I completely wore myself out this week, I had been running a lot what with the 5k series and my usual training runs. I went out with Jill and we ended up completing just over 4 miles. I didn't feel too bad just a little lazy and must admit I did walk for some of this.

I didn't even take my phone out with me to record the time, so I have no idea how long it took. Sometimes it's nice to just be out there though.

Monday

Swimming - Freestyle (Front crawl, breast stroke & back stroke) 44 lengths x 25 metre pool

Total = 1100 m

Tuesday

3.19 mile run

Wednesday

5k series - Eye

Thursday

4.1 mile run

Friday

Rest
 
Saturday

Bike ride - 10 miles

Sunday

6.2 mile trail run

Woah. Who would of thought at the beginning of January I would be running this much. Alot has changed this year, most of it for the better. Let's hope I can keep going.

2 weeks had quickly past and it was time for another 5k Grand Prix Series race, this time held at Eye, I assumed it would follow part of the same route of the 4 miler handicap, so I was feeling pretty confident about the route. When the day rolled around, I really couldn't be bothered, I was feeling tired and knew I hadn't fueled myself properly during the day. I couldn't make the decision whether to try and keep up with Paula and try for a PB, or stick with Val at a slightly slower pace and just enjoy the run a little more.

When we got there I noticed the route was out and back and that's all I needed to know to go for a PB, if I got halfway and knew I had nothing left in me I could slow back down. The start was on time & the organization was flawless, also the marshals were really encouraging, even to the last few runners. I panicked when I couldn't find Paula at the start so decided to just keep at a good pace which I was enjoying. The gun went off and everyone shot off, it's so difficult not to speed off when your around other people. My first mile is always my fastest, so I really need to learn to slow it down. Paula found me within the first 400m, and told me we were going too fast so I slowed down a little. We past Val, but she was always just behind us in our sights.

Within 7 minutes the fast men were already coming back past us, oh how lovely that would be. There was a woman I ran with at the last race from Bourne, who was always just behind me and gave me the boost to push on, she was also just behind in this race so it was nice to see a friendly face. I kept up with Paula up until the 4k mark and dropped back slowly, I just couldn't keep up the pace. Because I don't use a gps watch yet I have no idea of my pace and had no idea if I was anywhere near a PB. When I turned the corner into the finish I could see the clock had just ticked over onto 32 minutes, so I gave it my all.

Official time 32 minutes & 49 seconds (PB by 1 min 2 seconds)

Mile 1: 10.24
Mile 2: 10.22
Mile 3: 11.20 (If only I can keep this last mile up)

I've given myself a mini goal of being able to do sub 30 5k. I want to be able to do this by the end of the year.

P.s Someone also recognized me from the triathlon the other week. It's a hard life being a professional :P hahaha.

On Sunday a few Bushies took part in the Ramsey 10k, I was umming and ahhing over whether to do it as I had a party the night before and last years times had been fast. I decided to give it a miss and just go along and support & boy I'm glad I did. It was hot, really hot! Not one single person enjoyed the race and most just wanted it to be over and done with. An 11am start at the end of June probably isn't the best idea.

 

In July alot of people are taking part in the Thunder Run put on my Adidas, a 24 hour event where teams have to complete laps of 10k. Everyone needed to get used to running on tired legs. So on Sunday off we went for an 8pm trail run around Stilton. I was really worried about being the slowest person there, but thankfully as everyone was tired from earlier on the pace was slowed right down and it was a really relaxing pace. I even led the pack for a good few miles. I thought I had gotten alot faster but no we had just slowed right down. Running cross country was actually really fun and made a nice change to pounding the pavement. Every mile or so we stopped to let everyone catch up and it was really nice to just have fun and enjoy ourselves not worrying about time.

 



 

How many runners does it take to lift a bike over a stile?

 

 

On Tuesday I headed down to Bushfield and as I knew I was running the 5k series the next day I decided to only do 5k, as I wanted to have something left in my legs. I went out with Josie and Sarah, and boy Josie is fast, we really struggled to keep up with her.

 

3.1 miles

 

35 minutes 04 seconds

 

Mile 1 - 10.12

 

Mile 2 - 12.09 (paying for going off too fast in the first mile)

 

Mile 3 - 11.04

On Thursday I headed off to Eye for something different, their anual handicap race and BBQ for charity. There were 4 clubs in total and we had all been given a handicap time for us to start from our previous race results. I've only ever done a handicap race with Bushfield and am so used to starting off first, but this time I wasn't, I was about the 7th person to start, I knew this meant I would have to work hard.

It was raining as it seems to have been on every run I have done recently. The route is just over 4 miles but it felt ALOT further then this. Within the first 5 minutes I had passed the woman in front of me and I decided if I only passed 1 person that was enough for me. I managed to get about half way round before anyway passed me, not too bad if I do say so myself.

On approach of the finish you had to run a lap of the field, so so horrible, especially when its raining and slippy, but as always I kept going. The smell of the BBQ was nausiating as you approached the finished line, but it made you speed up to get past it. Give me 5 minutes and I was salivating over a hot dog (BBQ is such a good idea). The first people back in from each club recieved a trophy and the overall winner got to decide which chairy the money went too.

Overall a really lovely run.

Edit: My time was exactly 44 minutes. I'm getting faster!!

Monday

Treadmill - Incline 6 - Speed 6mph - 10 mins
Bike - Interval - Level 8 - 30 minutes
Leg curl - 18kg - 40 reps
Calf press - 27kg - 80 reps
Leg press - 27kg - 80 reps
Squats - 10kg - 40 reps
Lunges - 4kg - 80 reps
Sitting ball twists - 4kg - 40 reps

Tuesday

Track session

Wednesday

Rest

Thursday

Eye charity handicap - 4 miles

Friday

Rest

Saturday

Rest

Sunday

Treadmill - Interval (warm up, 1 min run, 1 min walk, 1 min run, 1 min walk, 1 min run, cool down)
Cross trainer - Random Interval - Level 10 - 30 minutes
Bike - Random Interbal - Level 7 - 30 minutes
Chest press - 10kg - 10 reps x 5 sets
Shoulder press - 10kg - 10 reps x 3 sets