Just started week 6 of the training and in spite of illness over Christmas and New Year, I have logged 146 painfully slow miles. My back up plan is I have discovered I can walk almost as fast as I run!! The training is so time consuming, I definately plan to revert to half Marathon distance after April 13th, with a rest.
I have entered the Gloucester 20 on March 2nd, there is a 4 hour time limit which is scary, I want the T-shirt! Bath Half on 16th March, which doesn't worry me too much.
The fundraising is going well. I've got about £1000 of the £1500 in generous pledges and online donations. Thanks for donating and if you haven't, please dig deep.
My Running Diary
February 22nd
I'm being a bit lazy but I have a 20 mile race next weekend and 20 miles scheduled for this Sunday too. The hills make each run feel at least twice as far as it is. 5 miles, round trip through Mijas village. Almost dry but the heavens opened when I got back. I have been running slower down hil than up but I finally got brave andwent at 7.30 pace briefly!
February 19th
Another 10 miler, this time left out of the urbanisation to Alheurin. Down an incredible slope past the golf course, unfortunately it wasn't quite so great on the way back. There's a photos from this run on the weeks post.
February 17th
A 10 mile trot up enormous hills and down again, through Mijas, towards Benalmadena, where the cars almost touched me, there were no pavements and plenty of hairpins. The rain came down and I was colder than in the UK as I had dressed for Summer. When I got back my hands were numb. 2777ft climb!
February 12th
An hour of PT. After a great run on Saturday, presumably because I had rested for 3 days, followed by a lousy one on Sunday, presumably becuase I hadn't, I'm going to be more pragmatic about missing the odd day. I hope I can manage a fast 4miles tomorrow and one long run in Spain at the weekend. I'm unsure how I can manage 19 on Sunday in the mountains of Malaga, it would kill me!
February 11th
I stayed away in Cambridge and was short on time, only managing a small jog and brisk walk from my hotel to the shops to buy a shirt (which I left at home)
February 10th
12 miles on the cycle path to Stroud and then canal to Brimscombe, (slippery and muddy)back by Cainscross and Ebley. Sore hip, very slow and a mistake to carry a litre of fluid in two bottles. I appreciated the drinks but not carrying them!
February 9th
Today was a special day. First time in my women's Brooks GT8 and first time with Lucozade carbo gel and drinks. I did drink a lot, 1.5l and for the first time ever had to attend to nature's call after 5 miles! Carbo Gel is foul, like ultra concentrated orange squash, but I think free in the big race and therefore acceptable. Trainers were pretty comfy. This week had been a bit of a disaster mileage wise, just too busy and long hours. I think the rest did me good. I ran from home to Pitchcombe via Ebley and Cashes Green, then the A46 which is empty. All uphill on the way out. I managed a cracking pace for me. It was so hot that after half a mile, off come my HH baselayer, down to bra. How I wished I was in shorts. Glorious. So 9 miles in 1hr 27, which I am pleased with on my own and with the big hills (I went up and down 1500ft).
February 6th
I really wanted to run yesterday but it just rained and rained. I had a 5.30 start the next day so finally I gave up and had an early night. But today I went to the gym, did 4 miles on the hamster wheel, in intervals of 9km and 11km. I also did a full weight workout, lots of stretching and floor work. Finished off with a sauna and steam. I am behind on the week but might swap my Tuesday of leisure for my scheduled rest on Friday.
February 4th
No running today but I rowed a mile on the concept 2 at the gym. I did loads of stretching and lifted a few weights. I was there for an hour and a half and then had a steam and sauna. My legs recovered pretty quickly from yesterday. My hunger persists!
