We have finally passed that very important day...the winter solstice. Although it didn't bring the end of the world as predicted, I was much more excited about the fact that the days are now officially getting longer, minute by minute! But with sunrise currently at 8.05am and sunset at 3.55pm, there's still a long way to go.
Training report
Friday 21st December
8.3km run into work. Fast, easy, and fun! My fitness definitely has improved noticeably after the bootcamp - I'd have been pretty gutted if it hadn't after all that pain!
Saturday 22nd December
8km intervals around Tooting Common. Again my fitness is noticeably better but it was a treacherous run around the common which was pretty much completely waterlogged after all this rain and flooding. It was quite hard to keep up my sprint sections when I was going through 5cm deep puddles, muddy bogs and wed leaves. No faceplants but very soggy feet.
Coming up next
Monday 24th December
Long run home from work. Will try to do about 12/13km by going home via Putney.
Tuesday 25th December
A short run before the eating commences!
Wednesday 26th December
10km run locally
Monday 24 December 2012
Tuesday 18 December 2012
Boot Camp Analysis
Days: 2.5
Hours of exercise: 15
Hours of rain: 7.5 (approx)
Calories burned: 4300
Calories consumed: not enough
Pairs of running shoes used: 3
Items of gym kit muddied: all
Bruises incurred: still counting
Fingernails torn: 1
Toenails blackened: 1
Illegal fox hunts interrupted: 1
Insults regarding running gloves from fox hunters on horses: 1
Personal trainers: 4
Paratroopers: 1
Victims: 15
An indicative summary. It was WAY harder than I was expecting. The below picture, taken from Meg and my room, is highly misleading as it presents a picture of idyllic, sunny, Cotswolds fields. In reality, the majority of the time was spent running up and down that evil hill (with or without 60kg tractor tyres) in the mud and pouring rain.
On the plus side, Meg and I were in the top 4 or 5 out of the 15 participants in terms of ability, and they did really push us. Apparently my "three step run then drop to the floor" technique is second-to-none. We did loads and loads of intervals and circuits, and more push-ups and squats than I care to remember.
After the 3 hour drive back to London on Sunday night I was hobbling like an old granny, but a hot bath, a very painful massage yesterday, and a session on the elliptical this morning seem to have pretty much sorted me out. As to how I will go with a normal run tomorrow, we will see...!
Training report
Friday - Sunday 14th - 16th December
So much I can't even remember: circuits, intervals, hiking, running, hills, aerobics, Pilates, Tabata, Insanity, the cha cha, a mini-Olympics, boxing, core sessions, tug of wars...
Tuesday 18th December
30 mins at the gym - just on the elliptical quite slow, to make sure I didn't get any stiffer
Coming up next
Wednesday 19th December
Run home from work
Thursday 20th December
Run into work
Friday 21st December
Gym session
Saturday 22nd December
Long run
Hours of exercise: 15
Hours of rain: 7.5 (approx)
Calories burned: 4300
Calories consumed: not enough
Pairs of running shoes used: 3
Items of gym kit muddied: all
Bruises incurred: still counting
Fingernails torn: 1
Toenails blackened: 1
Illegal fox hunts interrupted: 1
Insults regarding running gloves from fox hunters on horses: 1
Personal trainers: 4
Paratroopers: 1
Victims: 15
An indicative summary. It was WAY harder than I was expecting. The below picture, taken from Meg and my room, is highly misleading as it presents a picture of idyllic, sunny, Cotswolds fields. In reality, the majority of the time was spent running up and down that evil hill (with or without 60kg tractor tyres) in the mud and pouring rain.
On the plus side, Meg and I were in the top 4 or 5 out of the 15 participants in terms of ability, and they did really push us. Apparently my "three step run then drop to the floor" technique is second-to-none. We did loads and loads of intervals and circuits, and more push-ups and squats than I care to remember.
After the 3 hour drive back to London on Sunday night I was hobbling like an old granny, but a hot bath, a very painful massage yesterday, and a session on the elliptical this morning seem to have pretty much sorted me out. As to how I will go with a normal run tomorrow, we will see...!
