Great North Run: Training Week 9

MONDAY: Bank Holiday Monday meant I was able to run in the morning before a rescheduled Body Pump class. I was feeling tired from my weekend away and the associated travelling, but despite this was pleased to record a sub 5 minute/km pace for the 8km run.

TUESDAY: Body Attack class. Today really led me to question if this class will ever get any easier! The floor track was once again a huge challenge, I refuse to let myself complete the press ups and tricep press ups on my knees which probably doesn't help...! My instructor called me 'hardcore' for getting through the track 'on my toes' - a comment I was both a mixture of proud and embarrassed by!

WEDNESDAY: I literally could have swam my 9.5k run today. The weather was horrendous, turning from grey and threatening to torrential rain about 30 seconds after I stepped out the door. It just would not give up either. My watch died on me so I have no idea how fast I ran, but I know the weather conditions certainly made me get a move on! Arriving at the gym for Body Pump I had to use the changing room hairdryer to attempt to make myself a little more presentable, acceptable and comfortable for the class (see image)!

THURSDAY: Rest Day

FRIDAY: Not sure what was more challenging today, trying to memorise and work out how I was going to run my plan's suggested interval session, or actually running it! 8k with 16 x 1 minute fast intervals proved to be tough. Every half a kilometer I ran an interval, which hence meant that after a minute of fast running, the next intervals was not that far away at all! Spotting this, I tried to focus on making the fast intervals quality, and my dropping pace in between to sufficiently recover. 

SATURDAY: My legs were heavy and tight today, my shins and hamstrings being particularly affected. I trudged around a steady 8k, finishing at the gym. Here I spent about 30 mins on the stationary bike trying to give the legs a spin out with the vague hope this may loosen and flush them out a bit.

SUNDAY: Horrible run. Yesterday's feeling of heaviness and tightness had not disappeared but worsened. My legs hurt from the very start,  every step feeling tight and an unnatural effort. It was a huge mental battle to keep running, probably the worse I have ever experienced, I even felt like crying at one point! I try not to let a run bother me too much usually, but I was upset and confused as to why I was feeling like this having not really done anything different compared to the last eight weeks of training! With the Great North Run one week away it was not the most confidence boosting long run to have in the bag either. So approaching race week, I am not feeling great! The plan; rest the legs as much as possible... probably avoid my Body Attack class for a week... foam roll and stretch daily... eat well... drink plenty... sleep lots... try just about flipping anything!!! (Any additional advice most welcomed and much appreciated!)