February 3rd
The plan was 17 miles. I was going ro run into Gloucester and back, same way. When I got to Quedgley I became curious about Elmore, so I followed the signs, through endless new houses and then shockingly came out again at a roundabout I'd passed about 4 miles ago. If I just went home I'd be considerably short on miles so I followed the signs for Harescombe Industrial Estates. Crossed the motorway, ran past Gloucester Constabulary into deep countryside, sheep and no cars. Eventually after quite a climb on very narrow tracks I came to a junction, right Haresfield and Harescomb, left Gloucester. I went right. The a little further on I could go left to Harescomb and the road was closing tomorrow. I thought I better try it today. Big mistake. Miles from anywhere, no idea where I was going but it got steeper and steeper, eventually I walked half a mile. At the very top a sign for Randwick and Whiteshill left and Stroud and Edge right(and a sign saying the gradient on my hill was 1:6!). I was on the A 46 which luckily is open to pedestrians. A long run through Edge and Pitchcombe, all down hill of course. Nipped into Tesco to get a drink (as I did in Quedgley) then home via Cashes Green and Ebley. It was 18 miles and I did it in 3hr 20m (inluding my 1:6 hill). I was lucky it didn't rain but it was SOOO windy, at times I was almost unable to move forward. First time I've had sore feet, even the soles and my calves hurt too, never have that before, probably the hills. Would I do it again, probably!!
February 2nd
I went to up and running in Cheltenham for the Brooks day. I had my running analysed on the PC and I am in the right shoes. I tried to buy a pair of GT8 but they didn't have my size. I bought a Camelpak which has a broken zip, disaster. I got back and had 1hr 45m before I had to be at a 40th Birthday. I managed a fast 4 miles and ended well under plan for the week. There's always next week!
January 30th
An hour of PT. Weights and lots of squats and lunges. Finished off by lots of painful stretching exercises on the floor. I didn't run and am worried about the weather forecast for tomorrow which heralds snow.
January 29th
Managed 4 miles on the treadmill, it felt like a marathon. I hate the treadmill. As I wimped out on the cross training yesterday (my quads and hamstrings were quite tight)I did a few weights and floor exercises, then had a relax in the pool (sauna and steam room). Still on plan, just.
January 27th
16 miles, my longest run this year. In exactly 3 hours which is horribly slow but I ran half at a sprint and the other half I walked (intervals!). I am so bored of plodding along. I haven't put pace alerts on the new Garmin, to keep up my spirits. I underestimated the weather again, it was glorious and within half a mile I had stripped off my Helly henson base layer and ran next 15.5 in a sports bra! 8 miles gets me exactly to Gloucester Rowing Club. I stopped for a drink at McDonalds and bought another at Tesco in Quedgley. I also had two Go Gels so my teeth are rotting. SO sweet. Cross training tomorrow, that means sauna and steam room, can't wait.
January 26th
What a beautiful day. I woke naturally at 11.30am. I was exhausted after a long week in Paris. I set up my new GPS and off I went in shorts T-shirt and no gloves. Big mistake, it is January and it was COLD. I did 8 miles of sprint intervals. A french colleague of mine is only doing interval training for the Paris marathon and reckons he's improved his pace from 6 to 8 Km/hr. Worth a try. I actually enjoyed it and ran faster than I thought I could. Up to Woodchester and back. People looked at me strangely when I was recovering. In all the kit and looking like a heart attack. Long run tomorrow. Week 7 not such a disaster, just 6 miles short of target.
January 25th
Quel Domage. I had a 24 hour vomiting bug again, although as four fellow diners were also ill, maybe it was food poisoning. No running 23/24 but did the same run today at 6am and ran the outbound leg in fast intervals. I had hoped to make up the missing miles in the early evening before my flight, running along the Seine but I was shattered and went to Roissy Charles de Gaulle for a glass of wine instead. Got home 10pm and new GPS is here. Hooray.
January 22nd
Paris, 7am, ran from Le Meridien Montparnasse to Tour Eiffel. I guess about 5 miles but no GPS.
January 20th
Did the requisite 10 miles after a late night with the girls and a few bottles of wine. Think I might abstain until after 13th April, it's always a running day so no time for wine! Still no GPS but I knew the route. Home to Hardwick, back through Haresfield. Very slow.
