This week marked the half way point in my training programme; a time when you would both like and expect to see some results from the last eight weeks of effort. Thankfully I can say I did; this week has been a good week, a very good week in fact...

MONDAY: I was excited to be back at my Body Pump weights class today after missing it for the last two weeks whilst I was away on residential trips with work. I expected it to be tough (it was) and I left hurting but feeling happy. 

TUESDAY: the DOMs from my Body Pump return had already hit today, every part of my body was sore, and thus the prospect of intervals on an aching body did make feel a little fearful. Once I got over the initial stiffness at the onset of running I was fine though. The short bursts of speed that 12 x 200m intervals allows you to achieve reminded me of being at sports day at school and racing around a track. I even pictured myself on a track at times, imagining tearing around the 200m bend against others - maybe a little odd, but it worked!

WEDNESDAY: a steady 7 miles before Body Pump. My plan suggested this should be a slow run, but I found myself comfortably running at around 9min/mile pace. It was heading towards being a very pleasant mid week run until on the final mile my left quad muscle went into spasm. This happened to me earlier in the year when I was marathon training, and whilst I am still able to run, it means my quad just feels very, very tight. I was not too worried though as thankfully I had a sports massage booked for the next day, so I knew it would get sorted.

THURSDAY: Rest Day - and a fixed quad thanks to my sports therapists' magic hands!

FRIDAY: on the plan for today was a 5 mile tempo run, with the three middle miles being completed in 24 minutes. This was a tad daunting for me as my current 5k/parkrun times have been over 24 minutes. If I was going to meet my plan I knew I would have to really go for it. Its hard to actually put into words how this run felt apart from saying I felt like the old me; the runner from a few months ago and the runner who I had almost began to believe I might not get back to. I pushed hard during the run, and it was tough, but not in a frustrating way as has often been the case recently. It was tough in a 'I am determined not to let this pace slip' kind of way! I managed a sub 24 minute middle section and an overall average pace of 8.09 min/mile, even with the first and last miles being completed at an easier warm up/cool down pace. I was very happy.

​SATURDAY: with last night's run firmly in my mind I headed to Lincoln parkrun in the knowledge I could run a sub 24 minute time. If I didn't then I would be very disappointed in myself. It seems I need not have worried as I actually managed to finish in 22.58 - completely bypassing the 23 minute time zone I have been longing to dip into, setting a fastest mile record (see image), and breaking my stint of running 24+ minutes. I was in fact only 20 seconds away from my PB! Full blog to follow.

SUNDAY: my plan demanded a faster pace for the 15 miles I had to complete as today's long run. I tried to draw upon some of the confidence this week had given me and attacked the run from the start. My first five miles were strong, before a headwind briefly knocked me back. I found my stride again though and regained some pace, even managing to make my final two miles my quickest. My average pace was 8.59 min/miles - the first time I have dipped below the 9 minute mark for a long run during this training cycle. Again I was very happy with my progress. I hope this week has not been a fluke - part of me cannot believe the sudden change and I am certainly not getting my hopes massively high. But I at least know that the old me is in there and I have eight more weeks to make sure the real me is back. 

This week saw me once again juggle marathon training with being away on a work residential trip with 200+ teenagers. I thought last week tested my mental resolve but this has been the ultimate challenge and has required a lot of commitment to ensure I meet my mileage targets. 

MONDAY: an early morning 8 mile run before heading off for the residential. My quads were very sore from the Great Newham 10k on Sunday, and I knew before even leaving the house the run would be tough. I needed a rest day really, but I wanted to get a good bank of miles in early in the week before the madness of the residential trip began. I gritted my teeth and managed the discomfort. 

TUESDAY: Rest Day

WEDNESDAY: like last week my commitment to the residential trip meant I was not really able to be out running for long periods of time - unless I set my alarm for even earlier in the morning, but 5.30am seemed bad enough, especially when I was only getting to bed between midnight and 1am! So splitting my 6 mile interval run into two 3 mile runs each with 5 x 400m intervals seemed logical. The residential was being held at The University of Nottingham campus which is huge and has lots of running routes, so I enjoyed being able to explore (see image).

