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Post Sydney Marathon: Back to Reality Week

9/23/2018

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For someone who openly suffers from the 'post marathon blues', the week following a marathon can often be as challenging as the run itself, and this time I had given myself the double whammy of also facing the end of my Australian adventure. Surely I was setting myself up for misery? However, I am pleased to report that even though this week has been an absolute whirlwind at times with a lot of travelling and emotion, I am sat here now feeling happy, relaxed and positive. My time in Australia and the Sydney Marathon itself was perfect, and whilst this sentence sounds awfully cliche and cheesy, the break and spending time with my best friend feels like it has somehow ignited something inside me, a spark that was threatening to fade before I left. 

Running wise this week has been a good week - and not because I have logged lots of miles! Those that know me and/or read my blogs will tell you that I am notoriously rubbish at rest, and my attitude to recovery is very much I know what I should be doing, but do not actually follow it! This time I have promised myself it will be different. I have tested myself this year, 3 marathons means I have almost been in a state of permanent marathon training since January, on top of all the other races I have completed in between. My body and mind have shown a new strength, but I am certainly not unbreakable. It will be hard at times, but this week has actually been welcomed and relatively easy to adhere to my own recovery goals...

MONDAY: Rest Day - the day after Sydney Marathon. It was instantly apparent my quads had born the brunt of the marathon stress as soon as I crossed the finish line on Sunday, and they were no better today. I was quite a comical site struggling around Sydney. Steps were completed one at a time with a kind of sideways action seeming less painful, and my left quad seemed to add the element of surprise by almost buckling from beneath me at random times as I was walking. It was an interesting final day in Australia!

TUESDAY: Rest Day - today began my mammoth journey back to Lincoln. Together with the emotion of having to leave Australia and saying goodbye to my best friend, I also had to manage my legs on the long haul flight ahead of me. I was on a plane for 25+ hours, and after the first journey to Hong Kong I was not moving great at all. However, I am not sure how or why, but when I got off the second plane at Gatwick airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning thankfully my legs seemed markedly improved. 

WEDNESDAY: Rest Day - after travelling through endless time zones in the air, I still had more travelling to endure on the train to make it back to Lincoln. When I finally arrived at my front door I was feeling tired and bedraggled and there never was a moment I even considered a run!
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THURSDAY: Rest Day - any temptations to run today were thankfully removed, sadly not for the happiest of reasons. I managed a night back in my own home before I found myself travelling again, heading back to Suffolk for a family funeral. 

FRIDAY: back in Suffolk and with my sister I could not resist a run with her today. 'It will be slow!' I warned as we laced up our trainers, but she was very understanding and we gently completed 4 miles together. My quads although now fine for walking, did protest a little at running, with soreness especially apparent on any change in gradient. The need to not rush things had never been more apparent. 

SATURDAY: now back in Lincoln, I needed my Lincoln parkrun fix to help me gain some grasp on what day it was, and also to allow me to catch up with my parkrun friends. I had opted to volunteer many weeks ago and was pleased to be achieving my 20th stint in high viz - there was no desire to be a runner today! I was also very appreciative of some of the lovely comments and words which I shared with others who congratulated me on the Sydney Marathon - it really was heartwarming. I had joked with my friend 'down under' that the one thing I was looking forward to most about going home was Lincoln parkrun, and with a community such as this, I think I was probably actually being serious. 

SUNDAY: long run day... only joking of course! I wanted to try and run again today, but did not want to log many miles, so opted for one of my familiar 5 mile routes. I had no desire to push myself or care about my pace, and the tenderness still lingering in my quads would not have let me anyway. It was pleasant to run carefree though. 

On reflection, next week is probably more of my 'back to reality' week as I return to work, resume my Strength and Conditioning classes, attempt some Body Pump and also continue to gently include some running - note the word gentle!
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Sydney Marathon 2018

9/20/2018

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The blog is back – after three incredibly special weeks in Australia, I find myself once again at my laptop at home in Lincoln. It was hard to leave such a spectacular country, I loved it there, and saying goodbye to my best friend was equally as difficult, our parting embrace reducing me to tears as I really did not want to let her go. It was the trip of a lifetime for me, perfect in every way, and I ended the three weeks in the only manner I know how; the Sydney Marathon. This proved to be the absolute pinnacle of my Aussie adventure…
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If I was to blog about my entire three weeks ‘down under’ this would probably turn into an essay – so I won’t. However, prior to the marathon I had already had an incredible time in Australia, running around Sydney’s streets, exploring National Parks whilst chasing waterfalls, walking in the Blue Mountains, swimming with whales in the Pacific Ocean, meeting wild Kangaroos and getting close to Koalas, celebrating my 100th parkrun, completing endless breath-taking coastal walks… the list could go on. I had experienced so much and felt a freedom and happiness which I had not known for a long time. On top of this I was with my best friend, what else could I really ask for…

A marathon – the Sydney Marathon is what I asked to be added to that list. When entering the race many months ago it was always intended to be an experience rather than a race. With two marathons already under my belt for 2018 I did not need to run another 26.2 miles, but I wanted to. How could I turn down this chance? My time in Australia leading up to race day emphasises my relaxed approach to the race; I did everything I wanted to do, no fears of saving my legs for running or preserving energy levels, I must have walked miles and eaten a lot of Aussie chocolate! My days leading up to a marathon are usually consumed by race thoughts, however this time I was completely relaxed and had no pressure on myself to meet any goal – it felt quite liberating.

