My Training Week: Half Marathon Training

MONDAY: Bank Holiday Monday meant I ran a morning 8km, intending to end at the gym for a Body Pump class. The class was cancelled when I arrived so I opted for gym weights instead. The run was at an average of 5min 19sec kilometres,  I didn't want to start the weak too fast, as past weeks I have definitely felt the effect of a fast Monday run on my legs throughout the rest of the week.

TUESDAY: Body Attack class

WEDNESDAY: tonight's 8km was one of those runs when everything felt amazing! My legs felt perfect, the weather was lovely, and a random car driver enthusiastically shouted 'Run Forrest Run' at me right at the start which spurred me on even more! For the first time since the marathon I recorded an average pace of under 5mins per kilometre which felt even better! Body Pump afterwards.

THURSDAY: the plan I am following for my forthcoming half marathon said today's run should 'include some hills'. I am not a massive fan of hills, I think it is mainly a mental barrier as opposed to physical! But I stuck to my plan, running 9km incorporating several of the hills which are near my street - I live on one myself so have no excuse really! I really got into the pattern of running up and down the hills, the challenge followed by the known recovery period, and actually quite enjoyed hill training.

FRIDAY: I felt tired today, this week my plan includes no rest days, which to me felt very strange.  I contemplated not running as I have really appreciated having an actual rest day each week following my training for the marathon. I stuck to the plan though resorting to the treadmill as a way of making sure I made it through the run, running at a comfortable pace for 8km.

SATURDAY: today again felt a little odd, with an 11km run in the plan before Sunday's long run. My legs felt ok though and running the reverse way round to one of my usual running routes added a new element to the run and helped me to keep a good pace of 5.08km.

SUNDAY: a mild and damp day meant a lot of my 19km run was spent dodging the slugs and snails who were crawling across the pavements, adding in some extra agility work ! I felt really strong during the first half of the run, but suffered a bit of a dip after I hit the 10km point with my quads feeling generally tired and sore. I got back into my stride though and was pleased to average 5.21km and finish the run in 1hr 41mins, which with only 2km left to complete the half marathon distance, means I am on target for a sub 2hr time. I also racked up a good number of steps of my pedometer which I am wearing for 100 days as part of the GCC Walking Challenge my work is taking part in (see image), and which I am determined my team will win!