My week 9 plan looked like it would be pretty tough when I glanced at it out of the corner of my eye a few weeks ago. The 20M Sunday run looked so much further than 19M for some reason! It must be because so many times you read how hitting 20M in training is the benchmark for marathon training.
I've pretty much managed to stick to the plan throughout the weeks so I'm now going into these runs actually looking forward to them! As long as you have the time to do them AND the time to spend the rest of the day recovering then I've really been enjoying the challenge of running further than I've ever ran before, visiting areas I've never been and I guess also trying out the different nutrition aspects.
The harder runs to do have been either the midweek longer run such as the 10M run before work on the Tuesday and the longer faster (supposed) marathon pace runs.
I managed an easy 10M on the Saturday in cloudy humid weather. Then thankfully after the late Saturday rain Sunday was a really nice 24 degrees and had relatively cool air for a change, so I felt really good!
I had varied my route ever so slightly from the other long runs I've done in order to do the shadeless part first and also to avoid the century event bike riders that were out and about on the shore pathway.
Of course I went slightly the wrong way a couple of times so I knew I would be hitting the 20M mark before I got all the way home.
It was the first time I have tried mixing the energy gels with water in the little flask. It seemed to work good except I only did one so I think I need both flasks for that kind of distance. I averaged about 8.30 pace although I stopped frequently for water top-ups and toilet stops. I had planned to speed up for the last 5M depending on how I felt and I averaged 7.40 for them, finishing with a 7.22 mile which was pleasing.
What wasn't so good was reaching 20.M and being at the bottom of the park with a 1.5M uphill walk to home. I was mentally finished by then as I'd obviously set out with 20M in mind so I bought a drink and strolled home.
During this week I heard something hit the window and fall onto the air conditioning unit. I looked out and there was this massive cicada just sitting there. Never really seen them before, you just hear them in the trees on a hot summer night.
Week 10 was a recovery week and next week I am doing a half marathon trail race, the same one I did last year (and didn't enjoy that much). So although the time won't mean much at least I can compare times and how I'm feeling. I just have to work out how to adjust my plan as that was supposed to be my next 20M weekend.
On 9/11 we stuck our heads out our window to see the light display they had again. Like the bat symbol!
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This week also seemed to really signal the change from Summer to Autumn. You know it's cooler when I started the run in the sun instead of the shade and I've put on socks in the house for the first time since April I think. It should help the running though, it might be easier to do some of the after work running.
Week 9: 56M
Week 10: 38M
I've pretty much managed to stick to the plan throughout the weeks so I'm now going into these runs actually looking forward to them! As long as you have the time to do them AND the time to spend the rest of the day recovering then I've really been enjoying the challenge of running further than I've ever ran before, visiting areas I've never been and I guess also trying out the different nutrition aspects.
The harder runs to do have been either the midweek longer run such as the 10M run before work on the Tuesday and the longer faster (supposed) marathon pace runs.
I managed an easy 10M on the Saturday in cloudy humid weather. Then thankfully after the late Saturday rain Sunday was a really nice 24 degrees and had relatively cool air for a change, so I felt really good!
I had varied my route ever so slightly from the other long runs I've done in order to do the shadeless part first and also to avoid the century event bike riders that were out and about on the shore pathway.
Of course I went slightly the wrong way a couple of times so I knew I would be hitting the 20M mark before I got all the way home.
It was the first time I have tried mixing the energy gels with water in the little flask. It seemed to work good except I only did one so I think I need both flasks for that kind of distance. I averaged about 8.30 pace although I stopped frequently for water top-ups and toilet stops. I had planned to speed up for the last 5M depending on how I felt and I averaged 7.40 for them, finishing with a 7.22 mile which was pleasing.
What wasn't so good was reaching 20.M and being at the bottom of the park with a 1.5M uphill walk to home. I was mentally finished by then as I'd obviously set out with 20M in mind so I bought a drink and strolled home.
During this week I heard something hit the window and fall onto the air conditioning unit. I looked out and there was this massive cicada just sitting there. Never really seen them before, you just hear them in the trees on a hot summer night.
Week 10 was a recovery week and next week I am doing a half marathon trail race, the same one I did last year (and didn't enjoy that much). So although the time won't mean much at least I can compare times and how I'm feeling. I just have to work out how to adjust my plan as that was supposed to be my next 20M weekend.
On 9/11 we stuck our heads out our window to see the light display they had again. Like the bat symbol!
This week also seemed to really signal the change from Summer to Autumn. You know it's cooler when I started the run in the sun instead of the shade and I've put on socks in the house for the first time since April I think. It should help the running though, it might be easier to do some of the after work running.
Week 9: 56M
Week 10: 38M
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