THURSDAY: the second half of my interval run was tougher today and felt much more of an effort. My lack of sleep throughout the week, the long working days and the intense heat seemed to be taking their toll. This is also not even taking into account the bad reaction I had to mosquito bites which had caused my ankles to swell and painfully blister - will spare you the photos! I managed the run, although the joy of yesterday was definitely absent. 

FRIDAY: I thought yesterday was tough but today was to prove even more of a challenge. I had managed only 1.5hrs sleep after spending 4hrs in A&E (not for me!) I felt like an absolute zombie. 

Any plans of doing my long run when I arrived home Friday evening were instantly thrown out, and instead I opted for another 3 miles. I was surprised I did not feel totally energy less as I pounded the pavements, and it did help to act as a bit of a unwind from an intense week. 

SATURDAY: I attempted my long run this afternoon - but failed. In 26 degree heat I struggled, developed a headache after 3 miles and was a little scared to push it further in case I began to feel worse. Mentally I also struggled to focus as the tiredness from the week seemed to still be there. I reached 7 miles - a distance I had planned to do on Sunday - and called it a day.

SUNDAY: finally time to get the long run done. I had not wanted to leave it until Sunday as I was volunteering at a community event all day and evening, and therefore knew I would be pushed for time. However now I had no choice! My alarm rang at 5am and I was out the door just after 5.30am ready to take on 16 miles. I enjoyed very much the cooler weather at this time of day, and also the freedom of having the streets to myself. The first 8 miles felt good, I was keeping a steady if slighter slow pace. Up to ten miles was alright too, even reaching a half marathon was bearable. The final three miles were tough though. My legs felt tired and I was hungry having had minimal breakfast before leaving. I made it though and after a very crazy week it felt good to be able to tick it off! ​

Four years ago I was wandering around the Olympic Park in awe watching Paralympic athletes from around the world compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. I have always wanted to go back to the site since and see how it has changed/developed. Working in the Sports Development profession has meant I have been curious as to how the Olympic legacy has been maintained within the area and what steps have been taken to avoid the park becoming a 'white elephant'. Despite my curiosity I never thought my return would actually see me running around the park, let alone finishing inside the Olympic Stadium itself.

I was able to take part in the Great Newham Run 10k after my friend won two places in the race - bonus! A weekend in London beckoned and needless to say I was excited to be heading back to the Olympic Park. Race day was beautiful, and after a pretty poor night's sleep in a hotel with especially noisy guests, the bright sunshine was a welcome wake up. Walking to the Olympic Park was like a trip down memory lane as I remembered taking the same route back in 2012. The Orbit structure looked slightly less red, and the footpaths were less packed with people, but aside from that the stadium was as impressive as ever. As my friend and I went through the usual pre-race procedures of toilet trips and bag drops it was apparent that it was quickly becoming very, very warm. Stood in the start area my skin was burning and I was sweating already just from standing. The man on the tannoy was repeatedly warning us about the weather and the need to not go for a PB, but I had already lowered my expectations. Regardless of my time I knew I was going to finish the race happy - how could you not when crossing that infamous finish line?

I tried to start the race steady, aiming for a stronger finish, but the downhill beginning meant I did get a little carried away and nearly managed the first kilometer running alongside my faster friend. I reined in my pace though as the hills started to appear and the heat started to hit. The course was unexpectedly hilly as we weaved through the park, taking in the old athlete's village, the velodrome and various other structures. The hills were not good news for my quads which were very sore from a 14 mile marathon training run on Friday and a parkrun on Saturday. In an ideal world I would have been rested for this race, but my Berlin Marathon training needs to take priority, so I had to accept I was not in peak race condition. The heat was a killer too, I even poured water from the drinks station over my head and back in an very un-glamorous attempt to cool down. 