My training for this marathon had been challenging at times; at the onset I said I would not push myself as hard for this block, however I found myself doing so – I think it is in my nature. I was also tested by the scorching heat of the British summer, with early morning alarms getting me out on the streets for 5.30am before work and 20 milers logged carrying litres of water on my back just to survive. Aspects of my personal life also had an impact, as I have openly documented. At times I have felt emotionally drained, hurt and as a result just not myself. Training has helped me cope with this, and I have used the emotional pain to push myself harder, which is a response I would actually utilise in Sydney too…

The day before the marathon was an absolute scorcher, 30 degrees and almost too hot to do anything. I was starting to think my seeming fate of running marathons in heat would be continuing ‘down under’. Thankfully this was not the case, and on race day I woke to a cool and gusty morning, with highs of 15 degrees forecasted, which probably felt very cold to native Aussies! My best friend was also running the marathon and her partner the half marathon; he was due to start at 6am and us at 7am. This had meant a rather ridiculous alarm of 4am in order to eat and travel to the start, which luckily for us was only a short walk from my friend’s apartment. The race begins just underneath the Harbour Bridge and as we arrived at the start it was certainly apparent it was a fresh morning – even I was cold! The strong wind meant we had to seek shelter after waving off the half marathon runners, however I was happy with the conditions, very happy in fact, and by now I was just eager to get running.

Although I was putting no pressure on myself, I also respect the marathon distance and I knew I still needed to run with discipline. My friend would be quicker than me so I did not want to try keep up with her and then suffer for large parts of the race later on. We opted instead to run over the Harbour Bridge together and then begin our own races. As the start gun fired we wound our way up and on to the bridge; it was surreal as hundreds of runners ebbed their way across the endless archway, with the sun gently rising in the sky. I had a huge smile on my face, I loved the race already and I was not even a mile in. Leaving the bridge, my friend and I then parted, and I started my own race…

The first five miles absolutely flew by; I nearly did a double take on my watch when I saw the distance I had achieved already. I was just so busy taking it all in and enjoying the moment. I had passed a fellow runner wearing an Ipswich Town Football Club shirt, my football team and birth town, and had shared a few words with him about how poor our team is currently doing – I certainly did not expect that to happen during the Sydney Marathon! More significantly, I had also passed the 3:45 pacer, not intentionally, but I had caught them up and then found they were just not running to my rhythm. I also dislike the pressure clinging onto a pacer adds to a race, so was happy to lose the group. I fully expected the pacer to catch me up later on, but that thought did not really bother me at the time.
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A large chunk of the marathon course is completed in Sydney’s Centennial Park, with a few miles looped around its circumference. It was by no means horrendous, but I was pleased when we left and headed back to the main city as it gave me knowledge I had some good miles in the bag. The remainder of the course is set in central Sydney and it is not the flattest - my quads were telling me that! I feel I can be quite strong running on hills though, and whilst my legs hurt, I coped with the challenges. I could not quite believe the pace I was still holding at this point though, I felt good and with each mile that passed I thought ‘I can do a few more of this’ rather than starting to struggle. 15 miles passed, then 18, and before I knew it 20 miles were approaching.
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The 20 mile mark is my big goal in a marathon – 6.2 miles left which I tell myself that in the worst case scenario I could jog in an hour, meaning I get a rough idea about what my potential finish time may be. I passed 20 miles in roughly 2 hours 45 mins and needless to say I was incredibly happy, with PB thoughts dancing through my mind. I calmed this notion though and stayed focus, 6.2 miles is still a long way to go and I knew there were some challenges left ahead. A marathon is never a given.

Short sharp climbs and exposed quayside running dominate the final 6.2 miles of the marathon course. Until this point I would say the weather conditions had been near perfect for running; I was not hot (hooray!) and the wind although strong at points had predominately been sheltered from us. The sun had risen by now though and its heat could start to be felt as I ran along the waterside; I was now pleased we started so early to avoid its building warmth. I also was really enjoying the course as a whole; it was so visual and I found there were things to constantly look at and take in – some may say distractions from the pain!

I was having to dig a little deeper by now, at 20+ miles it is to be expected, but I was buoyed by the fact my mind and body felt so strong still, the best I had felt in any marathon I had completed. It was here I felt I was starting to channel some of the pain and emotion from my training weeks. I had worked so hard physically and mentally the past fifteen weeks and more than ever I felt like I was not going to give up now. I wanted to push myself and I wanted to make myself proud – I have read a lot of books by elite runners and I started to realise how they can find that extra something at times almost thought impossible when it matters so much. 


Digging into my legs and my particularly sore quads I kept my pace, hardly believing the digits displayed on my watch screen. I was passing fellow runners, a few who urged me on saying I looked strong. Tired calculations in my mind and flashes of hope saw an absolute dream finish of 3:39ish start to be a possibility. However, as 24 miles hit my legs suddenly protested for the first time. I did not slow down dramatically, but I no longer could keep my pace and a few extra seconds were added. These two miles hurt and felt the longest of the entire race, but when I turned the corner and saw the Sydney Opera House finish looming on the horizon a rush of emotion overwhelmed my body. I was so close.

