Track Test

Day 13, 9.42am. It's been a long two weeks trying to back off from training. I've successfully distracted myself from the annoying shin pain that emerged after my hilly exploits. I've been working far too much and fiddling with my camera in between. Blogging has suffered as it just serves to remind me of all those lovely runs I'm missing out on.

I've had suggestions of shin splints being the cause. I'm trying to ignore this possible diagnosis, though the fine and straight talking Coach Scobie would describe it as denial. I've been dutifully following his instructions; packing the ice and wolfing down the anti-inflammatory pills. I'm hoping the funny achy, tight and sore bit will recover quick. Each missed long run and track session is one step nearer to being the lumpy, unfit and sweaty animal that I remember last time I had to start all over again. 

I'm feeling panicked that all those tough sessions stacked up in the fitness bank; like fine and neat rows of colourful knitting are slowly but surely being unravelled. So, after a couple of weeks of taking it all very easy with only a test run or two I'm gonna poke it with a metaphorical stick and see what happens. M is on the track today, so I'm following. I won't be going full throttle but I will try a bit of mixed pace to push what the leg can do. It will end in one of two ways; hopefully no tears will feature. Wish me and the shin luck.

I Leica Long Run

It was a return to the tough stuff  again this weekend, including a visit to the track on Saturday for some painful 400s. The usual 12 reps were cut short though; legs and calves in particular were grumbling ferociously by number 8. I called it quits, as did M saving ourselves for the long one today. We reminded ourselves of the importance of knowing when to stop flogging a dead horse...those hills from Tuesday seem to be sticking with me for now and there was much needed cake awaiting to replenish our depleted stores.

For a refreshing if slightly exhausting change M planned an 'undulating' route for us to run together today for our steady 17 miles. A late start after staying up to watch late night telly  left us setting out from Gargrave at midday under a warm sun. The  slighly wonky lollipop route took us through lovely Dales villages, Airton, Kirby Malham and Hetton. If only the hills had been less hilly. All four legs were well and truly mashed by the final miles but we consoled ourselves with reassurances of it all being fine prep for the Burnsall 10 in just under a fortnight. There's just the egg throwing training left to worry about now.

Feels Like Flying

This week has been a proper week. No excuses, no more holidays, this is it. I'm back to it and have actually managed two great quality sessions this week. After the longer efforts on the canal on Tuesday, this morning was a return to some fast stuff and it felt great. So, this morning was a trip to Carnegie to meet the great and good coach Scobie as he tirelessly held his stopwatch, raised the odd eyebrow and shouted encouragement as I completed a full set of 400s. It was brill.

I'm now fully adjusted to my track spikes and can feel the massive difference to my running form and my split times. It's been quite some time since I've put in speedwork sessions at the track and each week the splits are getting faster and I'm feeling more motivated. Today the splits were better than ever with strong winds on the first bend and no company to chase. The iron tablets must be doing their thing. So, a satisfying session it was and a great lead in to my first track race on Tuesday. 

Inviting a coach into my running life was a big step but one I don't regret. I can't  easily explain how good it is to share the simple joys of running with someone who really knows what it means.  In any case it's working, my running fire is blazing and I'm ready to rocket round my first 3k. Bring it on.

Blogging Blues

This is the longest holiday I've ever had from blogging. So much so that I've had several very sweet and thoughtful emails of concern. Thank you to those of you who wrote; I'm really rather touched. The truth is I couldn't bring myself to inflict on the virtual world my daily whining about running too slowly, putting on weight and the painful indecision about marathon racing. Anyway, I thought it was time to resurface. I can at least report that I'm alive and well, sort of.

I've been duly immersing myself in work these last couple of weeks, mostly to block out the ongoing saga that is my marathon decision. After witnessing another fine PB effort from M on May Day I resolved to stop being so soft and get stuck into training again last week. I've been easing down a fair bit on mileage to give myself a proper recovery from that tenacious cold virus and named Sunday as my decision day. I planned a longish run to provide the final measure I needed. A last opportunity to gauge fitness. Unfortunately, it didn't go terribly well.

M had planned a fine and picturesque route to do together. Starting from Threshfield, a river hugging route took us through to Kettlewell with a return route back via Grassington. The day was lovely and sunny; plenty of splendid views of fine rolling hills and flourishing greenery all around. I was feeling rather chipper as I clipped along at a good pace, wondering why I'd been making such a fuss. However mile 10 came and the wheels started to fall off.