After 5k mark was reached I fully accepted that this was not going to be a good run time wise. People around me were walking already and I was simply determined to run the entire way and hit the track with some speed at the end. The final sections of the route led us into the edge of the stadium, taking in the walkway the Olympic and Paralympic athletes would have used to enter the arena for the 2012 Games. As we ran through here and the BBC's Olympic theme tune music played over speakers I had goosebumps thinking about how the athletes would have felt four years ago. This spurred me on and as we briefly exited the stadium and then made our way back to the track I exerted some pace from my struggling quads. We completed the final 300m on the Olympic track which was simply surreal and a truly wonderful ending.

​My time was 53.58 - by no means a PB and nothing like what I would like to be running. However in the conditions I was happy and had enjoyed the race greatly. My friend and I had both ran almost exactly two minutes slower than our 10k times at the Nottingham Women's Running 10k the week before, which gives you an indication of the difference in both course and weather conditions. My quads were so sore upon finishing that climbing the stairs to enter the stadium and spectate the rest of the race was a painful process, almost like I had ran a marathon! It was worth it though to see the joy on everyone's face at crossing the finish line - I am not sure I have seen a race where everyone finishing is as happy - a testament to the event.

Nearly 15,000 people took part in the Great Newham Run, enjoying the Olympic Park and making use of the wonderful stadium. Residents of the Newham borough was also encouraged to take part and had special bibs to show they were local to the area. The Great Newham Run gave me a small insight into the Olympic legacy happening in the park and immediate area, and I was very pleased with what I saw. I hope everyone who took part had as much of a memorable experience as I had and is inspired to keep at this addictive activity we call running. ​

This week has been a bit been all over the place. In general my life is quite routined; running and sticking to a plan is usually not too much of a challenge, bar one or two exceptions (I am lucky I know). This week however that has all changed... I have been on a residential outdoor activity camp with work Monday to Friday (along with 200+ teenagers!) and then had a 10k race on Sunday. This has meant both juggling marathon training and also testing my mental resolve in order not to panic!

MONDAY: an early morning 8 mile run to start the week before heading off on residential. My legs were tired on a fourth consecutive day of running, a streak which included a 13.1 mile long run and a 10k race. I used the run as my usual mid week longer, slower run, keeping the pace gentle; and it felt good to get some miles under my belt early on in the week despite the discomfort. 

TUESDAY: I made the decision to split my planned 6m interval run into two 3m runs. I could not really afford to be out running for any longer time duration with my work commitments and needing to be contactable/near by, and just getting a 3 miler in meant heading out at 6am. It was tough; Monday was absolutely manic on the first day at residential and I had minimal sleep. I knew I had to run though and actually found it quite peaceful being out, although the terrain of uneven grass and hills was challenging. 

WEDNESDAY: another 6am 3 miler. I managed to knock a minute off yesterday's time despite being even more tired and sleep deprived (see image). 

THURSDAY: Rest Day

FRIDAY: with a 10k race on Sunday tonight I had to do my long run for the week. I arrived home from residential late and was feeling very tired from the week's activities. My trainers were laced up though ready to take on my planned 14 miles. My feet hurt at every step, sore from miles of walking and standing throughout the 

week. I wanted to quit at 7 miles and walked a steep hill whilst having a strong word with myself. I beat my exhausted mind though and reached my 14 mile target. My overall pace was not great at 9.18 min/miles, but I was still a good 20 secs ahead of my plan's suggested pace and mostly just happy I had achieved the run. 

​SATURDAY: even though I had spent most of my week waking up early I still had the urge to run parkrun today. Heading to Lincoln parkrun a mere 12 hours post my long run I was a little cautious, especially as I felt half asleep stood waiting for 9am to chime. My legs surprised me though, I seemed to be running well and had enough in the tank for a very strong and lengthy sprint finish, which even the steward remarked upon. My time was 24.17 - which is about average for me right now. I just wished I had trusted my legs more as I feel I might have been able to do a little better. 