January 19th
My birthday, 39. In my 40th year! How easy it would have been to lay in, finish "Running on Empty", (which is very funny) and miss the run. Then my new trainers arrived with a "sorry for delay" note. I had to try them on, so off I went to Selsey. My GPS is broken and returned for a replacement, but I ran it in 1hr 15 minuntes according to Rotary, a bit slow but I had to navigate the underwater cycle path ( I didn't want to dirty my gleaming Brooks), a couple of stiles, the bypass and of course the hills, so not too bad. Now I'm guzzling energy gells I don't feel the need to empty a box of cereal when I get through the door. I also drank water with an isotonic tablet dissolved-yummy (not). I hit the plan for the second week(34 miles).
January 18th
A short three miles before heading to the gym for an hour of PT. Mainly leg work as it seems my hip/knee problem is Iliotibial Band Syndrome, a common running injury probably caused by eneven camber on roads and paths.
January 17th
10 miles. Four seasons in one day! Ebley Road to Cashes Green, Tesco, Painswick Road, Pitchcombe, Edge, all uphill. Hoped I'd find a circular route back through Haresfield but the weather became so bad I didn't want to risk it turning into a 15 mile run. Home downhill but against a wind that took my breath away and blew me all over the place. HH top was great, made of plastic, water proof and windproof. Gels and isotonic drinks digusting but effective. Wanted to upload the run to see the climb in feet but my Garmin has broken. It's 7 months old so I have emailed for a warranty replacement. luckily I know the mileage on enough runs to carry on the training plan. I'm 4 miles behind but can make that up tomorrow (meant to be rest but have had 2 days of that this week!)
January 16th
I took yesterday today. My hip was a bit sore and both my pairs of trainers were wet. The new ones haven't arrived. I did go to up and running in Cheltenham. I bought a Helly Henson Baselayer and some gels for the long runs. Will try tomorrow.
January 15th
Confession time. Saturday was a boozy office party and a 3am to bed. It rained all day Sunday and if I'd done 10 miles I'd be in hospital. Planned to catch up Monday but it rained and it rained. So today I did 14 to compensate. The rain was no longer falling but standing! Standish, Haresfield, Harescombe ( I actually couldn't get through and had to turn back), Hardwick, Quedgley. Used the facilities in Tesco and ran back. I was up to my knees in puddles at least 4 times and to my thighs twice! Cars' spray covered me head to toe! Dr Foster went to Gloucester? Trainers ruined (a pair en route from an internet buy). Mile 11 I did the 1 mile walk test as in Feb RW, in 12.3m, excellent, until I realised it was a test for non runners!
January 12th
Did the run of 9th in reverse, so through Ebley, Caines Cross, Beeches Green, Stroud, cycle path home. More steep hills this way but was OK. Was snow on the ground in places and floods, so i ended up to my ankles in freezing water! Ate Extra strong mints to keep up the blood sugar. My first week of following the plan.
January 11th
Day of rest.
January 10th
Awful driving rain and wind. Boiler broken so no hot water or heating. Ran 3 miles up towards junction 13 of the M5 and back via railway crossing. Then to gym to shower before heading off!
January 9th
7 miles. Into Stroud on cycle path, up to Beeches Green, down to Cashes Green and home through Ebley. An expansion of my 6 mile route around Stroud. Its quite hilly but my legs felt stronger even if I was slow. I wore my other trainers which must be laced more comfortably as feet fine. I like this route.
January 8th
Nearly nothing then a last minute dash to the gym. 3 miles on the treadmill, very painful and boring,a quick weights session and a relaxing swim. I am following a marathon plan now with daily targets. My secret.
January 7th
A rare day off work so I went to the gym for an hour and had a swim. Relaxing after yesterday. Then I got my hair cut. Hard day! Bumped into a friend who pledged £50 so it was worth getting up.