It's strange but I seem currently unable to run beyond 10 miles without some kind of funny wobbly attack. It happened pretty much the same way the previous week and had been the main root of my marathon worries. This time it was my last long run before the official 'taper' and there still remains no clear reason for it. A visit to the doc is planned to rule out any obvious causes.

Anyways, I've come at last to the decision to pull out from the marathon. It's been a funny few days coming to terms with the decision, especially after so much effort and energy has been focused on me doing the flippin' thing this spring. I'm now 'taking stock', having a break and running when I feel like it. I need a bit of a break. On the bright side, I've got loads of work done these last two weeks and am on top of the game in my new job.

This marathon business is tough to prepare for, particularly if you have obsessive tendencies and tend to overdo anything you put your mind to. M laughs that I just can't seem to help doing too much of everything, too much work, too much training, too much cake. I'm really not one for half measures or moderation. I'm disappointed I won’t make it this time but am also keen to get it right when I do. A reschedule is planned with an eye on something else soon. For now, a bit of enforced running fun, a return to some low key racing and then I'll most definitely be back.

Silly Hills

I really should think it through a bit more before I start wittering on about 'wanting to be pushed' and training with faster partners to get 'dragged along' and experience greater training benefits. I certainly did experience the 'training benefits' today. I was a bit daunted by today's long run prospects. Not only did I know the pace was gonna be challenging over this 20 miler, I also knew it would be very hilly. Stewart M had forewarned me that this was a bit of a toughie but it would 'make me strong' for my marathon adventures. Most people would have heard the alarm bells ringing and the sensible sirens sounding loud and clear. He's such a nice bloke that I was somehow reassured that it would all be okay.

I pulled up bang on the button at 10am eager and a bit nervous for the start for this long pack run. After a bit of a bender last night celebrating XC success one or two were a bit ropey and so bowed out of the full 20M. We were joined too by Nigel B from Keighley who is a very useful runner [he got me round the brass monkey HM last year in 76mins] but he was also turning back at 10M. It then sunk in that I would be alone again chasing Stewart at eyeball popping pace but this time on the horriblest, hardest and never-ending hills out of Bingley to Oxenhope, on to Haworth and back.

It was hilly alright. It was silly hilly. All of this whilst trying to respond to the pleasant chat and marathon talk. You can imagine I'm sure. My legs were pretty much blown half way round and the knowledge of another hilly 10 to follow was a mental challenge that would make a Mensa member's eyes water. Anyway, my determination and eagerness to be fit and strong for my first marathon somehow got me round. I was even feeling reasonably human up to mile 19 but then the last one, with the last sting of a climb just finished me off. To top it all I have no Garmin record to show off how good I did. Mental calculations approximate around 6.55 miling average today. Not so bad going given the climbs that were conquered and the massive training week I've had. So, another biggie in the bag, another week running strong, another run with the fast boys survived. Thankfully a recovery week next week. P.s. Well done to blogger boys at the Dewsbury 10k today, great runs were had in what was a very classy field, (congrats MH), results here.

Return of the Long One

It felt good to be back today. A return to some proper training and an escape from the ice and snow. M and I scheduled in a long one with a faint hope the roads would be clear and we could taste how it feels to run unhampered again. Ah the tarmac. I know that sounds daft and a bit 'moany' but, as pretty as it is, this white stuff is a pain to run on. Literally. You're kind of stuffed in the absence of a treadmill in your garage or a pay-as-you-go gym on your doorstep. It felt truly fantastic. Two miles before Askwith village I was turfed out into the cold whilst M drove up the hill. Planning an 18 miler I aimed to collect M and Co. then return for an out and back route from Askwith to the A59. All undulating and twisty, it made for a fine long run route, except for the small number of very grumpy car drivers unhappy sharing this motorists' rat run with a pack of runners.

So. A refreshing return to training it was. An average of 7.08/mile over the distance with some fine hills proved taxing enough for me today after well over a month since the last long one. A taste of the coming weeks and a delicious morsel it was too.

Fit to Burst

The days are dragging with this rationed running. Had a dull, dull day writing and researching a paper for work today and resorted to some serious clock watching for that special moment to pull the trainers on and get out of the door. The grey drizzle and cool air has never been so welcome. Have also been naughtily distracted by some more training plan tweaking for the coming months. I've been reading about the tempo run and how good it is for marathon training to build up to at least 15m at marathon goal pace (!!) in a competitive runner's programme. Since reading this I've been ensconced in fiddling with my spreadsheet further [note that I'm up to about 5m to date]. That's a lot of running.

