​‘What’s your next race then Alice?’ That infamous question has been cropping up again recently, but I do not think many people expect the answer I give. ‘Sydney Marathon’ I reply, as if it were a straightforward, logical response. Reactions range from shock, disbelief to pure excitement. Sydney Marathon is about three weeks away and I fly to Australia tomorrow – yet the news is still a surprise to many. I have not kept my trip to Australia purposely quiet, but it has just felt rather indulgent. Travelling to Australia was something I never thought I would do in my life, let alone run a race ‘down under’. As a child, a trip to the other side of the world was something I imagined only certain people were able to achieve, and now I am getting to do it. It is surreal.
 
The biggest motivation for my Australia trip is not just the marathon though, and maybe that’s why I have not shouted about the 26.2 mile race I have entered as much either. My trip is focused around visiting my best friend, who moved to Sydney nearly 3 years ago (you can enjoy some of our random mixture of memories on the leaving card I gave her - see image!) Even though it has been a few years since my friend left the UK, I still miss her a lot, and to finally be able to spend quality time with her and experience her Australian life will be really special – the marathon is the cliché cherry on top.
 
Sydney Marathon will hopefully be my 8th marathon – a fact I personally find quite hard to believe even though I have ran them all! I have trained hard so far, but without any pressure - there is a difference. I like to push myself, work hard and be disciplined – that’s just me. However, for Sydney Marathon I have no goals for the race other than to finish and relish the entire experience. So, whilst I have tested myself in training, especially during this hot summer, I do not want to start Sydney Marathon with any weight of expectation on my shoulders. When I land ‘down under’ I will also have around two and half weeks in Australia before race day on Sunday 16th September. I want to enjoy these days and not worry about being in strict marathon prep mode the entire time. My friend and I have some exciting adventures planned already and making memories matters more to me than what time I can run 26.2 miles in.

My final week in the UK before I start my rather lengthy trip to the other side of the world. Whilst 23 hours on a plane does not appeal to me at all, the end destination very much does. It is similar to marathon training I guess, I cannot expect to turn up and run a marathon without investing the time into training beforehand. So, as much as I have wanted this week to pass by very quickly, I have still had to remain focused on the processes required to get there.

MONDAY: Rest Day - after Sunday's 22 miler, which I think was one of the hardest training runs I have completed throughout my various marathon training cycles, today I did not feel good - there is no other way to put it! I woke feeling so tired, almost delirious, and I could barely make coherent sentences - it was almost like being drunk! Thankfully I had the day off work, so I took things very easy and allowed myself some rest.

TUESDAY: yesterday's recovery really paid dividends and I woke today raring to attack intervals. I had 8 miles to run, with 5 x 1 mile reps and 400m recoveries. Mile reps can be tough, but I felt focused to tackle them and to try and maintain consistency and a strong running rhythm. My splits were pleasing logging at 7.18, 7.25, 7.36, 7.24 and 7.23 min/mile respectively, although you can see which mile landed predominantly on a slight uphill section!

WEDNESDAY: my quads troubled me a little on this morning's run, which was an easy paced 9 miles. I have been experiencing waves of tightness in my quadriceps just above the knee, it is not painful but just makes strides feel a little unnatural at times. Despite some strange sensations in my muscles, my 'easy pace' felt good today at an 8.20 min/mile average, and I seemed to grow into the run with the last 7 miles all logging at sub 8.20 min/mile pace without it feeling any extra exertion. 

THURSDAY: my plan asked for some 'marathon paced' miles today - what is my marathon pace?! I am not really sure yet! So, as you can imagine this run was a little off plan! I ran a 7 mile tempo run still, but my splits were definitely not what I am capable of running 26.2 miles in (hopefully/maybe one day!) and were predominantly sub 8 min/mile pace. Body Pump in the evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

This week seems to have passed by in a little bit of a blur! Runs have been successfully ticked off the plan though, I feel more content in myself, and the excitement is building for my trip to Australia, with take off in just over a week!
 
MONDAY: following Newark Half Marathon on Sunday I had a rest day today. I was also participating in a research study that required rest from exercise which may also have influenced my choice – I will not pretend it was solely my decision!
 
TUESDAY: a hard interval run, which simply felt cruel on my legs. I am still running early morning despite it being less of a heatwave now, but I just seem to be into the routine of waking up and simultaneously lacing up! I think the reason why this run felt so cruel was the amount of reps – 15 x 400m with 200m recoveries, over an 8 mile distance. The repeated stop/start nature of demanding speed from my legs over and over again tired me, and it showed in my rep splits. I started well with 7-7.15 min/mile splits, then had a bit of a slump in the middle when things felt tough, however was able to gather myself and my pace again toward the end. Physically and mentally tough runs hurt at the time, but they feel extra rewarding when you finish. Body Pump class in the evening.
 