January 6th
Today was going to be a 6 mile flat run. I set off but seemed to be going so slowly I decided I better go further to make it worth going out at all! Set off along the cycle path to Sainsbury, up to Nailsworth, back to Stroud, up to Caines Cross and home via Ebley. Really slow, 2 hours 34m! But when I analysed the GPS I apparently went up nearly 4000ft, which could explain why it was tough. I definately needed fuel which I didn't take. I think I'm going to lose a toenail too. It had nearly grown back. For some reason my trainers were really pressing on the toe. Must sort that out before I go out again. A rest day tomorrow, I think.
January 5th
My first run since I was laid up sick, 23rd December, 11 days! So sensibly I chose the hill run up through Selsey. It was frightening how much harder it was today, especially punctuated by coughing attacks. 1 hour 7 minutes, shameful!
January 4th
An hour at the gym with Ed, arm strength, not sure why I need that for running a marathon but apparently I do. And lots of leg presses. Back into the swing.
December 28th
I really was worse on 26th and things didn't improve very much very fast. Norwalk Virus (I won't post the details of that, google it), chest infection, UTI and now I'm Hyperthyroid too. So not a good Christmas. No running done since 23rd and frankly I don't think I'll be up for it within the week. At least the antibiotics are working. And, I'm going to miss TWO drinks parties today.
24th and 25th December
I'm wimping out for two days, partly to be festive and partly because I have a cough which I was generously given by my children. I was going to have 25/6 off but now unless I am worse I WILL run on 26th!
Sunday 23rd December
I decided to brave the terrifying run I did with Stroud Athletic Club last Tuesday. Starting and finishing at home rather than Archway which cut it by 2 miles! Home to Sainsbury, up Selsey hill (800ft), through Kings Stanley, back to the bypass and home. 6 miles in an hour dead. Beautiful crisp morning. Mile one at 9 minute pace, mile 2 at speed intervals 8.15, mile 3 up the hill too embarrassing to note, mile 4 lovely down the hill and last 2 a bit dull. This was better on my own in the light and I shall try it once a week.
Saturday 22nd December
My first long training run. 10 miles with an average pace of 10.33, which isn't a bad start. Home to Standish, across the M5 through Hardwick, back through the lanes of Haresfield, Standish and home. For cars users who think it's flat, think again, the overall climb is 838 feet!!
I'm being a bit lazy but I have a 20 mile race next weekend and 20 miles scheduled for this Sunday too. The hills make each run feel at least twice as far as it is. 5 miles, round trip through Mijas village. Almost dry but the heavens opened when I got back. I have been running slower down hil than up but I finally got brave andwent at 7.30 pace briefly!
February 19th
Another 10 miler, this time left out of the urbanisation to Alheurin. Down an incredible slope past the golf course, unfortunately it wasn't quite so great on the way back. There's a photos from this run on the weeks post.
February 17th
A 10 mile trot up enormous hills and down again, through Mijas, towards Benalmadena, where the cars almost touched me, there were no pavements and plenty of hairpins. The rain came down and I was colder than in the UK as I had dressed for Summer. When I got back my hands were numb. 2777ft climb!
February 12th
An hour of PT. After a great run on Saturday, presumably because I had rested for 3 days, followed by a lousy one on Sunday, presumably becuase I hadn't, I'm going to be more pragmatic about missing the odd day. I hope I can manage a fast 4miles tomorrow and one long run in Spain at the weekend. I'm unsure how I can manage 19 on Sunday in the mountains of Malaga, it would kill me!
February 11th
I stayed away in Cambridge and was short on time, only managing a small jog and brisk walk from my hotel to the shops to buy a shirt (which I left at home)
February 10th
12 miles on the cycle path to Stroud and then canal to Brimscombe, (slippery and muddy)back by Cainscross and Ebley. Sore hip, very slow and a mistake to carry a litre of fluid in two bottles. I appreciated the drinks but not carrying them!