Great Escape

Testing times this week as I start to ease down the training; I really enjoy my running so get a real buzz out of the heavy mileage weeks [I’m a freak I know]. Since I’ve decided on the marathon plan I’m having to constantly check myself that I’m not getting too enthusiastic and don’t try to do too much too soon. It’s made worse by all this exciting stuff on the telly which just makes me want to run faster & longer. I really have to stop thinking about racing so much on training runs; it’s an injury waiting to happen.

There’s also the two week recovery ease down planned to start next Sunday. No doubt this will be interesting [insert 'painful' here] for M and a challenge to my will power. I’m only allowing myself short, easy stuff with no long runs or hard sessions. It’ll be even harder whilst my green eyes look on at M who continues to indulge in full-training and who will no doubt be taunting me with his hill reps and long runs; the devil. Writing this makes me realise the freakish addictive sport that running is, or is it me? Most people need to be dragged out to exercise. I could do it all day long, if only someone paid me [ahem, any reasonable offers considered by the way].

With a couple of weeks of frustrated tantrums ahead M is relieved that I’m planning a distraction as well as my long term escape plan and enrolling on a night class. The plan might also work as a strategy to build in rest from marathon training through the winter. I’ve been fancying myself doing a bit of sports massage – particularly the hands on, making people hurt bit. A mate inspired me to do it with her so here goes! Monday nights for the next 6 months are all about a new vocation. Or a bit of a sideline hobby at least. Track efforts tonight; straight to the track after work for some lung busting 400s. Wish me luck!

Quivering Quads

What a lovely day Sunday was. Got home feeling pretty pooped after a 15m recce of the Yorkshireman route. Though I raced this one last year I never cease to be amazed at my capacity to forget race routes. I clearly pay no attention to where I’m going when I’m ‘in the zone’ and this perhaps gives some context to my accidental extra half mile around the Wharfedale HM a few weeks ago. Anyway, M & I took the course pretty briskly, whilst I gormlessly tried to remember patches of track and turnings that I have absolutely no recollection of. I was also secretly wondering why I’ve entered this killer of a HM at the start of my next training phase; I’ll be stuffed for at least a week after those climbs and descents & the memory of all those aches & pains after last year is making my quads quiver...

We spent the remainder of the afternoon entertaining and avoiding news of World Champs, saving our slice of athletics excitement for a chilled evening of telly. Watching this stuff makes me very emotional; it’s such an inspiration and makes me all choked up and teary. On the back of this fantastic motivational fuel, I’m increasingly determined to make a good job of this winter’s training, which includes building in proper recovery around the tough stuff. I’ve Saturday’s 10m race to get through and then a two week planned ease down to do just that. The mileage will then build again to peak for Xmas time with the Ribble Valley 10k as the final flourish. I’ve just entered Ribble online & notice it’s the Northern Champs too. How much motivation does a girl need…!

5k Sandwiches & Olympic Inspiration

We got the tough stuff out of the way early this morning with a 9 mile sandwich, the filling being a cruel 5k time trial around Leeds Hyde Park. Both M & I were pretty much dreading the session after the last 3 weeks of gruelling hard miles but this was the last yucky bit of the week and it had to be done. We were joined by an old club mate Justin P for the ride over who taunted us repeatedly with his new electric blue racers, hot from the postie, (a freebie Adidas product trial that M & I had yet to receive). He was looking pretty fierce (and youthful) whilst M & I felt our age and hobbled around the park for the warm up 3 miler.

A pretty windy setting for this early race start but what a great session nevertheless. I enjoyed a 15s improvement on my last attempt at this 2 weeks ago, again after a full-on training week & came through feeling strong with very little slippage across my splits. I'm now a good kind of tired and ready for my relaxed recce of the Yorkshireman from Haworth in the morning. We came home feeling glad for making the effort and were nicely suprised & excited to see clubmate Alistair Brownlee competing in a world cup triathlon race on the telly this afternoon. What an inspiration he is! He was on fire and came in to win gold, looking like a champion all the way. He managed an incredible 29.15 for the 10k and that's after the swim & the ride! It feels so exciting and motivating to have such amazing local athletes to look up to (I brushed against him once in the club XC tent!); their strength and passion for the sport is real fuel for us amateurs to work hard and try our very best with what we've got. We can only dream of such achievements, well done Alistair! World Champs on the telly next, yay! Must dash...

