The Week Of Mixed Running

As the title suggests - its been a mixed week. Running has not felt great some days, and other days I have felt ok. The end of the year is nearing, so I put it down to just needed a bit of a break - which I have vowed to do after Christmas Day and the end of the Run Up To Christmas challenge. It will only be for a few days before my marathon training starts in January, but I feel it will help. 

MONDAY: a fast five miles on the treadmill before Body Pump. I chose the treadmill as ice had returned to paths, and in the evening darkness I did not want to risk running outside. I pushed the speed a little, making the run a bit of a progression run, which helped the time pass quicker and make it feel less monotonous. 

TUESDAY: in contrast to yesterday, today's run was a slow struggle for five miles. I didn't feel right before leaving the house, a bit queasy for some reason, so my expectations were not too high. I did not quite anticipate it feeling so uneasy though. I trudged around; I had planned on running six miles, but felt there was no point in pushing it when nothing seemed good at all!

WEDNESDAY: 7 slightly better miles. To begin with I felt a little anxious as I ran, my breathing unnatural; I think I was worried I was going to feel like I did yesterday. It took a few miles for me to feel more 'normal', but I managed 7 miles before my Body Pump class.

THURSDAY: back to a struggle today; I felt tired and low on energy, but squeezed in a short 4 miles early morning before work and a Christmas party in the evening. The only satisfaction I got was that I had fitted a run in early, and with a rest day planned tomorrow, I would have nearly 48 hours of recovery. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: a festive Lincoln parkrun. After a week of running not feeling great, I was looking forward to some light relief. The final parkrun before Christmas always makes me feel festive; its great to be surrounded by so many happy people, the vast majority in some form of fancy dress. ​

I had donned a Santa hat (see image) and my aim was to try and complete the three laps of Boultham Park with it remaining in place! I ran much better than I anticipated, and at one point thoughts flashed into my head about whether I may be able to push to get close to low 21 minutes. I could not quite maintain it though, finishing in 21:21; however my hat did remain on throughout! A lovely morning of Christmas cheer, and I made sure to wish all the volunteer marshals on course a 'Merry Christmas' as I passed by on my final loop.  

SUNDAY: a Christmas Eve 12 miler back in my childhood hometown of Stowmarket. I ran with my sister (see image), and as seems the case each year, trying to plan a long run route just seems to emphasise how small Stowmarket is! We plotted an out and back route to a nearby town, which whilst I tend to avoid running out and back, I really enjoyed. It was nice to chat and a great opportunity for us to catch up across the miles. The run also saw us both exceed our Run Up To Christmas targets with one day to spare!

I wish everyone who reads and follows my running adventures a very Merry Christmas - I hope you have a lovely festive period.