I am not sure I can really call this week 'calm' - it has been busy with lots of festive activities at work and some much needed end of year socialising/letting my hair down. It has however been my final week of 'non training' as my sixteen week journey towards Brighton Marathon begins on Monday - the incoming storm! With this in mind, I have kept my running relatively easy this week, and embraced the other elements of my life a little more; it has all been quite well timed really.

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: an easy 5 miles averaging 8.27 min/mile. My legs were also a little sore in places today, which I can only presume was from my efforts charging round the Santa Run on Sunday!

WEDNESDAY: another steady 5 miles before work. I was pleased to get out early today as Tuesday night had been the first instalment of my work Christmas party at an Escape Room, and I had thus gone to bed much later than my normal, often embarrassingly early bedtime! My slight tiredness did help me keep my pace in check though. 

THURSDAY: 5 more miles in the morning, followed by a festive themed Body Pump class in the evening. 

FRIDAY: a vague Rest Day - that's if you call being part of a coaching team delivering a Christmas holiday club to 180 very loud and excitable children a rest! 

SATURDAY: the last Lincoln parkrun before Christmas. This is always one of my favourite events of the year as there always seems to be that extra warmth and friendliness in the air, as well as Santa hats and fancy dress aplenty (see image). I pulled mine own Santa hat on, and as I do each year, prayed it would both stay on my head but equally not make me too hot in the process! I actually barely noticed the hat until I finished and then the sweaty seam seemed to suddenly feel claustrophobic on my head! Whilst running though I felt strong, and I managed to pick up my pace for the final mile, which is always a good sign. I finished in 21:13; creeping that tiny bit closer back to sub 21 min territory again. Today was also my friend's 100th parkrun and at the end I gave her a card to celebrate the milestone accompanied by a big hug. 

SUNDAY: Saturday night had been the second part of my work Christmas party - the more traditional type of meal and drinks festive celebrations. With more free Prosecco consumed than probably advisable, my dancing shoes were out, and by the morning my legs and head were both very sore. I debated not even running at all today, but I got itchy feet by lunchtime and headed out for some miles just to clear my mind. Out in the refreshing air my legs came alive, and whilst I kept the run shortish at 5 miles, my pace was good at 7.48 min/mile average. Prosecco power!

Next week is both Christmas week and when my marathon training begins - the question is, which am I actually more excited about?! ​

This week the weather has added a lot of variety to my running, even though my general mileage and weekly structure has remained quite consistent. As long as no snow appears and any icy conditions are kept to an absolute minimum, I can adapt to most other winter weather, whilst still wearing my shorts of course...!

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: the run with the ice - this morning's run had to be kept very steady due to glistening footpaths. I knew it was cold outside, but it was only as I started to run that I realised the full extent of the overnight frost. I instantly adapted, slowing down and focusing on logging 5 safe miles rather than at any speed. 

WEDNESDAY: the run with the rain - I worked late Tuesday evening, getting home at virtually 10pm, therefore when my early alarm woke me accompanied by the sound of rain splattering my window, I was very close to staying in bed. I laced up my shoes though, and although at first I did question my sanity as icy rain drove into my face, endorphins kicked in and I enjoyed a faster 5 miles. 

THURSDAY: the run with the warmth - after the week so far, I did not trust the iPhone weather app when it told me it was 11 degrees outside at 6am in the morning - surely not. I layered up and as soon as I started running instantly regretted my mistrust; it was so mild! These 5 miles were thus completed with sleeves rolled up, gloves stuffed into the hem of my shorts and finished with me being a sweaty mess. Body Pump class in the evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: the run with the wind - the gusty wind woke me early Saturday morning and I thought to myself this is when the power of parkrun is proved, the fact that people will get up on their weekend to run and volunteer outside in this, when they might have rolled over in bed otherwise. By the time 9am came round, conditions had thankfully eased a little, and there were only a few pockets of stronger wind at Lincoln parkrun's Boultham Park setting. I tried to run to feel today, sticking with a couple of other runners rather than focusing on my watch. I felt vaguely optimistic this might keep me closer to 21 minutes again, but I was wrong, finishing in 21:36 (see image). I am not sure why this week was back to being on the slower side for me - sometimes you just do not know what factors are influencing!

​SUNDAY: the run with the perfect winter weather - the weather this morning was beautiful, a crisp air, but with winter sunshine and clear blue skies; perfect for Sunday running. I felt less than perfect however after a Saturday night spent celebrating Christmas early with my work colleague before she heads away on holiday. There was gin involved, I did not get to bed until the early hours of the morning, but it was mainly my secret love of dancing which seemed to hit me hard, combined with the fact I rarely wear heels anymore. On Sunday morning my quads felt like they had had a workout and the balls of my feet were battered - I think my feet have actually felt better after a marathon! I did not mind though, it was a bit of escapism I needed and I had already fully accepted it would affect my running. Therefore today I went out with no expectations. I hid my watch under my sleeve and just enjoyed an out and back 10 miler along the local riverbank. I thought I was running slower than I actually was, which was pleasing that even with less than ideal pre-run prep, I could still manage an 8:25 min/mile average. ​All about the balance. 

The past seven days have flown by for me, as it seems has the year, with this week entering into December. I have felt a little tired this week, a kind of weary haze I have not been able to fully shift. I think this has been due to being busy at work, which I enjoy nevertheless, but also being unable to switch my head off from other personal things, which I do not enjoy! Running remains my constant though - as always...

MONDAY: Rest Day - after Sunday's Doncaster 10k my legs were a little achy and my body generally felt fatigued, so I listened to it and rested. 

TUESDAY: rising early I managed to avoid the monsoon like downpours that arrived during the day and logged a steady 5 miles, easing my legs back into things. Body Pump class in the evening.

WEDNESDAY: feeling a little more energised I opted for one of my hillier 5 mile routes. This proved to be a good choice, as I could feel the strength had returned in my legs, and I logged an 8:15 min/mile average pace.

THURSDAY: another wet and wild day, which this time I was unable to avoid. It was mild though and the rain actually felt quite refreshing on my 5 miler, and I remained close to 8 min/mile pace throughout. Body Pump in evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: after a full on week I woke today feeling a little down and deflated, which is when I know I really need my parkrun fix. It seemed fate that today I bumped into so many people I knew at Lincoln parkrun at literally every point of my morning; from arriving at the car park, to finding my jacket on the bandstand at the end, I had someone friendly to chat to - I loved it. In running terms it was also quite a good morning for me, I managed my best time for a while, 21:17, and also finished first lady again. I was helped when running by a friendly chap who has been trying to pace me back to sub 21 minute territory for a few weeks now; we ran together for the majority of the course and using him as a marker helped keep my pacing quite consistent. I now just to regain that little bit of extra speed from somewhere!

