Boy oh boy what a lazy morning I was having but that is probably because I am playing catch-up on sleep as I went out for dinner last night at The Lantern Inn. I had such an amazing time catching up with old work friends from my Youth Offending Team. Although we do not see each other that often it is as though we pick up exactly as to where we left off. it was lovely to reminisce about our girlie trips away to Manchester, Liverpool and London. Exciting times ahead as we maybe going to Porto for a weekend. Naturally, it will require at least two planning meetings before we go!
Now back to my Lazy Sunday which is supposed to be Long Run Sunday! I have made every excuse under the sun so far… Jorge shall we just stay at home… it is your weekend too and we should just chill. Nope… I need to go out and run.. I can’t keep putting it off. I am not injured, there is no reason why I cannot run. It isn’t even raining out there but I appear to be being held hostage by my duvet! I don’t know why I have to convince myself to go running as I absolutely love it once I am out there… The next excuse is…. I don’t want to go up the hill…. I live in Steep Hill, the clue is in the name but seriously it isn’t even that bad. It is yet another excuse as to why I can’t possibly go out for my run.
I know…. I will wear my new Christmas Socks…. that was all it needed for me to put on my running kit and I am out of the door. A nice gentle walk up the Steep Hill whilst I sort out my music. I have no idea where I am going to run to I will just wing my run and see where it takes me. Hopefully, I will remember to turn around at the midway point!
So it is 40 minutes today and you have to be kidding me… you want me to run at a pace of 10:51 minute miles…. That is SOOOOO not happening today! It will be something I am working towards but today will not be the day when I hit that pace and I am OK with that! Mind you it does say…. “Today we are building up your long runs. Don’t worry about your pace, just aim to run for 40 minutes.” That is exactly what I went with.
The run isn’t as bad as I anticipated so I am over the moon. I am actually managing to go up the slight incline to the park without any problems. Well not any major problems. I seemed to be able to control my breathing and my knees are not hurting so it is a win! 1-0 to Gregory. I seem to be going at a nice pace when I am on the flat and even better when there is a nice little downwards bit. Part of today’s run, I have done before and I remembered that I really struggled with it but today I can certainly see and feel my improvements. Wahooo I am a marathon runner in the making.
I keep reminding myself that I can do this… I have done it before and even overcome deferring my previous attempt due to my stress fracture I received that went undiagnosed for about 5 and a half weeks. Yes, every morning when I used to stand up getting out of bed, I would collapse on the floor in agony. I knew something was wrong as this was pain like I have never felt pain before. In fact I knew on the day that something wasn’t right hence why I pulled out of my training run. I was about 7 miles in and in no-man’s land when I had to call home and ask to be picked up. I saw George and his Magic Hands at the earliest opportunity. He ruled out shin splints and compartment syndrome and then boy oh boy did the next test hurt…. Sorry to tell you Louise it is a stress fracture. Shame the first two x-rays and first MRI scan did not pick it up but at least it was finally diagnosed and I knew I was out of my marathon training that year. But never mind…. there was always the following year.. and BOOOOMMMM I ran my first London Marathon (and only one so far) in 2012.
Opps back to my run today…. this feeling is great. I am loving being outside. The 40 minutes is going really quickly and I am already heading home. It feeIs like I have a homing device and am getting faster the closer I am to home… Probably because I am now running downhill. hahaha. But ssshhh it is all about how I am feeling right???
Wahooooo…… 40 minutes completed and 3.22 miles achieved. Not quit the 3.69miles… but I am happy wit that! Yes I do know I need to get a new pair of trainers… they are on my To Do List!
This is the round up of my Marathon Training for the week! So far so good. I have have completed all 10 sessions so far!! Go me! I am so looking forward to next week although I am having to jiggle around the schedule with the build up to Christmas events!! It’s all about finding the balance and making sure it is a win/win.