| There is nothing too remarkable to report for week 2 of The Plan. Not unless you count the sheer bloody mindedness required to actually fit it all in. I was seriously unsure I was going to manage full mileage this week owing to work commitments and a requirement to travel back down to London again but as I write this on a train (luxury, avoided coaches!) back to Manchester, I'm enjoying the smug glow of a difficult task achieved. That's not to say the training itself was especially hard, though I can't pretend I enjoyed finding out what happens to my guts at mile 7 after a caffeinated gel, or that I relished diving out in to a cold, dark, pre-6am morning twice this week, more that the resolution to stick as closely as I could to said Plan was probably the biggest challenge. A motivational conquest as opposed to a display of especially impressive physical performance. It basically went something like this: |
Monday: Rest. Okay. If only it could all be so straightforward. Tuesday: 3 x 1600m at 5k pace, 800m jog, 7 miles total including warm up and cool down. Done and done. Wednesday: 7 miles easy. Easy for whom? Meeting at 7 in the evening but still have to be in work at 8.30am latest. 5.30am rainy run it is then. Bam. in the bag. Get me! Thursday: Another 7 miles easy. Shattered, low energy, jelly legs after 15 mile round-cycle to work. Capitulate and take rest day. And it was going so well. Friday: Last chance for long run (11 miler). Manage 14 despite Hell Gel Tummy Disaster and resorting to walk/jogging between miles 8 and 11. Sheer endurance that, especially as I was on a treadmill and could have sacked it off at any time. Still did that bastard though. Note to Self; save caffeine gels for cycling. Less jiggling involved. |
A workshop response to London and a description of a good run!
The Thames emerging from the Sunday mists, burnt off by a smug afterglow!
| So, 11 miles left in the week across 2 easy runs. I had really hoped for a 'rest' day on Saturday owing to my commitment to run a 2 day arts workshop in London for international arts students. Not anymore after Thursday's crash... unless I fancy 11 miles before workshop day 2 on Sunday. Uh... not really. Right then. Saturday: 6.30 am train to London. 10 am workshop start. Arrive at Mother's in Chessington at 6pm. Throw bag down, drag kit on, dash out into the night (Sorry mum!). Miles Achieved: 7.15, Childhood Memories Revisited: 15+, Minutes taken: 61 and then some. OK. I'll take that. Sunday: Gotta leave at 7.30/8am. 4 miles left to bag. allow 40 mins run time in case of disaster, an hour to shower and breakfast. Another early one it is then. Plod, 1. Plod, 2. Plod, 3. Plod, 4. Tick, tick, tick, tick. Job? Done. Commence Operation Smug Glow.. |
Week 2 - It went something like this...
What's that...? Oh Hi Week 3! 41 miles you say? Bring it on!