WEDNESDAY: today’s run was hard again, but not really due to the demands of my plan. I headed out for 10 easy paced miles, but my legs just felt so empty and almost unstable. I knew I wanted to play safe, so I cut the miles slightly shorter to complete an 8 mile loop and just focused on getting home in one piece. My ‘easy’ pace was acceptable, averaging 8.27 min/mile, but the unease in my legs meant it felt a run to tick off rather than enjoy. I was proud of myself for not pushing things though, you have to listen to your body at times, and it takes discipline to do that as much as to run.
 
THURSDAY: waking up to rain lashing against my window, my eagerness to get out running early was tested slightly! I rolled over in bed at first, but my mind wouldn’t settle back to sleep – I wanted to run. Braving the rainfall (see image), I ran 9 alternating miles; 1 mile easier pace, 1 mile harder pace. My legs felt much better than on yesterday’s run, although I did have some on and off quad tightness at times which felt a little strange. I was happy with my splits though, particularly with my consistency after the first couple of miles, logging 8.39, 8.03, 8.19, 7.33, 8.17, 7.33, 8.03, 7.28, and 8.10 min/mile respectively. Body Pump in the evening.
 
FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: after going sub 21 minutes at Lincoln parkun last week, I really wanted to try keep some consistency today. I felt I ran well and I was humbled as ever by the little cheers and encouragements the volunteer marshals gave me throughout – it is such a boost and always brings a smile to my sometimes grimacing face! I ran into the finish funnel and felt a little disappointed to read a time of just over 21 minutes on my watch, not because this is a bad time, but because the run simply felt that little bit quicker. Chatting to runners after my time was soon forgotten though, and I was actually more pleased my legs felt strong after a few wobbles in the week. However, later in the day my official time came through as 20:58 – I was very happy! You can sense your runs sometimes, I knew I felt good today.
 
SUNDAY: ​the big run - 22 miles. Running this distance is tough enough, but circumstances meant I was making this run even more of a challenge for myself. I had work at 11am, meaning I needed to be out running by roughly 6am to have a bit of breathing space.  I usually eat two hours before a long run, but I could not face a 4am alarm, or trying to force food down at that time of the morning. Instead I tried to eat high-carb meals throughout Saturday to fuel my body, and I downed a bottle of Lucozade pre-run and stuffed my Camelbak with as much energy as possible to take during the run. It was not ideal I knew it, but I would just have to cope with it. Although a grey day it was muggy out; my CamelBak annoyed me for the first time, it felt sticky against my back and like I was carrying an extra weight of water I did not really need. The first 10 miles were average, a blustery wind keeping my pace steady, and I took energy on early to try and avoid a total crash. From 10 miles onward though my legs progressively just ground to an almost halt; my quads felt tight and stiff, and steps seemed hard work. At 18 miles I sat down on a nearby tree stump to take on another gel to try give my body a boost, and if it had not been for the fact I was so exhausted I think I would have cried. My legs just hurt so much it was hard to imagine running again! I had to though, not just because I wanted to make 22 miles, but I actually had no other way of getting back other than walking, which would have made me late for work. I restarted my legs somehow and with determination ground out the final miles - pace meant nothing now. I made it home with 22 miles banked, and proceeded to literally collapse onto my hall floor, legs buzzing in utter protest at what I had just made them complete. In that moment I cannot say I felt great, but I did feel proud I had stuck at it. My average pace was 8.50 min/mile - not amazing, but not a disaster either given the circumstances. I am never attempting to run a virtually fasted 22 miler again, but I did make it to work on time! 

For the first time since before April this year I stood at the start of a race under damp, cool, grey skies with goosepimpled skin. I have nearly become accustomed to race days involving dodgy tan lines, 20 plus degree heats and pouring copious amounts of water over my head in order to survive. This almost felt new! The Newark Half Marathon was not a new event for me though, I had taken part last year when I had used it as more of a training run in the lead up to Berlin Marathon. I had entered Newark Half Marathon again this year as part of my Sydney Marathon training, but this time I wanted to race. The weather conditions meant I felt I could test myself properly, and after weeks of logging solo long runs, I was also ready for a different challenge.
 