Even though my legs, well mainly my quads, felt so incredibly sore by now, as I turned into the finishing straight lined with hundreds of people I gave absolutely everything, fighting back the tears already brimming in my eyes as I closed in on the archway. I pumped my fists triumphantly in the air, crossed the finish line, looked down at my watch, looked around at where I was stood and just cried tears of pure happiness. In that moment I felt all alone, the hundreds of people around me faded and it seemed as though time almost froze; it felt like just me and this moment. I remember putting my hands to my face in almost disbelief and wiping salty tears from my equally salty cheeks. I honestly could not believe it. 3:40:30 – no words can describe what that felt like; an 8 minute PB, what should be a Good For Age qualifying time for the London Marathon which has been a very personal goal of mine, and I was stood opposite the Harbour Bridge and outside the Opera House in Sydney, Australia. Unreal, absolutely unreal.

Once I broke from my moment and went to meet my friend it was instantly apparent my quads were wrecked, and I hobbled to meet her in a fashion which questioned how the hell I had been running just a few minutes ago! My friend had also logged an 8 minute PB and we stood congratulating each other in a long, happy hug. We were both so overwhelmed we nearly forgot we had not yet collected our medals! They did not seem important in that moment, I was just so proud of us both and to be able to share such an achievement together. 
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Surreal – that’s the only word I can seem to use to describe the Sydney Marathon. To be in Australia, to be running past such iconic landmarks, to log such a PB which I really was not expecting – it is just surreal. The marathon really was the perfect end to the trip of a lifetime, all shared with my best friend. If I am honest it feels almost like I wrote my own ‘Alice in Wonderland’ fairytale – but this was real, this was my life, and I feel so fortunate and thankful for this fact. 
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Heading 'Down Under'...

8/26/2018

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​‘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.
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I am writing this blog ahead of starting my epic journey to Australia and as a bit of an early pre-marathon sign off. Whether I will have chance to keep my weekly blog up to date when I am in Australia and during my final few weeks of training I am unsure. Trust me, I will be running though! I will undoubtedly be sharing a few (read - probably a lot!) photos on social media though, so if you do not already, please feel free to follow me on Twitter @_AliceCarter_ and/or Instagram @_aliceocarter_ I apologise in advance for the inevitable Australia spam!

I hope to be able to write again, but if I do find my mind gets frazzled with time zones and I am generally having too much of a ‘bonzer’ time to switch on a laptop, I wanted to say a massive 'thank you' to all those who have supported me throughout another block of marathon training. During hard times in both running and life I have had some lovely messages, tweets and words of wisdom from individuals which have helped profoundly. At times training for this marathon has also felt a little lonely; running solo long training runs has been a new challenge, and training in a period of the year when not many people I know are in marathon training mode to share experiences with has been different. Therefore this blog more than ever has been a real outlet for me - thank you. 

 
Now, the Australian adventures awaits – I just need to survive the 23 hour flight ahead of me first!
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 12

8/25/2018

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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
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SATURDAY: it was my last Lincoln parkrun for a good few weeks today and it felt a little odd. I obviously will be back, but I spend virtually every Saturday morning at Boultham Park now, unless I literally cannot make it fit, and to think of not being there just seemed strange! Today was a much cooler morning than of late, and in the fresher air I hoped I may be able to sneak under 21 minutes again. I felt I ran strongly, things felt good and my first two splits were both sub 7 min/mile pace. The final mile I just did not have enough left at the end though to really push for those extra few seconds, and I finished in 21:06 but as a bonus also as first female (see image). Although not the time I wanted, I was pleased with how it all felt, and also slightly overwhelmed again by the amount of fellow runners who shouted words of encouragement as I looped passed them on the course - some voices I recognised, others I was not even sure who they were! parkrun is a run with friends, and I have lots of friends thanks to Lincoln parkrun, which is why I know I am going to miss it even though I am only away for a few weeks!

​SUNDAY: after last Sunday's truly hideous 22 mile run I was a little anxious about today's 20 miler. Even as I started to run I seemed to be gasping for air rather than breathing naturally - I just needed to relax. I planned a route with lots of variation and which passed through villages I had not ran through for many months; this was my way of trying to distract my mind from the mileage! Within a few miles I thankfully had calmed myself down and hit a consistent and steady running rhythm, which set the tone for the remainder of the run. I seemed to be hovering just over 8.30 min/mile pace quite naturally, and the fade I anticipated to come in later miles never hit. It was still hard work, but physically and mentally I felt strong, and as I hit 20 miles and slammed 'stop' on my Garmin, I had a big grin on my face. I finished with an average pace of 8.33 min/mile and with the belief I could have ran further if I needed to. What an absolute contrast to last week! 

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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 11

8/18/2018

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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
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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! 
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 10

8/12/2018

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​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! 
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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. 
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 9

8/4/2018

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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
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SATURDAY: I ran Lincoln parkrun today with real determination to push myself and try get closer to sub 21 minute territory again. My first lap was strong and I tried not to allow myself to slow down too much on my second loop. However, by the third lap my legs were fading and I really had to fight to keep some pace. I was on the heels of a fellow parkrunner and just as I thought he was slipping from my reach, he turned and encouraged me to keep with him. We ran side by side through the finishing bends, him encouraging me to make my limbs sprint faster. He helped me believe my legs were not finished and I crossed the line in 21:11, which although was not sub 21 minutes, I felt pleased with my efforts, and I shook my pacer's hand and thanked him for his support. How I will get back to under 21 minutes or near to my PB of 20:22 I am not quite sure - but I will keep trying!

