Week 6 Run 1: Amazing!

So...this week hasn't exactly gone to plan, hence why run 1 is on Saturday! Work has been very busy this week, meaning I missed running club on Tuesday, and have been getting home so late that I've been wanting dinner and a rest, rather than a run!

I decided to try and fit one run in before my long run tomorrow, so that this week wasn't totally written off! I headed out the door around midday, and ran the mile or so to the nearby woods and lake. I had a rough idea of a route (was aiming for around 4 miles), and decided to keep the pace nice and slow - didn't want to tire myself out before the long run. I often forget to appreciate the lovely countryside around where I live - I much prefer running through woodland than on the pavements and I'm lucky enough to have plenty of it round here. Most of it is Army training land, so there are lots of these signs around!


After looping round the lake, I headed home. Isn't it pretty?


I really enjoyed this run. All of my runs for the past couple of months have been focussed on building distance (long runs), going faster (time trials), going at someone else's pace (club runs) or being quick (lunchtime runs!), so it was really nice just to 'run'.

Length: 4.65 miles/4 miles
Time: 55:40
Pace: 11:58 min/mile

Week 6 Training Plan

Not long to go now!

Tuesday: General run - 4 miles (Running Club)
Friday: Easy run - 2.5 miles
Sunday: Long run - 12 miles

Weekly Total: 18.5 miles

Week 5 Run 3 - Much Better!

Well after last week's disastrous 'long' run, I was hoping for a better one today. I'd planned out a 10 mile route, and so off I set.

Took a couple of miles to get into it (which annoyingly always seems to be the case), but relaxed into it and felt really good for miles 3-8. Legs started to tire towards the end, and there was more walking than I'd have liked, but I managed to complete the whole route. I actually added in a little loop in the middle, so it ended up being 11 miles.

I took my ipod with me today, but knowing the battery was low, decided to start off without it (they're not allowed at Bath Half), I didn't use it until the last 1.5 miles, when I was getting very tired, but hopefully by that point the crowd will pull me round without the need for music.

I didn't run the whole way, and I didn't go very fast, but on the back of today's run, a half marathon doesn't seem like a totally ridiculous idea. I know I'll have to walk parts of it, and that I'll be towards the back, but feeling much more confident that I'll actually finish!

Length: 11 miles/10 miles
Time: ~2hrs 20mins
Pace: 12:42 min/mile
Half Marathon Time: 2hrs 48mins (based on this run - provided by Fetcheveryone.com)

Week 5 Run 2: Another PB!

Went to the new ParkRun again today, for the first 'official' one. After last week's 'PB', I wanted to try and match the time. Because last week was a test run, a few of us took a wrong turning (due to a missing sign!), which ended up being a bit of a shortcut, but then we sort of doubled up on ourselves. The point being that I couldn't be 100% sure whether I'd actually run 5km - it could have been a bit over or under. So this week, (following the directions properly!) I wanted to make sure that I actually had improved on my PB.

I started off quite quickly, but managed to maintain that pace for the first lap (of the two lap course), wo I ran that in 14:50 - on target for the PB. I slowed down a bit on the second lap, but kept making a conscious effort to up my pace (it seems so natural to slow down a bit, and sometimes I find this happens almost without realising it). I hadn't started my HRm at exactly the right time, so had to wait for the official results to come through on email.

Before last weeks unofficial PB, my 5km PB stood at 31:52, last week's time was 31:18 and today's time was (drumroll please!) 30:10!

I'm so pleased - almost 110 seconds off my PB, the first sub-10 minute mile race I've ever run and I now I know that a sub-30 time is well within my reach! :D

I also got a free Nite Vision reflective bib as it was the first race - which was a nice surprise at the end. :)

Length: 3.1 miles/3.1 miles
Time: 30:10
Pace: 9:42 min/mile

Week 5 Run 1: Much Better :)

After the horrendous run on Sunday, tonight's run has restored my faith in running. :)

There wasn't anything overly amazing about it, but it was a good distance, a good pace and some good conversations!

