Friday, January 9, 2009

All work and no play

Ok my life since last Sunday has been like this. 5am wake up, go to work. 7.30pm leave work, eat dinner, put kids to bed. 10.30pm go to bed. Repeat.

No run since last Sunday. I did step out on Monday but could immediately feel something in my quad and haven't bothered to try running since. No time anyway! Feels like there is a minor tear in there. May test it out again tomorrow but looks like I'll just have to let nature take its course and take a couple of weeks off.

So not a great week! Looking forward to some family time tomorrow. Both the girls start ballet (Sophie for the first time) and then Emily is having her early birthday party. Then off to the pub with a few friends to watch the Panthers beat Arizona tomorrow night. Back to work Sunday!!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Hills

Today Coach had thrown a rare hill workout into the mix. I jogged to the bottom of Sardis Lane and did 10 * c. 400m hill repeats with jog back down recovery.

The 400s were 76,78,77,76,76,76,75,76,75,75 and the recoveries all 1.57-2.00, so it was a very consistent workout.

I actually felt FIT doing this. Leg turnover was better than it has been. Tim had picked out a good location for a hill workout, the first 300 or so was a gradual uphill then it kicked in for the last 100 and I was really having to pump my arms and legs to keep the momentum.

Happy with the workout considering the miles this week and that the legs are feeling tired. My right groin is a little sore but this week I plan on running all my non workout miles at over 7 minute pace. The end of the week will be crazy with work so hopefully I'll still be able to squeeze the mileage in.

Week was as follows-

M- off (planned)
T- 7.17 easy
W- 12 easy am/6.3 easy pm
Th- 9.5 including 1*2 miles, 3*1 mile (2 minute jog recoveries)
F- 7.34 easy
Sa- 16.2 long
Su- 7.32 including 10*400m hills (jog down recoveries)

Total- 65.8

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Knackered!

That one's especially for Tim!

A very enjoyable run today. Went to the Dowd, ran 4.3 by myself, then met Jocelyn and Adrian for another 4, then Lori, Kathy, Cummins and Adam joined us and I did the 8 mile loop while they carried on. Pace was a lot faster than anticipated but a nice run, good company and chat. Legs were trashed at about mile 14 but more good miles in the bank! Over 50 in the last 4 days!

It's funny, normally when I'm training hard my lower legs give me issues. Since the introduction of the orthotics and, dare I say it, the calf sleeves, my lower legs are doing great and it's the quads giving me grief!

Going to grab some shut eye now while Sophie naps and Emily is out!!

Friday, January 2, 2009

More quad death

My legs feel so heavy at the moment! Today's run was an 'easy' 7.34 during my lunch hour (yes I actually took a lunch hour today!). Breathing wise the run felt fine but my legs just don't have that spark at the moment. I didn't look at my watch until after the run and was surprised to see that I had run at 6.30 pace. Surprised because a) this is a hilly run and I didn't push it that much and b) it felt a lot slower because of my legs!

I'm guessing it is just the body's way of telling me it needs to re-adapt to the higher mileage. My legs will come round in the end. I'm not taking it as a sign that I am overdoing it and need to back off. I think the schedule I'm following at the moment- 65 miles a week including 2 workouts and a long run with a 20% cutback every 4th week- is tough but definitely doable, especially if I want to get back into my pre-Cleveland Half shape.

We'll see....

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Things can only get faster

Well my New Year began with being at my desk at 5.30. Knew I had a day's work to catch up on so got in very early so i could at least head home at lunch time. I'll take today's holiday some other time. We report our half year numbers next week, Christmas and New Year are always really busy for me!

Today's workout was 1.44 warm up (9.50) straight into 2 miles then 3*1 mile with 2 minute jog recovery between each. Ran on the trails at Mcalpine rather than track. 2 miles was 11.10 and the miles 5.29,5.34,5.32. Legs felt very heavy, at some points I felt I was sinking into the trail! can tell i'm getting stronger but feel so slow and heavy still!