Alice's Adventures in Running Land
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

Brighton Marathon Training: Week 9

2/24/2019

0 Comments

 
Training for a marathon can be just as mentally testing as it is physically; I do not think it matters how many times you have been through a training cycle, it still challenges you. This week I have experience a number of mental tests through my running...

MONDAY: after the Leicestershire Half Marathon on Sunday I was pleased to find my legs were not too sore, however, when it came to my evening strength double of Strength and Conditioning for Runners and Body Pump classes I could just feel my energy levels were low. I lacked power and I was a bit lethargic. This was to be expected really, and I focused on maintaining good technique and form despite my fatigue.

TUESDAY: after a race it is sometimes the case you can take things easier; you train and build up to a big event and then afterwards you have some rest and recovery. Not during marathon training! The prospect of 7 miles of intervals with 6 x 1000m reps did not grab me this morning; I was physically tired and mentally I was not sure I had the drive I needed - it was like I had used all my stores up during Sunday's race! I kept my expectations moderate, aiming for the intervals to be anything between 7 min/mile and 7.30 min/mile pace and just ran as well as I could. It was the hardest interval session I have ran for a while, but I managed it, with effort paces logging in the 7.20 min/mile region. 

WEDNESDAY: today's run was the mid week boost I needed. I met my friend from Strength and Conditioning for some more early morning miles and we ran a 7 mile loop around Lincoln. The company made the miles fly by, and as we also meet somewhere neutral, it means I get to run new routes rather than falling into the habit of running my usual paths. My friend is also a little faster than me, which is good, as it pushes me but without being ridiculously quick. Our pace was steady and consistent, averaging 7.53 min/mile overall. 

THURSDAY: after a good run yesterday this morning's solo ten miler before work seemed a bit of a slog. At times I felt ploddy, but I tried to keep my pace under control, averaging 8.22 min/mile overall. The positive at least was that after about 5 miles it started to get lighter, which boosted my spirits a little - Spring is coming! Body Pump class in the evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day
Picture
SATURDAY: today was one of those mornings when I realised just how important parkrun is in my life. I woke up looking forward to the Lincoln parkrun even more than usual as a friend from work had messaged saying she was planning on coming with her family; it would be their first time at Lincoln and I knew they would enjoy it. Chatting around the Bandstand pre-run I nearly forgot about the whole running thing to come! I think this set me up well as I ran really relaxed, not even looking at my watch, and just to feel. I stopped the clock at 21 minutes dead – in hindsight maybe a glance at my watch could have shaved that extra second off!? I really was not bothered though; I had ran well and was happy. After finishing I then spent a wonderful half an hour or so just chatting to lots of other people I know or have grown to know through parkrun, as well as cheering my friend's finish. I was due at work and my post run socialising actually nearly made me late! For me attending parkrun is so much more than just a 5k (see image). 

SUNDAY: the first 20 miler of this training block. I have to admit I was not looking forward to it. The mileage did not scare me, it was simply the fact I did not relish spending near on three hours in my own company. I knew I would get into my own head and frankly I did not need that much time with my own thoughts! Unfortunately, I do not like listening to music when I run, so I just had to deal with myself! I started a bit too quickly and I could not really get into natural rhythm. The weather was so changeable too; a thick fog would engulf me at times making it quite cool and damp, only to emerge into a warm sunshine which made me suddenly sweat. It did not help settle me. At the half way point I was running well still, but I was tired of my own mind games. I just had to dig deep and tick off the final half somehow. My pace dipped a little between miles 16-18 - I think my legs suddenly realised I was asking more from them - but I recovered when the end goal became in sight. I made it to 20 miles, averaging 8.20 min/mile overall - a strong run. I have to admit I am not relishing the thought of further solo 20+ mile long runs at the moment, but hopefully I have got through the biggest challenge this week. ​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Alice's Adventures In Running Land

    Read about my adventures in running land...


    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2019
    2020
    2021
    Ashby 20 2019
    Bassingham Bash 2015
    Bassingham Bash 2016
    Bassingham Bash 2017
    Bassingham Bash 2020
    Berlin Marathon 2016
    Berlin Marathon 2017
    Boston Marathon 2017
    Brighton 10k 2015
    Brighton Marathon 2019
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2018
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2019
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2020
    Chicago Marathon 2019
    Clumber Park Half Marathon
    Doncaster 10k 2017
    Doncaster 10k 2018
    Doncaster 10k 2019
    Finsbury Park 10k 2015
    General Running
    Great Newham Run 10k 2016
    Great North Run 2015
    Harewood House Half Marathon 2017
    Hedgehog Half Marathon 2018
    I Am Team GB
    Leicestershire Half Marathon 2018
    Leicestershire Half Marathon 2019
    Lincoln 10k 2015
    Lincoln 10k 2016
    Lincoln 10k 2017
    Lincoln 10k 2018
    Lincoln 10k 2019
    Lincoln Colour Dash 2015
    Lincoln Half Marathon 2016
    Lincoln Half Marathon 2017
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2015
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2016
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2017
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2018
    Lockdown 2021
    London Marathon 2015
    London Marathon 2016
    London Marathon 2017
    London Marathon 2018
    London Marathon 2020
    Manchester Marathon 2016
    Milton Keynes 20 Mile Race 2018
    Newark Half Marathon 2017
    Newark Half Marathon 2018
    Newark Half Marathon 2019
    Newton's Fraction Half Marathon 2019
    Normanby 10k 2020
    North Lincolnshire Half Marathon 2018
    North Lincolnshire Half Marathon 2019
    Nottingham 10k 2016
    Oxford Half Marathon 2015
    Parkrun
    Park Run
    Robin Hood Trail 10k
    Round Sheffield Run 2016
    Round Sheffield Run 2017
    Round Sheffield Run 2018
    Round Sheffield Run 2019
    Royal Parks Half 2016
    Santa Run 2014
    Santa Run 2015
    Santa Run 2018
    Santa Run 2019
    Sleaford 10k 2019
    Stamford 30k
    Sydney Marathon 2018
    The 401 Challenge
    The Royal Parks Half Marathon 2016
    Thoresby Half Marathon
    Winter Run 10k Liverpool
    Woodhall Spa 10k 2018
    Woodhall Spa 10k 2019
    X Runner 2015

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from marksteelenz