Week 10 and the energy levels are low!

Week 10 marks the half way point in my marathon training plan and I am feeling particularly exhausted!

I don't think my body can cope with partying hard AND marathon training!

Tonight was cross training at the Tri Club Swimming session!  






I wasn't very enthusiastic about going as all I wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep, but after booking my place I didn't have an option!


However once I got there and jumped into the cold water it had an immediate wake up effect!

There were lots of drills and technique training tonight which I find hard but managed 60 lengths or 1500 metres or 0.93 miles.

Back to running tomorrow!

A run before partying!

Yesterday I went for a 6 mile run before ruining all my training by partying hard!

The plan was for a 4 mile easy run followed by 30 seconds fast and 2 minutes slow intervals repeated 6 times.

When I first got up it was raining but I didn't have any option but to go as I was busy for the rest of the weekend and had to fit the run in!  It was now or never, however, by the time I had got changed and headed out the door the rain had stopped although it was still windy.

The wind didn't bother me during my 4 miles slow section however when I tried to go fast for the 30 second intervals I felt like I was running into a wind tunnel ... or were my legs just exhausted after the long run on Thursday?  

I tried my best and battled on but my splits for the fast intervals were particularly poor at 7:56, 8:25, 8:00, 8:08, 8:02 and 8:42 minute miles - not fast at all but its done!  

I found the 30 seconds fast a lot harder than the 20 seconds fast of the week before!  

When I got home I said "30 seconds is a lot longer than 20 seconds!" and promptly got the the reply "Well done for realising that!" and got laughed at!  Yes I KNOW it is longer but it felt much longer than just 10 seconds!!

All in all I did 6 miles at an average pace of 9:25 minute miles.

After showering I headed off to meet my friends for afternoon tea at the Pheasant Inn in Bassenthwaite to start Sue's 40th Birthday celebrations.

After a lovely relaxing afternoon it was time to drive to our next destination, the Allerdale Court Hotel in Cockermouth where 12 of us were staying the night!  A quick change into our party clothes and in the bar for 6.30pm before the party started at 7pm.

A fantastic time was had by all and we danced, ate and drank the night away!

Thankfully today is a designated rest day as I don't think my body would respond too kindly to a run!

Definitely a sofa day!

A year today ...

My life changed for a year!

A year today was the day I damaged my ankle ligaments and the chain of events that followed would render me useless (or at least runless) for 10 months!

A year on ... after lots of tantrums, tears and pain I am back to running and back on track to finishing a marathon!

Today was a designated rest day so I am toasting my health with a glass  bottle of Prosecco!

Long Run done on a school night!

I won't have time this weekend to go on a long run as I will be too busy partying but I couldn't live with the guilt of missing my LSR for the week so I made the decision to go straight after work this evening!

The plan stated 15 miles so as it's dark by the time I finish work I had the added challenge of trying to find a route that covered 15 miles without going onto unlit country roads!

When I set off I didn't have a route in mind and felt quite excited about just going where my feet took me! Where I live in Kendal is very hilly and to go anywhere you always have a hill to conquer. Unfortunately, trying to cover 15 miles within the town translates to a very hilly run!

Last week on my LSR I took energy gels with me and really didn't fancy them when it came to it but in order for me to keep going I forced them down!  With this in mind I decided to take energy gels as well as "proper" food with me this week which just happened to be in the form of a Mars Bar! 

I set off and it was a lovely cold but clear evening and I just ran and went where I felt the need to go!  I must say it was quite comforting to know I was always only a couple of miles from home should I choose to say "sod this for a game of soldiers" and give up!  Last week when I was in the middle of nowhere I felt quite vulnerable and worried about getting injured with no phone signal! (call it paranoia!).

Anyhow at 8 miles I felt my energy flagging and needed a little pick-me-up!  I considered an energy gel for a millisecond then opted for the big fat chocolate covered mars bar!  I have never eaten proper food on a run before so really didn't know how my body would react, but with only being a short distance from home I decided it was worth risking runners trots or being sick to experiment!

I must say it went down really well, and even took my mind off the running whilst I devoured it!  I am pleased to report I had no ill effects from this little indulgence and I felt great when I got home!  

I don't think I would risk eating two on a longer run but I might try getting some fun-size ones and seeing what happens if I eat a few of them throughout a run!  

Much more satisfying than the gels I have always forced down!

I started to feel very tired at around 13 miles but I was determined to hit the 15 mile mark and I did manage 15.15 slow but hilly miles!  

My average pace was a pathetic 10:53 minute mile but 15 miles all the same!



A Mars A Day Helps You Work, Rest and Play Run!


So here's to more Mars Bar Running experiments!  Even if it doesn't prove successful it will be enjoyable trying!

I'm pleased to report that I am back up and running after my poorly spell yesterday!! I did a very enjoyable 6 miles this evening and even managed to do some fast strides.

The training plan stipulated a 4 mile "easy" run followed by 5 sets of 20 seconds strides with 2 minutes easy running in between.  I was pleased to see that my 20 second bursts were faster than the last time I did them!  The fast bursts were done at 8:35, 7:24, 7:41, 6:35, 7:23 minute miles!  