SUNDAY: I was unsure of how to approach today's planned 10 miles; I knew I had been running well at the distance over the past few weeks and that my legs could be tested, but I did not know if I had the mental energy to commit to that. I think if I am honest this was a day when I would have preferred some company on a longer run, and to enjoy some 'chatty' miles. Sometimes when you are on you own though that's when you can really test your strength, and I think I did that instead. I set out at an optimistic pace and just kept going. It was a unseasonably mild December day, and even wearing just shorts and t-shirt I was sweaty and warm! At mile 7 I started to consider slowing down and comfortably making it home instead, but that was when my determination really kicked in. I kept going, finishing with a 7.55 min/mile average pace (see image). My Brighton Marathon training starts in three weeks, and whilst I will be slowing down on my longer runs to avoid burning out and especially as the miles get longer, for now I am enjoying these Sunday tests. I also hope these miles will provide good foundations going forward. ​

Celebrations in running terms often mean PBs, whether that be distance or times, however this week I have been celebrating the success and achievements of two of the running communities I am part of...

MONDAY: a double hit of Strength and Conditioning for Runners followed by a Body Pump class.

TUESDAY: throughout Monday I had noticed how tight my legs had become, especially my left hamstring, which was now so tight I could barely straighten my leg fully - I think my limbs knew they were overdue a Sports Massage. Thankfully I had one booked for Thursday, however I still had a few runs I wanted to complete before then. With my legs feeling as they were I kept things steady on today's 5 miler; it took my legs nearly the entire run to feel loose anyway! Body Pump class in evening.

WEDNESDAY: the tightness in my legs remained, but there was slight progress during today's 5 miles as it only took 2 miles this time for my legs to feel a bit more flexible! 

THURSDAY: another morning 5 miler, practically counting down the steps to my massage later in the day! I had some cupping treatment on my hamstring - a strange sensation - and it sorted it out instantly, the relief when walking was enough let alone for running purposes!

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: today was my day of celebration, kicking off - where else - at Lincoln parkrun. It was Lincoln parkrun's 5th birthday (see image) and the cheerful, friendly atmosphere that brightens up my Saturday morning every week seemed to be exacerbated. Large '5' balloons floated around the sky, some of our dedicated volunteer team were given special thanks for their marshalling commitments, which even as a regular parkrunner I had not quite realised just how many high-viz stints had been racked up amongst them, and special mention was given to those who had helped make Lincoln parkrun a possibility to start with and who without we would never had made it to five years - it was perfect. My run - not quite as perfect! I worked hard, still managing to beam a smile at the marshals cheering me on even though I was gritting my teeth inside, but time wise I still stuck in that 21 minute region; finishing in 21:29. I was first lady home though, which felt quite nice on the birthday event! 

After parkrun I headed to a Hot Pod Yoga session, which had been arranged for members of the Strength and Conditioning for Runners group I belong to to celebrate a successful year of classes. Hot Pod Yoga is essentially a yoga class completed in a dome heated to 38 degrees, yet despite this rather warm temperature I did not sweat a single drop (see image)! I am not sure what is wrong me, as everyone else was dripping - maybe all that summer heatwave running has acclimatised me...!

​SUNDAY: Saturday night had also involved a some social drinks with the Strength and Conditioning group, nothing too wild, but still a few G&Ts and an early morning bedtime - which on reflection is actually quite wild compared to my usual Saturday nights! I thought I would just see how I felt running but on a beautiful autumn morning, things felt good. I headed out with a ten mile route in mind and ran the first 5 miles strongly, which then led to me challenging myself to try hold onto my pace for the next 5 miles. I stuck at it, but by the final mile and half I really was holding on! I held strong and finished with an average pace of 7.58 min/mile - I was very happy; however I was also nowhere near my house, so opted for a steady 1.5 mile 'cool down' run home... you would think after all my running in and around Lincoln I could plan routes by now! ​

This week has been a bit of a mix in terms of running, maybe a reflection on the mixture of emotions I have also felt personally this week. The consistency of running in my life remains key though; I think I shocked a lady I was chatting to at parkrun on Saturday when she asked how many times I run and train a week even when I do not have a race I am particularly focusing on. 'Its my life' I think I said to her, 'I am lost without it'. Her response was simply - 'good for you'. 

MONDAY: I was faced with the box jump again today in Strength and Conditioning after my slight falling out with the piece of equipment last week! With the support and encouragement from my fellow class attendees I managed to put my fears behind me and complete some plyo jumps - I definitely would not have done this alone! 

TUESDAY: aside from box jumps, last night's Strength and Conditioning class also featured some sprinting exercises and I could feel the exertion in my legs as I began this morning's run. I was tired and did not even need to tell myself to keep this run easy paced; logging a gentle 5 miles. I nearly did not go to my Body Pump class in the evening as I just felt a little bit lacklustre still, but I dragged myself there as I figured it would mentally make myself feel better - and it did. 

WEDNESDAY: after taking it easier on my run yesterday, today I felt refreshed and even in swirling wind and rain I kept good pace for 5 miles, averaging just over 8 min/mile pace. I think this reminded me the importance of easy runs being part of my running regime still; I find it more logical to do when I am in 'training mode', but with the amount of miles I still do in what I guess you could call 'off season', easy sessions still have great value.

THURSDAY: my body felt a bit tired again today, with some tightness in my muscles, so I kept my run to a brief 4 miles, with a Body Pump class in the evening.

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: on a beautiful Autumn morning I headed to Lincoln parkrun - where else! There was a fabulous turn out of 478 people taking part, and I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces. My run was not so great, I just did not get into my stride at the start and it felt like I was running unnaturally, with a stitch then threatening to form as I tried to keep some pace. It was not pretty, but I stuck at it to finish in 21:39 (see image). After a good parkrun last week I was a little disappointed at the contrast in my performance, however looking around at the hundreds of people enjoying their Saturday morning, as ever it is always hard to let the time bother you too much outside of those few seconds of post run reflection in the finish funnel!

SUNDAY: 10 miles appears to be my distance right now, and today marked another consistent longer run, with a near 8 min/mile pace held throughout. I feel more powerful over 10 miles than I do on a 5k at the moment - which as a marathon runner I probably should feel pleased about! I think I was especially satisfied with today's run as I set off with the notion that I may feel like taking things a bit steadier after a bit of fatigue during the week, however this seemed to still be a comfortable zone for me. How I wish I could keep this pace up over 26.2 miles! Never say never... ​

The clocks have gone back, its dark, noticeably colder - but I am still running, even with a minor bump at the start of the week..!