Training report
Friday - Sunday 14th - 16th December
So much I can't even remember: circuits, intervals, hiking, running, hills, aerobics, Pilates, Tabata, Insanity, the cha cha, a mini-Olympics, boxing, core sessions, tug of wars...
Tuesday 18th December
30 mins at the gym - just on the elliptical quite slow, to make sure I didn't get any stiffer
Coming up next
Wednesday 19th December
Run home from work
Thursday 20th December
Run into work
Friday 21st December
Gym session
Saturday 22nd December
Long run
Tuesday 11 December 2012
A first dose of the white stuff...
A fairly quiet week on the running front due to a weekend in Paris and various Christmas parties, but I award bonus points to myself for running to work last week in minus 2 degrees and SNOW. Hopefully this is not a sign of things to come as it would be just my luck to get an abnormally snowy winter!
I've definitely decided that running home then back to work the next morning is the way forward, easy logistically and a good way to get in 16.5km without really noticing. My only issue now is with my poor old iPod shuffle which is dying a long, slow death. It's had a good 5 year life with plenty of km's and a lot of sweat absorbed, I think this could be a factor in its passing. Odd though that the way it has died is that the music sounds distorted, like a stretched cassette tape - an effect I wouldn't have thought that you could get from a hi-tech digital flash drive!
Gearing up for this weekend's "Fitness Retreat".
http://www.hillmotts.co.uk/UK-Wide-Bootcamps/About-Us.aspx
I have NO idea what to expect but am very much hoping for zero rain or snow as I think most of it is outside. Hopefully they can push me hard enough as it should be a good kick start for the dreaded official 16 week training program which starts straight after Christmas.
Training report
Monday 3rd December
8.3km run home from work - quite uneventful although a work colleague did report that she was on a bus driving at a similar speed to me for about 20 minutes. Good to know I can run faster than the 137 in London traffic.
Wednesday 5th December
8.3km run into work - SNOW! Argh. Just frosty when I left the house but 2 minutes later it was big old fat snow. 20 mins of that was actually ok as it doesn't soak through, it was when it turned into freezing rain/sleet closer to central London that things got really nasty. Not fun.
Monday 10th December
8.3km run home from work - huge helicopters hovering over the Thames with giant spotlights so was trying to see what they were looking at. Only my second run over about 5k run in my new shoes, they definitely make my calves tight and feel less stable for the ankle. I think I need to look at tightening the laces.
Tuesday 11th December
8.3km run into work - despite another full charge for the iPod it's just distorted cassette tape music. It's definitely gone. Running on frosty ground was a bit slippery but was nice and sunny this morning so at least I could see where I was going.
Coming up next
Wednesday 12th December
Gym session - maybe some spin?
Friday - Sunday 13th - 15th December
Three days of bootcamp pain - and a massage booked for Monday evening
I've definitely decided that running home then back to work the next morning is the way forward, easy logistically and a good way to get in 16.5km without really noticing. My only issue now is with my poor old iPod shuffle which is dying a long, slow death. It's had a good 5 year life with plenty of km's and a lot of sweat absorbed, I think this could be a factor in its passing. Odd though that the way it has died is that the music sounds distorted, like a stretched cassette tape - an effect I wouldn't have thought that you could get from a hi-tech digital flash drive!
Gearing up for this weekend's "Fitness Retreat".
http://www.hillmotts.co.uk/UK-Wide-Bootcamps/About-Us.aspx
I have NO idea what to expect but am very much hoping for zero rain or snow as I think most of it is outside. Hopefully they can push me hard enough as it should be a good kick start for the dreaded official 16 week training program which starts straight after Christmas.
Training report
Monday 3rd December
8.3km run home from work - quite uneventful although a work colleague did report that she was on a bus driving at a similar speed to me for about 20 minutes. Good to know I can run faster than the 137 in London traffic.
