My Training Review: Training Week 5

MONDAY: started the week off with a 9.5km run, outside, on a cold evening, with a lovely combination of frequent snow flurries and blizzards! To make the situation even more delightful I had chosen to wear shorts which meant I had rather cold legs (see photo on right)! Strangely I still enjoyed the run...! Although my calves were a little tight on inclines. Body Pump class afterwards.

TUESDAY: 8km tempo run on the treadmill - I found this quite boring as I am really enjoying running outside at the moment (despite what the weather is throwing at me!). Calves were tight again so did a good stretching and foam roller session afterwards as well as some core exercises.

WEDNESDAY: this was supposed to be an 8k run but I ended up doing about 9km in order to finish at the gym in time for my Body Pump class. My calves were again tight at the start but loosened as the run went on. In Body Pump I also managed to get through the back track (for those not accustomed to Body Pump a track of music focussed solely on back exercises using a weighted bar) for the first time with an increased weight of 20kg on the bar - which felt good!

THURSDAY: Body Attack class - my legs felt notably more heavy than normal in the class, especially in  one particular track featuring a high number of burpee tuck jumps, which was an absolute delight...! Although I joke it was good to finally get the class back in my weekly routine and I enjoyed it.

FRIDAY: Rest Day - a long day at work meant exercise was not even an option, but more importantly my legs were grateful of the break!

SATURDAY: a 5k run on the treadmill followed by a  lengthy arm weight session and core exercises. I also ensured I maintained my stretching and foam roller routine post run.

SUNDAY: embarked on my longest run to date and also possibly the longest run I have ever actually completed - 17km. It was a glorious almost spring like day with blue skies, sunshine and no wind - could not have been much more different to the start of the week (see above image)! I ran with my friend again so this meant we maintained a good pace throughout and I got to try another new route. My calves played up a bit and I had to stop twice briefly to give them a bit of a stretch. My cardiovascular system felt really strong though which was pleasing.