The race started at Sconce Park, but in slight difference to last year, the organisers had moved the startline a little further back to limit the length of the grass finish at the end. This pleased me; organisers acting on runner feedback, and overall, I was really impressed with the friendly but efficient organisation of the whole event. I found myself quit near the startline with people seeming a little reluctant to be bold with their finish time aims. I guess this is actually quite refreshing as we all know too often people can place themselves quite obviously in wrong start pens. This meant as the start signal was given I was soon racing off the line, and racing I most certainly was.
 
I strode from the start, checking instantly into my running form; I have been focusing a lot recently on my arm action and I wanted this to be strong from the start. The first couple of miles passed by very quickly and the course soon left Newark, leading out to a village called Hawton and then heading over the A46 and onto more rural roads. I remembered from last year that the first half of the course was very long and straight, with many miles logged on the same couple of roads. Last year I found this a little demoralising, but this time the course seemed to compliment my running. The long stretches of open road meant my stride was unbroken and my running pace remained consistent, I was in the zone you could say. This first half of the course also featured a few longer, drawn out hills, some more obvious than others until you began to climb them. I found myself driving confidently up these challenges, even against the moderate breeze which was blowing into my face. I was picking off runners on the ascents and striding out of the decents unaffected. Things felt good and my pace was around 7.30 min/mile pace or just below. I kept a mantra in my head, setting myself the goal of completing just a few more miles at this pace, then asking myself to dig in for a few more.
 
After passing the half way point the course turned onto some smaller rural lanes. I had a brief moment of struggle here. The wind vanished and suddenly the day no longer felt cool, but in fact quite muggy and intense. Thankfully a water station appeared and I dowsed myself with water, took on some energy and refocused my mind. It was around this point I realised that since probably the first mile I had not seen another female runner either in the distance or had anyone take over me. I am not really sure what this told me, it was just an observation at this point! However, between miles 8 and 9 a marshal informed me I was 10th female. 10th! I could not believe it and I was even more determined not to drop pace now.

Whilst my position in the race pleased me, what felt even more satisfying was how I was physically feeling. I was not looking at my watch religiously as I could sense my running was consistent still; my stride was powerful, whenever my arm action began to tire I immediately felt it and regained my form, and most importantly I was enjoying my running.

Hitting ten miles I told myself just three more miles to tick off and passing through Hawton village again and re-joining the same roads the race started on, it really felt like I was on the final stretch. Perhaps the only disappointment I have from my performance was when I passed 12 miles; mentally I wanted to push for that final mile, but physically my legs did not have a mile-long kick left in them. I tried, but they were unwilling. This final mile therefore felt probably the longest of all, as for the first time I was not running as I wanted.

As I neared the final turn to re-enter Sconce Park, a male runner caught me up and ran by my side. ‘Just the grass to beat’ – he said, ‘We can do it’ I confidently replied. The grass finish was still hard, even though I was very grateful it was considerably shorter than last year. My new friend urged us on - ‘Come on sub 1:40, we can do it’, again my reply was confident ‘We can beat 1.40 easily, come on!’ Sprinting on grass does not feel like sprinting, it is energy sapping and definitely not smooth, but my new friend and I powered as fast as possible toward the finish arch and crossed the line almost exactly together. My time was 1:38:23 – I turned, smiled, and shook the hand of my finish partner ‘sub 1:40’ I simply beamed.
 
My finish time was not a PB, although is my second quickest half marathon time to date, but it felt such an achievement. I think I felt more pride from how good I felt running and how much I enjoyed the whole race. I was very happy to place 10th female too, a simple bonus. The Newark Half Marathon is a race I think I may be growing to love…  ​

​This week has been one of my most satisfying and enjoyable running weeks for a long time. I have loved all the runs I have logged and also produced some very pleasing performances. Away from running, ongoing personal life problems came to a bit of a head, and although I was very tempted just to pretend nothing had been going on in this blog, the emotion these events gave me actually fuelled some of my running. So, whilst not the most joyful thing to be recounting or probably reading, it is relevant.

MONDAY: Body Pump class 

TUESDAY: this week’s plan looked a little gentler (if that word can be used during marathon training!) with 6 miles of fartlek today’s interval type run. I wanted to use this week to give my body a bit of a chance to recover and reset, so quite welcomed the break from running sets and reps both physically and mentally. Instead I opted to use the environment around me to add the challenge, throwing in some longer hills I usually tend to avoid during speedwork, then ending with faster 7.40 min/mile splits. I loved the run because I felt free, quite apt as the word fartlek literally means ‘speed play.’

WEDNESDAY: an easy paced 6 miles which seemed joyfully comfortable at around 8 min/mile pace. Even though it was cooler today and I had no evening commitments, I still woke with a 5.30am alarm to run – I now seem to simply be in the habit!
 
