My Training Review: Training Week 10

MONDAY: a steady 11km recovery run to kick off the week. I say 'recovery run' - I still ran it too fast to be strictly classed 'recovery', but I managed to maintain a steady, gentle pace throughout. This was probably helped but the strong head wind on a number of sections of my route! Body Pump class afterwards.

TUESDAY: today I could feel in my legs the effect of my long run on Sunday. They felt generally tight so I decided to have a rest from running and cross train. I completed a 10km cycle at the gym focusing on low resistance, fast cadence; followed by stretching, foam roller work and some core exercises.

WEDNESDAY: this was probably the worst run of my training so far, my legs felt good, however the rest of my body did not! I managed 8km but it was not comfortable at all. I felt nauseous within the first few km, then was hit by stomach cramps. If I wasn't so far from home I would have stopped and walked back, but it was quicker to run! I ended up heading to my gym as I intended to end there for Body Pump. I nearly didn't stay for the class though - which shows you how I was feeling, as I hardly ever miss Pump! - but I did and felt a bit better for it. Not a good session!

THURSDAY: I was determined to make up for Wednesday's rubbish run today and completed a thoroughly enjoyable 12km at marathon pace - how two days can differ so dramatically I don't know! Bootcamp at the gym afterwards.  

FRIDAY: Rest Day - this was a struggle as it was the first time in a long while I didn't actually have anything on to distract me from wanted to run or go to the gym!

SATURDAY: I ran on the treadmill for the first time in a long while today. With the Lincoln 10k Race looming next weekend I wanted to test my legs a bit. I ran 5km at a fast pace and recorded a time of 23.59 - two minutes faster than my Park Run a couple of weeks ago! Not sure if I can keep that up over 10km....but we shall soon find out!

SUNDAY: As my long run next week is being replaced by the Lincoln 10k I upped the mileage for today's run. I covered 30km in total (see above photo) - beating my longest run record. The run certainly felt long, and my legs were very tired towards the end. Mentally I felt strong though and pushed myself on.  The most wonderful thing was however that for the first time in a long, long time I had no pain whatsoever in my calves!