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!!
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