I'm very fortunate that at my running club, there is a large group on Tuesdays, so I usually able to choose from 4 groups to go out with; run-walkers, ~4.5 miles, ~5.5 miles, ~6 miles (fast paced, sometimes with hills!). I usually go out with the 4.5 mile group, which is around 11:30-12 minute miles, but last night I went out with the 5.5 mile group, which is closer to 10:30-11 minute miles, as I wanted to make up a bit of effort from Sunday's run!

The pace was good, challenging but not difficult, and we managed 6 miles, including a long, slow hill at the end.

Got chatting to a few others in the group, including one woman who is also training for her first half marathon (a week after mine). It was good to compare notes, and made me feel a bit less panicked, as her long runs are currently 7-8 miles and she's confident she'll get round, so I'm sure I will be fine (fingers crossed!)

Length: 6.0 miles/4 miles
Time: 1hr 14mins
Pace: Technically 12:16, due to the many roads and junctions we had to cross, but actually running pace was closer to 10:45-11 minute/miles

Week 5 Training Plan

The plan for week five is:

Tuesday: General run - 4 miles (Running Club)
Friday: Easy run - 3.1 miles
Or
Saturday: Tempo run - 5km (ParkRun)
Sunday: Long run - 10 miles

Weekly Total: 17.1 miles

Week 4 Run 3: Disasterous :(

Awful run today. I was so up for a nice long, slow run when I got up. But had a busy morning, which meant that by the time I got home, I needed to eat again before heading out as it had been about 4 hours since breakfast! So I had some lunch, then had to wait for that to digest, before finally setting off around 3pm.

I didn't even manage to get halfway round Fleet Pond (about 2km into the run) before stopping to walk, it had nothing to do with being out of breath, I just felt really tired, legs felt heavy etc. I forced myself to stay out for an hour, with a mixture of running and walking. Far, far too much walking. :(

I think it was a combination of heading out too late in the day and perhaps a bit of a hangover from the Parkrun the day before (running at race pace).

Really need to do a 10 miler next Sunday - there are only 3 Sundays before the race, and one of those will be taper week!

Length: 4.6 miles/10 miles
Time: 59 mins
Pace: 13:20 min/mile (told ya I walked lots!)
Half Marathon Time: 3hrs 06mins (based on this run - provided by Fetcheveryone.com)

Week 4 Run 2: 5km PB! :)

I sometimes go to Basingstoke Parkrun, which is the closest to me, although still a 15/20 minute drive away. I think Parkrun's are brilliant. For anyone who doesn't know what they are, they're a free, weekly timed 5km. They're becoming increasingly popular, with new ones opening all the time. See their website to find one near you, www.parkrun.org.uk.

I was therefore quite excited to hear that a couple of people from my running club were setting up a new one, much closer to home. It officially launches next week, but this week was a trial run, where around 15 people from the club ran the course to ensure that the directions were clear (which they mostly were!) and that the time recording equipment worked.

I hadn't run 5km distance for some time - I've been too busy focusing on running further and further! I started off a bit too quickly, but didn't stop to walk and maintained a good pace throughout. My unofficial time (according to my HRM) was 31:18, which is 34 seconds quicker than my previous 5km PB! :D So close to a sub 10 minute mile pace as well - next time!

I've just entered Cancer Research's Race For Life, which was my first race. Its not until June, but I'd love to get an sub-30minute time for it, so after Bath Half, I think that will be my new focus. :)

Length: 3.1 miles/3.1 miles
Time: 31:18
Pace: 10:04 min/mile

Week 4 Run 1: Hilly, but enjoyable

Another enjoyable club run tonight. There were so many people that we ended up splitting in to quite small groups, so there was only about 8 in the group I was in. It was good though, as we were all the same pace, so no one had to loop or wait for anyone else.

We met up at the 'alternative' park (as we do for the first run each month). This route includes a lap around Broadmoor hospital and a couple of serious hills! I remember the first time I attempted 'Broadmoor Hill' - didn't get very far up it! Now, I can run all the way to the top, and focus on maintaining a constant pace all the way up.