February 9th
Today was a special day. First time in my women's Brooks GT8 and first time with Lucozade carbo gel and drinks. I did drink a lot, 1.5l and for the first time ever had to attend to nature's call after 5 miles! Carbo Gel is foul, like ultra concentrated orange squash, but I think free in the big race and therefore acceptable. Trainers were pretty comfy. This week had been a bit of a disaster mileage wise, just too busy and long hours. I think the rest did me good. I ran from home to Pitchcombe via Ebley and Cashes Green, then the A46 which is empty. All uphill on the way out. I managed a cracking pace for me. It was so hot that after half a mile, off come my HH baselayer, down to bra. How I wished I was in shorts. Glorious. So 9 miles in 1hr 27, which I am pleased with on my own and with the big hills (I went up and down 1500ft).
February 6th
I really wanted to run yesterday but it just rained and rained. I had a 5.30 start the next day so finally I gave up and had an early night. But today I went to the gym, did 4 miles on the hamster wheel, in intervals of 9km and 11km. I also did a full weight workout, lots of stretching and floor work. Finished off with a sauna and steam. I am behind on the week but might swap my Tuesday of leisure for my scheduled rest on Friday.
February 4th
No running today but I rowed a mile on the concept 2 at the gym. I did loads of stretching and lifted a few weights. I was there for an hour and a half and then had a steam and sauna. My legs recovered pretty quickly from yesterday. My hunger persists!
February 3rd
The plan was 17 miles. I was going ro run into Gloucester and back, same way. When I got to Quedgley I became curious about Elmore, so I followed the signs, through endless new houses and then shockingly came out again at a roundabout I'd passed about 4 miles ago. If I just went home I'd be considerably short on miles so I followed the signs for Harescombe Industrial Estates. Crossed the motorway, ran past Gloucester Constabulary into deep countryside, sheep and no cars. Eventually after quite a climb on very narrow tracks I came to a junction, right Haresfield and Harescomb, left Gloucester. I went right. The a little further on I could go left to Harescomb and the road was closing tomorrow. I thought I better try it today. Big mistake. Miles from anywhere, no idea where I was going but it got steeper and steeper, eventually I walked half a mile. At the very top a sign for Randwick and Whiteshill left and Stroud and Edge right(and a sign saying the gradient on my hill was 1:6!). I was on the A 46 which luckily is open to pedestrians. A long run through Edge and Pitchcombe, all down hill of course. Nipped into Tesco to get a drink (as I did in Quedgley) then home via Cashes Green and Ebley. It was 18 miles and I did it in 3hr 20m (inluding my 1:6 hill). I was lucky it didn't rain but it was SOOO windy, at times I was almost unable to move forward. First time I've had sore feet, even the soles and my calves hurt too, never have that before, probably the hills. Would I do it again, probably!!
February 2nd
I went to up and running in Cheltenham for the Brooks day. I had my running analysed on the PC and I am in the right shoes. I tried to buy a pair of GT8 but they didn't have my size. I bought a Camelpak which has a broken zip, disaster. I got back and had 1hr 45m before I had to be at a 40th Birthday. I managed a fast 4 miles and ended well under plan for the week. There's always next week!
January 30th
An hour of PT. Weights and lots of squats and lunges. Finished off by lots of painful stretching exercises on the floor. I didn't run and am worried about the weather forecast for tomorrow which heralds snow.
January 29th
Managed 4 miles on the treadmill, it felt like a marathon. I hate the treadmill. As I wimped out on the cross training yesterday (my quads and hamstrings were quite tight)I did a few weights and floor exercises, then had a relax in the pool (sauna and steam room). Still on plan, just.
January 27th
16 miles, my longest run this year. In exactly 3 hours which is horribly slow but I ran half at a sprint and the other half I walked (intervals!). I am so bored of plodding along. I haven't put pace alerts on the new Garmin, to keep up my spirits. I underestimated the weather again, it was glorious and within half a mile I had stripped off my Helly henson base layer and ran next 15.5 in a sports bra! 8 miles gets me exactly to Gloucester Rowing Club. I stopped for a drink at McDonalds and bought another at Tesco in Quedgley. I also had two Go Gels so my teeth are rotting. SO sweet. Cross training tomorrow, that means sauna and steam room, can't wait.