Wednesday 5th December
8.3km run into work - SNOW! Argh. Just frosty when I left the house but 2 minutes later it was big old fat snow. 20 mins of that was actually ok as it doesn't soak through, it was when it turned into freezing rain/sleet closer to central London that things got really nasty. Not fun.
Monday 10th December
8.3km run home from work - huge helicopters hovering over the Thames with giant spotlights so was trying to see what they were looking at. Only my second run over about 5k run in my new shoes, they definitely make my calves tight and feel less stable for the ankle. I think I need to look at tightening the laces.
Tuesday 11th December
8.3km run into work - despite another full charge for the iPod it's just distorted cassette tape music. It's definitely gone. Running on frosty ground was a bit slippery but was nice and sunny this morning so at least I could see where I was going.
Coming up next
Wednesday 12th December
Gym session - maybe some spin?
Friday - Sunday 13th - 15th December
Three days of bootcamp pain - and a massage booked for Monday evening
Sunday 2 December 2012
A "Fizz-eye" view
Come on a run with me around Tooting Bec Common...it's the autumn installment, stay tuned for the winter run coming soon.
After the crazy rain and flooding I must admit that I didn't run at all last weekend...oops...but made up for it this week and did 13k yesterday which is my longest run in ages. Was quite easy at 5.30min kilometres but I didn't enjoy waiting for 20 mins outside the post office to collect Linc's Christmas present in 3 degree weather. Freezing!
Only zero degrees this morning but gorgeous and sunny so I didn't mind the cold at all!
Training report
Tuesday 27th Nov
8.2km run home from work - nothing exciting to report just another run in the dark!
Wednesday 28th Nov
8.2km run into work - really loving this as it's basically the only daylight I ever get during the week (if the sun is out, that is).
Friday 30th Nov
Gym session - 20 mins elliptical and 20 mins on the bike, random settings with lots of hills and high resistance. Did some weights, push ups and planks. Would like to get someone to show me how to do some more stuff with the weights as I don't really know what I'm doing.
Saturday 1st Dec
13km run around Wandsworth and Tooting Commons. Felt quite easy but my pace was quite fast, so that's always a good sign! A little bit of rain but it was mostly ok, but quite cold. The gloves are definitely a must wear these days!
Sunday 2nd Dec
5km intervals around Wandsworth Common. Freezing zero degrees, frost everywhere, gorgeous and sunny, but really tough doing these intervals as the deep breathing when running fast hurts as the air is so cold.
Coming up next
Not sure! A few runs in and out of work and maybe a class at the gym. Will be away in Paris next weekend so I need to make sure I get in a lot during the week.
After the crazy rain and flooding I must admit that I didn't run at all last weekend...oops...but made up for it this week and did 13k yesterday which is my longest run in ages. Was quite easy at 5.30min kilometres but I didn't enjoy waiting for 20 mins outside the post office to collect Linc's Christmas present in 3 degree weather. Freezing!
Only zero degrees this morning but gorgeous and sunny so I didn't mind the cold at all!
Training report
Tuesday 27th Nov
8.2km run home from work - nothing exciting to report just another run in the dark!
Wednesday 28th Nov
8.2km run into work - really loving this as it's basically the only daylight I ever get during the week (if the sun is out, that is).
Friday 30th Nov
Gym session - 20 mins elliptical and 20 mins on the bike, random settings with lots of hills and high resistance. Did some weights, push ups and planks. Would like to get someone to show me how to do some more stuff with the weights as I don't really know what I'm doing.
Saturday 1st Dec
13km run around Wandsworth and Tooting Commons. Felt quite easy but my pace was quite fast, so that's always a good sign! A little bit of rain but it was mostly ok, but quite cold. The gloves are definitely a must wear these days!
Sunday 2nd Dec
5km intervals around Wandsworth Common. Freezing zero degrees, frost everywhere, gorgeous and sunny, but really tough doing these intervals as the deep breathing when running fast hurts as the air is so cold.
Coming up next
Not sure! A few runs in and out of work and maybe a class at the gym. Will be away in Paris next weekend so I need to make sure I get in a lot during the week.
