. I am not overly keen on running early during the week before breakfast, but I gave it a go and although I felt half asleep didn't do too bad times wise with 5.13km average splits. | THURSDAY: Rest Day FRIDAY: 7km of treadmill sprints, I only had a short amount of time for my session today so again instead of maybe taking it easy or missing it completely I chose to do a high intensity shorter run - see how I have failed! SATURDAY: I visited Park Run today with my friends and was delighted to record a new 5km PB of 22.37, knocking a few more seconds of my previous best of 22.55. It was tough going, but the achievement felt great. The run also made me reflect and think about a number of things, which I plan to explore in this week's forthcoming blog. SUNDAY: despite toying with the idea of not running too far today, I enjoyed a ten mile morning run. The air was perfect, warm but not hot, and the rain which fell just before I left meant everywhere was fresh and inviting. I wasn't particularly focussed on my time, but was pleased to see I ran very evenly paced, averaging 5.22km splits. Now it is onto week two of attempting to train for nothing...can I actually do this? |
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Today is National Running Day - which I guess is a day to celebrate and embrace what makes running great! To be honest I am not sure we really need a specific day for this, as if you are like me, you spend virtually every day of the year thinking, talking and appreciating running. So I am using today as an excuse to make it even more acceptable!
When I saw that June 3rd was National Running Day it actually made me reflect on how far I have come in the last few years of truly being a 'runner'. This photo shows me post race in 2013 after my first ever running event, the Lincoln 10k. Fast forward to this year and I am proudly sporting my London Marathon finishers medal, my first ever marathon under my belt. Other than the noticeable increase in distance I have achieved in this time and the fact I have become a lot more addicted/obsessed with running, I have also become a lot more sensible and knowledgeable in how to train and respect my body (a fact even my friend has verified as being true!) So Happy National Running Day everyone... I hope the year ahead brings many more achievements, memories and happiness. |
Alice's Adventures In Running LandRead about my adventures in running land...
December 2021
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