January 26th
What a beautiful day. I woke naturally at 11.30am. I was exhausted after a long week in Paris. I set up my new GPS and off I went in shorts T-shirt and no gloves. Big mistake, it is January and it was COLD. I did 8 miles of sprint intervals. A french colleague of mine is only doing interval training for the Paris marathon and reckons he's improved his pace from 6 to 8 Km/hr. Worth a try. I actually enjoyed it and ran faster than I thought I could. Up to Woodchester and back. People looked at me strangely when I was recovering. In all the kit and looking like a heart attack. Long run tomorrow. Week 7 not such a disaster, just 6 miles short of target.
January 25th
Quel Domage. I had a 24 hour vomiting bug again, although as four fellow diners were also ill, maybe it was food poisoning. No running 23/24 but did the same run today at 6am and ran the outbound leg in fast intervals. I had hoped to make up the missing miles in the early evening before my flight, running along the Seine but I was shattered and went to Roissy Charles de Gaulle for a glass of wine instead. Got home 10pm and new GPS is here. Hooray.
January 22nd
Paris, 7am, ran from Le Meridien Montparnasse to Tour Eiffel. I guess about 5 miles but no GPS.
January 20th
Did the requisite 10 miles after a late night with the girls and a few bottles of wine. Think I might abstain until after 13th April, it's always a running day so no time for wine! Still no GPS but I knew the route. Home to Hardwick, back through Haresfield. Very slow.
January 19th
My birthday, 39. In my 40th year! How easy it would have been to lay in, finish "Running on Empty", (which is very funny) and miss the run. Then my new trainers arrived with a "sorry for delay" note. I had to try them on, so off I went to Selsey. My GPS is broken and returned for a replacement, but I ran it in 1hr 15 minuntes according to Rotary, a bit slow but I had to navigate the underwater cycle path ( I didn't want to dirty my gleaming Brooks), a couple of stiles, the bypass and of course the hills, so not too bad. Now I'm guzzling energy gells I don't feel the need to empty a box of cereal when I get through the door. I also drank water with an isotonic tablet dissolved-yummy (not). I hit the plan for the second week(34 miles).
January 18th
A short three miles before heading to the gym for an hour of PT. Mainly leg work as it seems my hip/knee problem is Iliotibial Band Syndrome, a common running injury probably caused by eneven camber on roads and paths.
January 17th
10 miles. Four seasons in one day! Ebley Road to Cashes Green, Tesco, Painswick Road, Pitchcombe, Edge, all uphill. Hoped I'd find a circular route back through Haresfield but the weather became so bad I didn't want to risk it turning into a 15 mile run. Home downhill but against a wind that took my breath away and blew me all over the place. HH top was great, made of plastic, water proof and windproof. Gels and isotonic drinks digusting but effective. Wanted to upload the run to see the climb in feet but my Garmin has broken. It's 7 months old so I have emailed for a warranty replacement. luckily I know the mileage on enough runs to carry on the training plan. I'm 4 miles behind but can make that up tomorrow (meant to be rest but have had 2 days of that this week!)
January 16th
I took yesterday today. My hip was a bit sore and both my pairs of trainers were wet. The new ones haven't arrived. I did go to up and running in Cheltenham. I bought a Helly Henson Baselayer and some gels for the long runs. Will try tomorrow.
