The Week Without A Plan

This week I have not been following a training plan of any sort, so it has just been me choosing what I want to do, and also aiming to listen to what my body wanted to do. I am trying not to rush back into running full throttle after the Manchester Marathon, as I want to make sure my body and mind are rested, ready and raring to go when my Berlin Marathon training starts in June. Sometimes I feel a bit lost without a plan, but this week it has felt much needed.

MONDAY: double exercise classes to start the week; Spinning followed by Body Pump. I returned to my usual weights during Body Pump, after dropping down during taper and post marathon, and could certainly feel it on some of the exercises!

TUESDAY: today I went back to my Body Attack class - a form of high intensity aerobics. I had stopped attending the class in December last year, when I started my marathon training, in order to focus on running. I had missed it and I loved being back. I was pleased my cardiovascular fitness was still there, although I could feel the slight absence of power in my legs towards the end of the class.

WEDNESDAY: the first visit to my Sport Therapist post marathon for a much needed massage. My legs were given a good report thankfully, they were tired and in need of a 'flush out' but no marathon damage. The massage felt great. I wanted to let my legs enjoy their new found release, so resisted running in the evening, doing some light cross training before Body Pump.

THURSDAY: getting back to my usual exercise levels seemed to catch up with my legs today; on top of the massage soreness, I think I also had a few days worth of DOMS built up - maybe I had not been taking things that easy after all! I resisted running again as I saw no point in unnecessarily taxing my legs, and instead returned to the gym for some more cross training.

FRIDAY: my first run of the week! A steady 5k - it was not super speedy, but my legs felt so much better than last Friday when I attempted my first post marathon run.

SATURDAY: another early morning 5k rocking my London Marathon 2015 vest (see image) to get me (even more) in the mood for what is to come tomorrow...

SUNDAY: Rest Day ... and the small matter of watching my friend run the London Marathon (blog to follow)!