Length: 4.75 miles/4 miles
Time: 57:31
Pace: 12:06 min/mile

Training Plan - Week 4

Week four - halfway through now!

Tuesday: General run - 4 miles (Running Club)
Saturday: Tempo run - 5km (ParkRun)
Sunday: Long run - 10 miles

Weekly Total: 17.1 miles

Week 3 Run 2

Not much to report here - I didn't do it! Was scheduled for Friday lunchtime, but didn't get a chance to leave the office, and decided that, as it was only 3 miles, it would be okay to miss a training session for once.

Week 3 Run 1

Went out with the club tonight and had a really nice run. The pace was comfortable, certainly didn't push myself, but I kept it steady the whole way round. Since I had netball training last night and a netball match tomorrow, I didn't want to over do it today!

Was chatting to a lovely lady for most of the run who is also training for her first half marathon (a few weeks before mine). I don't normally talk that much, as most of the members know each other really well, but it really helped the time pass quicker - I didn't once feel like I wanted to stop/turn back or was bored. :)

Length: 4.6 miles/4 miles
Time: 53:00 (approx - forgot to stop my HRM as soon as we'd finished!)
Pace: 12:02 min/mile(approx)

Training Plan - Week 3

Week three of the training plan looks like this:

Tuesday: General run - 4 miles (Running Club)
Friday: Easy run - 3 miles (Lunchtime run)
Sunday: Long(ish!) run - 6 miles [I have a hectic weekend involving alcohol, so know I won't be up for a long run the morning after, so am going to keep it shorter this week]

Weekly Total: 13 miles

Week 2 Run 3

Really tough run today. Wasn't in the mood for the long run that was scheduled. Decided to try the old trick of running for 1 mile and if I'm still not in the mood, then at least I tried. I always find that by the time I've done 1 mile, I've losened up and am happy to carry on. Not today. After a mile I really wasn't enjoying it, but decided to push on to mile 2, still not enjoying it, but decided I had to carry on to mile 3, so that if I turned around then, at least I'd have done 6 miles, which is really the shortest distance that I would class as a long run.

Finally at about 2.5 miles in it got better :) I felt comfortable for the next 5 miles, although still would have happily stopped and had to have an arguement with myself everytime I came to a junction - carry on on the pre-planned 9 mile route, or head back home via the quickest route! Towards the end, my legs started to feel tired, but I pushed on, and am really pleased I did. Am glad to have a 9 mile run under my belt, but I realise that this half marathon is going to be more of a mental battle than a physical one.

Length: 9 miles/9 miles
Time: 1hr 51m 45s
Pace: 12:25 min/mile
Half Marathon Time: 2hrs 46mins (based on this run - provided by Fetcheveryone.com)

Week 2 Run 2

Just a short lunchtime run today, to keep the legs moving. Did a few sprint intervals, but also walked some of it as the path was so boggy and muddy!

Length: 2.7 miles/2 miles
Time: 31:30
Pace: 11:32 min/mile

Week 2 Run 1

Went out with the club tonight and had a pretty good run. I went out with the main group and we kept up a good pace - quicker than I would have gone if I'd have been out on my own, which can only be a good thing! Pace was closer to race pace, although the pace below doesn't reflect this as there was quite a lot of stop starting; crossing roads, waiting for people to catch up etc.

Length: 4.4 miles/4 miles
Time: 53:14
Pace: 12:06 min/mile

Training Plan - Week 2

Moving on to week two of the plan - 7 weeks to go now!

Tuesday: General run - 4 miles (Running Club)
Friday: Easy run - 2 miles (Lunchtime run)
Sunday: Long run - 9 miles

Weekly Total: 15 miles

Week 1 Run 3

Today was my long run - 7.5 miles planned. Really hadn't been looking forward to it, I hadn't run this far since early December! I planned out a route in advance and set off.

First few miles were horrible - I had several stitches and really wanted to turn back. But with 7 weeks to go until the big day, I knew I had to knuckle down. Pace was a little slower than I'd have liked, but I did walk a couple of sections due to the stitches.

