Long runs on treadmills are OUT!

10 km at goal marathon pace 8 km at 30 sec/km slower than MP. them 12 km in 4 x 3 km reps. Each of these 3 km chunks went: 1 km @ marathon pace, 1 km MP @5 secs/km faster than MP, 1 km 10 secs/km faster than MP.

More blisters still!
Despite the lack of visual stimulation and being indoors, was great to switch off the podcasts and dialogue with God about things, and Sunday in particular when I must speak.

Predictive power

7.5km averaging 4:44 /km

Running back from Ikea to my scooter I set myself the goal of running fairly fast, and then remembered there was a large and steep hill to get back up to where I was parked (point to point). So I selected 4:45 as my goal. Couldn't believe my eyes when I looked at my watch as I approached the car park! Encouraging to be able to set goals that are in tune with reality.

hopefully the drop will pre-empt a spike!

I seem to remember saying that for the first time in years it seems that my running "mojo", as a friend of mine recently put it, has taken a dip. I still like it, but the passion and love for this sport that I felt God had given me seems to be slipping. With Marathon Talk, I committed to what seemed to me a low-commitment 5-runs-per week for their spring motivation campaign. Last week I ran three times, one of those thanks to a contact from another runner suggesting a long run. So it went:

Tue: 1 x 2 mile and 3 x 1 mile on a treadmill.

Fri: 2 hour long run half-marathon

Sun: 45 minute steady run over hills.

Thinking through some downhill technique issues, and possibly attempting to overstride.

Recovery after the long run and yesterday's run also noticeably harder than a couple of months ago. :(

Spring marathons and cold air issues

For the second year running (excuse the pun!), I have been coughing following running. Last year was obviously worse, with having something like pneumonia, but there is clearly now some kind of issue with running in the cold which I don't remember from before. Anyhow, until temperatures climb back to something in the teens, I shan't be doing any intensive running. Curiously, just as I was considering this I met an older marathoner who only runs autumn marathons for this exact reason. But I am running this spring marathon, so.... I am going to sink to running a couple of times a week in a fitness centre on a machine! Not sure how I feel about this... Longand steady runs will continue outdoors but without the power surges.

Long run in a fasted state

26 km in 2:25

Following on from an interesting article I was sent by runners connect (INSERT), I decided to try out their advice on doing a long run in a fasted state. I expected it to be a really tiring and difficult experience but actually apart from running the closing 8km into what was at times a tough headwind, I felt strong to the end and wasn't feeling energy deprived at all. I do actually wonder if I failed to achieve the objective of this run. Next week needs to be longer! However, in line with this same article, I don't intend to be doing this kind of session in the final month before my marathon.

God is good! I know I am not quite in the place I want to be in my running with him, but there are many other areas he is working in within me that maybe this is time to simply run. I don't want that to be the case though it is such a great opportunity to reflect and pray. I found this also the other week in those quiet moments I hadn't previously known when getting on a long ski lift by myself. Incredible quiet, calm and views.

Solid 10k, practicing pronation correction in right foot

Not much

Not much running since my week in the snow. I have caught some kind of throat infection which I am slowly getting over. I feel cautious about getting out there when not 100%.

Read a good chapter in stretching in Julien Goater's book. I feel the need to build up some sort of a routine where I don't have to think: what's that stretch I am supposed to be doing again? I like the way he says it needs to break out of the sporting sphere, and just stretch throughout the day.

Flexibility is a discipline. Both physical and relational and relating to training programmes!