THURSDAY: today’s planned 7 mile progression run had the chance to ruin my week of happy running; it is not my favourite type of training run simply because you have to be so pace orientated. However, during this run my mind and body felt disciplined to succeed and I logged perfect splits - and by perfect I mean not killing myself with the first split being much too fast - of 8.43, 8.20, 8.16, 8.04, 7.58, 7.39, and 7.15 min/mile respectively. Body Pump in the evening.
 
FRIDAY: Rest Day – changes in my personal life really upset me today. I had been trying to bury the emotion all week, but arriving home Friday night I sat on my sofa and simply cried like a child. It was hard, but what is relevant to running is what brought me out of my sobbing state was the fact it was parkrun tomorrow. I looked at my puffy face and mascara strewn cheeks in the mirror and thought I needed to pull myself together if I wanted to run well in the morning. Running is powerful to my life like that.
 
SATURDAY: I will admit, waking today I still felt a little emotionally drained and my eyes seemed swollen and sleepy. I felt determined to really believe in myself today though and I wanted to channel some emotion positively. Arriving at Lincoln parkrun, which I have long called my happy place, I felt at home and content instantly; now to see if my legs would agree with me! 

Spurred on by enthusiastic marshal and volunteer support, I logged two strong laps, both sub 7 min/mile pace, and knew I just needed to hold on during the last lap and I may meet my aim of going below 21 minutes again. My legs were trying to give up on me, but as a fellow female runner overtook me I resolved to try keep up with her. I remained in her shadow until the final 100 metres when I sprinted as if fresh out the blocks to dip into the funnel first – my time 20:56 (see image). I was gasping for air, hands on my knees in the finish funnel, and turned my head to see my new runner friend in the exact same position. We exchanged a smile as if to say – why do we do this?! – then I extended my hand to her for a handshake, which seems to be the ending to nearly all my parkruns of late. This is why I love parkrun though – most people around me I do not know on the start line, but by the end we are friends.

​SUNDAY: again, I woke today with the week’s personal events mulling over and over again in my mind – I was in quite a sombre mood. It was Newark Half Marathon today though, which I had been really looking forward to as a break from logging long slow 20 mile runs, and the race now felt doubly good timing for me. Conditions were grey and rainy, but I was actually pleased with this; it would be my first event not held in 20+ degree heat since before April. I knew I wanted to really race, and I did. I channelled all my emotional pain into physical pain, pushing my body to keep going. I felt strong, in control, maintained positive running form and most importantly loved every single one of the 13.1 miles I completed. I crossed the line in 1:38:23 and as 10th female – not a PB, but it felt like it (see image). Full blog to follow soon. ​

A challenging and sometimes frustrating week both in running and for some personal reasons. However, I have kept going, which I think is the mentality I possess - it takes a lot for me to give up on anything in life, especially things I care about. It is also virtually three weeks until I fly to Australia now; I cannot wait to see my friend and the marathon at the end seems a huge bonus, and this just gives me even more motivation. 

MONDAY: a morning Body Pump session the day after running a 20 miler was probably not my greatest idea - I just felt so tired! I had the day off work though, and with it being a running 'rest day' and having evening commitments, it seemed like a logical decision - my logic can openly be questioned at times though! 

TUESDAY: on a slightly cooler morning I actually really enjoyed an interval run, and without the intensity of the suffocating heat, I felt I could run a lot more naturally. I completed 7 miles with 8 x 800m reps and 200m recoveries, with splits predominantly between 7.20 and 7.30 min/mile pace. Although I enjoyed the run, when I arrived home I made the mistake of comparing my splits to my spring marathon training, and I felt a little disappointed that I was a fair bit quicker in spring. My logic can once again be questioned here as so many variables can be apparent - however I know I am not quite as sharp/quick as I was earlier in the year at the moment, and sometimes that can frustrate me when I am training equally as hard. 

WEDNESDAY: another cooler morning and an opportunity to boost my confidence after yesterday's run. I ran 9 steady miles, and including a warm up mile, averaged a pleasing 8:09 min/mile pace, and simply just felt strong.

THURSDAY: a real sign of marathon training is when you look at your plan and think - 'oh, its only 5 miles today' - the word 'only' simply becomes abused! Despite a relatively shorter distance, I got out running early with temperatures rising back to 'very hot' status. My legs were simply dead though; the run was supposed to be a marathon paced effort, but I just focused on gently getting round. Even taking it easy I was a sweaty mess at the end, and I think I have to remind myself just how demanding marathon training is, especially in this year's heat. Body Pump class in the evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day