The Week December Arrived

The past seven days have flown by for me, as it seems has the year, with this week entering into December. I have felt a little tired this week, a kind of weary haze I have not been able to fully shift. I think this has been due to being busy at work, which I enjoy nevertheless, but also being unable to switch my head off from other personal things, which I do not enjoy! Running remains my constant though - as always...

MONDAY: Rest Day - after Sunday's Doncaster 10k my legs were a little achy and my body generally felt fatigued, so I listened to it and rested. 

TUESDAY: rising early I managed to avoid the monsoon like downpours that arrived during the day and logged a steady 5 miles, easing my legs back into things. Body Pump class in the evening.

WEDNESDAY: feeling a little more energised I opted for one of my hillier 5 mile routes. This proved to be a good choice, as I could feel the strength had returned in my legs, and I logged an 8:15 min/mile average pace.

THURSDAY: another wet and wild day, which this time I was unable to avoid. It was mild though and the rain actually felt quite refreshing on my 5 miler, and I remained close to 8 min/mile pace throughout. Body Pump in evening. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: after a full on week I woke today feeling a little down and deflated, which is when I know I really need my parkrun fix. It seemed fate that today I bumped into so many people I knew at Lincoln parkrun at literally every point of my morning; from arriving at the car park, to finding my jacket on the bandstand at the end, I had someone friendly to chat to - I loved it. In running terms it was also quite a good morning for me, I managed my best time for a while, 21:17, and also finished first lady again. I was helped when running by a friendly chap who has been trying to pace me back to sub 21 minute territory for a few weeks now; we ran together for the majority of the course and using him as a marker helped keep my pacing quite consistent. I now just to regain that little bit of extra speed from somewhere!

SUNDAY: I was unsure of how to approach today's planned 10 miles; I knew I had been running well at the distance over the past few weeks and that my legs could be tested, but I did not know if I had the mental energy to commit to that. I think if I am honest this was a day when I would have preferred some company on a longer run, and to enjoy some 'chatty' miles. Sometimes when you are on you own though that's when you can really test your strength, and I think I did that instead. I set out at an optimistic pace and just kept going. It was a unseasonably mild December day, and even wearing just shorts and t-shirt I was sweaty and warm! At mile 7 I started to consider slowing down and comfortably making it home instead, but that was when my determination really kicked in. I kept going, finishing with a 7.55 min/mile average pace (see image). My Brighton Marathon training starts in three weeks, and whilst I will be slowing down on my longer runs to avoid burning out and especially as the miles get longer, for now I am enjoying these Sunday tests. I also hope these miles will provide good foundations going forward. ​