Partially frozen Fleet Pond

The second half of the run was much better, I got into my stride and relaxed a bit. Legs felt good throughout, although a bit tired towards the end, and I actually felt stronger at the end of the run than I did at the beginning. So much so, that I added in an extra loop to make it up to 8 miles (slightly overestimated though!). :)

Ducks on the pond

Length: 8.3 miles/7.5 miles
Time: 1hr 40m 30 s
Pace: 12:08 min/mile
Half Marathon Time: 2hrs 43mins (based on this run - provided by Fetcheveryone.com)

Week 1 Run 2

Another lunchtime run. Calves were *so* tight, that they really started to feel sore after 5 minutes, so I stopped and really stretched them out, and they were okay for the rest of the run. I think my aerobic DVD (which contains lots of jumping!) had obviously given them quite a workout the other night!

I ran from work to Richmond Park, quick mile in the park, then ran home. It was okay, am starting to dread my long run this weekend - am not enjoying my runs much at the moment :(. Was a struggle to not turn back early today - how am I going to manage 7.5 miles (heck - how am I going to manage 13.1?!)

Little stream in Richmond Park

Length: 3.3 miles/3 miles
Time: 37:50
Pace: 11:22 min/mile

Week 1 Run 1

Managed to drag my ass out of the office for a lunchtime run around snowy Richmond Park. Was very pretty, but also very cold and icey! Its very open and the wind was strong - made my eyes water! Paths were very slippery, so was slower than usual and had to cut the run a bit short to get back to the office in time.

Snow covered Richmond Park

Length: 2.7 miles/3 miles
Time: 32:20
Pace: 12:07 min/mile

Training Plan - Week One

So, my first week on the new training plan - only 8 weeks of it! Have already amended this slightly as the snow has limited my running options slightly, so am planning to still do 3 runs, but slightly shorter than planned.

Tuesday: General run - 3 mile lunchtime run (running club cancelled)
Friday: Easy run - 3 miles
Sunday: Long run - 7.5 miles

Weekly Total: 13.5 miles

First Run

So, although my training plan officially started today, I went out for a run yesterday.

I'd planned to do 6 miles, but the snow reduced this to 4.5 ('just' 9 miles short of the half marathon!). Although running in the snow itself was alright (although harder than running on the road), I had to walk 1.5 miles on icey pavements to get to the forest to start running, and along with the difficulty of running in the snow, the extra time it took and having to avoid obstacles such as fallen branches, ice and children sledging. After an hour I'd had enough, and still had to walk back home!

Snowy Hawley Woods

It was very pretty though, and looked very 'Narnian' (before the witch dies obviously!).

Am finalising my training plan at the moment, and will post it up asap. :)

The time has come...

Well, now that 2010 is well and truly here, the time has come to create a training plan and start training! As I type this, I have just over 8 weeks until Bath Half Marathon, which sounds scarily close - I'm trying to ignore the countdown timer on the blog :D

*The Aim*
I'm aiming to run 3 times per week during this training, and the aim is just to finish - I'm not looking to set any speed records!

I know I can run a comfortably for 60-90 minutes (6-8 miles) and have run two 2-hour runs (both races), so I need to have one long per week, which focuses on building up the distance. I'd be really pleased if I could complete one 12 mile run prior to the race; realistically I don't think I'm going to have time to complete the full distance beforehand. The other two runs each week, will be much shorter (one with the club and one during my lunchbreak at work), and for these 8 weeks, I'm not going to worry about speedwork, track sessions or time trials. I can go back to them afterwards.

*The Plan*
So my exercise week will look something like this (also including non-running training sessions);
Mo - Netball Training (1 hour)
Tu - Club Run (4.5-5 miles, around 1 hour)
We - Netball Match (alternate Wednesdays, 1 hour)
Fr - Easy/Short Run (2-3 miles, 25-30 minutes)
Su - Long Run (6-12 miles, 1-2.5 hours)