Lies, damned lies!

Lies, damned lies! by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

So, I missed Sunday's planned session.  Slippery slope beckons, I know, but it was too bloody cold and I don't want to get sick.  It would 1. make sticking to the plan even more difficult and 2. jeopardise my weekly visits to sister and nephew, which are the only thing I really look forward to in my jobless hell.  I've tried to keep my chin up and bounce back, but I'm running out of chin (although I currently have several, looking forward to shedding a few with this new 'active lifestyle') and my bounce is almost gone.  I hate this.

Anyway, I also suffered equipment failure on today's run.  My GPS lost satellite reception 3 minutes 47 seconds in and didn't pick it up again after I reset (by accident, do not attempt equipment manipulation on the move!!!).  So I ran for longer than planned and covered more ground, at a better pace than the rather gallumphing one calculated, on this run.  In my current mood, this molehill is assuming K2 proportions.

I need a nice hot shower (it's not all that toasty out there today, either), a healthy lunch and a flop before jumping back on the job hunt.

If you are enjoying these blog posts, please consider sponsoring me in support of Diabetes UK at JustGiving. Many thanks.

1st 20-minuter

1st 20-minuter by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

It's damned cold out there today!  All thoughts of early Spring are long gone.  But at least I'm staying on track with the training, completing all runs as scheduled.  And, I'm happy to report, my pace continues to remain satisfactory.  I averaged 9:32 a mile today, which is another improvement over the last one!

Looking at the programme, it looks I like I continue with these shortish, low-intensity runs for the rest of this month and into March, only really starting training in earnest at the beginning of April.  That suits me just fine, I should be well settled into the routine of running regularly by then and, please god, will hopefully have a job by then as well.

Onwards and upwards.

If you are enjoying these blog posts, please consider sponsoring me in support of Diabetes UK at JustGiving. Many thanks.

15 minutes more

15 minutes more by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

A bit later than planned, I did the second 15-minute session this afternoon.  Damned cold, in that it-hurts-to-take-deep-breaths kind of way, but lovely sunshine.  Are we getting an early Spring?

I'm pleased to report I'm not getting the two-days-later aches and pains and general messages from the body telling me not to be such a prat.  Stretching before and after each session like a good boy and generally trying to do what the people who know about these things say you should.

I managed to do an extra .04 of a mile compared to the last session.  That looks like a rolling-about-on-the-floor laughably small improvement, but on the road I can tell you I finished substantially closer to home than before.  When you're looking at half marathon or marathon differences, these kinds of improvements in pace really do add up.  Indeed , this equates to 9:45-minute miling, compared to 10 minutes a mile on Saturday, saving about 4 minutes over a complete half marathon.  And I expect my pace to improve significantly over time.

Spending more quality time my sister and my new nephew tomorrow, with the next session due on Friday.  In the meantime, I will be mostly spending my time on the completely soul-destroying pursuit of finding a new job.

Starter for 10. Or, rather, 15.

A new beginning by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

So, I have had a training plan calculated for me with the Great Run website.  I'm having various usability issues with it at the moment, in terms of using it on an ongoing basis to record my progress, but I'm continuing to use my Garmin anyway, so the links at the start of these posts will get you to info if you're interested.

The Great Run plan was easy enough to set up, so it is a schedule I will follow to get me to the big day.  You simply answer various impertinent, yet pertinent, questions - my responses can be summarised as 'old', 'fat' and 'do not let me shame myself or my family'.  You'd think that, given that I've occasionally got dressed and left the house for over 40 years, I might deal with embarrassment by now.  But there are degrees in these things, you know?  What I really want to avoid is being overtaken by one of those guys carrying a life-size model of a taxi, or a rhino.  Or Floella Benjamin - not a model, you understand, the actual lady herself -as happened in my first London marathon.  I don't mind those Water Aid boys carrying toilets, though.  They always seem to be deeply dreamy and just trying to keep them in view can knock minutes off my finish time.  Anyway.

I'm not in full training yet, that doesn't start for a few weeks.  I 'volunteered' during the sign up process for some getting-started sessions in the build up, though.  These seem to be 15 to 25 minute sessions for the most part, 3 or 4 times a week.  And I did the first one today.  It was billed as a '15 minutes easy running' session.  If you accept 'slow and laboured' as a valid definition of 'easy', as I have come to accept that I must, I can declare it was a 100% success!  10 minute/mile pace on average, which is officially jogging and a lot better than officially walking or officially wasting-your-time-get-back-on-the-sofa.

Next scheduled session is Tuesday, when my aim will be to get further in the 15 minutes allowed than I did this time.  Easy does it.

Nearly ready to start all over again

I have failed utterly to keep the running going as part of my normal routine.  No huge surprise there.  But I applied on a whim (unemployment-related boredom can be very dangerous) for this year's Great North Run and got a place.  I'm not breaking my self-imposed 'never again', as that applies only to marathons.  And if I can stay off the cigarettes permanently, I may break that one as well.  I have managed to convert myself and my whole family to e-cigarettes, helped at least in part by the arrival of little Aidan Kyle Stanley.