Plenty room for improvement but at least I am trying to do the speed workouts this time round, last time I was marathon training I was so concerned about the distance I ignored all the different types of sessions and just ran!

Todays run took my mileage up to the century mark for my runs devoted to Haddie! Here's to the next 100!

After running I even managed to go to Yoga where the focus was on energising our bodies!

The PERFECT end to a good day!

Be impressed!

I would like it documented that I am fulfilling one of my 2014 goals - listening to my body!

Tonight I was supposed to be going to the Tri Club running session but I have felt sick and tired all day with unpleasant abdominal pains.

I don't feel too bad and I am sure if I had gone running I would have survived BUT I think perhaps my body is trying to tell me in its own little way that after a 6 mile run on Friday, followed by a 14 mile run on Saturday followed by speed intervals last night it has had enough!

After spending most of 2013 on the injury bench I am not risking anything this year for the sake of one run!  

An extra days rest won't destroy the marathon plan! (She says coming out in a hot sweat trying to convince herself!).

I am also one step closer to fulfilling another of the goals I have set myself this year - I have gone and booked not just one but TWO trail races!

Just one week apart I am doing the The Karrimor Great Trail 11K Challenge and The Grasmere Gallop 10K Trail Run

Best dig out my off-road trainers that have been buried deep in the cupboard since 2012 and get some off road miles in!

Feeling quite excited about the challenge!

Week 9 and Interval training!

of marathon Training commences!

Mondays are usually Tri Club swimming training but I couldn't go this evening as we were going out for a family meal, before my son goes back to Uni tomorrow!

So I went for an early run instead to work up a good appetite for the meal!

The training plan stipulated interval training which after the 1 mile warm up consisted of 1.5 miles run at a fast pace (8:30 to 8:40 minute miles) followed by 0.5 mile at a slow pace repeated 3 times before doing a cool down mile!

I really want to get faster so to do successful interval training is becoming a priority for me!  I decided that I would do the same circuit three times as it would mean avoiding crossing any roads and I could compare my pace for each interval!

My first 1.5 mile interval was run @ 8:37 pace (within the goal pace), my second 1.5 mile interval was slower @ 8:44 pace (just outside the goal pace) and my third interval was much slower @ 9:07 pace!  I really tried to push the pace on the third set but I was obviously too tired to maintain it!

However, I was pleased to run 7:41 miles at an average 9:16 minute mile pace.

One day with plenty of practise and perseverance I will succeed!!!

I have just been reading on another blog about the 9/10 minute mile game - I am going start adding up my points and see if I can be motivated to go faster! Read how to play this game here!

If I was to add my run up tonight based on the 10 minute mile game I would get a total of 326 points if I'm playing it properly!! 

Hopefully my score will go up and I can start on the 9 minute mile game before too long!

Catch-up time!

I'm not sure where the time has gone this week!!

Its difficult being back at work AND trying to fit in runs, yoga, Pilate's, ironing, cleaning, family time and Birthdays! I think I need to give up on the work lark! 

Surprising all the kids at school have come back fairly settled.  I had been living in fear of getting 32 over-excited children who were dosed up to the hilt with "E" numbers from the mountains of sweets and rubbish consumed during the holidays!


Wednesday was my daughter's 18th Birthday so I didn't get to go for a run!  I had to spend some time with her before she disappeared out to celebrate with her boyfriend!

However, I did go to Yoga and for the first one back after the holidays it went well!  I think she must have been being gentle with us!

On Thursday I went for a run as soon as I got in from work! The marathon plan stated a 4 mile run at 9 minute mile or faster pace! I was determined to do a good run and to maintain a faster pace rather than my usual snails pace!

It was a dry but cold afternoon and I set off with my route in mind!
I kept my eye firmly on my Garmin determined not to let it go over the 9 mark!  I enjoyed the run and pushed myself hard and was delighted when I uploaded it to Garmin Connect and I had succeeded in my quest!  I had run 4.34 miles @ an average pace of 8:49 minute mile.

Later on I even managed to go to Pilate's too for the first class back after the holidays.  It felt good, but painful to do some work on my core!!

Last night the marathon training plan stated a 6 mile easy run to fatigue the legs before the weekly long run!  I really don't think I needed to do it as my legs already felt fatigued from the previous run. Anyhow, it had rained all day and I was putting off going running until it stopped.  However, by quarter past 6 I decided it was time to go even though the rain hadn't subsided.  As this was meant to be an easy run I made a pact with myself not to look at my Garmin and just went to enjoy the run with a route in mind. It really amazed me that despite the torrential rain there were loads of runners out - was everyone detoxing after Christmas?!

Surprisingly I really did enjoy the run despite the rain, splashing through numerous puddles and getting soaked by passing cars!  I even managed not to look at my Garmin for the entire run!  When I got to analyse my run I had done 6.41 miles @ 9:39 minute mile pace! I was quite chuffed with this pace for an easy run!

