On Saturday morning, I headed out with a group from Bushfield to tackle Haddon again! I managed to convince Val along as she was worried she hadn't taken on a longer distance and with GER looming, we both need as much training as we can get. By mile 2 Mandy looped back to check we were both ok, we had set off quite fast (well fast for us) and Val dropped the pace, Mandy stayed with her and plodded on on my own. As much as I hate running on my own sometimes it was useful as its shown that I can pace myself and I don't always have to stop and walk. I kept looping back to run with them both for a bit.

Just before the dreaded Haddon hill, Sarah had looped back to come and help me up it, what a trooper doing it twice. I made it to the top this time, and oh my I could have easily curled up in a ball on the floor. Val decided to walk up there (I think she had the right idea), the next 2 miles are pretty much all downhill so we all plodded along together having a chat which made them whizz by, Sarah and I took off ahead a little and when we went to cross under the A1, we looped back to help Val. The underpass is a complete optical illustion, as you run up to it, the incline looks so steep but as soon as you start running it, its virtually flat.

I have found that I'm really comfortable running 8 miles, its the last one I struggle with. I still haven't started fueling for my longer runs and I don't eat breakfast before I go, so I'm obviously running out of energy, I must look into this. In the last 400 metres I choked, all I wanted was to stop and I thought I was going to be sick. MUST START EATING BEFORE LONG RUNS!!!!!

A slow and short run after my race on Wednesday. Wow runninf 3 days in a row really takes it out of you. More rest days and cross training for me from now on.

Monday

Swim at the Lido (outdoor pool)

14 lengths @ 50 metres

Tuesday

4.23 mile run

Wednesday

Treadmill - Incline 6 - Speed 6mph - 10 minutes

Cross Trainer - Level 12 - Interval training - 30 minutes

Squats - 20 reps x 2 sets - 10kg barbell

Chest press - 10 reps x 4 sets - 18kg

Shoulder press - 10 reps x 4 sets - 18kg

5k race at Ferry Meadows

Thursday

3.1 mile run

Friday

Rest

Saturday

9.09 mile run

Sunday

Rest

Yesterday I took part in my first 5k race of the Peterborough Grand Prix series (5 races put on by 5 different running clubs across June & July), I missed the first one as I was on holiday. It was Thorney's turn to host and this was put on at Ferry Meadows, I love running here so I was looking forward to it. I wanted to run this at my own pace and not worry about being slow or last, I have done alot in the last week and didn't want to push myself to far.

This lasted until the start line, as soon as I started I decided to go for it and see what I could do. I started off with Sarah and Paula and we stuck together for about 3k, it was here that I decided I needed to slow down a little and told them to push on. The run was pretty uneventful to be honest, nice scenery, great marshals and organisation but a very hot day. I couldn't wait to get to the end just to have some water. There was a woman next to me the whole way and this time I was determinded not to let her pass me. The finish line was my own complaint, it was on uneven grass so was really hard to get a sprint finish on.

I don't know my exact time yet but my phone reads 34 minutes 26 seconds. I hope I managed to get sub 34 but I'm not sure as the timing will be done gun to finish and I started at the back, oh well there is always next time.

All in all a great race & I'm looking forward to the next one.

Tuesday rolled around again and we had a different night planned at Bushy. With our 10k race coming up in July we opened up the club session to anyone who wanted to come and give the 10k route a try. Most of us wore our Bushy tops so it was a great opportunity to get a club photo. There was a good turn out of people wanting to give it a go and off we went.

I ran with Val, Emma (a newbie) & Charlene, unfortunately we lost Charlene at around 1 and a half miles as her hip was playing up and she decided to play it safe and walk back. Us three carried on, it was a really tough night as it was so hot but we pushed through. At around the 3 mile mark we were all absolutely knackered. My foot has been playing up since my race on Sunday and I've been icing it as much as possible but I didn't want to put too much pressure on it, so I suggested to the girls we cut the run short at the next turn off, they were both happy to do so.

Miles: 4.23
Time: 55:04

Yesterday I took part in the Hunts 10k charity run. I was really worried about this race as I haven't done any specific training for it, and I had been on holiday for 2 weeks before hand. But I was determinded to go out there and give it all I had.

The organisation was faultless, we arrived early to find somewhere to park so we didn't have to far to walk from the car to the event, marshals where out from 7:30am helping people park and find where they needed to be. Race pack pick up was well organised and straightforward enough. Only downside as always at these things, not enough toilets for the amount of people taking part. Both the 3k fun run and the 10k both started on time, which I was pleased about, I hate waiting around, by this point I just want to get going.

The course was great the first 4k was a loop round a very flat air field, great for starting out strong and all the spectators were lined up so was a great little boost to get us started. 4-5k took us over a very horrible gravel path, a girl in front of me fell and twisted her ankle and had to hobble back to the start, 5-9k took us through fields and through a small village, lots of people were stood outside their houses cheering us on, which was really lovely. And...small claim to fame, John Major & his wife were outside cheering us on (he lives in the village)...an ex prime minister cheered me on in a race..how crazy is that?! 8k took us back over the gravel and the last km was a flat slightly uphill sprint back to the finish line. I really pushed myself in this race, I very very nearly threw up when I crossed the finish line! But overall a great course and a great atmosphere.

2 water stations on route at 4 and 8k.

I PB'ed with a new time of 1:12:27 - My only complaint is the official time was done on gun to chip so we had to take our net time, but either way I did better then last time so I'm not complaining. Mile splits as follows:

Mile 1 - 10:56 (who knew I could run this fast)
Mile 2 - 10:57
Mile 3 - 11:54
Mile 4 - 11:34
Mile 5 - 12:07
Mile 6: 12:08
Mile 0.29 - 11:54

 

 

 

 

Monday

Tread mill - Incline 5 - Speed 6mph - 20 minutes

Cross Trainer - Interval Training - Level 10 - 30 minutes

Chest press - 20 reps x 3 sets - 4 kg

Tricep curl - 20 reps x 3 sets - 4kg

Bicep curl - 20 reps x 3 sets - 4 kg

Squats - 20 reps x 3 sets - 15kg

Tuesday

Run - 6.28 miles (10k) - 1 hour 20 minutes

Wednesday

Triathlon

400 yard swim - 10 mile bike - 3.5 mile run

Thursday

Rest

Friday

Rest

Saturday

Row - 10 minutes

Tread mill - Incline 6 - Speed 6mph 15 minutes

Cross Trainer - Interval Training - Level 10 - 30 minutes

Sunday

Hunts 10K

1:12:27 (PB)


A fairly busy week to get my body moving after a lazy holiday.