A New Leaf

I am so glad its Friday. My mind got all twisted this week; I’m actually wondering if holidays for as long as 3 weeks are just plain unhealthy. They just get you into such a relaxed and fulfilled state that the readjustment back to work is too harsh. This week has felt sooo looooong with sharp and scary glimpses of what a stress-head I was before my break. I've even noticed myself back to my stressed half running everywhere, including from my train seat to the office and back (after some work in between), why do I get like that?! I’m now trying to be a bigger (metaphorically speaking) & better person. Work is what it is. I will no longer be that flimsy paper boat on the stormy seas of work life. The real stuff is home & it will be my anchor [cue wry smile from M].

So, the work switch is now switched off (and not on standby), the Friday night 5m recovery run is done and I’m ready for the weekend. I have also logged on to read some great news left by Old RunningFox; I haven't missed the deadline for Burnsall at all! Its the 18th - I've gone and got my pants in a twist over nothing. There's clearly some error on the bit of the website we read. Thanks ORF, am feeling all happy-go-lucky again. Except for the thought of the yucky but necessary-for-fitness 5k time trial first thing in the morning but then only blissful days filled with eating (first things first), running, chatting, reading, more running and general relaxing until 8am Monday. Phew.

Marathon Meanderings

It was pure torture to be back at the office today. I’ve even got a headache from all that time at the computer, and that’s despite my building endurance base as a regular running blogger. Getting up with an alarm was annoying too. I’ve not really been lazin’ about these last couple of weeks but there’s something about getting up for work that seems so much harder than any other day when you don’t really have to be anywhere. I bet you can tell I’ve been in better moods. The lottery escape plan was a failure this weekend too.

I’ve been cheering myself up with some marathon reading on the way home; ‘Running with the Legends’ is a compilation of chapters from our Olympic greats loaned by running mate Ewan W. It’s an inspiration but also fascinating to see the diversity in perspectives on training. I’m finding it a bit confusing so I’m now compiling a list of all the good sessions that have popped up so far. Some sound frightening and I just can’t imagine being in the kind of shape to survive training at that level unscathed.

In building up to the start in the New Year M & I ran another long one this weekend; a 16 miler with the ever smiley Josie H. We ran a sound and steady pace via a mother of a climb, taking in Guiseley & Yeadon via Hollins Hill, then looping round and down to the canal & Bingley. M was frisky fresh which was great to see after his fears about the longer sessions. Another challenging training week planned ahead for us both before my last race at Burnsall and the fortnight ease down. Bring it on.

Rebuilding Walls

I was thinking today about the psychological challenges of running. More specifically, how I manage the internal tensions of my limited progress (real or imagined), rebuilding my confidence and how I reconnect with my love and enjoyment of the sport. I had decided I'd let go a bit and let the competitive focus slide to just get back to basics. I realised tonight that walls are my key.

I've got a bit of a passion for walls. I sometimes fantasise that I might escape the rat race and just earn my living reassembling ancient, lichen & moss wrapped stones from all those random piles I've carefully picked my way through during running adventures, (that's when I'm not busy in the bakery). So, walls were my inspiring comfort today. They highlight the value of patience and investing in laying strong foundations. I'm carefully rebuilding and trying to remember that enjoying this process, stone by stone is just as important as the end result.

In my search for a fine visual treat by way of illustration I came across this intriguing site: Walls.

Training Guilt

A real quickie as I really need my bed at this late hour, especially after my embarrassing snoring noises on the train tonight, (though at least I avoided drooling over any neighbour passengers for a change). Am now feeling really guilty after some encouraging and persuasive posts from URC and Hayfella that I should have gone for the hills tonight. You were too late guys. I opted for showing up at the club to do my club runner bit and ran an intervals session on the grass. However, instead of drowning in training guilt I'm gonna change things around and move my hills to Thursday instead. How's that for flexible? They are always excellent training and I always feel virtuous for having done 'em. I do appreciate training input from fellow bloggers who can be a voice of balance and objectivity, so will take on board your feedback.

Tonight ran what equated to 10x460m efforts on very bumpy grass. A great speed & strength session though pace was hard to judge given the running surface. The reps at least were in the right training zone and it felt good to have some club mates for company. Thanks to club mate Tricky as always for his effervescent company though I don't know how he still manages to chat midway through efforts without his lungs bursting. So, hills on Thursday it is.

