Great North Run: Training Week 5

MONDAY: today I went out with the intention of running slower than I have been, I wanted to attempt to make this more of a recovery type run. I aimed for 5 minute kilometres - which I know is still fairly fast! - and was pleased I stuck to this. To be honest it was not that hard as my legs felt heavy still, so in a strange way this actually helped! Body Pump after.

TUESDAY: after feeling a bit crap all day after waking up with a cold and the associated joys this brings, I did fear how my Body Attack class would fair. I was picturing burpee tuck jumps with my head banging and persistent sniffling. Oddly, and rather pleasingly, I actually felt so much better in the class than I had done all day!

WEDNESDAY: my legs were not amazing today but definitely felt a lot fresher than on my last couple of runs. I ran 9.5k and was more bothered by how laboured my breathing felt thanks to my cold, but did average 4.48 minute kilometres. Body Pump after.

THURSDAY: I struggled for energy today and felt a little wiped out from my cold. I was tempted to rest, but I really wanted Friday to be my rest day since I was racing the Bassingham Bash 5 mile road race on Saturday. I dragged myself to the gym (I phrase I rarely have to say!) and managed 8k of interval running on the treadmill. I mixed the intervals between my target half marathon pace, faster running, walking, and all out sprinting. For some bizarre reason I then headed to the bike for hill intervals and then did some leg strength work. I felt suitably knackered afterwards.

FRIDAY: Rest Day - my shins were sore today which I attribute solely to the fast running I had completed on the treadmill, a conclusion which means I will now run any intervals outside even if it is a struggle!

SATURDAY: today I entered the Bassingham Bash 5 mile road race with my friend. The race is held in a small village just outside of Lincoln where I live.  It was a gorgeous day, a lovely distance to try racing, and I was very happy with my time of 37.32 - full blog to follow!

SUNDAY: almost a repeat of last Sunday's ten miler when my legs felt tired within a few minutes of the run starting - great! I had to run early as I had plans for the rest of the day, and I certainly did not enjoy my alarm waking me at 5.45am. I think the Bassingham Bash had also taken a bit more than I expected out my legs. I made it round though, and when I put it into perspective my time was not too horrendous, but a fair bit slower than normal and did not feel as enjoyable!