​SUNDAY: when you are one mile into a 20 mile run and your legs already feel like they are at about mile 18, plus the scorching sun is practically racing you to burst through the clouds and make things even more of a challenge - you know you are in for a tough run. Today's long run was mentally and physically hard, but despite the fact so early on I felt pretty knackered, I still knew I would make it through, whatever it took. My legs felt tired, but it was strange version of tired; as the miles ticked by I felt I had the endurance to keep going, but it was like they were stuck in one very steady pace setting, unable to change gear. I was moving - that was all I focused on! My average pace was 8:44 min/mile - for me, not really where I like to be for a long run, but 20 miles banked when I could have let some slip away is an achievement I am happy with - I don't give up!
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 8

7/29/2018

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The breaking news from this week is that it actually rained! Of course, Mother Nature decided it would be good timing for the skies to open on Sunday when I had 20 miles planned..! Prior to this, the heat has continued to be a challenge, and 5:30am morning alarms have remained a necessity. 

MONDAY: this evening was the last session of the current block of Strength and Conditioning for Runners sessions I have been attending. I have really enjoyed the past weeks, not only do I feel I have progressed my running technique, but I have also relished being part of another developing community of runners. This final week we completed some timed runs using uphill and downhill gradients, as well as timed laps to measure our progress against week one. We also finished with a fun team relay challenge, which really emphasised the camaraderie which has built between us all. 

TUESDAY: an early interval run of 7 miles with 6 x 1000m reps and 200m recovery periods. Even getting out just before 6am the temperature was already at 18 degrees. Needless to say it was tough at times, but I was determined to push as hard as possible. I could feel the effects of last night's Strength and Conditioning session in my legs, which had been completed at pretty much maximal effort, and by the end I really was hanging on in there! My splits were good though in the conditions; 7.46, 7.31, 7.26, 7.26, 7.28 and 7.32 min/mile respectively. Body Pump class in the evening.

WEDNESDAY: today started with an easy paced 10 miler - I would like to say I chose to keep the pace 'easy' but in reality my legs had absolutely no energy and I do not think I really had much option other than to plod round! I think the past few days had accumulated in my limbs, and I also do not think I had really fuelled enough.

THURSDAY: 7 miles with alternating paces; 1 mile easier, followed by 1 mile faster. I usually aim to keep about a minutes difference between the two paces on these type of runs, however this was a little more of a challenge given the warmth of the morning. I was not far from this target though and sometimes you just have to adapt and be realistic in the conditions. Body Pump in evening.

FRIDAY: Rest Day
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SATURDAY: Friday was a little bit 'off plan' for me. Generously given the afternoon off work by our employer, I went out for some pizza with my colleagues, which then ended up leading to some 'quiet' drinks, which then ended up with me pulling out some of my questionable dance moves until the early hours. I had not planned this evening at all, but in the moment I felt like I wanted bit of an escape to be honest. With this in mind, I did not feel my sharpest for Lincoln parkrun today! Thankfully the temperature had cooled a lot, else I think I would have massively struggled, and I managed to respectively finish in 21:17. 

SUNDAY: waking up to rain lashing on my window and a swirling wind I will admit running 20 miles was not appealing. I was running on my own too, which meant I knew I would have to draw on some real mental strength to get the miles logged. I procrastinated for longer than I have done in past weeks, where I have been eager to get out before the heat built, and found myself staring out my kitchen window wishing it would clear up a bit and that I had my friend to run with. Wishing gets you nowhere though, so I headed out the door and ran. The first 10 miles were relatively ok; the wind battered me at times, but the rain was actually quite refreshing. From 10 miles onward though my legs got a bit twangy and tight in odd spots, which held me back a bit. After 15 miles I could then feel the energy draining from my legs. Hitting 16 miles I stopped, took on a gel and sent a message to my sister saying '4 miles to go - but my legs are gone'. Her reply of  'go, go, go' was what I needed - just 'go' Alice, no point thinking about it, just do it! Unfortunately as I turned to complete the final 4 mile stretch I was hit with a massive headwind which would persist until I arrived home. My pace and legs suffered in this, but I kept 'going'. Even when a huge fallen tree blocked my path (see image), there was no way I was turning back, and instead I completed a slightly precarious assault of its fallen branches. I hit 20 miles - the run was a mental and physical challenge at times, but that sense of knowing you did it never gets tiring. ​
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 7

7/22/2018

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'You are so brown Alice - have you been on holiday?' - was the question I was asked this week. 'Its running!' I replied. Summer marathon training is certainly leaving me with golden limbs and dubious tan lines. So, the warm weather continues, and I think it has now been a month since the last time I contemplated an evening run. The good news is that this week I have felt far less shattered; the bad news is that  certain non running aspects of life have left me feeling frustrated and at a bit of a loss at times - but I have channelled this energy into my running. Running is usually my answer to most things..!

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

TUESDAY: early morning intervals - although this run felt less like an interval run, with fewer, longer reps, and lengthier recovery periods. I ran 7 miles with 4 x 1 mile intervals and 400m recovery periods. I aimed for my mile reps to be as close to the lower end of the 7 min/mile pace bracket as possible, and was pleased with 7.38, 7.22, 7.17 and 7.21 min/mile splits - I always seem to take one rep to warm up in the mornings even when it is hot! 