Summer Scenes & Widget Woes

After the gorgeous sun yesterday I was feeling a bit anxious about the impact of the hot sun on my long run plans this morning. This is my very favourite training session of the week and I had hoped to be able to do 14m from Silsden; setting out early to avoid the midday heat. The day was the most beautiful and glorious that I can remember for ages; the scenery was superb under the azure sky and everywhere looks so lush. To add to the feelgood morning there were lots of tiny ducklings and cygnets out for a swim with their mums and dads; adding a general fluffy feel to the world. I set out at a very cautious pace in case the heat got to me later on but felt easy on my feet all the way so decided to build in the extra mile to make it 15. The splits returning from the turn were faster than was sensible in view of the race next weekend; I was running as I felt which is very, very bad (I get a bit carried away on my own). I still stayed within HR Zone 3 most of the way and overall, it was a good, sensible average at 7.24 pace (Garmin Connect -Player for Silsden 15). Readers may have noticed the disappearance of my whizzy Garmin Widget. The recent upgrade of the Garmin Connect site has messed my fancy widget up - I'm hopeful it can return soon; once the updated code arrives from Chris Genius.

Pottered about this afternoon with M, thinking about our friends doing Edinburgh in the heat today. What a day to be running a marathon. We ambled about walking on along the river in Ilkley ready for an ice-cream. OMG! The place was overrun; have never in my life seen the river so full of fluorescent inflatable things and gangly young men in England shorts. We tried our best to evade the crowds but there was no escape. We will in future avoid the river on sunny days.

In summary, I'm really chuffed with this first step up to full training. I've managed a good mileage for the week including VO2, hill work and a speed session as well as my long run. I'm feeling tired in a good way and very 'up' for more next week. My hunger to train hard has definitely returned and I'm already starting to scan the calendar for forthcoming races. I think I'm back to business.

The Bear Done Good

I did it readers. You would have been so proud of me tonight. I'd set out a plan to tackle an old fav; 5x4min long hill efforts. Tonight I was trembling at the prospect; this is a tough session at the best of times. I'd been reassuring myself all day that, well, if I couldn't do 5 reps then I'd just have to do 4, or reduce to 3 if I felt terrible. Anyway, did the usual warm up for a couple of miles and then decided to go straight for it (you don't want to prolong the agony as they say). First rep was lung bursting and legs felt heavy and tired. I managed to get through rep #2 feeling a bit better and then rep #3 was the peak, I managed to get the furthest of all the reps in the 4 mins; just passing the bungalow driveway at the top with the funny lantern on the corner. I then felt weak and wobbly and jelly Elvis legs starteded to kick in. I'd decided at that point I was only gonna manage 4 reps. This fourth one was the worst of all as my breathing didn't settle and my legs were aching to stop. Somehow I managed a bit of a strong spurt in the last 20 seconds. By this time I'd decided to call it a day. Then, somewhere halfway through the recovery downhill towards Ilkley that then shifted to 'I could possibly squeeze a 3 min rep for the last one'. That then shifted to 'I could maybe do 2x2 mins to make sure I do the full 20 mins altogether'. I then got to the start position and thought 'I'll just go for it like I'm doing a 2min effort but see if I can hang on'. Well. I'm pleased to say that I got right to the top and managed to squeeze out a full 4 mins for rep #5. Feel so chuffed I didn't give up! Through gritted teeth and plenty of gurning I got to the top; frightening the old bloke with my pained faces whilst he busily mowed his pristine lawn to my right at the 3 min mark. All in all, feel chuffed to have got through the whole thing and am now nicely shattered. It was tough to do this session alone again but it's good prep for those tough bits in races where you just wanna give up and walk. I did good tonight. I'm enjoying this training lark once again. Can't wait to tackle the weekend runs. Night all.

What A Grey Day

A truly gorgeous morning of bright sun and clear blue skies led to me dwelling all day on running fantasies of getting home and out onto a trail run in the warm rays tonight. Disappointingly the sun had all but disappeared this afternoon and led to a bit of a grey, cloudy flat kind of evening - a bit of a mood mirror. That'll teach me to be such a misery guts. Nevertheless, ran a strong 8 miler at about 7.40 pace along undulating trail tonight with M. Felt tired from the track session but a good kind of tired - still feeling fairly strong and also pretty light on my toes. I seem to be slowly losing those cuddly bits now the mileage is building up again. It'll soon be time for a return to baking days I think, (watch this space cake fans).

