Last Long Run!

And it felt long!  It also made me realise we live in a quite small city because I had to go from the east (where we live) through the town centre to the west (Sea Mills) then back in a bit to the Downs and then I headed North and into S.Glos (i.e Filton), around the ring road before I cut down to Frenchay and then hobbled home!  So I covered a good chunck of the North Half of the city to do 22 miles.  4 1/4 hours which wasn't bad considering how slow I was going.    It felt better than doing the lonely cycle path to Bath though but I don't feel that good about the run as a whole - it was a struggle from the start, probably because I am a bit tired and virusy at the moment but at least I have done it - I can now officially 'taper'!! i.e. do less over the next 3 weeks !

Ironically I found the Downs the worst bit of the run - I don't like running on grass and the paths were all very uneven - but the sun did come out briefly for that bit! 

Am very achey now and feel like I need a zimmer frame to get about the house.  A stair lift would be handy too! But am enjoying a rare glass of wine as tomorrow is a 'rest day' - i.e. go to work and have a normal evening!

20 miles in the bag!

Well, just about!  20 miles in my legs anyway - and to be fair I felt good about all but the last 6 or so.  Richard cycled out to meet me after 2 hours and I was ahead of schedule.  It really helped psychologically knowing I was going to have company for the second half - although the Bristol Bath cycle path was chockablock with people as it was such a nice day.  The ring road (first 7 miles) was much emptier and easier to navigate.   Anyway - I did the first 10 miles in less than 2 hours and kept up that pace for a few more but then it really slowed down and I think Rich found it a challenge to cycle slow enough!  But it helped having him at least nearby and I feel so pleased I have done it.  The extra bits of training I have been doing have paid off a bit, I think - I do believe a bit more that I will be able to do it in under 5 hours on the day!

The 'pack' arrived this week - quite scarey actually - loads of useful information, though. 

Change of plan

Today was supposed to be my second last long run.  20 miles. But.... to cut a long story and lots of  dilemmas short - I was not feeling great yesterday and today and decided it would not be wise to do it especially as I had no back-up for picking Zoe up from school were I to collapse somewhere along the route !   It has really put my training plan out though as I will now have to do my last two long runs quite close together. 


However, apart from that minor hiccup,  I have managed to add some more variety and quantity to my training sessions, so I am generally now doing some sort of training five times a week, mixing it up with rowing, interval training and just normal runs.  The end is in sight!  Less than 5 weeks now!

Silverstone 2:16:43

Well - apologies first for the really gross picture of me!  Its all I've got at the moment but will edit it with something better soon, I hope when the 'official' photos become available. 

The weather was great for the run,  but I was very disappointed with Silverstone.  A very boring route to run (just laps of the race track which looked really tatty and various even tattier service roads).  Most of it is being rebuilt so it was hard to imagine what it is like on F1 race day!  Not much atmosphere around the course as spectators couldn't get to many parts so some of it was just trudging with no support at all - I consoled myself with the thought that London will be completely different with atmosphere almost everywhere! 

My skirt started falling apart from the start!  But it stayed on and attracted some attention from the few spectators!  Definitely good having your name on the T shirt! 

I was pleased with my time as I found it quite hard overall - but mostly because it was boring.  Good to get it done and now its onward and upward - yikes!

Half-Marathon Prep

Yes, I am treating Silverstone tomorrow as a mini dress-rehearsal for the big day.  I have my 'rainbow skirt' which actually looks more like I am trying to dress up as a fairy - watch this space for photos after tomorrow!  and my T-shirt with name on (the real thing has not arrived back from the printers so have sewn felt letters on to my old Rainbow Ctr T-shirt).  Weird because this distance is the longest I have ever run in an organised race and yet I am supposed to get to the end and feel like I could do a whole lot more.  Not sure how I feel about it but am going to just try and enjoy the atmosphere especially as it is at one of the F1 racetracks I have a yearning to visit on a different occasion.  I am however, going to try and practise running with one of the pacer groups to see if I can stick with them over the distance which wll give me an idea as to whether that will work in London.

Night-time Run

I did an evening run today but chose a silly route. Started on the same route I did on Monday - i.e. out to ring road and then down ring road cycle path but there was not lighting on the path so it was a bit hairy at times.  Made me run faster though!  I think I was visible in my hi-vis trendy jacket but I nearly bumped into a few people who suddenly emerged out of the gloom! 
It felt ok, though on the whole and I enjoyed listening to the build-up to the football on the radio (and hearing about England's demise in the cricket - beaten by Ireland???!!!)  No more running until Sunday - just two rowing sessions which gives me cramp in my buttox!  Need to make my 'rainbow skirt' before Sunday and hope that my T-shirt arrives back from having my name printed on it in time.