My Training Week: Half Marathon Training

MONDAY: an 9k run to start the week. My Garmin watch died on me shortly into the run as I had forgotten to charge it... however after my initial annoyance at the fact I wouldn't be able to track my pace etc. I actually enjoyed not being fixated by my wrist, and just ran at a pace which simply felt good. Body Pump after.

TUESDAY: Body Attack class - I woke with a cold today, my first in a very long time so I should not complain really, but I could definitely feel it slightly affecting my breathing.

WEDNESAY: a beautiful sunny and warm evening to hit the streets on National Running Day. My quads felt a little tight today as I still had not had a rest day for nearly two weeks. Despite this, and my cold, I was pleased to average a sub 5min pace per kilometre over the 9.5km distance, including one random very fast 4.25km split! Body Pump after.

THURSDAY: due to weekend commitments I completed my 16km long run on another lovely sunny day - great for topping up my developing runner's tan! This was also my last long run before the Rock n' Roll Liverpool Half Marathon, which seems to suddenly have crept up very quickly! I ran alongside the river near me, going out for 8km then turning around and running back again. Although the route along the river is beautifully tranquil and a great way to escape from centre of Lincoln I don't often run this way as the thought of running, turning around, and then running back the exact same way often doesn't inspire me much. Tonight I really enjoyed it though, even with both my cold and the soreness in my quads still very much lingering, and even discovered some new art installations along the footpath (see image).

FRIDAY: today my cold, and probably the lack of an actual rest day, really caught up with me. I generally felt tired, my legs were still very sore, and I really debated not bothering with any form of exercise. I did go to the gym though, mainly due to the fact I had a weekend away ahead where I knew my options to exercise would be limited! I ran a very steady 5k on the treadmill, followed by a 10km cycle, and then some foam rolling and stretching, trying to loosen my legs a little.

SATURDAY: I managed to squeeze in a trip to Park Run before heading away for the weekend on a training residential - a run I was extremely glad I was able to complete! This Park Run included friends, birthday celebrations, PBs and (if they existed in Park Run events!) podium place finishing spots.... a run clearly worthy of its own (soon to follow) blog post!

SUNDAY: Rest Day - at last! This felt much needed and for once was one I felt absolutely no guilt about!