My 'Training Week'

For the first time - I think - this year I entered into a week without any race on the horizon. Even if I have not strictly been in a 'training week' there has always been something in my mind, a goal to work towards. But this week there was nothing. How would I cope!

MONDAY: the day after the Oxford Half, and my legs were surprisingly ok... my calves felt a little odd and weary, and the DOMS did increase slightly as the day went on, but nothing too crippling! I decided not to run though just to allow my body to recover fully from the race, and opted for cross training before my Body Pump class.

TUESDAY: Body Attack class

WEDNESDAY: started the day with another stint of 7am Body Pump as I had an evening meeting, which I feared may make me miss the later class. As it turned out, my meeting finished just in time, and without a real desire or need to run, I headed back for Body Pump take two! It was tough going twice in the same day, my arms were knackered by the end - but I enjoyed pushing myself in a different way.

THURSDAY: Rest Day

FRIDAY: A Friday night 10k - I really needed this run mentally, and having not ran all week I actually felt the urge to get out. Everything felt great as I weaved though Lincoln's streets; the only strange thing was the darkness which gradually engulfed me. It seemed like a long time since I had been running in the dark and it took a little bit of getting used to, trusting where to put my feet and judging curbs etc. 

SATURDAY: I attended a Leadership in Running Fitness course today (see image). I was lucky in the sense that my employer was hosting the course and as I work in sport development, I was offered a place. I found the course very helpful in giving ideas on how to lead and support beginners or those returning to running, and personally I loved spending a day immersed with people who shared the same passion - an excuse to talk running all day!

SUNDAY: an attempt at a longer run. I say attempt as I was not really sure what to do if I am honest! I set out and for the first 8k I felt good, I was running steadily and comfortably, and was enjoying taking in the autumnal sights around me. Then my legs tightened once again. Due to this, I decided not to push the distance too far and unnecessarily cause myself pain, instead looping back home for a total of just under 14k. I need to sort out this tightness in my legs as its really starting to annoy me now. On my Leadership in Running Fitness course the tutor had noticed my poor flexibility, and had consequently warned me that one day my lack of flexibility/overall tightness will actually hinder my running and limit the times I can achieve. It feels like this could be happening right now! So my new goal for the next few weeks is to sort out some form of stretching/flexibility plan in the hope this will revitalise my legs. I also need to make up my mind what I am doing in terms of a 2016 marathon....watch this space! ​