Back to the gym on Monday (8th) for some time on the cross trainer. I only had time to do 40 minutes and have no idea how far I travelled as I reset the machine to zero by accident before I’d taken a picture! But I did 1.5 minutes long strides at Level 6 difficulty, and 1 minute climbing steps at Level 8 difficulty for the full 40 minutes.
After a lovely rest day on Tuesday (oh how I appreciate those these days) I was back in the gym by 6.30am on Wednesday (10th) for an interval run. I really need to increase the time from an hour and, on paper, it would seem to be doable. However, in practice, the traffic back into Caerleon is awful in the mornings, especially on a Wednesday when it’s also rubbish collection day. So, apart from during the school holidays, days when I don’t have to wash my hair and on non–fasting days (yes, I am still trying to do these although not as disciplined as I used to be), it’s going to have to be an hour only. Maybe I’ll try to run faster in the time! At least when the mornings are lighter I can go back to running outdoors and will be able to increase the time a bit.
It was a very comfortable run. Hot, but bearable and I was watching a fascinating TV programme about goats and entering them into country shows. Ran 5.03 miles at 7kmh (for 10 minutes) and 5kmh (for 2 minutes). My Raceatyourpace total currently stands at 27½ miles so I’ve already smashed the target of 25 miles, which is incredible. I’ll definitely get to 50 miles and could be close to 75 miles at this rate, and barring injury. Two rest days in a row next. How lovely.
Saturday (13th) and it was a cycling session, after I’d finished all the other exercises and warmed up. Had to doo 75 minutes so did 2 minutes fast (over 100 rpm) and 1 minute slow (over 70 rpm). Covered 42.44 km, which is just over 26 miles. That means I actually cycled the distance of the marathon – WOW! No bad after effects but iced my knee and generally took care of myself for the rest of the day (and that included the steam room and spa pool).
Now for today and an attempt at running 9½ miles. Hhhhmmm, nothing wrong with the weather, nothing wrong with my mind set so off I went (after putting the dinner in the slow cooker for later). Izzy was due back today from her skiing trip. Even before I set off, I’d heard that they were back at Gatwick airport. Putting my shoes on turned into a bit of a drama resulting in a bruised hand. It’s really difficult to undo the laces sufficiently so I generally don’t bother. BIG MISTAKE. As I have orthotics in both shoes, there’s no more than enough room for my feet, but as I ram my feet into the shoes, so the orthotics move down and are uncomfortable under my heels. It takes at least two attempts to be comfortable, but it took three with the right foot today. I had my hand in the shoe, trying to hold the orthotic and then pushed my foot down, and caught my knuckle. The bruise is amazing for what I actually did. And then, after that, I forgot to make sure my feet were at the very back of the shoes before I went out so I now have sore toes. What an idiot. Think I’m going to have to learn from this one as I can’t be doing with this every week.
First two miles were fine, although I could feel my shin. Had to stop and take my windproof top off as it was warmer than I thought, and certainly warmer than last week. But then it became difficult and I found myself walking up every tiny incline, even ones I ran up last week. Most bizarre. Maybe the cycling yesterday was just not allowing my legs to move the way I wanted them too. I don’t think so, but who knows…. The last time I had a run like this, there was no one at home when I set out, as was the case today. It was almost like nobody cared that I’d gone out, nobody cared where I was, and nobody cared if I got home safely so I didn’t care how I ran. I carried on but there was no sign of the elation I’d felt last week and I found it just plain tough. In addition, the top of my right foot hurt a bit but I refused to stop for that as there was no reason for it. 9½ miles completed in 1 hour and 52 minutes, which was actually perfectly respectable. The split times were ok too: 11’11”, 11’39”, 12’29”, 11’33”, 11’54”, 11’18”, 12’15”, 12’12”, 11’48”, and (potentially) 11’40”, although I only ran half of the tenth mile.
And as it happened, Andrew was home when I staggered back through the front door. I’d actually completed at least 10 miles as I was a long way from home on the cycle path at the end and warmed down by walking back home. Suppose I could have just run the last half mile but I wasn’t going to chance it.
Raceatyourpace distance of 25 miles is well and truly annihilated as I’m on 37 miles already. And I had to give some thought to our bag packing sessions in a couple of weeks to make sure we maximise the opportunity as it could, potentially, bring in a decent amount.
So, on to next week…..
Rona's 2018 London Marathon Story 