Berlin Marathon Training: Week Four

Week Four = a quarter of the way through my sixteen week marathon training programme - time is absolutely flying! This week has certainly started to feel like marathon training though...

MONDAY: following Sunday's Round Sheffield Run event my legs were sore today and I generally felt physically tired. I went to Body Pump but could feel it was more effort than normal.

TUESDAY: interval day, and despite my Garmin seeming unable to register a correct pace (I was definitely not running 4 min/mile pace and hopefully not running 11 min/mile pace!) I enjoyed the workout.  6 miles of 5 x 1000m with 200m recoveries was on the plan and I managed to keep all reps between 6.57 and 7.11 min/mile pace. Abs class after. 

WEDNESDAY: after a physically demanding day at work I was not very inspired to get home and lace up my trainers for 7 miles in the persistent heavy rain. I did though; and after a bit of a mental battle during mile one in which my head was trying to convince myself this was pointless, I slotted into a really nice rhythm. I was supposed to run an easy 9 min/mile pace, but finished with an average of 8.21 min/mile. Perhaps I was not as knackered as I felt after all!? Body Pump class straight after soon dispelled that thought though - that was a struggle!

THURSDAY: one of those runs which was just really horrible. I was working late so had the morning to get my run in. I set an early alarm and drew back the curtains with great intention. It was still pouring with rain. I could not face getting soaked to the skin again, so decided to give it an hour to clear and also try bank a bit longer recovery from my evening workout yesterday. Of course it did not stop raining,  which did not put me in a great mood to begin with. ​As I started running I instantly felt like I had no energy, each step seemed an extra effort - not a great feeling with 7 miles ahead!

The plan was for alternating miles, an easy mile (approx 9 min/mile) followed by a hard mile (sub 8 min/mile pace). My resulting splits look alright on paper - 9.01, 7.36, 8.40, 7.43, 8.47, 7.51, 8.51 - but in practice it was such a struggle. I even stopped a couple of times, sheltering from the rain and wind driving into my face and gave myself a mental pep talk. A run completed - but not one I particularly enjoyed!

​FRIDAY: Rest Day

​SATURDAY: Lincoln parkrun, minus cake this week, but this time with my sister! The first time my sister ever completed a parkrun was in Lincoln when she was last visiting me, so it was always on the agenda to take her back to Boultham Park on her next visit. I had a real struggle of a middle lap today, but I rescued a good time thanks to a quick first lap, and finding some energy from somewhere for the final loop. I finished as 3rd female in 21:35, my friend was 4th female in a new PB, and my sister 5th female also in a massive new PB (see image). A good morning. 

SUNDAY: with my sister over for the weekend and a long run on my training plan I decided a good option was to find a local race for us to do together rather than asking her to run round streets with me. We opted for the Race For Life Half Marathon at Clumber Park. Full blog to follow - but we managed a 5th and 6th female placing, finishing in identical times (quite apt for identical twins!) but only after mastering a whole load of hills in the process!