HM - sorry for your loss but as you say, sometimes it can be a blessing. I felt that way when my dad died - he'd lost my mum four months prior, had broken his hip (he was already disabled by a stroke some years prior) and would have had to move into a home. He would have been miserable.
Michael - that sounded amazing. I have some good memories of that area from georgraphy field trips when I was at school (a long time ago now!).
Yellow - I'd actually be inclined to see a professional.
Teknik - hope you're feeling better now.
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I wanted to run yesterday but I woke up wrong. By that I mean I must have woken up mid-sleep cycle, because I felt weak, floppy and groggy and somewhat disorientated, much like I do if I fall asleep in the afternoon. I settled on yoga, which was pretty tough yesterday because the humidity made it feel as though there wasn't enough air to breathe.
I'm planning on parkrunning tomorrow so normally I wouldn't do much today but I decided on a gentle 4 miler at 6am (easy pace). Legs felt nice and bouncy. Exchanged smiles with three other runners. Saw a fox.
Some great training as always, and nice pics and race reports from Michael and OH, well done guys! Finding it hard enough to keep up with training at the moment nevermind the thread! Hope everyone is well
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5, 8 and 8 after work Tues-Thurs mornings. Hadn't ran after work for a long time so felt tougher than expected on Tuesday but ok Wed/Thursday. Gym this morning, maybe 4/5 tomorrow then hopefully a whole load of 6:30s on Sunday. Although I might be into the wind for 11 miles...
Teknik: Nice 5.5 miles yesterday. HM4: Thanks. OH: Nice 7.5 done last night, good going. MG1: Great set of reps last night. Cal: Reminds me of the song Fox on the Run. Sounds like a nice, easy 4 miles yesterday, best of luck at parkrun tomorrow. SM6: Enjoy the gym this morning, good running post work throughout the week.
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5 easy miles from me, nothing more (well maybe 0.01 mile more but that'd be it) and nothing less... Hopefully.
OH well done with yesterdays 7.5 good luck at Castle Mey
Yellow If recovery pace is hurting then add in another rest day with ice if that doesn't ease the problem then seek help? Hope this goes away
Sub17 Sounds like you have a plan StewC is spot on train well below race pace the pace will come at longer distances... it's so tempting to get reved up
SC sound advice.. wish I could follow it Good luck at Castle Mey
Ollie Well done with the easy today, Good luck with your park run attempt sound like you are well revved up !
Tek nice one around Hyde park
MG1 good reps gr8 pace for that 3m
Cal Great to have bouncy legs good luck with your park run
SM6 Hope u get into the training again.. work is a pain good luck with the Edinbugrh half
NN good luck with your 7m
8.5m on favourite trail run @8min18s per mile Legs feel good especially going up hill... need more training on those lakeland hills
Good luck those racing at the weekend: NN, OH, SM, SC
And I'm sure there'll be a bunch of amazing Parkrun times to celebrate
Everyone else, hope the training goes well and we get some good bank holiday weather.
Avoided the temptation to run today, that's 2 days of rest and I feel a bit of a cold coming on - almost feels like taper-sickness!
Off for a week with the family next week, so good chance to get some cycling in and maybe a bit of swimming. I'll get in to the physio as soon as I'm back.
In two weeks time I will see how I go in a training marathon. I have nothing to lose by running the marathon. 20+ mile long run and a finishers medal and a t-shirt. I may run a second training marathon as my only other 20+ mile run in lead up to my Target Marathon in mid-October.
My typical long runs will be limited to 2 hours to save my legs so I can run consistent Park Run times on a weekly basis.
2 hours has been my limit on long runs, my energy reserves are depleted and I switch to jog/walking. I do not take energy gels or drink anything on a training run up to two hours.
Teknik: Nice 6.22 miles at easy pace yesterday, good going. OH: Enjoy the cycling, best of luck at the Castle of Mey 10k (in May) tomorrow. HM4: Cheers. MG7: Thanks, not quite a PB today but still feeling good, maybe next week. Good going on the 8.5 mile trail run yesterday. Yellow: Enjoy the time off with the family, hope the leg heals up soon. Sub17: Excellent parkrun time today, hope the training marathon goes well for you as a long run.
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Ran 14.1 miles in total this morning. This included a mile warm up/cool down before and after parkrun. A parkrun (18:41), not quite a PB but felt good afterwards so think it may have been possible had I pushed myself. 10 mile run after watching most, if not all, of the parkrunners cross the line, ran the latter half of my 20 mile route back home. As Supertramp once sang, I took the long way home.