MONDAY: said bump happened tonight during my Strength and Conditioning class after the wooden box jump and I had a little falling out... Whilst completing plyo-jumps onto the box I got slightly distracted mid-jump, which meant my attention was not on my landing and, as you can probably guess, I clattered the edge and side of the box. It was a complete accident but it still hurt a lot! I soldiered on, but as I completed Body Pump afterwards I could already see I was developing a rather bruised and swollen shin. 

TUESDAY: Rest Day - my shin was badly bruised and the swelling meant I had slight pain every time I took a step. I knew it was only a superficial injury, but at the same time I also knew that running was not going to be a comfortable or particularly enjoyably experience, so I rested.

WEDNESDAY: on a very cold morning I wrapped up and tried a 5 miler - I think the cold helped numb some of my shin pain to be honest, and I quite happily completed the distance at 8.23 min/mile pace. I really enjoyed the run as it was my first morning run since the clock change and I was able to run alongside a beautiful rising sun - a perk of a 5.30am morning alarm!

THURSDAY: another 5 miler at around 8.20 min/mile pace, followed by a Body Pump class in the evening.

FRIDAY: on this morning's run the footpaths were glistening in places, with an overnight frost threatening to take hold. I did not like this, as the thought of ice reminded me of having to resort to the treadmill! Today the patches were small though and living quite centrally in the city meant that some roads/paths had actually been gritted, which pleasantly surprised me, and I ran another 5 miles at 8.21 min/mile average pace.

SATURDAY: during the week my home parkrun, Lincoln, had been recognised as being Physical Activity Programme of the Year at a regional sports awards ceremony (for the second year running!) I may be slightly bias as an avid parkrunner, but I feel this is truly deserved, and as 400+ runners and volunteers joined me at Boultham Park to complete a morning 5k run, jog or walk, I do not think I was alone in this thinking. My run was good today, I felt strong throughout and my first 2 miles were both at sub 7 min/mile pace for the first time in a long while, leading to a finish time of 21:15, and a bonus of being first lady home.

SUNDAY: ignoring the small glitch at the start of the week, today I completed a positive week of running by logging a very pleasing ten miler (see image). Even though I chose a slightly hilly route I found I was running consistently with a lot of my splits just under 8 min/mile pace. It is hard to describe how I was feeling when running; I was not pushing myself unnecessarily, but I just felt like I was in a powerful zone. People often ask me what I think about when I am running, and when running solo as I have been a lot over the past months, to be honest I simply allow myself to get caught up in the run itself, and that's what it felt like today. ​

​I am still sporting a very bruised shin, but thankfully without any pain now - think my box jump days may be over for a while!

As I sat reflecting on this week it dawned on me that so much has happened across the last 7 days personally, professionally and in running. Generally it has been a very positive week; I finally decided on and booked my Spring marathon - Brighton (more on that to come in a blog soon), I am fortunate to love my job and whilst this week has been very busy it has also been extremely rewarding, and my running seems to be settling quite nicely to a consistent level which I know I can build on. There are still a few personal challenges that have been rearing their head, and amid the positivity there have been moments where I have sat and just wished I could fix/change certain things going on... but I have to try remain focused on what I can control. 

MONDAY: my usual Strength and Conditioning class was cancelled tonight due to a flood, however I was still able to take part in Body Pump and get my strength fix. I also had an exciting meeting. In recent weeks I have been working as a coach for Lincs Injury delivering further Wednesday night Strength and Conditioning sessions for fellow runners, and we met to discuss future plans. My background is in sports coaching and being able to combine this with seeing runners progress has been a real highlight since getting back from Australia. I feel I have become part of another running community.

TUESDAY: a steady morning 5 miler averaging 8.26 min/mile pace. The niggle in my ankle from last week was still apparent at the start, but the uncomfortable sensation faded quickly; hopefully it is sorting itself out?!

WEDNESDAY: on Tuesday night I had got home late after watching the mid-week Lincoln City F.C. match (which is where I work!) and this meant I did struggle to get out of bed early this morning to run. I had evening plans again with work though, so knew if I wanted to run I had to get out there. I logged another steady 5 miles, averaging 8.23 min/mile pace. At work we had visitors from Poland spending time with my colleague and I on a study visit, so in the evening we took them out to see the wonderful sights of Lincoln! It was another late night with some wine consumed and I already knew that setting my morning alarm for a run was a little optimistic... 

Despite developing a mysterious ankle niggle/injury/issue (I am not sure what it is!), this week has a been a good week for running. I have pushed myself a little more at times, just for fun really, and have also exerted a bit of self disciple to listen to my body too - testing myself in both ways. This week has also ignited my excitement to start training again in a few months time!

MONDAY: Strength and Conditioning for Runners followed by a Body Pump class

TUESDAY: this week I wanted to try and add a bit more pace to my mid week running, not a lot, but just enough to add a little more stimulus for my mind and demand on my legs. This morning's early  5 miler involved a long hill to begin with and then trying to keep pace afterwards. I like creating challenges like this every once in a while and I recommend it if you want to mix up your running a little. 

WEDNESDAY: another 5 miler, however this run naturally turned into a progression run as with each mile that passed I simply felt I could give a little more. I was really pleased to finish with a 7.37 min/mile split without it feeling too much like I was killing myself! 

THURSDAY: after two good runs today was the complete opposite. My 5:30am alarm went off and I was awake, dressed and out ready by 6am. All was good until I took my first step. My left ankle felt painful instantly, like a twanging feel radiating from the calf/soleus into my foot. It hurt every time I pushed off the ground. As I had felt nothing in the days before or even as I had been walking around my house beforehand I hoped the pain would just ease and might be stiffness. I plodded slowly along, but the pain remained and rather than fade seemed to shift all over my ankle. I made it to 1 mile, stopped, realised this was stupid, turned around and plodded home. I was not too upset - if I had been in marathon training then it would have been another story! Instead I was more puzzled and curious as to why it felt like this, especially as later when walking to work it was absolutely fine. I even went to a Body Pump class later and again felt absolutely nothing. I started to think I had imagined it all, but I promise the pain had been very real when running!

FRIDAY: Rest Day - and a lot of ice and compression applied to the ankle. I still was not sure what was wrong, but figured this would do no harm. 

