The Recovery Race Week

This week has been my best since Chicago Marathon; one month post marathon and I think I can say I am beginning to feel like myself again in running terms – slow and steady wins the recovery ‘race’…

MONDAY: Body Pump class

TUESDAY: I knew this week I was going to be incorporating some more higher intensity runs back into my weekly schedule, so I kept this morning’s 5 miler reasonably easy. The positive for me was my ‘easy’ pace seemed to be back to my perceived normal range, and it did not feel a slog.

WEDNESDAY: Tuesday evening I had enjoyed a slightly abnormal weekday evening, attending some fireworks with my friend, as well as enjoying a few accompanying gin and tonics – the perks of not being in training mode meant I felt no guilt about this! I woke feeling a little tired - I am still used to my 8+ hours of sleep each night! – so decided upon a short sharp run. Heading down to the river near me I made use of the fact the footpath was flooded in places to test myself with some uninterpreted 1k reps. I logged 4 miles in total, with a warm up and cool down, and was very impressed by how my legs responded to some speed work.

THURSDAY: this turned into a Rest Day as my planned return to track running with my Run Club was thwarted by flooding. I ended up staying at work later than intended, add to this the torrential rain and I just decided tomorrow may be better for running…

FRIDAY: today was indeed better for running. I headed out for another 5 miles on one of my routes that incorporates a long hilly start. I ran up this hill well, at a much better pace than previous weeks. I then just grew into the run, naturally picking up the pace to finish with some sub 8 min/miles, which importantly did not feel a test.

​SATURDAY: I spent this weekend visiting my sister in her new home in York – this of course meant the perfect chance for some parkrun tourism. We had intended to go to New Earswick parkrun, which is the event closest to my sister’s home. However, the extensive rainfall in the week meant this grassy course had to be cancelled; so we headed to York parkrun, which is held at the main racecourse in the city. We were joined by over 600 runners on a very chilly, slightly frosty but perfectly parkrun morning. The course followed one and a half circular half loops around the edge of the race course; it felt a little bit like running on a race track (ignoring the massive puddle to splash through!)

I ran hard, gulping in the icy cold air and trying to keep the sub 21 pacer in my sights. He was agonisingly close to me, but I just could not quite find the power to make up the distance in the final few hundred metres. It did not matter though, as I finished in 21:07, taking over 30 seconds off my parkrun time last week in Lincoln, and setting my best time post marathon. As I weaved through the finish funnel to the scanners I spotted my sister finish, and she beamed that she had a ran a new PB of 21:33. ‘Smashed it!’ I said, giving her an enthusiastic high five (see image). York parkrun is a fast course and definitely one to try give your all on, but I also loved the friendliness at the end. We stayed behind for a good few minutes afterwards chatting to many different runners. These are the best parkrun mornings; happy running and friends.

SUNDAY: my sister took me on a ten mile tour of York this morning, which is always a great way to see a new city. Both our legs felt a little tight after our parkrun efforts, so it was good to have company and distraction from slightly weary limbs (see image). I did not mind my legs did not feel completely sharp though, as I knew I had ran well all week. As twins, my sister and I have always been close, however it is still extra special when we get to run together and share something I love dearly with someone who will always play a special part of my life. Next year I hope we can run much more together now we at least live on the same side of the country!