Great job, sub-17. Good luck with the marathon. I guess you changed your mind about running it then?
And Ollie, 14 miles with a sub-19 parkrun in the middle? You nutter!
I managed to knock more than 20 seconds off my last parkrun PB today. New PB is 26:20. I ran the first mile in 8:28 which is fast for me, so I couldn't quite maintain that. Second mile felt as though it was in the 8:30s but turned out to be 8:44 so I picked it up slightly for an 8:40 final mile and then summoned every bit of strength I had left to sprint to the finish. It was enough. Obviously I need to work on pacing but I'm pretty happy with my progress.
Two weeks until my next 10K and hoping for a new PB there.
MG7 great photos and race report well done and great to see the family out in support
OH great photos and report
just a quick catch up and scan back, have been up to my eyes in the garden and yesterday with the 10k race and the club duck race at the May fair. So just a quick report. Turned up at the May fair 10k and after a mile warm up went over to the start line and was behind/next to two runners from project Africa. Start horn went and within 200m these two guys where 50m ahead of the rest and finished in 30:05 on a very hilly course. For me I settled in to an even pace 5:45 for the first flatfish mile and 6:00 for the next hilly mile after that the screen on my garmin went blank and the battery went flat. Around mile 4 I was passed by one runner and managed to pass a runner. I crossed the line in 11th place and in a time of 37:08 two seconds down on last year. But very happy with first M50.
Best of luck to SM in the Edinburgh half marathon, enjoy. Best of luck also to OH and SC in the Castle Mey 10k today, have fun.
Cal: Fantastic PB, well done. Hopefully it bodes well for your 10k soon. Teknik: Nice double day from you yesterday, good stuff. OH: Looking forward to your result/report. NP: Great going on your 10k, well done. Not tempted to keep up with the front runners? Fantastic time anyway. SM6: I imagine you'll be running as I type this so hope all is going well. Nice 6 miles and gym session a couple of days ago. Look forward seeing how you get on today/ HM4: Thanks.
- - - - - - - - -
22 miles today, as it's long run day. Managed 92.1 miles this week, helped in part by enjoying being out there running. As yet, few of my runs have any particular purpose but sometimes it's good to have a nice break from training; though 7 weeks worth of 'recovery' runs isn't conducive to the long term plan so marathon training will resume starting tomorrow.
Today was earmarked for some strength training, but it seemed a crime to squander the warmth by heading indoors. So I passed up the gym in favour of a workout I've not done in a long time. It involves running a lap of Tooting Common, but stopping every so often to use park "furniture" for bodyweight excersises, such as bench dips, bench step-ups, inverted rows on the railings, incline push-ups on logs and rails and also sets of walking lunges. I also added in some sprints and strides to mix it up a bit. Sometimes I use the ropes playground for some added fun but there was already a couple of parents there with children and you're not supposed to go in there without a kid.
I'm off to yoga shortly, but I already feel I'm going to be sore tomorrow.
Cal: Aha, I guess what I mean to say is the pace I'm doing my long runs at the moment is slow comparative to the pace I want to be doing for the long run training. Nice session today, sounds like a good way to run and work out. Pity the play area was occupied.
Next week will be a cutback week, then marathon training for the Abingdon 2016 marathon will begin in earnest, hoping (once more) for sub-3.
Ollie - great work on the 22, and 92 miles for the week! Mental Must be 2 weeks until I start marathon training, as I think I'm the week after you.
Cal - That sounds a good mix up session this morning
--------------
Edinburgh Half Marathon
Had constantly changed my mind over whether or not I was going to run this, but eventually signed up just before entries closed, for a very hefty fee. I had felt good in training, and felt I had a good shout at a PB, maybe even low 85s.
Got through to Edinburgh an hour before the race, but mucked about too much and once I got through the portaloo queue I only had time for 1k warm up. Spoke to a few club mates before the off, but was a bit miffed they were in a faster start wave than me!
1-3 (6:24, 6:16, 6:26) It's a nice open start, and slightly downhill so just tried to get into a natural rhythm which seemed centred on 6:20s. Concerned me a touch but unlike Alloa I decided I wasn't going to talk myself out of a time. If I blew up at 11 miles, well I blew up at 11 miles. Passed a club mate at mile 1, and got a couple of shouts on the double back in Holyrood Park, even that early on it helps! A few minor ups and downs through miles 2 and 3 but nothing to report, tried to stick with a Perth runner as he seemed consistant with my pace.