There has been one main thing which people have been talking about this week - the London Marathon ballot results. Even if you did not put your name into the draw, chances are you know someone who did. My name was in the proverbial hat, and this week I received my rejection email and magazine - a double whammy! I will admit in previous years I have hung a lot on running the London Marathon, and rejection has been hard to take. This year though I am fine with not having a place for 2019. I am fortunate to have experienced the magic of running London three times, in 2015, 2017 and 2018, and was there as a spectator in 2016 to see my friend conquer the race. Each year has given me treasured memories which I will keep for the rest of my life; it feels almost selfish to want more. This year's London Marathon was particularly special too as I got to share running the race with my friend for the first time, and my Mum and Dad were also on Tower Bridge; hugging them mid race and sharing an absolutely exhausted embrace with my friend at the end made every single one of those horrendously hot steps worth it! Let's not forget the heat - I think I need another year just to get over the feeling of intense heat radiating from the London tarmac too! I have a Good For Age place for 2020 - I feel that this will be the right time for me to run through the capital again.

Aside from the London Marathon fanfare, this week has been a little mixed for me. I felt like I was there with recovery, but I think this week has highlighted that whilst I may be being kind to my legs in terms of demands and mileage, I cannot neglect other areas just because I am not in training mode. My energy levels this week have been poor, so sleep and nutrition are my focus going forward. 

MONDAY: after Sunday's Hedgehog Half Marathon I felt a little fatigued today, understandable at this point I think, but managed a double session of Strength and Conditioning for Runners and then Body Pump.

TUESDAY: my tiredness lingered today, so I kept my morning 5 mile run very easy, almost like a 'shake out' run as people like to call it!

WEDNESDAY: whilst I have got into a habit of running early, today my morning alarm was a struggle. I went out later than I had planned so squeezed in a quicker 4 miles. The miles were not as quick as I would have liked though, as my energy levels felt low and I was noticeably hungry, which is never a good feeling when exercising. 

THURSDAY: a better run; 5 miles at 8.11 min/mile average pace followed by a Body Pump class in the evening. 

Physically I think this has been the first week since the Sydney Marathon and landing back in the UK that I have felt almost 'back to normal'. It has taken a while, even though by my standards I have been quite disciplined with my recovery. Mentally I am not yet back at the stage where I want to be pushing myself too much when running; I am very much in 'running' mode rather than 'training' mode. I know I need the break though and it is not something I am particularly concerned with right now - I even debated not running the half marathon I had entered for this Sunday. I did find myself on the start line though, but with a fresh focus it felt a happy place to be...

MONDAY: a double session of strength work due to work commitments later in the week, starting with Strength and Conditioning for Runners and ending with Body Pump. 

TUESDAY: I lacked a bit of desire to run today plus had a slightly sore quad muscle (probably from too much strength work!) so kept it short and steady, logging 4 early miles at around 8 min/mile pace.

WEDNESDAY: my quad was still a little tight, so I opted for an easy 5 mile run just to try loosen it off, which actually seemed to help. 

THURSDAY: I felt like a little more of a challenge today, but did not think I could rely on my own motivation to push the pace. Instead I included some hills in my 4 mile route - nature's way of testing myself! Body Pump class in the evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: it was parkrun's birthday today - 14 years since the event started at Bushy Park (which I am determined I will go and run one day!) It was grey, wet and miserable in Lincoln and probably more remarkable in these conditions is the fact that hundreds of people now chose to spend their Saturday morning running and volunteering every week at Lincoln parkrun - and indeed across the world! I could write paragraphs about the benefits of parkrun and even more about what it has added to my life, but I think this article sums it all up quite well - BBC News - it is so much more than just a run. Back to today's effort - the main positive was it felt a million times better than last week's return to action, however I still managed virtually the same time - 21:37. I am not 'training' in the week so not expecting to suddenly running sub 21 minute 5ks again, and that does not matter. The happiness I get from running with others and chatting to familiar and new faces each week overrides that. ​

This was the first full week of my 'real' life since landing back from Australia - back to reality you could say! My aim was to continue predominantly with easy paced running whilst focusing on reintroducing strength work into my exercise regime - after a period of about four weeks without any, I knew this would be enough of a challenge! 

MONDAY: I kick started my focus on resuming regular strength work with the latest block of the Strength and Conditioning for Runners session I attend. I loved being back, but I could certainly feel the short break I had taken from strength training - my legs were shaking at the end!

TUESDAY: despite it now being dark in the mornings and markedly cooler, I still had the urge this week to want to run early before work. Ignoring the summer heatwave, I have tended to run in the evenings, but it seems I may now have broken the habit! This morning was an easy 5 miles, I wanted no pressure on pace and unsurprisingly my body had bad DOMs from Monday's session! I made a tentative return to Body Pump in the evening - more pain!

WEDNESDAY: double DOMs meant for another easy paced 4.5 mile run.

THURSDAY: today was my birthday (27 on the 27th - I pretended that was a thing!) so started the day the best way I could think, with a sunrise run. After being disciplined and keeping my running very easy since the Sydney Marathon, I allowed myself a little treat today and pushed the pace with a 5 mile progression run. It still was not super speedy, but it was nice to challenge myself a little more. I went to Body Pump again in the evening which thankfully now was less of a shock to the system!

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: my love of parkrun meant I was excited to be running my home Lincoln event for the first time since my Australian adventure. I knew it was going to be hard work; it would be my first real speed test post marathon, combined with the fact my legs were still not feeling back to normal yet. My sister and her boyfriend were visiting and I was more optimistic about their chances of running good times than caring about what I could do!

Last week was personally one to forget, and this week I was determined to try and make things better. The challenges in my personal life have not really gone away, but I didn't want them to affect me as badly as they did last week. I can't control what is going on, believe me I have tried, but I can try and control how I deal with it. This week I also wanted to have another relatively easy/care free running week doing what I wanted. Although it seems a lifetime ago now, it is still only a couple of weeks since the Liverpool Marathon, and next week my new goal commences - which will be revealed soon!

MONDAY: on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday I started the day with a Body Pump class and ended with an 11 mile cycle ride - yes, not even running! I had been given a free bike a few months back and had never really had the time (read - have been prioritising running) to take it for a spin. It was relaxing to do something different and definitely helped clear my mind.

TUESDAY: a friend has recently got into Body Pump classes and although I did the class yesterday I wanted to go along with her again today and keep the encouragement going. I therefore ran an easy 4 mile loop to the gym and back, with a Pump session in the middle. Running felt purposeful, but without any pressure. 

WEDNESDAY: a run I absolutely loved. I headed out the door with the aim of running 5 miles but with no focus on pace. The weather was a delight; cool and drizzly, which although might sound horrible, after weeks of running and racing in intense heats, it was heavenly. I ran just over 5 miles in an average pace of 7.47 min/mile - it felt great.