I'm starting to reframe my targets for the summer and feeling a bit more cheerful in just having an alternative plan and way forward. I intend to spend the next few weeks devising a ten day training cycle to incorporate a good range of quality sessions with some suitably generous recovery built in. I'm feeling a new spreadsheet coming on...sigh. A short speed session is planned for tomorrow to sharpen for this Saturday's BMAF road relays. Though I won't be at my best it's an important team event and I'm looking forward to some team action with my new lady club mates. Bingley ladies rule OK ; )

Track Trials

Had been feeling a building anxiety about this first step out onto the track after so many weeks of feeling rubbish and laying off the VO2 work. There was a mounting pressure to feel better, run faster or at least finish a full VO2 session after the experiences of recent weeks. I was down for 6x1k's tonight but my squeaky but sensible inner running voice was saying this might be a bit heavy for my first week back; particularly following on from hill hell on Friday night and then a hilly HM run on Sunday.

I set out with the best intentions and decided to pace the efforts cautiously. Last time I did this session I ran 6 reps at 3.25-3.27 pace. Tonight I ran the first couple in 3.28 and 3.27 but then started to slow; finishing reps 3 & 4 in 3.30 & 3.35. I decided to call it a day after starting rep #5 and feeling dog tired. My heart rate chart nicely captures me fizzling out on rep #5. My mood dropped to the floor on the warm down; I just can't seem to get going and am painfully aware of how sluggish I feel; I can't believe I've lost so much of the strength and speed I had despite only having 3 weeks down time. I'm trying hard not to read too much into this and remind myself that 1) have had a heavy few days and am still not quite recovered, 2) I should ease back into track work haven't got out of the swing, 3) I'm such a drama queen and it's probably not anywhere near as bad as it seems. I'll endeavour not to get too fixated on the gaping chasm (more dramatic effect) in my comparative times and just try and accept that I need to get some serious work in over the next few weeks.

These quality sessions have been seriously lacking in the last month or so and they are the bit that really counts in strength and speed building. Have now to decide what races to prioritise in the coming weeks. Part of me wants to just get some great training under my belt before I take the plunge again and build some of my old RB confidence back. Food for thought.

Hill Hell

OMG. Took my first tentative steps back into VO2 work tonight with a 'challenging' little hill circuit near home. M persuaded me to do 8x2 min reps on a rather steep climb rather than the 5x3mins I had planned. Was I grateful for that or what. What a shocker. The session was lung burstingly awful. I really don't know how I survived the whole ordeal. I'm still not quite sure why it felt so tough exactly and am hoping it's not a sign of my losing loads of fitness. Despite this my heart rate didn't reach anywhere near my max, which I can't quite understand.

The first 40secs of the rep seemed quite civilised; I was prematurely congratulating myself that I hadn't lost the old knack. This was swiftly followed by severe quad burn at 1min, quickly spreading to a full, lower body burn and general lung bursting sensation by 1.20. I sort of blacked out the pain for the last 20secs of the effort. By rep 4 I was all for giving up and stopped in a pathetic state halfway up the hill. The Yorkshire grit in me then felt the shame of defeat and I pressed on like a proper 'ard Yorkshire lass. I then managed to push on with reps 5 & 6, bottled it again, managing only half of rep 7 but then squeezed out a final effort to finish #8. Tonight was a sure sign of lots of work to do this summer.

I've clearly lost some fitness but tonight's workout is also an indicator of a general weakness of mine; my speed strength & general power. I've always been daunted by races around 5km; this just isn't an easy distance for me. I think my natural strength is endurance, which may explain why sessions like tonight feel so flippin' painful. But, I am pleased to have got through the whole thing in one piece. I'm also seriously impressed by M's strength and power up those hills. This is one session I'm going to have to revisit regularly; working on my main weakness should prove to be a great investment later on this year. God it were 'ard tho. Why do we do this exactly?

All Work & No Play Makes RB A Dull Girl

Plan on keeping this post short. Am acutely aware that I'm becoming increasingly dull as each day passes and can only write so much about the fact that I'm not running. Did a mile tonight and then came home thinking again how daft it is not resting. RHR 37 this morning so, a good sign of some stability returning. Missing running as life seems to be all about work with no fun, (sorry M - I mean no running fun). In my infinite dullness I've spent the entire evening fiddling with my excel training sheet. I'm revising my racing and training plan schedule in light of these recent annoying interruptions to the grand plan. I'm also (are you yawning there?!) trying to revise my training plan to work around a 10 day cycle. This seems to be a great way of accommodating all the quality sessions and ensure enough recovery is built in to guard against a repeat of my current predicament. Sessions involve a blend of VO2, tempo runs, hills, speed and long endurance runs with a few aerobic runs for packing and recovery in between. This has at least given me something constructive to do other than eat myself into a weeble shape or contemplate doing the ironing that has been sat in a crumpled heap for the last 18 months.