WEDNESDAY: this morning felt like a conventional British summer, it was still warm, but no where near the intensity of late. I had 7 easy miles to run, and in much kinder conditions I found that running actually felt a lot easier than past weeks (not sure why I was surprised by this!) My pace suggested I found things more comfortable too, with an 8.08 min/mile average compared to past weeks when I have been more towards 8.30 min/mile for easy runs. 

THURSDAY: another early, easy paced run. The weather was still on the kinder side of hot, but I reined in my pace a little this time to give my legs some gentle miles, completing 10 miles with an 8.22 min/mile average. Body Pump class in the evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day
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SATURDAY: after a week with no parkrun I was very happy to be heading back to my home Lincoln event this morning. I always call it 'my happy place', and standing chatting to friends in the sun (which was already burning my skin!) I am always reminded why. It was hot, but as I ran I felt the best I had at Lincoln parkrun in a good few weeks. I seemed so much more in control, and it actually took a while for this fact to fully dawn on me. It was as I entered the third and final lap that the thought really struck me - my legs feel strong still! So I pushed on this last lap, where in past weeks I have struggled around the final loop, and I finished in 21:07, my best Lincoln time for a while. A male runner crossed the line just behind me and thanked me for pacing him to a new PB - I had no idea I actually was acting as a pacer, but I was pleased to help someone and little things like this make me love the Lincoln parkrun community even more.

SUNDAY: today I was running solo again for my long run, which is not my favourite thing to do, but across the past few weeks I have had to get more accustomed to it. My plan was for 16 miles with the first half slower and the second half quicker. Usually I tend to ignore this on a long run and just get my miles logged at a consistent pace, however today as I was running on my own I thought I would attempt something. I did not have the confidence to try running half the distance quicker, but I thought I would assess my body towards the end and see if I could manage at least a fast finish. I felt strong throughout the run; there was no fade or struggle trying to force its way into my body, and as my route turned to head for home I decided to give the final 4 miles a push and see what was really left. My tank was definitely not empty, and my final 3 miles in particular were most pleasing with 8.20, 8.15 and 8.16 min/mile pace splits. This run gave me a real confidence boost; long runs have been a struggle of late in the heat and despite working hard, I was not really sure where my training was at - today helped push out some doubts. ​
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 6

7/14/2018

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Two things have been the feature of this week - heat (still) and tiredness. The warm weather rages on, although thankfully there have been a couple of slightly less intense days this week. My overall tiredness has been prominent though; some days I have literally felt like a zombie whilst walking to work in the mornings! I think my tiredness is an accumulation of many things; my general increase in marathon training, having to work harder running in the heat, my early alarms to try beat the heat, and the fact outside of running my job has also been very busy of late - which all just builds eventually! 

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

TUESDAY: 5.5 miles of early intervals on a slightly cooler but muggy morning. I felt I ran better in terms of my form and pacing and had the same sets to complete - 16 x 200m with 200m recoveries - as last week. Although I felt my running had improved on last week, my paces were on average slightly slower for most of the intervals, which did surprise me a bit. However, I was satisfied with the fact it felt a lot better at least!

WEDNESDAY: an easy paced 10 miles, averaging 8:29 min/mile pace. I ran very early today, and it was comfortably cooler - this does help make the early alarms feel worthwhile! 

THURSDAY: I was really tired today, and found myself splashing cold water on my eyes to attempt to try wake myself up before I headed out the door for more early miles. I had the same tempo run as last week to complete; 7 miles with the middle 5 miles at half marathon pace. At first I was slow to get going, unsurprising really considering I did not really feel awake! Eventually I got into my rhythm though and logged pleasing splits of 8.52, 7.55, 7.36, 7.31, 7.39, 7.31, 8.05 min/mile respectively. Body Pump class in the evening.

​FRIDAY: Rest Day
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SATURDAY: there was no Lincoln parkrun today due to an event in the park. I really wanted to be a tourist elsewhere, but I knew the sensible choice was to get my long run in. I was due at an event I was volunteering at for 9am on Sunday, which would have meant a ridiculously early start to squeeze in 17 miles beforehand! So Saturday it was. I woke up tired, it was already very hot, for someone so routined it felt odd running long on a Saturday, and I was running solo again with my usual running buddy heading back from holiday - I didn't start feeling great, but tried to shake the thoughts. The first 5 miles were relatively ok - an elderly woman made me smile as she literally stopped in her tracks, pulled up her glasses as if to show she couldn't believe what she was seeing, and questioned me - 'you are not really running in this weather are you?' I laughed - yes I was... trying anyway! After the 5 mile point things felt tough, I just didn't have the energy to mentally manage the miles ahead and it felt like a mammoth task in front of me. I tried to let my mind wander elsewhere and just let my legs tick over, but I couldn't even do that and I missed my run buddy to talk with - its crazy how much that usually helps me! I got through the remaining miles somehow, with a few stoppages in shade and to try talk myself into positive thinking (see image), and even though I gave up on pace after about the half way point, I was happy that I still managed an 8:35 min/mile average in the conditions. So, this was definitely one of the hardest training runs I have completed for a while - but I did it. 

SUNDAY: in theory today I had 3 miles left to run, but I never intended to run them. I was volunteering at a community music festival I help to organise each year on my local park from 8:30am - 9pm and anyone who manages/run events know how tiring this is! Many of my fellow volunteers were counting the miles/steps we had taken and it was well excess of 3 - so not really much of a rest day, but a break from running in the heat nevertheless! 
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 5

7/8/2018

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And so the warm weather continues..! The heat is certainly adding an extra challenge to marathon training at the moment...