THURSDAY: today I took another turn at revisiting my old football roots and spent a day at work coaching a half term holiday club for children. It is always tiring, but I prepped well and as soon as worked finished rushed and made it to the gym just in time for another Body Pump class with my friend. Three Body Pump classes in one week - I am expecting to be 'hench' soon! Today I also started to notice I was losing my voice. I knew I was a little run down after the stress of last week, and just put it down to that combined with shouting at children all day!

FRIDAY: Rest Day - I woke today with absolutely no ability to speak. My day was unbelievably frustrating, and made me realise just how much you rely on your voice to not only communicate but also to feel a part of things.

A week without much running, I know what you are thinking, surely this is going to be a thrilling blog article then!? I write this blog primarily about my running, but running and my life are so closely intertwined it is hard to separate the two at times. This week has been hard for me, but probably least of all in running.

I ran Liverpool Marathon on Sunday, my second marathon in a four week period after the London Marathon in April, with a half marathon race also thrown in the middle for good measure... mad I know! It has been a big four weeks for me, and I am proud of what I have achieved and still probably slightly amazed and unable to believe it. This week I knew I had to fight the desire in my head to lace up my trainers, and I had to really focus on rest. I mean REALLY focus on rest, not the usual 'couple of days' Alice form of rest. This years is far from over for me in terms of running and I need my body and legs in one piece. 

MONDAY: the morning post Liverpool Marathon and I woke to near perfect legs, again making my doubt had I really ran 26.2 miles again? Still in Liverpool, I enjoyed a gentle 6 mile walk around the city, reliving the race with my sister and her boyfriend.

TUESDAY: I had developed blisters on the base of nearly all my toes today, a delayed reaction maybe, but my legs were great still, and I was walking and getting up/sitting down completely normally. I found it so hard to believe. I did go to a Body Pump class this evening, but only as I hoped I may be able to see my friend; I didn't and it made the class a bit of an effort as I probably would not have gone otherwise.

WEDNESDAY to FRIDAY: I completely rested - making it five days without running a step. 

SATURDAY: I was at work early morning so unable to attend my home Lincoln parkrun as usual, which made me a little sad, so I laced up for 4 early morning miles instead (see image). At first my knees protested as I started to run, but after this I felt fine, keeping the pace steady.

The highlight of this week has been the one non running thing I actually did - which instantly says something about how my running has been! Starting with the good; I watched the excellent Skid Row Marathon at the cinema on Wednesday (see image), a powerful film which to me emphasised just how transformational running can be to life. The film was being screen in selected UK cinemas for one night only, but I recommend if you do get a chance to watch it in future, you definitely take it! Now the not so good; running has been an effort all this week thanks to a niggling and draining cold. My germs started last weekend and I seem to have been unable to shake them...

MONDAY: as it was beautiful Bank Holiday Monday I took an easy 3 mile round run to the gym and back for a Body Pump class, not wanting to push my legs too much after Sunday's North Lincolnshire Half Marathon. My cold was stuffy and in my head, am sure you know the type, and the warmth of the day did not help how I felt. 

TUESDAY: on another warm day I tried to run later in the day hoping it would affect my cold less. Short answer: it did not help. I ran 6 miles which just did not feel that great, and I had the first sense that I just lacked any real energy. 

WEDNESDAY: heading out for an early morning 5 miler I was not really sure why I was expecting to feel any better than yesterday. I felt worse - my legs were lead and just not wanting to run, and my cold was seemed like it was somehow in full grasp of my body. 

THURSDAY: I hoped I would start to feel better as the week wore on but today was the biggest struggle. I had a headache all day and just felt lethargic. Me being me, I pulled on my trainers after work still and did an easy 4 mile round run to the gym for Body Pump. Exercise made me feel better mentally, but my body still was not right when running; it just did not feel like me - which sounds a weird thing to say, but it didn't. 

I have felt quite free this week - no training plan to follow, not having to solely focus on trying to do the right thing in order to recover from the marathon, just doing what I want. In the past this would have been something I hated, but I have enjoyed this week. I think because I trained so hard this time for the London Marathon and then the day itself was so demanding, I actually feel like I need a bit of a physical and mental break from pushing myself too much. I mean, this week has still contained a lot of running and a half marathon race (and also a lot of gin!) - but by my usual standards it has felt quite relaxed!

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: an early morning 5 miler. My legs felt very heavy from the start, which I think was predominantly due to there not being many hours recovery between a late night Pump class and an early morning running alarm. I managed to keep a steady pace though, averaging 7.57 min/mile. 

WEDNESDAY: another steady run, 6 miles this time on improved legs, but with a couple of hill challenges thrown in... just because! I have no real motivation to be running intervals or anything like that right now, so I guess hills were my form of natural test. 

THURSDAY: a run commute to the gym and back for a Body Pump class. I ran a faster 3 miles to the gym, around 7.30 min/mile pace, but was less bothered by my pace running the 2 miles home after the class and just kept it gentle. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day - and a slightly different Friday evening to my usual rather unexciting routine. I attended a friend's wedding reception and without the pressures of marathon training I felt fully able to embrace the occasion. I (literally) dusted off my high heels, drank too much gin, and danced without a care in the world until 3am - running was the last thing on my mind!

As the title suggests - its been a mixed week. Running has not felt great some days, and other days I have felt ok. The end of the year is nearing, so I put it down to just needed a bit of a break - which I have vowed to do after Christmas Day and the end of the Run Up To Christmas challenge. It will only be for a few days before my marathon training starts in January, but I feel it will help. 

MONDAY: a fast five miles on the treadmill before Body Pump. I chose the treadmill as ice had returned to paths, and in the evening darkness I did not want to risk running outside. I pushed the speed a little, making the run a bit of a progression run, which helped the time pass quicker and make it feel less monotonous. 

TUESDAY: in contrast to yesterday, today's run was a slow struggle for five miles. I didn't feel right before leaving the house, a bit queasy for some reason, so my expectations were not too high. I did not quite anticipate it feeling so uneasy though. I trudged around; I had planned on running six miles, but felt there was no point in pushing it when nothing seemed good at all!

WEDNESDAY: 7 slightly better miles. To begin with I felt a little anxious as I ran, my breathing unnatural; I think I was worried I was going to feel like I did yesterday. It took a few miles for me to feel more 'normal', but I managed 7 miles before my Body Pump class.

