Saturday's run

This is the last long run I intend to do before the Half Marathon. I didn't want to go as far as last week so planned on running about 10 miles. It was our usual route over the meadows and through the back of Ferry Meadows. We added on the rowing lake and back through the nature reserve. All in all a good steady run, chattering with friends, enjoying the company and being at one with nature!

Distance: 10.7
Time: 1:50:48
Avg Pace: 10.19

Efforts!

Efforts! I think that says it all!!

Distance: 5.2 miles
Time: 46:38
Avg Pace: 8.55

Tuesday evening

Another really good run! Again, a lovely cool evening with just a gentle breeze, perfect running conditions for me. I wouldn't have minded if we had even had just a little drizzle!

Started off in a big group but slowly divided into smaller sets of even pace. After a mile or so, I was feeling good. Surprisingly so, after my long run on Saturday, but it didn't seem to have a lasting effect. There was a little group ahead of me, so I pushed hard and caught them up.

About another mile or so further on, half the group split off and took a shorter route. Three of us pushed on and after half a mile or so Barry caught us. Hailey then dropped back with Barry and Phil and I pushed on together.

It felt good, although it was getting dark by now and it was hard to see where we were putting our feet sometimes. The last couple of miles seemed a long long way and the sight of the floodlights over the football pitch gladdened my heart as that is also where the finish is!

The last mile was really hard going and I was having to push it to keep with Phil. I encouaged him to go ahead but he was having none of it. The effort was worth it as when I uploaded my Garmin I see that was our fastest mile!

Distance: 7.1
Time: 1:02:40

Pace: 8.49

Long Run

With just three weekends to go until the Half Marathon I decided I really must get a very long run in. I know some people are happy to have covered most of the distance but, for me, I like to enter the race confident with the knowledge that I can run the distance.

Myself, Marianne and Suzanne set out at 9.30 yesterday morning. It was misty and I couldn't tell whether it was going to be one of those mornings when the sun broke through or it would stay cool - I was hoping for the latter! I mapped out a route in my mind which covered two laps as Marianne didn't want to go as far as Suzanne and myself. We set out at a comfortable pace and after 6 miles Marianne headed home.

We pushed on and upped the pace a bit. It wasn't soul-destroying knowing that we were running the course again (as I know it can be sometimes) but around the 10 mile mark Suzanne's knee was playing up so we cut in and headed towards home.

However, Suzanne had run to our starting point so, of course, she still had to run back home! It added on about just under 2 miles in total and as I wasn't feeling too bad (relatively speaking) I ran most of the way with her and then ran back again to the start.

This made a total distance of 13.5 miles! Yippee!!

Distance: 13.58
Time: 2:23:36
Overall pace: 10:34

Thursday

I couldn't make the club night again tonight - that's several Thursdays in a row. Anyone would think I was trying to dodge the hillwork or the speed sessions, lol.

I felt absolutely shattered coming home from work and contemplated having a lie down before going on the run (or even not bothering with the run!) but I knew if I did that I probably would end up not going. So, donning shoes and Garmin and a bottle of sports drink to give me a much needed boost I set out.

I decided to just run my old route round the lakes at Ferry Meadows and then the nature reserve. I took it easy and hoped I was running about 10 min miling. I decided that if I was, I would be pleased with that because I felt I could have gone on for a lot longer at that pace (so why didn't I you might ask?).

Distances have been playing on my mind a lot lately, especially as I am considering entering the London Marathon!

Distance: 4.1

Time: 41:34

Pace: 10.05

Tuesday eveing

I had another good run this evening. It really must be these cooler evenings and, oh boy, are they getting cooler?! And Darker, oh yes, much darker. Some intelligent ones amongst us thought to wear their flourescent vests and we certainly needed them, especially towards the end of the run.

We clocked up another 8 miles, or just under. My legs felt good and strong. I know I should be happy with doing the distance and feeling good but, and yes there is a but, I am slightly disappointed with the time. The pace works out at 9.23 min miling but it certainly felt faster than that, more like 9 min miling. Never mind, I won't lose any sleep over it.

