My Training Review: Training Week 3

MONDAY: Due to work commitments I had to split up my planned 9.5km today. I opted for a 7k treadmill run at 6.30am before work, running the last 2.5k in the evening before my Body Pump class. I normally struggle with running that early in the morning, and with very little rest time between that and Sunday's 13k run, I feared I may find the run a real challenge. The run felt good though and it was only time that prevented me from running the full 9.5k in one go.

TUESDAY: A change in the class programme at my gym meant my usual Tuesday Body Attack class was not on again. I decided to do my 8k tempo run instead, and like last week, I struggled to find the correct running speed (see below post). However, after doing some more research and talking to people I think I may have worked out where I am going wrong!

WEDNESDAY: An 9.5k outdoor run before Body Pump. My legs felt good and noticeably there was no real wind for the first time in a long while! Maintained  a comfortable pace throughout of around 5.20-5.40 km.

THURSDAY: This was supposed to be Body Attack but a mix up with instructors meant I ended up doing 20 mins of circuit training followed by a 45 min spinning class. Both gave me a good workout without being too taxing on the legs!

FRIDAY: Rest Day - Francis Maude MP (Minister for the Cabinet Office) visited Lincoln today to meet with myself and other volunteer/social action projects in the city (http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Francis-Maude-Minister-Cabinet-Office-visits/story-25914102-detail/story.html). This, combined with another volunteer meeting after work, meant I was quite busy and therefore was able to resist the urge to exercise!

SATURDAY: 5k treadmill run with a slight incline, followed by a few arm weights.

SUNDAY: My friend from the gym offered to show me a new running route today, a 14.5km loop taking in some new parts of Lincoln I had never even seen let along ran along before! The route was really interesting featuring a mix of the city, off road fields and a LOT of hills (see above). The hills combined long steep inclines, lengthy gradual ascents and sharp peaks, all which really tested my legs - and affirmed my existing belief that my friend is in fact a machine! With two marathons under her belt she is certainly a good running partner and point of advice. The pace was quite fast, around my usual 10k training speed, so overall it was a challenging run out!