Great North Run: Training Week 8

MONDAY: after Sunday's horror show of a run I approached my run with caution today, aiming to stick to 5 minute kilometres, and also being totally accepting if I felt I needed to run slower than this. However the run felt good, and I managed the 8k distance in 4.56min/km, which helped banish any negative thoughts from Sunday. Body Pump class afterwards.

TUESDAY: Body Attack class. Again the instructor mixed the tracks up this week, which I feared a little, as my body was very sore from Body Pump; especially my arms after adding extra weight onto the bar for the bicep track. The 'floor' based track in Attack was therefore very tough, involved severely gritting my teeth, and caused a lot of pain. Walking home after the class I actually felt a bit sick, which I guess shows just how much effort I put in!

WEDNESDAY: Despite fearing that my soreness may be heightened today with added Body Attack DOMS thrown into the mix, I actually felt a lot better today - thank god! I ran my planned 8k run with my friend, who sped me up a little, recording 4.48min/km. Body Pump after.

THURSDAY: today my plan suggested that the 9.5k distance incorporated hills, whether it meant 19 hills I am not quite sure - but thats what I did (see image)! The road I live on has a number of streets running off it which are all on inclines, so I zig zagged my way up and down these until I reached my goal distance. 19 relentless hills were tough on the legs, but I was pleased that my average pace was 5.12min/km - quicker than when I previously attempted the same hill session before the Liverpool Rock n Roll Half Marathon in June when I recorded a pace of 5.25min/km.

FRIDAY: an early morning 11k featuring 10 lots of sprints was probably not the best idea after yesterday evening's hills, and I certainly could feel the tiredness in my legs. My sprints were therefore more like fast bursts as opposed to Usain Bolt style exertions!

SATURDAY: I visited my sister in Liverpool this weekend and hence was able to complete my long run with her. She is also running the Great North Run, so I did not just drag her out for a 19k jog against her will! We ran out and back along the docks which normally I would have found demoralising, but being in a new city meant I could take in some of the views. There was a strong headwind on the way out which happily was gone on the way back - although oddly the wind was not behind us but just completely dropped. My calves caused me a bit of discomfort towards the end as the uneven surface led to them tightening, but overall the run felt good. We ran at the same pace as I completed the Liverpool Rock n Roll Half Marathon in during June, which pleased me, as I hope that on race day I can pull a faster time out the bag.


SUNDAY: Rest Day - which felt odd for a day notoriously associated with long runs!