4-7 (6:16, 6:26, 6:24, 6:32) Caught sight of a club mate towards the end of mile 4, he said pre race he was looking at 82-83, so was wonder if I was going to fast or if he was struggling. Slowly reeled him in over the next couple of miles, and passed him along the prom in Portobello. Despite being right on the coast we had little to no wind, and it was nice and cool. Perfect conditions! Quick check of the watch at the 10k mat, (39:46) so my 2nd fastest ever 10k! Maybe a bit fast... It was around here my left foot started to hurt, so was having to be careful how I landed. I had worn the same trainers at last years Inverness half, and they destroyed my left foot early on so slight panic was setting in. This was probably why I stepped off the pace a touch in mile 7.
8-11 (6;25, 6:17, 6:22, 6:24) The road into Musselburgh felt tough on the feet, but was bouyed around 7.5 miles when I noticed a club mate in the distance. I had a quick check on the watch and estimated him to be 47 seconds ahead of me. As we pulled into, and then through Musselburgh I could see I was catching him. I ran and had a chat with a Glasgow runner during mile 9, but pushed ahead as I realised I was now only 30 seconds behind my mate. Mile 10 takes you past the cut off to the finish, and 11 takes you almost out to the turn. I was hurting here mentally more than anything as it was such a drag, it was only the sight of my mate ahead that kept me going!
12&13 (6:24, 6:15) The turning point was just past 11 miles, and I was now 15-20 seconds behind my mate. We exchanged a pretty thunderous high 5, and then the chase resumed! Now I was doubling back on the guys behind, the shouts from other club mates really spurred me on even though my body had ready for chucking it. Quick look at the watch at ~20k and realised I was utterly nailed on sub 85, and ad a good shot at 84. And even more importantly I was almost on top of my mate! 400 to go, and I'm now on his heels. I was absolutely sure I had him, until he kicked and I just couldn't, or wouldn't, hold on! So I just focussed on doing nothing stupid and trying to stick myself under 84. 100m to go, and onto some silly metal walk way covering the grass. Unfortunately I was looking way ahead and not at the surface, and tripped over something! Thankfully stayed upright but that'd have been a bit of bum note to end had I went down. Nice and strong finish, paid no attention to anyone else and was delighted to stop the watch on 1:23:55 A new PB by 3:10
Afterthoughts - Even early on my legs hadn't felt great so was very pleased, and my left foot issue was managed fairly well. It's a bit sore now but never became unrunnable. I had tried to drink a little this time, unlike Alloa and I even had 3 shotbloks at 5, 8 and 10 miles but couldn't stomach any more. Breakfast again was just a banana, and again I think it was a mistake. More pleasingly, I found out at the end that the club mate I was chasing was actually 10 seconds slower than me, so I think I was fastest runner from our club
So a good place to start marathon training from, my worry now is the time I have to be aiming for at Frankfurt. There's only really 1 time I can now look at...
SM, an awesome achievement that is a huge PB and it is all the result of your hard work over the last year, congratulations
Cal, congratulations you are running very well and the improvements keep coming
Ollie, that is a huge week, I think you have deserved a cutback week
NP, a great run and only 2 seconds down is good going, congratulations with the 1st place
Tek, nice doubling yesterday
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Just a quick update, a gorgeous day in Caithness today wall to wall blue sky a bit hot with a gentle cooling breeze, it was unfortunate I could take advantage of the surroundings or the good weather today, the wheels fell big style after half way not helped with a shoelace malfunction, 50:50 on the watch.
It was great to meet up with OH, he is running so well came breezing past me just after the 7k marker.
SM6: Great report for a great result, well done on the PB. SC: Well done on the 10k, sorry to hear about the race kerfuffle but hope you enjoyed the day. OH: Congrats on yet another PB in recent weeks, good stuff.
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First day of cutback week treating my legs to a Bank Holiday 5 miles, hopefully they'll be glad of the break.
SM6 that's a truly amazing half marathon result , so pleased for you ! Very very well done indeed
OH superb 10k PB as you say especially after last weekend who would have expected that ?
