The Long Overdue Week

As the title suggests, this week was a week I probably should have completed a long time ago and in the initial weeks post the Manchester Marathon. A mix of work commitments and other life factors meant my running has been less frequent and routined - but much needed.

MONDAY: Spinning and Body Pump classes to start the week - very warm and very sweaty. 

TUESDAY: Body Attack class - another very warm class; not sure a fitness studio is supposed to be 20+ degrees!?

WEDNESDAY: I was away on a conference with work today, which meant I arrived home late. I managed to squeeze in a very short and sharp 20 minute treadmill run before my Body Pump class. Twenty minutes was more than enough on the treadmill though, and I had to mix up that time with minute intervals to make it more bearable - just so boring! I have truly fallen out of love with this machine after completing all my runs on it only a couple of years ago.

THURSDAY: Rest Day

FRIDAY: today I finally laced up my trainers for a much needed run, both mentally and physically. I had no real distance in mind but just wanted to run. My legs felt great, after a week of virtually no running they were fresh and every step was a joy. I completed a regular 6 mile route of mine which incorporates a number of hills without trouble, and to my absolute amazement. I was not ready to stop, so I added on an extra loop bringing my total to 9 miles. I could have kept going really! My average pace also pleased me, 8.48 min/mile - positive progress considering the undulating route and the distance covered. 

SATURDAY: I volunteered at Lincoln parkrun today which I again enjoyed a lot, as the smile on my face (see image) probably indicates! I then completed my own 5k run later, which I half went for/half held back a little, as I didn't want to completely tire my legs out for tomorrows long run; especially after a 9 miler yesterday. My time was 24.47, which outside of the 'all or nothing' mentally I have for a 5k parkrun, I was happy with. 

SUNDAY: ahead of my planned 10 mile run I was a little worried that my legs might feel the effect of all three of my major runs being condensed into a three day period. I am not sure if it affected them or not, but I certainly faded badly. Progressively slower splits across the 10 miles, and heavy legs from mile 6. Not the best. It was a bit of a trudge, but I didn't hate it; helped by my friend keeping my company and the reappearance of the summer sunshine. Not an ideal end to the week, but Friday's run has shown me what I can do with a bit more running rest. My focus for the next few weeks before Liverpool Half Marathon next Sunday and then my second round of marathon training starting, is thus to stick to fewer but better quality runs, and give my legs the running rest they probably are screaming at me for!