what week are we at?!

I'm into week 6! I never thought I was this far into the training! I only have 2 blogs to my name for this training session. Thank god my runs haven't been as bad as my blogging. Saying that I was ashamed to blog last Monday as I never did my long run last week (8 miles). I can tell you all the excuses under the sun as to why I didn't but I didn't. And I actually really enjoyed not getting up early with the thoughts of a long run ruining my Saturday/Sunday morning. It was quite a nice rest. I did do my week runs leading up so at least my legs didn't forget how to run when I started my week 5 last week. I now run to and from work once a week which is nice as I get my week day runs in with a commute. I really dislike the run to work. For some reason I find that one really boring compared to the route home (it's the same route....). Might try and change it up a bit or get some music to entertain myself. It's a varying length of 4.5 miles to 5 mile route depending which way a go and if I make up a couple more miles for myself. I did these runs on Tuesday and Wednesday last week as I had Friday off and was going to be enjoying my Valentines with lots of wine so decided to long run it on Sunday.

On Saturday though I wasn't hungover at all. It seems the wine wasn't as bad to me as it normally is.But I had a plan to go with Sunday so I stuck to it. Sunday was a glorious day. The conditions were absolutely perfect! There was a light wind but that took from the heat beaming down from the sun. I found it hard to mark up my route for this run. I was all over Ealing trying to make up the mileage for myself. Had to double back and rerun tracks. But I got it down. Visiting 6 parks as I went along the way. I felt great during the run which had a 9:03min/mile pace. I hope that all the rest of the runs stay like this now!

My long ass random route! 

I need to keep this up and not forget my long runs. They are very important! I need to get my speed sessions back in too. I love them and I really think they help. This week may be a bit busy though as I'm away from home at the weekend so need to fit my long run in on Friday before work. Not going to be a nice cycle to work at all on Friday! 

Happy running! 

..week 2 complete!

So here we are again! Monday and I'm shaming myself into what I have and haven't done with regards training. Last weeks training...was a little mixed. I was really in a strange mood as to what to do and when to do it. I know I have a plan but I'm finding it hard to get up in the mornings and run in the evenings. Any way less moaning and more reporting!

Monday: Should have been 4 miles easy (didn't). Fail
Tuesday: Should have been rest. Was 5 miles tempo intervals (Wed training). Success?
Wednesday: Re: above
Thursday: 4 miles steady state. Complete (3.5)!
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 6 miles (6.3 miles) at slow pace
Sunday: Rest

So there we have it! I did miss out on one set of training which I shouldn't have. Here come the excuses....

1) I cycle a lot (10 miles a day at least). So my legs are tired....
2) It's dark in the morning. Bad excuse...
3) I'm tired in the morning...still not a good excuse
4) It's dark at night...again I need to fix this.
5) I'm tired at night.

So no. I need to get my week runs in check. I have lots of options I just need to actually stick with them. Treadmill running bores me senseless but I have a perfectly good track outside (Linford Christie) and the large wormwood scrubs. I have reflector gear I can use at night and the street lights are really bright. Next goal is to get my feet out the door during the week and not rely on the treadmill to pound the miles.

Total counts:
Run: 14.84 miles 2 hours and 13 minutes
Cycle: 50 miles

Goal this week. An outdoor midweek run! Let's do it!

...week 1 complete!

So here we are again! One week of training completed and I am still willing to keep going! The training week went okay between wet days and sore legs from cycling. I commute into work, a round trip of just under 10 miles a day so I do worry about the state of my legs this training session. But a brief break down!

Runs scheduled: 4
Completed: 3

Monday: 3 miles easy
Wednesday: 5 miles of tempo running (3miles at 8:24minmiles)
Thursday: 4 miles easy (FAILED)
Saturday: 5 miles long run

So all my runs that I completed were doing really well. I was quite happy with them and glad that my legs could keep going! Monday was hard as I started my run right after my cycle. So I was a bit jelly-like to start with (the same thing will happen tonight I'm sure). Wednesday was a little boring to start with as I was on the treadmill but I got through it. Thursday failed as I was tired and I had a dinner to make for my friend (bad excuses). Saturday's run was nice as the first 2 miles were with Reis and then I finished the last 3 along the Grand Union Canal which I got lost on and was a little muddy. Great to find out about my surrounding area though!

On top of these sessions I did a little spot of yoga on Tuesday morning which I really want to keep up. And also my cycling into work. I did feel quite tired Friday night from that and had a complete rest day on Sunday from any high intensive work out. We went for a nice gentle 5 mile walk to loosen our legs which was nice.

Total mileage and time

Cycling: 54.8 miles  (5hours 58 minutes)
Running: 13.8 miles (2hours 6 minutes)

This week starts session 2 which will increase the mileage again. I hope to get all my sessions done but will see. Starting with a 4 miles easy tonight. :)

Aine

P.S. Saturdays run was dedicated to Meg who was hit by a drunk driver last Monday while out running.

...new year, new goal?

Happy New Year! 

Hope everyone had a lovely break and got to gorge on copious amounts of chocolate like I did :) I do love Christmas time! Though my scales and legs don't. After coming back from Ireland before the new years I did try and pound the pavement to try and combat the pounds that were piling on and to get my legs back into action. Since our move I have increased my cycle mileage daily from 2 miles to 10 miles so I thought my fitness wouldn't be soooo bad. But cycling is a little different to running. But off we went to try out our new area! The parks are lovely and only a little busy. The main thing I am severely missing is my canal. No matter how dangerous it was it meant I got to run with no car traffic and was off a main road. But I must make do now with what I have and even though it is less canal it is more parks! I managed 2 runs and a couple cycles before I got back into work. The parks were great if a little small (1 mile radius) but I'll find my routes! I have the Berlin halbmarathon coming up with my German friend so I need to get my  training game on! There was a little set back as I had to fly home suddenly last week but I am back on track with just over 10 weeks to go! 

So my training so far.....one run. It counts though as it means I'm on my way and I can cross it off my big excel spreadsheet. 

One run of 30 minutes for 3.66 miles which seemed nice and steady as I went through. It was quite cold and I had just cycled home through a hailstone storm for 40 minutes which nearly killed me. Anyway day 1, done! I had a little yoga sesh this morning to stretch out which was nice and which I want to try and wake up to every morning! 

So this is it guys, 10 weeks to go with an intense training schedule for that ever elusive sub 2 hour time! You heard it first here. I will get it done! 

Thinking also of hitting a triathlon this June...thoughts?