SC pity your race didn't go so well ! There are others , put it behind you
Ollie 92 miles ? That's incredible ! Do you work ?
NP good result as ever congrats on 11th overall and 1st V50 when do you go up a catagory ? Some will be glad to see you move up ! Others will not be so pleased!
MG7 nice pace for the 8.5 on the trails sounds lovely
Cal tell me about it ? Rubbish sleep is all I ever get ! Nice to see your legs found some bounce
Really pissed off I have a little 'crick ' in my ankle so not racing today ! Not too worried about it don't even know how I did it ! its no there all the time but just occasionally ' cricks ' you know what I mean ! I have an important event with club next weekend in Wales which I need to be fit for so resting it ! So swimming later
Comments
Glad he went peacefully HM
Nice evening here: 7.5 done mostly with depleted group
across the water for Castle of Mey 10k on Sunday
Yellow would go for rest and ice and maybe foam rolling if its just tight.
Ollie nice speedy 10.
Tek nice running round hyde park.
OH sounds a nice run in good conditions.
3 m warm up then rep session of 1 x 800 90 secs rest then 1 x 400, 120 sec rest. Total of 8 reps giving 3m at 5.55. Followed by 3 m warm down home.
HM - sorry for your loss but as you say, sometimes it can be a blessing. I felt that way when my dad died - he'd lost my mum four months prior, had broken his hip (he was already disabled by a stroke some years prior) and would have had to move into a home. He would have been miserable.
Michael - that sounded amazing. I have some good memories of that area from georgraphy field trips when I was at school (a long time ago now!).
Yellow - I'd actually be inclined to see a professional.
Teknik - hope you're feeling better now.
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I wanted to run yesterday but I woke up wrong. By that I mean I must have woken up mid-sleep cycle, because I felt weak, floppy and groggy and somewhat disorientated, much like I do if I fall asleep in the afternoon. I settled on yoga, which was pretty tough yesterday because the humidity made it feel as though there wasn't enough air to breathe.
I'm planning on parkrunning tomorrow so normally I wouldn't do much today but I decided on a gentle 4 miler at 6am (easy pace). Legs felt nice and bouncy. Exchanged smiles with three other runners. Saw a fox.
HM - Sorry to hear of your loss
Some great training as always, and nice pics and race reports from Michael and OH, well done guys! Finding it hard enough to keep up with training at the moment nevermind the thread! Hope everyone is well
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5, 8 and 8 after work Tues-Thurs mornings. Hadn't ran after work for a long time so felt tougher than expected on Tuesday but ok Wed/Thursday. Gym this morning, maybe 4/5 tomorrow then hopefully a whole load of 6:30s on Sunday. Although I might be into the wind for 11 miles...
Morning.
Teknik: Nice 5.5 miles yesterday.
HM4: Thanks.
OH: Nice 7.5 done last night, good going.
MG1: Great set of reps last night.
Cal: Reminds me of the song Fox on the Run. Sounds like a nice, easy 4 miles yesterday, best of luck at parkrun tomorrow.
SM6: Enjoy the gym this morning, good running post work throughout the week.
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5 easy miles from me, nothing more (well maybe 0.01 mile more but that'd be it) and nothing less... Hopefully.
Have a good day.
OH well done on the evening 7.5m
MG impressive set of reps, and well done for getting the extra aerobic miles in, too
Cal nice early 4m and good luck at the parkrun
Stuart hope it's a calm day weather-wise Sunday
Ollie nice easy 5m
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6.22m easy for me at lunchtime, warm again here in London
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Upcoming Races
29/5/16 Edinburgh Half Stuart M
29/5/16 Castle Mey 10k Stewart C, Other Half
30/5/16 Bampton to Tiverton 7m Night Nurse
Good luck peeps
Didn't realize that you were doing Castle of Mey, Stewart (Thanks Tek) - see you there! Currently planning cycling from ferry at Gills Bay
Well done guys & thanks.
Stuart M, Stewart C, OH & NN,
Good luck guys.
Thnx everyone...
OH well done with yesterdays 7.5 good luck at Castle Mey
Yellow If recovery pace is hurting then add in another rest day with ice if that doesn't ease the problem then seek help? Hope this goes away
Sub17 Sounds like you have a plan StewC is spot on train well below race pace the pace will come at longer distances... it's so tempting to get reved up
SC sound advice.. wish I could follow it Good luck at Castle Mey
Ollie Well done with the easy today, Good luck with your park run attempt sound like you are well revved up !