SUNDAY: Great Newham 10k - I had been looking forward to this event all week, which is set in London's Olympic Park and actually finishes on the Olympic Stadium track. Full blog to follow. ​

I will get straight to the point - the Nottingham 10k was not a good race at all for me. I ran a time of 51.55, having previously seen a sub 50 minute 10k as something I should always be running. It is even slower than my Lincoln 10k time earlier this year (51.02) which I allowed as an exception to the rule since it was a week after I had completed the Manchester Marathon. On paper it is an incredibly poor run for me. Yet, I still strive for the positives, and I did enjoy it - which is what running should be about after all!

My friend and I had both completed the Women's Running Finsbury Park event in this 10k series last year, and there is a really nice vibe about the races being all female in nature. The field is a mix of women running their first 10k to those who have raced countless events, but the way it is pitched means it feels welcoming for all. The Nottingham course was due to be two laps of the same loop set near Nottingham Embankment. As I stood with my friend waiting to start the setting seemed pleasant for a race, although I was not too keen on the brisk wind whipping through the trees. 

I decided my aim was to keep just in front of the 50 minute pacer and hope to nip away at the end. However the pacer dropped out after about 2 miles, which did not bother me too much as I have never really relied on pacers before, but my race strategy was quickly thrown. I ran the first 5k well though, setting what would have been a good parkrun time for me. The course was pleasant, some marginal inclines but nothing too horrendous, although the final section on uneven grass was not too kind on the legs. 
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Going into the second lap my legs faded almost instantly (maybe they thought it was a parkrun!?) My calves tightened badly and painfully, and the wind now seemed to affect me more, clipping my tired legs into each other at times. I even debating stopping at one point, contemplating whether a short stretch of my calves would help, but I decided to keep battling. 

​Week 5 has been a slightly muddled week for me, and marks the start of two further weeks where marathon training is being shifted and shaped around work commitments, life, and not being able to resist entering a few 10k races! 

MONDAY: 30 minutes cross training, foam rolling and a Body Pump class to start the week.

TUESDAY: shorter, sharper intervals were on the cards again this week - 6 miles with 10 x 400m intervals. The first five intervals flew by and I managed to run them all well under my target 2 minute time period. The second five intervals were into a head wind, but I pushed hard trying to maintain my sub 2 minute record. My last two intervals did just dip over 2 minutes, but I was not too upset as they hurt a lot and I knew I was giving all I could. I also managed to set a new record for my fastest mile on my Garmin which I was pleased with, especially as marathon training normally sees my speed slip away.

WEDNESDAY: 6 steady miles before my Body Pump class. I ran this a lot faster than my plan suggested, averaging 8.51 pace. I felt comfortable though and on downhill sections my legs just seemed to want to run free. 

THURSDAY: Rest Day

FRIDAY: with a 10k race on Sunday I took advantage of a day off work to get my long run in, heading out for an early morning half marathon - as I am sure lots of people do on their day off work..! I felt tired before I started my run and my first mile seemed to represent this, sluggish and off pace. I forced myself into a better stride and began running steadily at 9min/mile pace up until roughly 7 miles. 

This is the first time I have sat down and really thought - I am running the Berlin Marathon. After a few weeks where I struggled a little with both running and life in general (see blog), I have been relishing recommencing marathon training so much that I have almost forgotten about the actual event at the end of it all!

The Marathon
The Berlin Marathon will be my second marathon of 2016, and my third in total. Whilst you may think that three marathons in I would have an element of self-confidence and assurance, I know however I will be incredibly nervous on race day. The Manchester Marathon earlier this year will be on my mind – a race where I hit the metaphoric wall with just two miles to go, and ended up taking an hour to complete those final two miles (you can read the full blog here if you wish to relive my pain!) I finished, but after training hard for a sub 4 hour time, it was difficult to take. I need to try and put the Manchester Marathon to the back of mind as much as possible, but I know totally forgetting it will be almost impossible. Despite this, the knowledge that this will be my third marathons does make me feel a small sense of pride. My lifetime goal was to run the London Marathon and I never really imagined anything further. Completing the London Marathon threw me fully into the marathon running world though, and since then I have been captured in its addictive quest for more.