THURSDAY: back to a struggle today; I felt tired and low on energy, but squeezed in a short 4 miles early morning before work and a Christmas party in the evening. The only satisfaction I got was that I had fitted a run in early, and with a rest day planned tomorrow, I would have nearly 48 hours of recovery. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: a festive Lincoln parkrun. After a week of running not feeling great, I was looking forward to some light relief. The final parkrun before Christmas always makes me feel festive; its great to be surrounded by so many happy people, the vast majority in some form of fancy dress. ​

I had donned a Santa hat (see image) and my aim was to try and complete the three laps of Boultham Park with it remaining in place! I ran much better than I anticipated, and at one point thoughts flashed into my head about whether I may be able to push to get close to low 21 minutes. I could not quite maintain it though, finishing in 21:21; however my hat did remain on throughout! A lovely morning of Christmas cheer, and I made sure to wish all the volunteer marshals on course a 'Merry Christmas' as I passed by on my final loop.  

SUNDAY: a Christmas Eve 12 miler back in my childhood hometown of Stowmarket. I ran with my sister (see image), and as seems the case each year, trying to plan a long run route just seems to emphasise how small Stowmarket is! We plotted an out and back route to a nearby town, which whilst I tend to avoid running out and back, I really enjoyed. It was nice to chat and a great opportunity for us to catch up across the miles. The run also saw us both exceed our Run Up To Christmas targets with one day to spare!

I wish everyone who reads and follows my running adventures a very Merry Christmas - I hope you have a lovely festive period. 

As Christmas rapidly approaches we have been treated to some suitably seasonal frosty weather at times this week. This has meant some adaptions to my usual running habits. I have also been continuing to log miles towards my Run Up To Christmas challenge, which has helped me get a few extra miles in, especially when the weather may have otherwise put me off!

MONDAY: it was so cold today I literally could not face putting myself through the numbing weather outside for the sake of running a few short miles before my Body Pump class. I wimped out, and ran a quick half mile to the gym and then hopped on the treadmill to get 3.5 miles in before the class!

TUESDAY: I was due to be working late into the evening today, so set my alarm for an early run before work. As I drew my curtains though I was met by glistening, icy paths - not ideal for running at all. I was close to crawling back into bed, but dug out some motivation (definitely helped by Run Up To Christmas!) and carefully walked to the gym for some more treadmill miles. I managed 5 faster miles; I had to up the pace a little as mentally it gets me off the machine quicker! The treadmill was just about bearable and I was consoled by it being a much safer option to running outside. 

WEDNESDAY: today was marginally warmer which meant the ice melted and joyfully I could return to running outside! I loved the run for that simple reason, and got 6 miles in at just over 8 min/mile pace before my Body Pump class.

THURSDAY: another ice free day and another run I found really joyful. It was still cold and rain threatened to set in, but I ran around my familiar Lincoln streets almost thoughtlessly and 7 miles ticked by very comfortably at a steady 8.11 min/mile average pace.

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: the return of the ice. It was very frosty today and as I entered Boultham Park ready for Lincoln parkrun I could see the paths were a bright white colour in a number of places. Needless to say it was slippy underfoot at times and a few spots on the corners of the course did require you to resort to almost walking pace to safely navigate. The volunteers had the course well marshalled though and we were suitability warned of all hazards, so I did not feel unsafe at all. It was also great to see other runners looking out for each other, warning of patches ahead which may be hard to see were actually icy - the parkrun community at its best! I ran sensibly (see image), pushing when I could and being safe when I needed to, and finished in 21:16, which I was really happy with in the elements. 

SUNDAY: ​more ice - the conditions actually annoyed me today. I set myself a goal of running 11.5 miles, which would see me hit 95 miles for my Run Up To Christmas challenge, and used that sole focus to keep me going. I started off well, but my enthusiasm faded as I got tired of dodging ice patches and trying to assess pavement surfaces. It was a bit bleak and miserable to be honest! I am praying for less festive conditions next week, and I do not care if that makes me a scrooge!

​Running has been the highlight of my week this week; after the joys of having my best friend visiting from Australia for the first time in two years, it has felt a bit empty not having her around again. This is one of the many reasons why I love running though, it is my constant, my 'go to' when I need something to focus on. With this in mind, I was therefore pleased to also have the purpose of the Run Up To Christmas challenge for this full week. Whilst I know my motivation to run is usually very strong, feeling part of this just helped me that little bit more. 

MONDAY: to keep log some extra miles I opted for a short run to the gym for Body Pump, and then an even shorter half mile back to my house after - a simple way to log 3 more miles! 

TUESDAY: today was one of those days where before leaving the house I did not hold too much expectation for my run, but then as soon as I started running it all just fell into place. Maybe less pressure leads to better results sometimes? I logged 6.3 miles (the odd 0.3 used to even off my current Run Up To Christmas total!) at an average pace of 7.58 min/mile. It always pleases me when I run sub 8 min/mile pace without consciously planning it - it is just a personal goal and something I am striving to be more naturally consistent at as my running progresses. 

WEDNESDAY: another double run with a Body Pump class sandwiched in the middle. I say double run - the first 5.7 miles was a good paced, planned run; the second was 0.5 miles solely for the purpose of running home - but it all counts! The Body Pump class was actually replaced this week by a Cross Fit style substitute. I really enjoy the challenge when this happens as Cross Fit uses a mix of heavier weights and lower reps, which I am less used to, and thus it really pushes me - before subsequently leaving me feeling absolutely battered for days after!

THURSDAY: today was a bit of a struggle, as predicted my body was very sore from Cross Fit, but I also realised that with taking on the Run Up To Christmas challenge, and having an out of routine week last week, I had logged about nine days of consecutive running and consequently lots of accumulative miles. With this in mind I just kept my run short and easy; 4.3 miles at a comfortable 8.30 min/mile pace. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

This week has been anything but normal for me - a self confessed somewhat quite routined person. The cause of such change has not been a negative though by any means, and has been due to my best friend visiting from Australia. After two years apart, last week we ran together at the Doncaster 10k, and this week she has spent most of the time with me in Lincoln with more running, but also lots of food and drink involved! However despite being out of my usual lifestyle habits, I have actually still logged 36 miles of running this week, whilst still partying a little too hard - balance! 

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: Rest Day - an early rest day with my friend arriving in Lincoln and also with a bit of forward thinking regarding my plans for the remainder of the week.

WEDNESDAY: it was bitterly cold today - a bit of a shock for my friend who is used to a slightly warmer climate these days! We wanted to attend Body Pump at the gym in the evening as it is something we used to do all the time, and my friend also wanted to reunite with our other friend (my long suffering marathon machine run buddy!) to reform our gym/running trio - Team One More Green (long story!) With all this in mind, we opted for a 5 mile treadmill run before Body Pump. I cannot even remember the last time I ran on a treadmill as I usually hate it! But having my friend next to me to chat to, and to keep me from slamming the big red 'stop' button it actually made me find it quite pleasant. Body Pump after was then such fun having the team back together again (see image) - I smiled throughout! 