Tek nice one around Hyde park
MG1 good reps gr8 pace for that 3m
Cal Great to have bouncy legs good luck with your park run
SM6 Hope u get into the training again.. work is a pain good luck with the Edinbugrh half
NN good luck with your 7m
8.5m on favourite trail run @8min18s per mile Legs feel good especially going up hill... need more training on those lakeland hills
And I'm sure there'll be a bunch of amazing Parkrun times to celebrate
Everyone else, hope the training goes well and we get some good bank holiday weather.
Avoided the temptation to run today, that's 2 days of rest and I feel a bit of a cold coming on - almost feels like taper-sickness!
Off for a week with the family next week, so good chance to get some cycling in and maybe a bit of swimming. I'll get in to the physio as soon as I'm back.
I ran 17:12 in my Park Run today.
In two weeks time I will see how I go in a training marathon. I have nothing to lose by running the marathon. 20+ mile long run and a finishers medal and a t-shirt. I may run a second training marathon as my only other 20+ mile run in lead up to my Target Marathon in mid-October.
My typical long runs will be limited to 2 hours to save my legs so I can run consistent Park Run times on a weekly basis.
2 hours has been my limit on long runs, my energy reserves are depleted and I switch to jog/walking. I do not take energy gels or drink anything on a training run up to two hours.
Morning.
Hope you're already having a good weekend.
Teknik: Nice 6.22 miles at easy pace yesterday, good going.
OH: Enjoy the cycling, best of luck at the Castle of Mey 10k (in May) tomorrow.
HM4: Cheers.
MG7: Thanks, not quite a PB today but still feeling good, maybe next week. Good going on the 8.5 mile trail run yesterday.
Yellow: Enjoy the time off with the family, hope the leg heals up soon.
Sub17: Excellent parkrun time today, hope the training marathon goes well for you as a long run.
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Ran 14.1 miles in total this morning.
This included a mile warm up/cool down before and after parkrun.
A parkrun (18:41), not quite a PB but felt good afterwards so think it may have been possible had I pushed myself.
10 mile run after watching most, if not all, of the parkrunners cross the line, ran the latter half of my 20 mile route back home. As Supertramp once sang, I took the long way home.
Have a good day.
Great job, sub-17. Good luck with the marathon. I guess you changed your mind about running it then?
And Ollie, 14 miles with a sub-19 parkrun in the middle? You nutter!
I managed to knock more than 20 seconds off my last parkrun PB today. New PB is 26:20. I ran the first mile in 8:28 which is fast for me, so I couldn't quite maintain that. Second mile felt as though it was in the 8:30s but turned out to be 8:44 so I picked it up slightly for an 8:40 final mile and then summoned every bit of strength I had left to sprint to the finish. It was enough. Obviously I need to work on pacing but I'm pretty happy with my progress.
Two weeks until my next 10K and hoping for a new PB there.
Michael nice going on the trails
yellow enjoy the week's holiday
Sub17 nice parkrun, good luck with the marathon training
Ollie well done on the parkrun, and great effort getting the extra 10 miles in
Cal PB!
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6.7m with the club this morning, plus another 5m very easy this afternoon
Nice steady improvement there Cal PB!
MG7 great photos and race report well done and great to see the family out in support
OH great photos and report
just a quick catch up and scan back, have been up to my eyes in the garden and yesterday with the 10k race and the club duck race at the May fair. So just a quick report. Turned up at the May fair 10k and after a mile warm up went over to the start line and was behind/next to two runners from project Africa. Start horn went and within 200m these two guys where 50m ahead of the rest and finished in 30:05 on a very hilly course. For me I settled in to an even pace 5:45 for the first flatfish mile and 6:00 for the next hilly mile after that the screen on my garmin went blank and the battery went flat. Around mile 4 I was passed by one runner and managed to pass a runner. I crossed the line in 11th place and in a time of 37:08 two seconds down on last year. But very happy with first M50.
Good luck to anyone racing today Sunday.
NP - Well done, sounds like a very good run
Tek - Nice double day
Cal - Well done on the parkrun PB, sub 26 on the cards soon
Ollie - Nice parkrun, and impressive you managed 10 miles after!
S17 - Well done at parkrun and good luck for the marathon.