Friday 23 November 2012
Fluorescence
I got my new shoes on the weekend, Saucony Triumph 9's and they are extremely fluro. Slighly different effect on the computer screen when buying them online, than in real life! On a positive note, they match my eye-watering yellow gloves. Wore them for the first time on my Sunday run and they seemed nice and soft, but quite a bit wider and maybe not as stable as my 7's. Keep an eye out for conkers and potholes, then.
Training Report
Thursday 15th Nov
8.2k run into work - a struggle lugging my leather jacket in my backpack - heavy!!
Saturday 17th Nov
12.4k run around Tooting, Clapham and Wandsworth Commons - pretty muddy after a rainy week but a good pace at 5.36 min/km and nice scenery to admire, lucky as my iPod died only a few minutes in
Sunday 18th Nov
6k run around Tooting Common - a short one to test out the new shoes which seem quite good, not the most consistent run as a few stops to take some photos of the autumn trees! Stay tuned to another post for these...
Tuesday 20th Nov
1 hour gym session - a few weights, squats, push ups and planks...then 15 min elliptical, 10 min ergo, 15 min bike and 5 min stepping. All the resistance settings on the machines set to random to keep things entertaining.
Wednesday 21st Nov
8.2k run home from work - all the leaves are now mush on the footpath so it's keeping me on my toes!
Thursday 22nd Nov
8.2k run into work - really windy...lucky I didn't get rained on in either of Wednesday or Thursday's runs as the weather has been diabolical. About 10 degrees and meant to get way colder next week but I don't care as long as it stops raining!!
Coming up next
Friday 23rd Nov
Gym - with Linc! My "Friday Friend for Free"
Saturday 24th Nov
1 hour Pilates class (if I ever make it, 8.30am on a Saturday morning isn't ideal scheduling)
13k run
Training Report
Thursday 15th Nov
8.2k run into work - a struggle lugging my leather jacket in my backpack - heavy!!
Saturday 17th Nov
12.4k run around Tooting, Clapham and Wandsworth Commons - pretty muddy after a rainy week but a good pace at 5.36 min/km and nice scenery to admire, lucky as my iPod died only a few minutes in
Sunday 18th Nov
6k run around Tooting Common - a short one to test out the new shoes which seem quite good, not the most consistent run as a few stops to take some photos of the autumn trees! Stay tuned to another post for these...
Tuesday 20th Nov
1 hour gym session - a few weights, squats, push ups and planks...then 15 min elliptical, 10 min ergo, 15 min bike and 5 min stepping. All the resistance settings on the machines set to random to keep things entertaining.
Wednesday 21st Nov
8.2k run home from work - all the leaves are now mush on the footpath so it's keeping me on my toes!
Thursday 22nd Nov
8.2k run into work - really windy...lucky I didn't get rained on in either of Wednesday or Thursday's runs as the weather has been diabolical. About 10 degrees and meant to get way colder next week but I don't care as long as it stops raining!!
Coming up next
Friday 23rd Nov
Gym - with Linc! My "Friday Friend for Free"
Saturday 24th Nov
1 hour Pilates class (if I ever make it, 8.30am on a Saturday morning isn't ideal scheduling)
13k run
Wednesday 14 November 2012
A Running Commute
Iceland was fascinating. Amazingly, as well as the spectacular Northern Lights, we also spotted the Reykjavik running club doing sprints down the side of a freezing lake in -2 degree temperatures, with 65km/hr winds howling off the water directly onto their bare legs. I didn't join in. I think the best form of exercise there would be aquaerobics in the 35 degree Blue Lagoon.
I've solved the thorny issue of keeping warm for my running commute to work. I freeze if I don't wear my winter coat on the tube, but it's too big and heavy to fit into my backpack for the return running journey. So I ran home and then back in the next morning, leaving my coat at work. Added bonus of a nice hot shower in the brand new hotel locker rooms with nice fluffy hotel towels provided and washed by the Valet - more luxurious than showering at home, really! And I didn't have to get up any earlier than I would to get to work on the tube. Problem solved.