MONDAY: Strength and Conditioning for Runners session - I was quite pleased that post Lincoln 10k on Sunday my legs did not feel too bad.

TUESDAY: the start of three consecutive mornings which begun with a 5:50am alarm in order to get out running before the heat hit - and still make it to work on time! Today was intervals; 5.5 miles with 16 x 200m reps and 200m recoveries. It was a muggy, warm morning but with shorter, sharper reps I hoped to still be able to run the intervals at around 7 min/mile pace or slightly below. The best way to describe the run is sweaty; on the recovery periods I simply poured! However I did manage the majority of the reps at 6:53 min/mile pace, which was very pleasing. 

WEDNESDAY: an early 10 miler keeping at a comfortable pace, averaging 8.24 min/mile.

THURSDAY: I really had to force myself out of bed this morning when my pre 6am alarm woke me for the third time in as many days, but with 29 degree temperature forecast for the evening I knew I had to get out running. Luckily the run was a tempo run, which I tend to enjoy, so this helped me drag myself out the door. I ran 7 miles with the middle 5 miles aiming for half marathon pace. It was really warm already and I had one small break at about the half way point in some shade simply just to try cool down a little! Despite it being tough, my splits were good; 8.28, 7.49, 7.39, 7.32, 7.32, 7.25 and 8.07 min/mile respectively. Body Pump in the evening. 

​FRIDAY: Rest Day - and no early alarm!

​SATURDAY: Lincoln parkrun today was just ridiculously hot. Stood chatting to friends around the bandstand before the run started I think I was already sweating, it was that warm. Needless to say running was tough, I felt sluggish in the heat, especially as I tried to push as hard as possible in the conditions. My time was definitely not my quickest at 21:47, but it was the best I could safely do, and did see me finish as First Female.
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SUNDAY: before even starting today's long run I was prepared for a battle - unsurprisingly the forecast was hot with temperatures starting the day at 19 degrees. With 16 miles to run there was no way I was going to avoid the heat, so I just tried to prepare as best as possible. I ran with my CamelBak rucksack (see image) for the first time and filled it with water which I could take little sips from throughout. This was such a lifesaver! I also tried to keep my pace under control from the start so as the heat built I would still have some strength to keep going at the end. I mentally broke the route down into three 5 mile sections (and a bonus mile at the end!) and this really helped me tick the miles off too and keep focused. The biggest positive was I achieved the 16 miles I set out for, with a satisfying average pace of 8:37 min/mile, and my legs also seemed quite happy with this distance; it was just the intensity of the sun which zapped my overall energy levels.

So another hot training week under my belt - when the weather inevitably cools down I hope some of this extra hard work pays off!
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 4

7/1/2018

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This week has been a bit of an 'off plan' week - as off plan as I get anyway! I looked at what I had planned in my day to day life and what was on my running plan and the two did not really combine that well! Rather than get stressed or try and squeeze in lots of miles I just settled with doing what I could, and sitting here writing this blog I feel completely fine about this - which is a positive for me!

MONDAY: the start of a very hot week in the UK heatwave. After Round Sheffield Run on Sunday my legs were not feeling great; getting out of bed Monday morning was like I had completed a marathon, with my hips in particular bearing the brunt of the soreness. I felt a bit better by the evening and managed my Strength and Conditioning session and a Body Pump class.

TUESDAY: an easy paced 8 miles before going away with work on a conference. It was warm even at 6.30am, and despite keeping my pace in check I was a sweaty mess at the end. It felt good to get some miles in though, and a slower pace stressed my still sore legs a little less.

WEDNESDAY: after very minimal sleep following a late night at my conference I was faced with squeezing in a quick, early run in a place which is virtually in the middle of nowhere! Running with my phone in hand to try help navigate, I ran a faster out and back 5k to simply not get lost and save time; it certainly helped wake me up a little!

THURSDAY: back home and continuing with more early morning miles; 6 miles in the shape of a tempo run - my favourite. It was marginally cooler first thing and this helped with my pace, logging on target splits of 8:36, 7.27, 7.31, 7.27, 7.32, 8.01 min/mile respectively. Body Pump class in the evening.
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FRIDAY: a final early morning run of the week, and also my final run before the Lincoln 10k on Sunday. With running the 10k I should really have opted to get my longer run in this morning, but to be honest I did not have time to run 16 miles before work and for me slogging out longer miles in the evening heat was not an option. So I settled for 6 miles instead!

SATURDAY: Rest Day and parkrun volunteering at my home Lincoln event.

SUNDAY: Lincoln 10k - a much delayed race day after the event was postponed earlier in the Spring due to snow! This day certainly had no danger of snow making an appearance, and it was possibly the hottest day of the week - not really ideal running conditions! However, I love Lincoln 10k day and even in the heat I was going to enjoy myself. It was incredibly hot, and on my 6th time running the event, it was certainly my hardest run yet. I stuck with it though and finished in 44:29, not far from my recent 43:57 PB. For me, Lincoln 10k is about so much more than just my finish time though and I will write a full blog soon. 
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 3

6/24/2018

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This has been my favourite training week so far - there have been some hard, challenging runs, but the weekend has been a timely reminder of the happiness running truly gives me...

