2 weeks really does come round really quickly. This time the next 5k in the Grand Prix series was held in Stamford. After yesterdays disaster of a run I really wasn't looking forward to this. I've decided I really am useless when it comes to running in the heat, therefore I wasn't expecting anything great and knew there was no chance of a Pb.  There was a big turn out and good atmosphere, we got there pretty late so as soon as our numbers were pinned on we were off.

The course was 2 laps, which is normally something I like, but this was awful, a long slight downhill followed by a steep uphill, twice, was not what I needed when it was 28 degrees. During the run I felt awful it felt like it was taking me forever and I just wasn't sure I would ever finish. Coming up to the field to get to the finish line felt like a lifetime but I just kept plodding. I ended up finishing in 33:55 which isn't as bad as I expected so I guess I can't complain, it does mean I'm no closer to 30 minutes though. Next time maybe?!

 

Sorry I'm a little behind. On Tuesday I knew my run was going to be hard, I hadn't run properly in what felt like ages and it was hot. We set out to do our 10k route. Rachel stuck with me as she has been having problems with her hips, I tried to keep up as didn't want to slow her down to much. Sean under up running with us aswell and it made a nice change to run with others. As expected I struggled and it felt like it had taken ages, on turning the corner into Bushfield I could see two people had only just got back and I felt a little better.

We ended up finishing in 1 hour 14 minutes which isn't too bad really. Need to get my mojo back.

Monday

Treadmill - Incline 8 - Run/Walk (7mph/5.5mph) - 1 min intervals - 10 minutes
Cross Trainer - Level 11 - Interval training - 30 minutes
Treadmill -  Incline 8 - Run/Walk (7mph/5.5mph) - 1 min intervals - 5 minutes
Leg press - 32kg - 20 reps x 4 sets

Swimming - 12 lengths of 50m pool - 600m

Tuesday

6.2 mile run

Wednesday

Peterborough Grand Prix 5k Series - Stamford

Thursday

3.5 mile run

Friday

Rest

Saturday

Rest (Swam at centre parcs)

Sunday

Rest (Swam at centre parcs)

On Wednesday I faced all my fears and went back to give the Triathlon another go. Once again in Oundle, but this time the novice event was mixed in with one of the normal events. As I still didn't have a road bike (I do now :)) I borrowed my Dad's mountain bike in the hope it may be a little faster than mine. This time I felt a lot more relaxed as I knew what to expect.

This time I was smart enough to go into a faster lane to swim, unfortunately as my swim is around the average time it does mean I always seem to make it into the most congested lane. But I knocked a couple of seconds off my time this time, a quick transition and I was out on my bike. This time the bike felt easier, I think due to a different bike, the weather being nicer and just knowing what to expect. I knocked 6 minutes off my bike, and I'm hoping next time, once I'm used to my road bike I will fly round. Rachel from Bushfield decided to run with me to keep me company which I really appreciated, she managed to keep me at a steady pace and in a good mood. I knocked 5 minutes off my run as well so I'm pretty chuffed.

This time I really enjoyed the Triathlon and I can't wait to go back for me.

Most unattractive race photo ever!

Monday

Rest

Tuesday

Treadmill - 10 minutes - Incline intervals
Cross Trainer - 30 minutes - Level 11 - Interval 
Treadmill - 10 minutes - Incline intervals
Chest press - 10 reps x 6 sets - 18kg
Shoulder press - 10 reps x 3 sets - 11kg
Bicep curls - 10 reps x 3 sets - 15kg

Bleep test

Wednesday

Triathlon - 400m swim - 10 mile bike - 3.5mile run

1 hours 37 minutes 10 seconds (CHECK THIS!!!)

Thursday

Rest

Friday

Rest


Saturday

Rest

Sunday

Rest 

A very lazy week!!

Last night I took part in the bleep test (multistage fitness test) and boy it was so much harder than I remember. We did the speeded up version meaning you go from 9km speed to 8km to 7km etc, instead of 9km to 8.5km to 8km etc. This meant by level 3 we were already feeling it.

I made it to level 5.7 or 8 I think but I wish I had pushed forward to 6 now. So on the slower one I guess this would be around level 10/11.

Never do this for fun!!! haha.

Once again like last week, we all met up for a 6 mile trail run around Stilton at 8pm Sunday evening. As yesterday was ridiculously hot for the UK, I was looking forward to getting out there once it had cooled down slightly. By 8pm it was still 25 degrees. I really enjoyed this run, as I've decided I really like trail running, having to focus on the terrain and staying upright takes my mind off the distance. At the time I moaned the majority of the way round, it was just so hot, dripping in sweat is always an attractive look.

Seeing as the others hadn't run a 10k already this time, the speed was increased and I struggled to keep up so I just stuck to my own pace and they had to wait for us slow ones.

6.2 miles completed in 1 hour 32 minutes.