Plus there's sunlight running in the mornings so you don't spend the whole route staring at the ground in the dark, to avoid slipping on the wet autumn leaves covering the typically wonky London footpaths. More time to admire the scenery - Sloane Square, the red brick Chelsea mansion blocks, the Thames and Battersea Power Station, and the lovely Clapham and Wandsworth Commons.
Training report
Monday 12th Nov
8.3k run home from work - several near misses involving darkness, puddles, wet leaves, and a group of screaming schoolgirls scaring each other (and me and some cyclists) in the bushes in the Common.
Tuesday 13th Nov
8.3km run into work - was definitely one of my faster ones as I'd realised I'd left it too late to get to my 9am meeting (arrived red-faced at 9.05). Sadly my Garmin went haywire and apparently I ran from Wimbledon, through the water of the Thames, and over some buildings in Chelsea, all at 3 min/km pace! It took me about 42 mins though so would have been about 5.15 min/km pace, quite fast for me.
Coming up next
Thursday 15th Nov
Gym - maybe a spin class or just some treadmill
Friday 16th Nov
Gym - treadmill and some resistance stuff
Saturday 17th Nov
1 hour Pilates
13km run
I've solved the thorny issue of keeping warm for my running commute to work. I freeze if I don't wear my winter coat on the tube, but it's too big and heavy to fit into my backpack for the return running journey. So I ran home and then back in the next morning, leaving my coat at work. Added bonus of a nice hot shower in the brand new hotel locker rooms with nice fluffy hotel towels provided and washed by the Valet - more luxurious than showering at home, really! And I didn't have to get up any earlier than I would to get to work on the tube. Problem solved.
Plus there's sunlight running in the mornings so you don't spend the whole route staring at the ground in the dark, to avoid slipping on the wet autumn leaves covering the typically wonky London footpaths. More time to admire the scenery - Sloane Square, the red brick Chelsea mansion blocks, the Thames and Battersea Power Station, and the lovely Clapham and Wandsworth Commons.
Training report
Monday 12th Nov
8.3k run home from work - several near misses involving darkness, puddles, wet leaves, and a group of screaming schoolgirls scaring each other (and me and some cyclists) in the bushes in the Common.
Tuesday 13th Nov
8.3km run into work - was definitely one of my faster ones as I'd realised I'd left it too late to get to my 9am meeting (arrived red-faced at 9.05). Sadly my Garmin went haywire and apparently I ran from Wimbledon, through the water of the Thames, and over some buildings in Chelsea, all at 3 min/km pace! It took me about 42 mins though so would have been about 5.15 min/km pace, quite fast for me.
Coming up next
Thursday 15th Nov
Gym - maybe a spin class or just some treadmill
Friday 16th Nov
Gym - treadmill and some resistance stuff
Saturday 17th Nov
1 hour Pilates
13km run
Thursday 8 November 2012
Aurora Borealis
I have my fingers crossed that the weather will be ideal for Aurora Borealis sightings, as we're off to Iceland tonight! The Northern Lights, the Blue Lagoon, volcanos, geysers, glaciers. Not many chances for running I don't think but maybe we can squeeze in some sort of glacial hike!
The weather has improved a bit here, about 10 degrees, so no preparation for the -6 degrees we're anticipating this weekend. On the plus side, running has been a bit easier. Collected my very attractive fluro yellow running gloves this morning (wiggle.com, thanks for the tip Dad!) so I'm prepped for snow!
Have been admiring the lovely autumn leaves these last few weeks, not many left now and it will be my 8th and final Northern Hemisphere autumn. I'll miss the gorgeous Commons on those freezing sunny autumn days with red and yellow leaves everywhere, even if the conkers do give high odds for breaking an ankle when out for a run.
Took it a bit easier on the running this week with some cross training at the gym and my calf is fine. Just tight legs in general, now.
Training report
Monday 5th Nov
8.5km run home from work - took it easy, but took a different route from usual which wasn't the best. Too many slow commuters to dodge on the footpaths!!!