THURSDAY: my friend wanted to explore one of our old running routes today and had requested we fit in a 10 mile run - I obviously was not going to complain about this! What my friend probably had not predicted however was that the icy temperatures would continue... It was a freezing morning and I had to laugh as my friend tried to run with her arms folded to begin with in an attempt to keep warm! She adapted though and also stuck to my pace suggestion of 8:30 min/mile - rather than her usual speediness! Despite the cold - which even I was taken aback by at times, it was a beautiful run (see image) with even a few elegant snow flurries gracing us. 

This week was all about the countdown to the weekend (I must add - I do actually love my job!) It was for a good reason though. My best friend, and running partner in crime, moved to Australia two years ago and this would be the first time I had seen her since she left. Having your closest friend on literally the other side of the world has been hard at times, but this weekend would make it all worth while. 

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: after a busy day at work my urge to run was low. I eventually stuck my run gear on though, and my procrastination did at least mean the rain had stopped lashing by the time I got out the door, and I logged a steady 5.5 miles at 8:09 min/mile average pace.

WEDNESDAY: my energy levels were a little low again today, but I knew I wanted to run a few extra miles today since my weekend plans meant I would be missing out on my traditional 'Sunday long run'. I targeted 7 steady miles and finished at the gym for Body Pump - feeling much more energised for completing both. 

THURSDAY: Body Attack class

FRIDAY: Rest Day

​SATURDAY: the start of a bitterly cold but exciting weekend. If I thought last Saturday's Lincoln parkrun was cold, today it was absolutely Baltic, with a sparkling of frost gracing the park. Although the conditions were harsher, I seemed to cope better with the weather today. Whilst it was still a shock at first as I started to run, I seemed to adapt quicker, and I pushed myself to an improved 21:13 finish. My quest to return to a sub 21 minute time before the end of 2017 remains, but I shall keep trying! Post parkrun I then headed to Doncaster to meet my friend; a bundle of nervous, emotional, excitement - somewhat like heading to a big race!

This week has been pretty standard in terms of running, however the weekend offered an extra reminder of the pure joy that running can add to life, and has added to mine. 

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: I had a long and busy day at work today, but managed to find an opportunity to squeeze a quick 5 mile run in. When I can just about fit a run into a day I am grateful to have that chance to get my endorphin hit, so in these situations tend not to put any pressure on myself in terms of pace. With no expectations I was therefore pleased to naturally hit exactly 8 min/mile pace. 

WEDNESDAY: a pre-Body Pump class 5 mile run, which was almost an exact copy of yesterday's run, with my legs seeming to revert comfortably to 8 min/mile pace.

THURSDAY: Body Attack class - the endless squat jumps and lunges killed my legs this week and walking home I felt like I had just stumbled across the finish line of a race, with that feeling of having very little left in the tank!

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: this Saturday marked my local parkrun's 4th Birthday. Lincoln parkrun has grown to become a near on permanent fixture in my week, and thus has had a huge positive impact on my life. I know I am not alone in feeling like this, and I am bias to say we also have a very special community at Lincoln. It was therefore heartwarming to stand listening to the celebratory run brief, with this all in mind, and feeling a small part of something so special. The morning itself was very cold, and in the first mile I felt the effect of the wintery weather, with my body feeling a bit shocked by the conditions the air seeming harsh to breathe. The following miles I adapted a little better, but could sense I was not going to achieve my sub 21 minute time goal without even needing to look at my watch. I clocked a 21:25 finish time, which I was content with in the conditions; after all time is not everything at parkrun and there is always another week! I then went and left a message on the white board which had been brought along to the event this week and asked us to describe Lincoln parkrun in no more the 4  words (see images) - 'my happy place' - I wrote, and I really mean it.  

SUNDAY: across the last few weeks I have been completing a longer run on a Sunday without any set time or distance in mind, which after months of marathon training has offered a bit of a break. Today was much the same, albeit on a much colder morning, and I headed out for a no-pressure long run with my friend. For some reason though I just really loved this run, more than any of the Sunday's runs throughout the past few weeks. 

This week I have realised two things. One; it is definitely getting cold/into winter running season now! Two; at some point before the year is out I need to give my body a bit more of a break - a real break. I have not really rested at all since September's Berlin Marathon, and whilst I am pleased I have been able to maintain a good base of fitness in terms of both endurance and speed, I also want to be refreshed for January when my training for the London Marathon starts. Running is such a massive part of my life though it is no secret I find it hard to rest, but am hoping the rapidly approaching festive season will bring me some down time. Lets be honest, I am not going to be putting my feet up for an entire week - but I think even a couple of extra days out of routine will do me well before the year is out.

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: it rained almost non stop today, and as I headed out for a cold, dark 6 mile run, prepared  for a soaking, I felt a little mad! At first as the cold rain droplets pelted my face and limbs (I always wear shorts!) I was leaning towards the fact I was actually insane, but then the running endorphins kicked in and suddenly it felt weirdly refreshing. I ran quick, as whilst feeling refreshing, it was still not quite the conditions for a gentle plod!

WEDNESDAY: the rain had disappear but today was simply cold, with a slight bitter edge. Again the conditions urged me to run quick, as opposed to this being a conscious decision, and I ran 5 miles at around 8 min/mile pace. Body Pump after at the gym. 

After last week felt a little stagnant in terms of running and training, this week has been anything but. Somehow along the way I have managed to log 40 miles worth of running, which sounds a bit ridiculous to say this happened almost unintentionally, but everything mounted up without me really being aware of the overall mileage. Ignoring slightly tight hamstrings, my legs feel alright with this mileage leap though, which is pleasing and makes me itch to start marathon training in January even more!

MONDAY: my usual Body Pump instructor was away so I tentatively tried the replacement class. This turned out to be a CrossFit style session, which is something I have never experienced before. It was very different to Body Pump, which focuses on moderate weights and high reps, instead using lower reps and heavier weights. It challenged me, but I really enjoyed the change - and it certainly made my body ache for days after!

TUESDAY: a 6 mile run dodging the groups of people out on the streets 'trick and treating' for Halloween. I felt good tonight so decided to push the pace a little and ran roughly 8 min/mile on average. 

WEDNESDAY: with a 10k race planned for the weekend, I consciously kept today's run a little steadier, running one of my familiar 5 mile loops before trying a different Body Pump replacement class at the gym. This was again a weights based class, but (thankfully!) was a little less brutal than Monday's CrossFit beasting!