Michael - Sounds like your back into it quickly! Good pace for the 8.5 miles
yellow - Enjoy the holiday
Good luck to Stewart & OH today, and NN tomorrow
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6 mile jog and upper body weights at gym yesterday.
Up early as I'm getting picked up at 6 to go through to Edinburgh. 8am is too early a start!
Welll done guys.
Morning.
Best of luck to SM in the Edinburgh half marathon, enjoy.
Best of luck also to OH and SC in the Castle Mey 10k today, have fun.
Cal: Fantastic PB, well done. Hopefully it bodes well for your 10k soon.
Teknik: Nice double day from you yesterday, good stuff.
OH: Looking forward to your result/report.
NP: Great going on your 10k, well done. Not tempted to keep up with the front runners? Fantastic time anyway.
SM6: I imagine you'll be running as I type this so hope all is going well. Nice 6 miles and gym session a couple of days ago. Look forward seeing how you get on today/
HM4: Thanks.
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22 miles today, as it's long run day.
Managed 92.1 miles this week, helped in part by enjoying being out there running. As yet, few of my runs have any particular purpose but sometimes it's good to have a nice break from training; though 7 weeks worth of 'recovery' runs isn't conducive to the long term plan so marathon training will resume starting tomorrow.
Have a good day.
Thanks Ollie, SM6, NP
No wind, Wall to Wall sunshine and 17C forecast today.
Sunscreen, vest and shorts methinks ...
83:55, well chuffed
22 miles isn't marathon training, Ollie?
Stuart, excellent stuff! Well done.
Today was earmarked for some strength training, but it seemed a crime to squander the warmth by heading indoors. So I passed up the gym in favour of a workout I've not done in a long time. It involves running a lap of Tooting Common, but stopping every so often to use park "furniture" for bodyweight excersises, such as bench dips, bench step-ups, inverted rows on the railings, incline push-ups on logs and rails and also sets of walking lunges. I also added in some sprints and strides to mix it up a bit. Sometimes I use the ropes playground for some added fun but there was already a couple of parents there with children and you're not supposed to go in there without a kid.
I'm off to yoga shortly, but I already feel I'm going to be sore tomorrow.
Well done SM6, fantastic result.
Cal: Aha, I guess what I mean to say is the pace I'm doing my long runs at the moment is slow comparative to the pace I want to be doing for the long run training. Nice session today, sounds like a good way to run and work out. Pity the play area was occupied.
Next week will be a cutback week, then marathon training for the Abingdon 2016 marathon will begin in earnest, hoping (once more) for sub-3.
Ollie - great work on the 22, and 92 miles for the week! Mental Must be 2 weeks until I start marathon training, as I think I'm the week after you.
Cal - That sounds a good mix up session this morning
--------------
Edinburgh Half Marathon
Had constantly changed my mind over whether or not I was going to run this, but eventually signed up just before entries closed, for a very hefty fee. I had felt good in training, and felt I had a good shout at a PB, maybe even low 85s.
Got through to Edinburgh an hour before the race, but mucked about too much and once I got through the portaloo queue I only had time for 1k warm up. Spoke to a few club mates before the off, but was a bit miffed they were in a faster start wave than me!
1-3 (6:24, 6:16, 6:26) It's a nice open start, and slightly downhill so just tried to get into a natural rhythm which seemed centred on 6:20s. Concerned me a touch but unlike Alloa I decided I wasn't going to talk myself out of a time. If I blew up at 11 miles, well I blew up at 11 miles. Passed a club mate at mile 1, and got a couple of shouts on the double back in Holyrood Park, even that early on it helps! A few minor ups and downs through miles 2 and 3 but nothing to report, tried to stick with a Perth runner as he seemed consistant with my pace.
4-7 (6:16, 6:26, 6:24, 6:32) Caught sight of a club mate towards the end of mile 4, he said pre race he was looking at 82-83, so was wonder if I was going to fast or if he was struggling. Slowly reeled him in over the next couple of miles, and passed him along the prom in Portobello. Despite being right on the coast we had little to no wind, and it was nice and cool. Perfect conditions! Quick check of the watch at the 10k mat, (39:46) so my 2nd fastest ever 10k! Maybe a bit fast... It was around here my left foot started to hurt, so was having to be careful how I landed. I had worn the same trainers at last years Inverness half, and they destroyed my left foot early on so slight panic was setting in. This was probably why I stepped off the pace a touch in mile 7.
