Week one, marathon training, in review

So, after a frustrating start getting back in my groove after a bit of time off, it's not been a bad week. I had to run 3 - 3 - 4.

Monday's run was a scrappy mess, to be fair. I did run three miles (over, actually, more like 3.25), but with frequent stops of a few seconds to try and reset stupid iPhone. My legs felt heavy and tired and I wasn't really in it mentally; still, it got done.

Thursday's run was much more fun - a three mile bounce around the neighbourhood and the first one without any stops at all for a little while. Felt like I could run for ages (although I was watching Runkeeper every 30 seconds towards the end).

Saturday was the big one - four miler. I had by this point worked out that Runkeeper has a pause function - I am not sure this is a good thing. I needed to stop for runner's tum at Dulwich Gallery cafe after a couple of miles, grabbed a mouthful or two of water, and carried on. The first mile was glorious, second still pretty good fun. Starting again, I ran up towards the Greenway in my third mile not realising there was a f*cking enormous hill on the way to it; did okay, but after the end of the third mile paused for about a minute just to get my breath back. Third mile felt nice actually, although I was aware of the sun really burning down (having overslept didn't start running until 11.15 which was not ideal - very sunny and 26 degrees even despite picking a shady route). That last mile, even after a tiny breather, was bloody hard. I circled Sunray Gardens park as there was a lot of shade to do half of it, and then ran to Herne Hill for the final mile. Running with Bad Religion and Faith No More was helpful, just the right place, and for sure it's a mental issue not a physical one now on my longer runs. My lungs ached a little on the fourth - I suspect if I take a bit better care of myself next week, next weekend's long run will feel a lot easier that this one.

#Week One: Done!

Frustrating stupid blasted iPhone

Had a run-walk-run on Friday again for 30 minutes, and then a 40 minute run - walk- dick around with iPhone - run - iPhone dicking about - run etc (you get the idea). It had stuck itself on single track repeat, which is impossible to fix whilst on the run. However, in that 40 minutes, despite all the breaks and the walking, I covered 3.25 miles, so a pace of 12.27 so slow, but okay. Had enough. First day of marathon training completed.

Learning lessons

An instructive run today. I went out shortly after getting up - no breakfast and only half a cup of water. The first run was painful to say the least - every bit ached. I stopped having run 2.56k in 18.08 mins. Then walked back to Dulwich Village rather than West Dulwich to buy some water, whereupon I started again. It was a completely different beast. Slower, mind, but no pain at all - I did another 2.54k in 19.18. So that brings my totals to 5.1k (or 3.16 miles) in 37.26 minutes, around the late 11.something pace. Note to self: eat and drink before runs unless you want to completely run out of steam. I really learned something today. For the record, it was in Nikes, 19 degrees and sunny - felt really hot when I came back.

Running back to happiness

Mucho, mucho mejor. After 8 days without running and some nagging and lingering pains, I went out today for a short run to see how my body feels. The short answer is great. I did 2.62 miles in 26 mins, giving me a 9.56 pace - and I felt like I was running slow today too. It was pretty hot so stuck with normal kit - pink top and old tights.

Cardiovascular stuff all okay despite smoking a fair bit this week. So, lessons learned: don't screw around with changing trainers etc, don't try and build up distance too fast (really!), and stick recovery days in between hard runs. Simples. Training kicks off in earnest on 6th August... a mere 9 days away... ulp! Now, time to settle into the real activity for the day - Olympic-watching.

Home Run? Home, ouch, more like

So after the nasty Asics ride yesterday, I tried out Home Run tonight. The idea is simple - run home with a bunch of other folks, with keen runners to help you get there. The principle is nice but I don't think it's for me. After the first mile, my outer shin muscles were burning and I'd slowed to a 12.30 pace, really slow for me. I managed another 0.4 before calling it a day and letting ultrarunner Jen get on and catch up with the guys. It was too early in my training to try it and I don't enjoy running with people and without music. I picked up my pack, ran another 0.7 cross Clapham Common with it before collapsing on to the bus.

I think I've trained too much too soon. I had this same crash almost exactly four weeks ago and needed a good five days off and not thinking about running, and I know if I try and run through it I could do myself a serious injury. This, I cannot risk so close to starting training for the half. I am a bit worried though about the half training - I did a couple of weeks with 13 miles and it's screwed me up in week three. In retrospect racing and then running a five miler would probably have been okay with a good bit of proper recovery time, but to do that, rest for a day, then try a recovery race in shoes which don't work for me, then try and run 4.3 miles with faster people was a stupid and potentially dangerous idea. All of my lower body hurts now - knees, ankles, calves, hamstrings and shins. It's not shin splints, it's just exhaustion.

So that's the remainder of this weeks' training out of the window - running-wise, at least. I'm switching back over swimming to at least early next week. Total rest tomorrow; long swim on Friday and maybe middling swim on Saturday, long swim again on Monday and a reconvene on Tuesday to see how the legs are feeling. Need to finish that race, not crash out half way around because I trained badly.

My physical limitations are frustrating and upsetting but my body knows more than my mind. Got to listen up and pay attention - running through it is only going to make me worse. Aggravating! On the plus side, I now have a phone sleeve which doesn't rub or hurt and provides better protection in the rain than my existing one. I also have a neon orange t shirt which might come in handy for winter runs.

Giving the Asics one last try

In the interests of not wasting extortionate amounts of money on a pair of trainers, I decided to try the Asics again on the 2 mile tootle around West Dulwich again. It was not good. From almost the getoff, my shins were really aching, something they never ever do in my other shoes, even the Inov8s. I managed 1.21 miles at a disappointing 10.48 pace. I made the rest of the route around walking, and did 20 laps in the pool to make up for it tonight. At least I've given it a decent try now and stopped before I hurt myself.

Looking forward to Home Run tomorrow night instead!

Week in review, 9 - 15 July

This week, I ran 13.2 miles, smashed my personal best with a 30:20 minute 5k, and ran the furthest session so far in ManiRuns take 2. I'm pretty pleased with how things went this week. Kit has stood up, I kept going despite threatening cold and feeling a bit crap, and TOM starting yesterday morning. I can definitely be proud of this week.

So, goals for next week:

Tuesday 2 miles
Wednesday 4.3 miles (with Home Run as a trial to see if I like it)
Friday 3 miles
Saturday 6 miles

The schedule is a little different because it's Phoebe's confirmation on Sunday, so I need to be there for that. The two long runs are fine in that one will be organised (and they carry your bags home for you, hurrah) and the other is just me tootling around on Saturday. Tuesday and Wednesday short runs will be either before or after work depending on what time I get up - am in East London both days so might be easier before work rather than after. Ho hum. It's a bit of a leap from 13.2 up to 15.3, so will keep the length of Saturday under advisement. Feeling much, much more confident about starting half marathon training in three weeks now!