Great North Run: Training Week 2

MONDAY: I started the week with a much needed sports massage, which I hoped would sort out my troublesome hamstring. I am not going to lie this month's massage hurt a lot! I was tight everywhere, let alone in my hamstring. When my hamstring itself was massaged the pain nearly brought me to tears as it was manipulated and stretched. My therapist said it was almost like I had ran a marathon again how tight my legs were! I have no idea how my legs had got to this state, but despite the pain, it did feel good to get them loosened. My 8k evening run and even my Body Pump class afterwards felt noticeably easier post massage, it was like a new range of motion had been restored into my legs.

TUESDAY: Body Attack class

WEDNESDAY: due to evening work commitments I set my alarm today for a 6am run. I tried to run a fast 5km but I found this a bit of a struggle with it being so early. I did manange to get my average kilometre split at 4.49mins so was reasonably happy. I finished my run at the gym for a DIY Body Pump session (aka lots of weights!) as I was missing my usual evening class.

THURSDAY: 8km of treadmill intervals, followed by a long stretch and foam roller session. Despite the pain I experienced on Monday during my massage I had unusually not come out in many bruises. Normally I am black and blue after a massage, and hence foam rollering is literally out of the question for a good week!

FRIDAY: I switched my long run to today, which I often find a struggle after a full day at work. But this time the run felt really good and very enjoyable. I took on the hilly route I revisited last Sunday, this time running with my friend who had never tried the route before. I could not believe how the run felt in comparison to last week, the hills still proved tough, but the feeling of dragging my leg along with me was

thankfully gone! As usual, company on the run made it feel so much easier and quicker, and I enjoyed being able to show my friend a new part of Lincoln - including the sheep (see image)! My time improved significantly from last week too, with an average pace of 4.58min kilometres for the 14km distance.

SATURDAY: Rest Day - I had intended to run today, however I had a slight burning sensation in my shin in the same spot which I had injured pre London Marathon earlier this year. I also stupidly overstretched my hamstring a little whilst enthusiastically kicking a football during the Saturday morning football session I coach. I thus decided to be careful and postpone my run until Sunday.

SUNDAY: Another early morning run - two in one week! Volunteering all day at community music festival meant a 5.30am alarm for my 8.5km run. I didn't want to push myself as I had a long day ahead, and I also was aware I had ran all my other runs this week at a reasonably fast pace. I therefore enjoyed roaming the empty streets with a light drizzle in the air, at a comfortable average pace of 5.09 minute kilometres.