Distance: 7.9
Time: 1:14:06
Pace: 9.23

Well, that's another long run done!

With just 26 days to go until the Half Marathon I was starting to panic. I wasn't at all sure I would be able to run 13 miles but I now feel confident that I can do it - just not at all sure in what time.

It wasn't a fast run but it was two hours on my feet. Next Saturday I intend to do another long run, probably about 11 miles or so.

Two hours - when I stop and think about it, I find it incredible. The fact that I can run for two hours is just amazing. It's good sometimes to take stock and actually realise what an achievement it is. Well, I think so, anyway.

After Tuesday evening's run I thought I had cracked it. My running was coming together and I felt like I was running with effort. Huh, no way!

This evening I went out with Laura at 4.30 to run 5 miles. I didn't have any idea what was in store for me - I thought my legs had recovered from Tuesday night's run, they certainly hadn't felt like they were aching during the day.

But oh my goodness. They felt like lead and it was a struggle all the way round. The weather didn't help with it being very warm and muggy. I think that is the key - I definitely run a whole lot better in the cooler weather. That's good news then with Winter just around the corner. Remind me of this when I moan about how cold it is ......

Distance: 5.15
Time: 51:56
Pace: 10.05

Tuesday evening

Had a marvellous run this evening!

Jogged round to Laura's and we then jogged up to the club. After a bit of hanging around there waiting for everyone to turn up, we set off. The plan was to run 8 miles. The jog up to the club had warmed me up and I set off feeling really comfortable. I stuck at that pace, dropping back every now and again to keep a small group together but eventually ending up with just Suzanne, myself and Dave.

The cooler evening temperature suits me just perfect. As well, I was off work today so managed to have a bowl of pasta 2-3 hours before the run which must have given me the energy I needed. I felt in good form - at last. It's been a long time since I have been out running and felt so good!

I really pushed the mileage up last week albeit not intentionally. Tuesday Club night we ran our usual 5 miles but on Thursday I was going out in the evening so decided to go for a run straight after work. I persuaded hubby to join me - we often used to run together but he had to give up running because of bad knees. I only planned on running my usual route round the lakes but once we were out we pushed on a bit and ended up running 7.8 miles. Poor man! His knees and thighs were a bit sore when he had finished!

On Saturday, four of us went out planning to run a long one and, sure enough, after a couple of others dropping off, me and Sheila ran 11 miles! I am so pleased, it is a real boost to cover that distance knowing the half marathon is only a few weeks off! It wasn't in a marvellous time, but that's not important, its covering the distance that means the most at this stage.

Saturday morning

Ran with Sheila. It was a very pleasant run, we took it easy although on saying that, the first 2-3 miles were rather difficult, much harder than they should have been. I found my breathing difficult but then again that could have been because we were talking too much! It was warm and sunny in places but a bit cooler in the shade. The time and miles flew by so I guess that means it was enjoyable!

Last year I thought this was about 10 miles, today with my Garmin I see it is just 9.25. Oh well, wouldn't it make a nice change if I had under-estimated the distance, just once....


Time: 1:36:48
Distance: 9.25
Pace: 10.25

Last Thursday we did efforts at the club. They were really hard and I pushed myself to make the most of the session and, oh boy, it felt so good - afterwards! It was really hard work but with a few more effort sessions, I will hopefully see the fruits of my labour some time in the future.

I met up with Laura on Saturday to get a longish run in and we ran about 8 miles. Not bad but I know I should be upping the distance now with only 6 weeks to go until the half marathon. I got a couple more runs in during the week and I am meeting with Sheila in about an hour to go for our Saturday morning run.

I've just looked back at what I was doing this time last year and I am surprised to see that I am pretty much at the same stage of my training. I was thinking about running 9 miles for my long run that day so may be things aren't looking too bad for the half marathon in October :-)