THURSDAY: the 10k race at the weekend was a trail run, so I wanted to dig out my trail shoes beforehand and just make sure they were still comfortable to run in, as it had been a while! With this in mind, I rose early today and headed to the local common near my house for an early morning 5 mile run, reacquainting myself with my forgotten trainers. The morning was cold, misty and mysterious looking, and the conditions felt quite apt to be venturing through the off road landscape. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: a big day of running. Today was the Robin Hood Trail 10k my friend and I had entered, which was slightly unconventionally held on a Saturday afternoon. This therefore left a nice little window of opportunity to squeeze in a Lincoln parkrun still! It was a truly miserable morning, with heavy non-stop rain, and I felt a little mad as I laced up my trainers. I ran to parkrun, which is about 2.5 miles, and was instantly drenched. I found the combination of running down to parkrun and the fact I was so wet made it hard to get my legs going again when the 9am parkrun start time struck. I did not have my usual energy from the start, and I felt a little lethargic throughout. I knew I would not be challenging my low 21 minute times of late, but I was happy I still logged a good 21:30 time. I was then faced with an even wetter run home, my legs now completely splattered with parkrun mud! (Big thanks to the parkrun volunteers for braving the conditions today - such dedication!) A quick shower and change of run gear and it was then time to head to Sherwood Pines for the 10k race... it felt a little crazy, but who can really complain about a day crammed with running! I will write a full blog of the 10k soon, but in short it was a lovely little race, set in beautiful surroundings, which thankfully we could enjoy as it had stopped raining and the sun had decided to grace the now blues skies. I ran much better than I anticipated, finishing in 45:29, my second fastest 10k time to date, and with it not being on my more accustomed road surface, this was extra pleasing (see image).

SUNDAY: my legs were a little tight and sore today after the two fast run efforts of yesterday, so I was pleased to run a steady 10 miler with my friend, on a somewhat chilly but beautiful sunny morning. By now I was actually aware of how many miles I had logged this week, so kept it no more than 10 miles and didn't even look at my watch for any idea of pace until I was home. I love testing and pushing myself running and training, but sometimes nothing beats a long run without any pressure - just running. ​

'Filing time' feels like a slightly negative way to describe life. However, what I mean is I feel I have reached a point where I have kind of slotted into a routine of what I am doing running/exercise wise before January hits and training for the London Marathon thus starts. I do have a couple of 10k events planned for November - a trail race, which will be a different form of challenge to try, and a race with my friend who is back from Australia for the first time in two years, which will be a special event. I know what I am doing at the moment is good for my body though, so I just need to keep disciplined, in a slightly different sense! 

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: 6 mild but noticeably dark miles. I was not even out running that late, but the sun had already long set and it felt a bit unnatural trying to run on some streets where lighting was poor. I found myself lifting my legs almost comically too high to prevent any trips. I can probably handle the impending cold of winter, but I hate the darkness. 

WEDNESDAY: 5.5 slightly quicker miles before Body Pump. I find I can push myself at the moment to run around 8 min/mile pace with it feeling harder than a steady run, but without it being a 'knackering' challenge to keep pace. This is pleasing for me, and one day I would like this to be my 'go to' easy pace - I can dream! Body Pump was tougher afterwards as my body felt slightly tired after upping the weights I used in Monday's class.

THURSDAY: my current routine of going to a Body Attack class on a Thursday was thrown this week with the class being cancelled. I am conscious of keeping my mileage in check at the moment in an attempt not to stress my legs too much before marathon training starts again, so I did not really want to run. I opted to just go the gym - something I have not done in absolutely ages. I instantly could tell why - it was rather depressing! No one else seemed to want to actually be there, so I quickly thrashed out 40 minutes of interval based cardio - boring!

Yes, I am human and sometimes I do struggle to find the motivation to go for a run no matter how much I love it! This week I have been fine with structured activities like exercise classes or parkrun (obviously!), but when it has come to motivating myself to run, its felt more of an effort than usual. Its not something I am particularly worried about, as I said to my friend - I do a pretty good job of motivating myself the vast majority of days of the year! 
​
MONDAY: Body Pump - I used the opportunity my slight reduction in overall running mileage has on my fatigue levels to increase some of the weights I lift in the class. I focused on the leg based exercises, trying to further build on the muscular endurance in my quads, which always seem to be the muscle group which struggles towards the final miles of my marathons. I must add, no proven science here as such - just my own logic!

TUESDAY: I did not feel like running today, and it really seemed like not having a plan to follow influenced my motivation levels just to get out and run. I bargained for a few steady miles, and as usually is the case, once I got out the door I enjoyed the run. Lincoln was bathed in a gorgeous sunset, which I set myself the challenge of running out towards and then up a near by hill to try capture it on camera before the sun fully set (see image - I succeeded!) This reluctant run turned into a really enjoyable 6 miles, which I should note to myself, was driven by a challenge which was not devised by a training plan!

WEDNESDAY: a faster 5 miles before another Body Pump class. 

THURSDAY: Body Attack class - this felt less of a shock to the system compared to my return last week. Feeling re-accustomed with the routines of plyometric exercises meant I could also push myself a little more. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: continuing on with my rather surprising parkrun performances post marathon, I managed to shave a further few more seconds off my recent 5k times at Lincoln today, crossing the line in 21:09. This also meant I finished as First Female; only the second time I have managed this at Lincoln, and at my home event it always feels a bit of a personal bonus and I love the support from the volunteers which really urges me on. This week's parkrun was the best I have felt since Berlin Marathon, and across the weeks it has seemed that gradually my body has been adapting back to coping with an 'all out' 5k. My splits were much more consistent, there was less of a final mile fade, and I did not feel like I was gasping for breath too much. It has taken virtually four weeks to reach this point, which emphasises that you should never underestimate what a marathon takes out of you!

SUNDAY: another dip in motivation levels today. It was a chilly and very windy morning, and as I was due to be running solo this meant there was no commitment of having to meet anyone. Therefore by the time I had finally ran out of procrastination jobs to do it was also persistently raining. Great. I told myself this run was a mental test more than a physical test; I needed to use this run to prepare myself for the much worse winter weather which is undoubtedly due to come when I actually start marathon training again. I aimed for 12 miles and even as I left my door I thought maybe ten would do... but despite the rain splatters making my thighs turn that familiar lobster pink colour, and the wind seemingly blowing in multiple directions, I completed my 12 miles in a comfortable average pace of 8.29 min/mile. I wouldn't say the run was pure enjoyment, but it was satisfying and I felt better for it. I say my motivation has been lacking this week, but on reflection I have not done too badly for it! ​