January 15th
Confession time. Saturday was a boozy office party and a 3am to bed. It rained all day Sunday and if I'd done 10 miles I'd be in hospital. Planned to catch up Monday but it rained and it rained. So today I did 14 to compensate. The rain was no longer falling but standing! Standish, Haresfield, Harescombe ( I actually couldn't get through and had to turn back), Hardwick, Quedgley. Used the facilities in Tesco and ran back. I was up to my knees in puddles at least 4 times and to my thighs twice! Cars' spray covered me head to toe! Dr Foster went to Gloucester? Trainers ruined (a pair en route from an internet buy). Mile 11 I did the 1 mile walk test as in Feb RW, in 12.3m, excellent, until I realised it was a test for non runners!
January 12th
Did the run of 9th in reverse, so through Ebley, Caines Cross, Beeches Green, Stroud, cycle path home. More steep hills this way but was OK. Was snow on the ground in places and floods, so i ended up to my ankles in freezing water! Ate Extra strong mints to keep up the blood sugar. My first week of following the plan.
January 11th
Day of rest.
January 10th
Awful driving rain and wind. Boiler broken so no hot water or heating. Ran 3 miles up towards junction 13 of the M5 and back via railway crossing. Then to gym to shower before heading off!
January 9th
7 miles. Into Stroud on cycle path, up to Beeches Green, down to Cashes Green and home through Ebley. An expansion of my 6 mile route around Stroud. Its quite hilly but my legs felt stronger even if I was slow. I wore my other trainers which must be laced more comfortably as feet fine. I like this route.
January 8th
Nearly nothing then a last minute dash to the gym. 3 miles on the treadmill, very painful and boring,a quick weights session and a relaxing swim. I am following a marathon plan now with daily targets. My secret.
January 7th
A rare day off work so I went to the gym for an hour and had a swim. Relaxing after yesterday. Then I got my hair cut. Hard day! Bumped into a friend who pledged £50 so it was worth getting up.
January 6th
Today was going to be a 6 mile flat run. I set off but seemed to be going so slowly I decided I better go further to make it worth going out at all! Set off along the cycle path to Sainsbury, up to Nailsworth, back to Stroud, up to Caines Cross and home via Ebley. Really slow, 2 hours 34m! But when I analysed the GPS I apparently went up nearly 4000ft, which could explain why it was tough. I definately needed fuel which I didn't take. I think I'm going to lose a toenail too. It had nearly grown back. For some reason my trainers were really pressing on the toe. Must sort that out before I go out again. A rest day tomorrow, I think.
January 5th
My first run since I was laid up sick, 23rd December, 11 days! So sensibly I chose the hill run up through Selsey. It was frightening how much harder it was today, especially punctuated by coughing attacks. 1 hour 7 minutes, shameful!
January 4th
An hour at the gym with Ed, arm strength, not sure why I need that for running a marathon but apparently I do. And lots of leg presses. Back into the swing.
December 28th
I really was worse on 26th and things didn't improve very much very fast. Norwalk Virus (I won't post the details of that, google it), chest infection, UTI and now I'm Hyperthyroid too. So not a good Christmas. No running done since 23rd and frankly I don't think I'll be up for it within the week. At least the antibiotics are working. And, I'm going to miss TWO drinks parties today.
24th and 25th December
I'm wimping out for two days, partly to be festive and partly because I have a cough which I was generously given by my children. I was going to have 25/6 off but now unless I am worse I WILL run on 26th!
Sunday 23rd December
I decided to brave the terrifying run I did with Stroud Athletic Club last Tuesday. Starting and finishing at home rather than Archway which cut it by 2 miles! Home to Sainsbury, up Selsey hill (800ft), through Kings Stanley, back to the bypass and home. 6 miles in an hour dead. Beautiful crisp morning. Mile one at 9 minute pace, mile 2 at speed intervals 8.15, mile 3 up the hill too embarrassing to note, mile 4 lovely down the hill and last 2 a bit dull. This was better on my own in the light and I shall try it once a week.
Saturday 22nd December
My first long training run. 10 miles with an average pace of 10.33, which isn't a bad start. Home to Standish, across the M5 through Hardwick, back through the lanes of Haresfield, Standish and home. For cars users who think it's flat, think again, the overall climb is 838 feet!!
