Training

Gentle first run after the HM

6.1 miles 57:32 9:23/mi

Having had a relaxed week post HM, with just one gentle workout at the gym on Wednesday, I was looking forward to heading out for a run today. Took it nice and steady and although I felt I could do more kept to just six miles as I didn’t want to push myself. Looking forward to starting full training again next week to prepare for the Brighton and Berlin half-marathons next year!

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Final race pace run before HM

6.4 miles 49:10 7:42/mi

The GPS signal on my watch was a bit screwy at the start of my run, so the first mile or so was totally off pace wise making it hard to judge – I’m pretty sure I was actually going way faster. Once it settled though I managed a comfortable run at just below race pace. The big hill was a bit slower but felt comfortable. Overall a decent enough final run before my race – looking forward to really going for it on Sunday!

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Final big LSR before Royal Parks HM

14.7 miles 2:11:10 8:56/mi

Today was my last long run before I start to slowly ease back the mileage ahead of the Royal Parks Half Marathon in two weeks time. I ended up going a little faster than I had perhaps planned but it felt steady and comfortable the whole way so I didn’t worry too that I was maybe overdoing it. My performance definitely seems to have taken a big jump forward in the past week or two, and while I’m sure the drop in temperatures plays a large factor, it’s nice to think all the training is paying off too.

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Conquering the hills

7.3 miles 58:27 7:58/mi

Ever since I started running I’ve hated hills. The minute I hit an incline my heart rate and breathing quicken and my pace nosedives. However living in hilly North London I don’t have much choice about tackling them, and the hard work seems to be paying off. I’ve noticed finding hills gradually get easier over the past few weeks, and today I ran the hilliest section of my run from work to home, a mile long section which rises over 200 feet, at a pace of 8:37 min/mile, which is faster than I was running the entire route just a month or so back. What’s more, I ran it at essentially the same pace as my fastest 10K, despite it being a longer distance ending up 300 feet higher than the start. Very pleased with that indeed!

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