Wed 7th Nov
Gym session - 15 min elliptical, 15 min bike, 10 min ergo and 5 min stepping. Pretty boring but caught up on the results of the US election on the TVs. Thank god Obama won.
Thurs 8th Nov
7.5km run around Tooting Common, multitasking again with another stop off at the Post Office to collect my gloves and some electrolyte drink tablets ie make your own Powerade! Felt a bit foolish doing the last 2k with a giant box under my arm but thought of it as some kind of weird weight training.
Coming up next
Iceland!!
Back on Monday 12th so guess I'll be back into it then.
The weather has improved a bit here, about 10 degrees, so no preparation for the -6 degrees we're anticipating this weekend. On the plus side, running has been a bit easier. Collected my very attractive fluro yellow running gloves this morning (wiggle.com, thanks for the tip Dad!) so I'm prepped for snow!
Have been admiring the lovely autumn leaves these last few weeks, not many left now and it will be my 8th and final Northern Hemisphere autumn. I'll miss the gorgeous Commons on those freezing sunny autumn days with red and yellow leaves everywhere, even if the conkers do give high odds for breaking an ankle when out for a run.
Took it a bit easier on the running this week with some cross training at the gym and my calf is fine. Just tight legs in general, now.
Training report
Monday 5th Nov
8.5km run home from work - took it easy, but took a different route from usual which wasn't the best. Too many slow commuters to dodge on the footpaths!!!
Wed 7th Nov
Gym session - 15 min elliptical, 15 min bike, 10 min ergo and 5 min stepping. Pretty boring but caught up on the results of the US election on the TVs. Thank god Obama won.
Thurs 8th Nov
7.5km run around Tooting Common, multitasking again with another stop off at the Post Office to collect my gloves and some electrolyte drink tablets ie make your own Powerade! Felt a bit foolish doing the last 2k with a giant box under my arm but thought of it as some kind of weird weight training.
Coming up next
Iceland!!
Back on Monday 12th so guess I'll be back into it then.
Sunday 4 November 2012
Fireworks
It's Guy Fawkes night tomorrow, so there's been fireworks going off everywhere all weekend. I managed to finish my run home from work on Friday just as the local cricket club's annual display started, incredible fireworks with loads of people braving the cold to watch them, so that was a good finish to the run. And a good start to the weekend!
I could really feel my calves tightening up having only had one rest day so far during the week, so tried to stretch more than usual. I really need to get that into my routine as I hardly ever do any stretching. I think that's why my bottom left calf was sore on my longer run on Saturday - it was really painful afterwards but seems fine today.
My hands were freezing again on Saturday morning so have just bought some gloves online! Much needed I think. Also saw Saucony is releasing a new version of my shoes so hopefully can get a good bargain on the old model Triumph 9 soon.
Training Report
Friday 2nd Nov
Ran home from work, pretty easy run but very dark! Was treated to a brilliant fireworks display for Guy Fawkes night at the local cricket club, perfect timing to run past for that!
Saturday 3rd Nov
Missed Pilates...oops...but managed a multitasking 13k with stops at the post office and the jeweller. 7 degrees and sunny, but really really windy!! Run was a bit tough toward the last 3 or 4k, due to the sore calf
Coming up next
Monday 5th Nov
8km run home from work
Tuesday 6th Nov
Cross training at the gym...not sure what yet?
1 hour Pilates class
I could really feel my calves tightening up having only had one rest day so far during the week, so tried to stretch more than usual. I really need to get that into my routine as I hardly ever do any stretching. I think that's why my bottom left calf was sore on my longer run on Saturday - it was really painful afterwards but seems fine today.
My hands were freezing again on Saturday morning so have just bought some gloves online! Much needed I think. Also saw Saucony is releasing a new version of my shoes so hopefully can get a good bargain on the old model Triumph 9 soon.
Training Report
Friday 2nd Nov
Ran home from work, pretty easy run but very dark! Was treated to a brilliant fireworks display for Guy Fawkes night at the local cricket club, perfect timing to run past for that!