MONDAY: Strength and Conditioning for Runners session

TUESDAY: early morning intervals, followed by a Body Pump class later in the evening. The intervals were a massive struggle I won't lie; I had 6 miles with 5 x 1000m on my plan, however by the end I am not sure my interval and rest periods had too much difference in pace! My legs faded badly and I stopped a few times after some intervals just to compose myself. I think the one positive was I did not give up!

WEDNESDAY: another early morning run, but at an easier 8.17 min/mile average pace it felt much more manageable, even though at 6.30am it was already 18 degrees in temperature! 

THURSDAY: I could not bring myself to set another early alarm today so put my run off until the evening after I had been to a Body Pump class. Obviously I regretted the decision once the evening arrived, especially as I had 7 miles on my plan, but I gathered some motivation to give it a go. I actually ran fairly well, aiming for alternating miles, one faster and one at an easier pace, and finished with splits of 8.08, 7.00, 7.46, 7.36, 8.23, 7.42 and 8.20 min/mile pace. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: without any work commitments on a Saturday for the first in a long while I was able to venture for some parkrun tourism today. A friend who lives in North Lincolnshire had been asking me for a while to come and try the relatively new Normanby Hall parkrun, so I pulled on my home Lincoln parkrun vest and took the opportunity to become a tourist. It was a beautiful setting for a parkrun and a very interesting course with a mix of path, woodland and gravel running surfaces. As I ran I had a few wobbles in terms of confidence with my breathing (which is still not back to being perfect yet!) but I was helped by the fact I had a couple of females running around me which spurred me on. My friend and his wife were also running and as the course route looped round a few times they shouted across enthusiastic encouragement. I finished in 20:39 - my quickest 5k time for a few months - and then went and cheered my friend and his wife onto new PBs too; a good morning.  
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SUNDAY: today I took on the wonderful running event that is Round Sheffield Run. This was my third year at the event, which I always run as a Female Pair with my friend and running buddy, and we both just love it. It is hard to describe the concept of Round Sheffield Run or how wonderful it is unless you have experienced it! I will however try and explain it better in a full race review soon... In short, although we did not go into the race with any real time expectations, and we never time ourselves whilst running - which is maybe where some of the joy comes from? - on our final time print out we were delighted to see we finished with an overall time of 1:41:32 - which was 5 minutes faster than our time last year, and had placed 13th female pair overall. Sitting in the gorgeous sunshine, relaxing on deckchairs in the race village with a medal around my neck, slightly aching legs and my friend at my side I was simply very happy - what more could I ask for?
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 2

6/17/2018

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It has been an interesting week - running has been good, bad, happy, frustrating, hard and enjoyable all across a seven day period. 

MONDAY: I started the week with the second session in my latest block of Strength and Conditioning for Runners. It was a really muggy evening and I found as I ran and exercised my chest and consequently breathing felt a little congested. The session focused on some arm drill work and I left with a mission to try to improve my running style - which I know quite often resembles a chicken, with my arms splayed out from my side and crossing over my chest literally like bird wings!

TUESDAY: early morning intervals of 6 miles with 3 x 1 mile reps. Fresh in my mind from last night's session I really focused on my arm drive. This focus helped take my mind away from over-analysing my breathing, which still did not feel quite right. I logged intervals of 7.19, 7.13 and 7.17 min/mile pace, which I was pleased were relatively consistent.

WEDNESDAY: a steady 6 miles with sub 8 min/mile splits throughout. My breathing still felt almost wheezy though, especially in the warm conditions, which was a concern. 

THURSDAY: another 6 miles, this time split across two runs. I ran a quicker 2 miles to the gym for a Body Pump class - 7:47 min/mile pace - and then a steadier 4 miles back at just over 8 min/mile pace. Even though I felt tired, I still tried to focus on my arm drive and running form. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day, and a trip to the Doctors to get my chest and breathing examined. Ever since I lost my voice a few weeks ago, I have struggled a little with my breathing, but now it had really started to affect me. My lost voice was likely to be due to a virus, which the doctor informed me now seemed to have left me with some asthma like side effects in my chest. I left with an inhaler to use for the next two weeks to try shift this lingering nuisance and return my breathing to normal. 
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SATURDAY: a physically and mentally tough Lincoln parkrun. I just could never catch my breath as I tried to run fast and I felt like I was gasping for air. Mentally I also got a little anxious with how much I seemed to be struggling. I slowed, probably both consciously and subconsciously, and crossed the line in my slowest time for a long while; 21:54. It was frustrating, but I knew I couldn't have tried any harder, so it was more frustration with my body rather than my performance. 

SUNDAY: some happier miles after yesterday's disappointment. I ran with my friend for the first time in a few weeks, which itself felt great, and running together took my mind off the distance and also my breathing. On a longer steadier run I was pleased I could still chat away to my usual long run levels too! I ran 10 miles with my friend, then added 3 miles on at the end to reach my target 13 mile distance. I felt my legs finished strongly which I was pleased with, and an average pace of 8.21 min/mile was an improvement on last week numerically, but it also felt a lot more comfortable. Now just to try and get my breathing back to more comfortable levels!
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Sydney Marathon Training: Week 1

6/8/2018

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So here I go again, another journey to 26.2 miles, and a race which will possibly be my greatest marathon adventure yet - Sydney Marathon. I have written about why I have chosen this race and what it means to me here, and starting this training feels like a countdown to something very special. Having raced a lot in the past month or so, I am following a fifteen week training plan - I figured one less training week would not hurt this time!