Today was my LSR for the week and the goal was 14 miles.  I was feeling slightly apprehensive as this would be the furthest run I had done since Chester Marathon in October 2012 and my legs were already feeling heavy from my previous runs!  As soon as I woke up I got up, had my porridge and tea, got ready and was out the door by quarter to 10.  I was pleased to see bright blue skies although it was very cold and slightly frosty!  I set off with my I phone playing music and also runkeeper giving me my pace. However, after half a mile or so the music went off, I had to stop to fiddle around with it to get it playing again for the same thing to happen another twice before I even got to mile 2!  I couldn't decide whether it was my headphones playing silly beggars, runkeeper messing up the i phone or my i-phone!  I decided to switch runkeeper off and see how that went.  Once I had done this I had no further problems so Runkeeper must have a glitch in it at the moment!

The first 8 miles went past surprisingly painlessly and I felt quite comfortable running at the pace I naturally ran without stressing about it!

By mile 9 I was beginning to tire and could feel my pace slowing! In the last mile I had a hill to conquer and I was so tired by this point I actually walked half way up it!

I have never been so delighted to see my house and felt physically exhausted and nauseous by the time I made it back! Although I felt this bad I still manged to do my stretching exercises before getting a shower. 

Once I had eaten I felt a little more human and was delighted that I had actually run 14.23 miles albeit slowly!  My average pace was a pathetic 10:04 minute mile pace although I had managed to maintain a less than 10 minute mile pace for 7 miles and then went over 10 minute miles for 7 miles!

Thankfully tomorrow is a rest day!!

Tri Club Run is cancelled!

Today when I  got back from work I was greeted with the most wonderful surprise!!! 

Haddie who I run for send me the most beautiful arrangement of flowers to say thank you for running for her when in reality it is my pleasure!

They brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye both at the same time!!! 

I couldn't have wished for a better buddy!  She is a true inspiration! I really am bowled over by her family's kindness!

I wanted to do a really good run tonight for her but unfortunately due to the running coach being ill the Tri Club Speed training session was cancelled!

So I had a decision to make!

Do I do speed training on my own or just go for a easy run?

I decided that since I owed Haddie a good run and speed is my main problem I would still attempt a speed session.  However, I opted for the treadmill where I am forced to run at the speed programmed or end up in a heap on the floor!  Outside it is too easy to slow down and be lazy!

So after a 10 minute warm up I did a minute at a 7 minute mile pace *GULP* followed by a minute walking and repeated this 6 times!  I definitely needed the minute walk to recover!  

Strangely enough the 1 minute fast run felt much much much longer than the 1 minute recovery!


I then did a 9.5 minute mile pace until I had run for 35 minutes.  

In total I ran 3.24 miles and was exhausted!

I really must keep up the speed work and try and increase the speed I do the recovery minute!

All in all a worthwhile and beneficial workout!

Week 8 Marathon training starts ...

and the mileage is going up!! This is when it starts to get scary! 


Tri club swimming started again tonight after the Christmas break.

My legs were feeling slightly stiff after yesterdays half marathon so I wasn't expecting it to be easy!

Tonight's focus was on technique which meant lots of drills which I still find extremely hard!  

I know this probably just confirms that my general technique is pants and I need to do more of these killer drills!

We started off swimming crawl for 200 metres to warm up then went into the drills! 

After doing front crawl position kicks with a float we progressed on to front crawl position kicks with arms crossed over our chest (Nearly drowned attempting this!)!  I swallowed more than my fair share of the pool and apparantly this drill makes you rotate correctly or you can't breath without swallowing water!  I don't rotate correctly - confirmed!

After a short recovery we continued the drills with fists, 6-3-6, catch up's, doggy we then did some 100 metres sets with 20 seconds rest between each, before cooling down or warm down as they like to call it!

Because this was a technique session and a fair amount of instruction was given we didn't do the distance we usually do - which my legs were grateful for!  We did 56 lengths in total or 1400 Metres or 0.87 of a mile!

Tomorrow night is Tri Club running speed training!  

Bring it on!

First Race of 2014!

After a few days resting today was my first race of the year!  

You can read about it here!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year although I am ever so slightly late!

I have decided this year not to do the  Janathon Challenge!  This is a challenge where you do some form of exercise every day in January! I was tempted, very very tempted but after last years failed effort and subsequent injuries I have decided to not do anything daft this year and listen to my body! So if my body is saying "uh oh - not today!" then I want to be able to respond appropriately instead of having the guilt of Janathon looming over me forcing me to ignore any niggles!

I am actually pleased that it is now the 2nd January and I didn't cave in! I so dearly wanted to give it another go! I have had one successful attempt in 2012, one failed attempt in 2013, no attempt in 2014 so maybe 2015 is my year!

This morning I got up and decided to go out for my first run of 2014 before life got in the way and delayed me!  There was also the added incentive that it wasn't raining but heavy rain was forecast for later.  

So the marathon plan said 4 easy miles ... I wouldn't say they felt easy but I managed 4.68 miles at an average 9.24 min mile pace.

I think too much partying is taking its toll and it's time I got back on the programme and back to clean living ... well semi clean living!