8-11 (6;25, 6:17, 6:22, 6:24) The road into Musselburgh felt tough on the feet, but was bouyed around 7.5 miles when I noticed a club mate in the distance. I had a quick check on the watch and estimated him to be 47 seconds ahead of me. As we pulled into, and then through Musselburgh I could see I was catching him. I ran and had a chat with a Glasgow runner during mile 9, but pushed ahead as I realised I was now only 30 seconds behind my mate. Mile 10 takes you past the cut off to the finish, and 11 takes you almost out to the turn. I was hurting here mentally more than anything as it was such a drag, it was only the sight of my mate ahead that kept me going!
12&13 (6:24, 6:15) The turning point was just past 11 miles, and I was now 15-20 seconds behind my mate. We exchanged a pretty thunderous high 5, and then the chase resumed! Now I was doubling back on the guys behind, the shouts from other club mates really spurred me on even though my body had ready for chucking it. Quick look at the watch at ~20k and realised I was utterly nailed on sub 85, and ad a good shot at 84. And even more importantly I was almost on top of my mate! 400 to go, and I'm now on his heels. I was absolutely sure I had him, until he kicked and I just couldn't, or wouldn't, hold on! So I just focussed on doing nothing stupid and trying to stick myself under 84. 100m to go, and onto some silly metal walk way covering the grass. Unfortunately I was looking way ahead and not at the surface, and tripped over something! Thankfully stayed upright but that'd have been a bit of bum note to end had I went down. Nice and strong finish, paid no attention to anyone else and was delighted to stop the watch on 1:23:55 A new PB by 3:10
Afterthoughts - Even early on my legs hadn't felt great so was very pleased, and my left foot issue was managed fairly well. It's a bit sore now but never became unrunnable. I had tried to drink a little this time, unlike Alloa and I even had 3 shotbloks at 5, 8 and 10 miles but couldn't stomach any more. Breakfast again was just a banana, and again I think it was a mistake.
More pleasingly, I found out at the end that the club mate I was chasing was actually 10 seconds slower than me, so I think I was fastest runner from our club
So a good place to start marathon training from, my worry now is the time I have to be aiming for at Frankfurt. There's only really 1 time I can now look at...
SM, an awesome achievement that is a huge PB and it is all the result of your hard work over the last year, congratulations
Cal, congratulations you are running very well and the improvements keep coming
Ollie, that is a huge week, I think you have deserved a cutback week
NP, a great run and only 2 seconds down is good going, congratulations with the 1st place
Tek, nice doubling yesterday
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Just a quick update, a gorgeous day in Caithness today wall to wall blue sky a bit hot with a gentle cooling breeze, it was unfortunate I could take advantage of the surroundings or the good weather today, the wheels fell big style after half way not helped with a shoelace malfunction, 50:50 on the watch.
It was great to meet up with OH, he is running so well came breezing past me just after the 7k marker.
50:12 chip time and PB by 1m20s
Pleased with that, especially as only a week after CWC
Good to see StewartC (and also a few known faces from North Highland Harriers and Durness)
Great new PB Stuart (hope the shouts were sufficiently muted )
SM many congratulations on the big pb and fantastic time ????
Morning.
SM6: Great report for a great result, well done on the PB.
SC: Well done on the 10k, sorry to hear about the race kerfuffle but hope you enjoyed the day.
OH: Congrats on yet another PB in recent weeks, good stuff.
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First day of cutback week treating my legs to a Bank Holiday 5 miles, hopefully they'll be glad of the break.
Have a good day.
SM6 that's a truly amazing half marathon result , so pleased for you ! Very very well done indeed
OH superb 10k PB as you say especially after last weekend who would have expected that ?
SC pity your race didn't go so well ! There are others , put it behind you
Ollie 92 miles ? That's incredible ! Do you work ?
NP good result as ever congrats on 11th overall and 1st V50 when do you go up a catagory ? Some will be glad to see you move up ! Others will not be so pleased!
MG7 nice pace for the 8.5 on the trails sounds lovely
Cal tell me about it ? Rubbish sleep is all I ever get ! Nice to see your legs found some bounce
Really pissed off I have a little 'crick ' in my ankle so not racing today ! Not too worried about it don't even know how I did it ! its no there all the time but just occasionally ' cricks ' you know what I mean ! I have an important event with club next weekend in Wales which I need to be fit for so resting it ! So swimming later