MONDAY: the start of training and also the start of my summer block of Strength and Conditioning for Runners sessions. I loved being back at the session; being in a group of like minded people and learning about ways to benefit my running, it is not surprising I do really. Body Pump class after. 

TUESDAY: early morning intervals of 4.5 miles with 12 x 200m reps; the first sign of marathon training commencing. My legs felt a little sore today and definitely not at their best, so I did not put too much pressure on myself for this run, focusing on taking the rest periods easy, and working at a hard effort in the intervals, rather than focusing on paces. 

WEDNESDAY: a steady 5 miler after a much needed Sports Massage earlier in the day, logging a 7.54 min/mile average pace. 

THURSDAY: a double session of Body Pump followed by a five mile tempo run. Running after Pump required a bit more effort to fight fatigue, but it felt like good training. I aimed for the middle 3 miles to be at half marathon pace, approx 7.20 min/mile, and finished with splits of 7.11, 7.17 and 7.23 min/mile respectively. The last tempo mile was not too enjoyable as it felt like I was asking a lot from my tired legs whilst also running on a gradual incline, but overall it was a good run. 
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FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: a tough Lincoln parkrun visit (see image) - my legs just never really felt 'with it' from the go. There was a lack of energy and power in my stride but I hung in there, helped by running most of the three loops with some fellow runners, who between us seemed to take it in turns to keep the pace going. I crossed the line 21:09 - which when I did not feel great, I was happy with and had actually enjoyed the experience of running with others. I made an effort to shake hands with my running friends to say thanks for a great run, especially one young girl who was really keeping me going - I think she was a little shocked when I extended a hand to her but that's the parkrun spirit!

SUNDAY: I took today's longer run nice and easy, putting no pressure on pace as I knew my legs had been a little weary all week. My plan said today's run should be 'easy' too - so I would try and do what I was told! It helped, and I quite enjoyed a 12 mile solo loop around Lincoln, with an average pace of 8:35 min/mile. I then had a wonderful evening of sunshine, cider and dancing away to Lionel Richie live at Lincolnshire Showground with my Mum to celebrate her birthday - balance!
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The Big 'What's Next'

6/6/2018

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​After I completed the London Marathon in April the inevitable question which people began to ask me was ‘what’s next then Alice?’ The big ‘next’ was actually a place in the Liverpool Marathon four weeks later, but I kept this under wraps and gave slightly vague answers instead – apologies! The ‘what next’ question has now started to crop up again; people know me well enough to realise that there will be something else running related in the pipeline! And there is – something pretty special to be honest.
 
I will not beat around the bush (slight pun intended); I am going to Australia, where I hope to complete the Sydney Marathon. Flying literally to the other side of the world to run 26.2 miles may seem like a new level of madness, but for once in my life this trip is about much more than just a running…
 
Roughly two and half years ago my best friend moved to Australia. Saying goodbye to Maaike was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, it was heart-breaking knowing that someone so close to me would now be so far away. Our lives had been entwined in so many ways, not only did we have our friendship, but we had been housemates, colleagues, training partners and, of course, running buddies. Seeing Maaike leave was a difficult set of emotions; a raw mix of pain and sadness, but also happiness that she was getting this amazing opportunity that I knew she really wanted. Maaike brought out the best in me, and still does! Her visit back to the UK last year was like we had never been apart, and I know whatever happens in life she will always be there for me, no matter the distance, as I will be for her.
 
The day Maaike left Lincoln I promised her I would come and visit her in Australia, and whilst it has been a very difficult promise to make happen, I never intended to break it. My previous job saw me restricted to school holidays for annual leave, and even then I had summer holiday residential programmes to deliver. In the minimal free time I had left flight prices were sky high (another slightly intended pun) and it was a trip proving a challenge to make a reality. I think at times Maaike herself questioned if I ever would come. However, starting a new job, working for an understanding employer who has permitted me a lengthy annual leave block, combined with my now overwhelming desire to visit my friend and experience her Aussie life, my flights are firmly booked.
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Whenever I went to Australia I think it was only natural that I would have looked for some form of running event to do – it is what I love after all, and the bonus is Maaike loves it too! It was actually Maaike who mentioned the Sydney Marathon to me, and I was instantly sold. This would be a once in a lifetime race, and I am still hopeful I may be able persuade Maaike to run it with me! I would love to share a marathon with her, if not this time, sometime. I am not massively well travelled so the fact I am actually going to Australia still has not really sunk in. To run a marathon there, hopefully my 8th marathon, just feels simply surreal.
 
However, I go back to my original point. The marathon is not the sole purpose of this trip by any means. I have no goals or expectations of the race other than to relish the entire experience. I am going to train hard as always, because I would not have it any other way, and the ironic thing is I have probably already run 26.2 miles in hotter conditions in the UK this year, with both London and Liverpool being held in 22-25 degree heats! When I land ‘down under’ I will however have around two and half weeks in Australia before race day on Sunday 16th September – I will not be spending these days chained to a chair resting and focusing on nothing else bar the 26.2 miles I will be running. I want to explore and create memories with my best friend, I do not care how or if this will impact how quick I can complete the race, some things are just more important than times.
 
So the answer to the ‘what next?’ question is Sydney Marathon, or perhaps more accurately Australia to visit my best friend. ​
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    Alice's Adventures In Running Land

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