The Trip
Running in Berlin will be the first time I have completed a race outside of the UK. In fact it will be the first time I have left the UK and been on an aeroplane for a very long time! The Berlin Marathon is also just two days before my 25th birthday, so the trip will be a memorable way to mark it. When I have said to people I will be running the Berlin Marathon as part of my birthday celebrations many have looked at me like I am insane! To be honest, it might be a little crazy. I will probably be spending my actual birthday walking more like an 85 year old than a 25 year old, and will also be on a massive post-race comedown. Likewise, if I have not ran well I may not be in the best of moods, or alternatively if I have had a good race, I could be as high as a kite! Either way, I know I will have earned some birthday cake at least!

The Goal
With my first marathon being the London Marathon, completing Berlin will be my second of the World Marathon Major series. As mentioned previously, I never really imagined doing anything more than the London Marathon, but running all the marathons in this series and achieving the ‘Six Star Finisher’ status is now something I want to achieve. This will most definitely be a lifetime goal, unless I suddenly win the lottery and/or get my legs running a lot faster to qualify for some of the races; but running the Berlin Marathon will be a step closer to this milestone. The real goal, which I have almost been avoiding acknowledging, will be to run a sub 4 hour time. Although I failed in Manchester, I have a 4:09 time from the London Marathon, so this doesn’t seem totally unrealistic. I would absolutely love to run a ‘Good For Age’ qualifying time for the London Marathon (sub 3.45), however following the Manchester Marathon I do not want to put too much pressure on me or my body. Sub 4 hrs I would be delighted with, if it was 3:59 I would even take that! Training is going well so far; I would not say I am ahead of my plan nor am I struggling with it, I just seem to be on track. My challenge now is to keep on track, right up until the moment I cross that finish line in Berlin. ​

Completing Week 4 means I am now a quarter of the way through my Berlin Marathon training plan - a statement which is equally as exciting as it is scary! This week though I have to say has been my best for a long time...

MONDAY: my legs were a little sore today following Round Sheffield Run on Sunday, my hip flexors feeling especially tight. I thus made sure I gave my legs a good foam roll before my Body Pump class, and also kept the time I spent on the cross trainer beforehand short,  just using it as a bit of a warm up. 

TUESDAY: intervals this week were shorter and sharper; which I have to say was a lot more enjoyable. Six miles were on the agenda, with 5 x 800m intervals, set to 8 min/mile pace. I was very happy that I managed to complete all five intervals at sub 8 min/mile pace; my legs felt good and I got into a real focused zone whilst running which meant I would not allow myself to slow down.

WEDNESDAY: a steady 8 miles before my Body Pump class. This was a comfortable run at just under 9 min/mile pace, with the only annoying factor being the British weather. With heavy showers threatening I opted for a rain jacket, only for the sun to then shine for the whole distance, forcing me to have to carry my sweaty sheeting! 

THURSDAY: today I was again pleased with my running pace. I ran 5 miles with three tempo miles in the middle, which my plan said should be at 8.20 min/mile pace. I recorded the tempo miles at 8.15, 8.20 and 8.16 min/mile pace respectively, which felt like a bit of a confidence boost by suggesting I was on track with my training plan. I was also happy to be able to give my new running shoes a spin - Nike Pegasus 32 - and they felt just made for me. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

​SATURDAY: I hoped to continue my good week of running into parkrun today and headed to my local Lincoln event. As ever, I was continuing in my quest to get quicker; my current aim being to run sub 24 minutes (overall aim to get back to my PB of 22.37!) As I was running I felt good, my breathing was in control, my legs were not complaining, and I had overtaken a few faces I knew sometimes finished in front of me - all good signs.