Races I have coming up:

Colour run - Northampton - 5k - Aug 31st

Plugged as the happiest 5k on the planet, I am taking part in Northampton's version of the notorious colour run. Every race report I have read on this or anyone I have spoken too who has taken part has said just how much fun it is.

 

1 True Grit - Hertfordshire - 10k - Sept 29th

Now something completely different and out of my comfort zone. A 10k mud run. The picture below just says it all. I'm scared, need to work on my upper body to get me across those obstacles. 

Great Eastern Run - Peterborough - Half marathon - Oct 13th

And the one this whole blog has been about. This is now just around the corner and I'm starting to panic.

I went to my first free Great Eastern Run training session on Wednesday night. These are put on by the organizers of the GER to encourage beginnings and anyone of any ability to come down and run. There was 3 sessions to choose from: a 6 mile run, a 3 mile run or a track session. I opted for the track session as I don't get to do these very often. I was surprised by how many people opted for the track session.

We did a pyramid session: 2 laps warm up, 100m fast, 100m jog, 200m fast, 200m jog, 300m fast, 300m jog, 400m fast, 400m slow, repeated working our way.

By the last 400m I was knackered and worried as to how I would complete the session. I ensure even if I slowed down I wouldn't stop and would keep a momentum going. Once I had finished I was really chuffed that I hadn't given in.

See you again in 2 weeks. 

On Tuesday we popped over to Werrington for the Werrington Joggers charity guesstimate race. For those that don't know (and I didn't), in the guesstimate you have to 'guess' your time for a 5 mile race. No-one is allowed to run with watches or heart rate monitors and the first people back from each club get a bottle of wine. Money received was donated to the Peterborough soup kitchen.

Last week I had a string of bad run's and I wasn't really looking forward to this, I had no idea what time to put down, I wanted to give myself a challenge but at the same time I didn't want to be like 10 minutes over what I thought. George who I run with had gone for 58 minutes so I decided to give myself some leeway and went for 58 minutes and 30 seconds. George is an amazing pacer and I always really enjoy my run's with him, he has so much knowledge and always gives out great tips. I felt strong during this run, I started flagging towards the end but I managed to keep up my pace just about. 

We finished in 59 minutes 25 seconds, giving me a time of 55 seconds over. But I came 40th and for once and probably the last time I finished on the first page of result. Overall great organization and great marshals.

Monday

Rest

Tuesday

5 mile run

Wednesday

Track session - Pyramid

Thursday

Rest

Friday

Rest

Saturday

Rest

Sunday

10 mile bike ride

I aimed to go to the gym twice this week, but both mornings I physically couldn't drag myself out of bed, I've come off my medication and it's really making me feel run down, so I'm giving myself a little rest before I up my game again. I'm away again this weekend & once I'm back GER training properly starts, including cross training so gym I'm coming for you.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Time: 45 minutes

This run felt awful. Thanks to the heat and the previous two runs I was really doubting my ability and it definitely shows. I think I just need to write this off as a bad week!