Saturday 3rd Nov
Missed Pilates...oops...but managed a multitasking 13k with stops at the post office and the jeweller. 7 degrees and sunny, but really really windy!! Run was a bit tough toward the last 3 or 4k, due to the sore calf
Coming up next
Monday 5th Nov
8km run home from work
Tuesday 6th Nov
Cross training at the gym...not sure what yet?
1 hour Pilates class
Wednesday 31 October 2012
In the beginning...
Last Sunday marked 6 months to go until 21st April 2013. As the clocks have gone backward, and the weather is getting grim, I've started to realise that maintaining motivation during the long dark winter is going to be tough.
So even if nobody reads it, I'm starting a marathon blog to I can keep track of my training, share a bit of my pain (and gain!!) and hopefully give it all a bit of meaning.
Although I've been running regularly for nearly four years, and have done three half marathons now, it's been a year since my last one. My recent study commitments mean that over the last year I haven't had time to run as often I did when training for those half maras, although I'm confident that at my current fitness level I could easily run over 15k (I'm sure I'd feel it the next day though...!).
My main focus over the 8 weeks before Christmas is to get my body used to exercising at least 5 days a week, a step up from about 3 days a week currently. Then in the New Year the full on training with long distance increases can commence. I've got my program from Shelter that I'll be aiming to follow in general, with a few adjustments here and there depending on how it feels.
This week I've really started to try to step up the training and make it a planned focus rather than fitting it in where it's easy to. The hardest part is getting out of bed in the morning!!!
Training Report
Saturday 27th October
1 hour Pilates class (first one in ages and my core felt it on Monday)
8km run around Tooting Common (2 degrees and howling wind, I need running gloves!!!)
Monday 29th October
8km run home from work (in the pouring rain and fully dark now we're on winter time)
Tuesday 30th October
5km intervals around Wandsworth Common (using Dan's 3 min interval circuit)
Wednesday 31st October
10 mins on the elliptical at the gym followed by 45 minutes in my first Spin class. Not as hard as I expected although I'm a bit unco on the bike. Not sure if it will be my ideal cross training but will try a few more classes before I decide.
Coming up next
Thursday 1st November
Rest
Friday 2nd November
8km run home from work
Saturday 3rd November
1 hour Pilates class
11-12km run around Tooting and Clapham Commons
So even if nobody reads it, I'm starting a marathon blog to I can keep track of my training, share a bit of my pain (and gain!!) and hopefully give it all a bit of meaning.
Although I've been running regularly for nearly four years, and have done three half marathons now, it's been a year since my last one. My recent study commitments mean that over the last year I haven't had time to run as often I did when training for those half maras, although I'm confident that at my current fitness level I could easily run over 15k (I'm sure I'd feel it the next day though...!).
My main focus over the 8 weeks before Christmas is to get my body used to exercising at least 5 days a week, a step up from about 3 days a week currently. Then in the New Year the full on training with long distance increases can commence. I've got my program from Shelter that I'll be aiming to follow in general, with a few adjustments here and there depending on how it feels.
This week I've really started to try to step up the training and make it a planned focus rather than fitting it in where it's easy to. The hardest part is getting out of bed in the morning!!!
Training Report
Saturday 27th October
1 hour Pilates class (first one in ages and my core felt it on Monday)
8km run around Tooting Common (2 degrees and howling wind, I need running gloves!!!)
Monday 29th October
8km run home from work (in the pouring rain and fully dark now we're on winter time)
Tuesday 30th October
5km intervals around Wandsworth Common (using Dan's 3 min interval circuit)
Wednesday 31st October
10 mins on the elliptical at the gym followed by 45 minutes in my first Spin class. Not as hard as I expected although I'm a bit unco on the bike. Not sure if it will be my ideal cross training but will try a few more classes before I decide.
Coming up next
Thursday 1st November
Rest
Friday 2nd November
8km run home from work
Saturday 3rd November
1 hour Pilates class
11-12km run around Tooting and Clapham Commons
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