So expect more self-torture and, if I can reactivate my stagnating brain, humourous anecdotes on training in the near future.  And a renewed round of begging on a new JustGiving page, which I'll set up shortly and refresh the little widget over to the right.  The good things about the GNR are that it is a half marathon and also that, although it is in September, with a risk of bad weather on the day, I will be training through the Spring and Summer.  No icy sessions or gale force winds on the prom, which is what I've had in the past when training through Winter for the London and Brighton marathons.

I'll also be geeking my way through training with more maps, charts and stats on my progress, more for my own consumption than anyone else's, I imagine.

So ciao, bis bald and a bientot (apologies any foreign visitors, I don't know the codes for accented characters, so I'll just get as close as I can with my English keyboard if I feel the need to continue with pretentious foreign ejaculations!).

Oh well. Never mind. And never again.

Brighton Marathon 2012 by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

Nowhere near the time I was hoping for or expecting.  But at mile 10 I knew is wasn't going to be.  I started getting the kinds of pain in my knees and hips I don't usually get until 15 miles+.  By half way, I was going backwards, gradually falling behind the 4 hours 30 pace guy I had been tracking - if I could just have finished ahead of him, it would have been a guaranteed PB.

At mile 18 I seriously considered dropping out and spent several minutes sitting at the side of the road or wandering up and down trying to muster the courage to continue.  Knowing my aunts and my hubby were waiting somewhere along the Shoreham Harbour stretch, I eventually got going again.  Only to burst into tears when I saw them and have another attack of the pathetics.

Having got that far, dropping out would have been pointless - I'd have to get to the finish to collect my belongings and it's a straight line from the Harbour to the finish line - no short cuts to be had.  Crowds, as ever, were amazing, but I was probably less responsive and appreciative than usual.  I was locked away in a contracting world of intensifying pain.  My pedometer shows a time of 5 hours 4 for the marathon distance.  But given the wandering off the course for deep breathing and crying, I still had half a mile to go when it stopped tracking my progress to actually get over the finish line.

I did it though!!!

My body is sending me messages I can't ignore any more.  I can't put myself through another one of these.  Triathlon research to follow and I hope to do my first some time next year.  Crossing the finish line at the end of a marathon is truly one of the greatest experiences anyone can have.  And these big city marathons are great for the closeness and enthusiasm of the crowds.  I may not be planning to repeat the experience myself, but if you've not done it I really believe you should, just once!!!!!!!!

Here we go, here we go, here we go!

Finally.  It's here.  Scared for now, expect excitement to kick in when I get to Preston Park.

Family efforts to soothe me so far this morning have consisted of 'You're only going out for a run, Lee'.  I expect the theme to continue through the race, with traditional family 'encouragement' consisting of things such as 'Hurry up, my feet are killing me' and 'How much longer, I'm starving'.

If you're running, congratulations and enjoy the day.  You are amazing.

If you're supporting, thank you.  You're pretty fabulous, too.

If you're doing neither, what the hell are you up to?  Get on board, you won't regret it!

I'm number 9726, wearing Diabetes UK pink and black.  My work friend Laura's also running today, for Albion In The Community.  She's number 10336.

Will be leaving to get the train in about 10 minutes.  Deep breathing all the way.  Yikes.

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. OMFG.

Can you tell where my mind is right now?

Did my last training run on Thursday morning, a little 5 mile trot.  Collected my race pack from the Brighton Centre yesterday lunchtime.  Have been swinging wildly between excitement and terror ever since.

Given up on all the spreadsheets, charts and stuff now.  Simply can't be arsed.  But will include a link to the Garmin record of the big day tomorrow, when I pull myself together and upload it.

Hoping the weather's sufficiently good to draw some crowds tomorrow.  You really do make all the difference in the world.  To identify me, look for the image below and imagine it with a tiny crewcutted head at the top, a distinct midriff bulge and skinny legs sticking out the bottom.

P.S.  Eeeek.

30 minute slow-fast. Nearly there!

30 minute slow-fast by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

Intentionally slow-fast.  20 minutes of light jogging followed by 10 minutes of cough-your-guts-up running.  No idea why, I just do what the book says.  Another stunningly perfect day for running, we really need it to be like this next weekend.  I really, really can't wait now.  Going to make the most of this long weekend and do absolutely nothing (apart from 5 miles on Sunday), a couple of very light sessions next week and then away we go!

Totally off topic, but weighing really heavily on my mind.  I ordered a car through Tesco cars.  They secured me finance, and make a series of encouraging calls.  It was a great customer experience and we were both tremendously excited.  Then on Wednesday they called again.  I was expecting this to be the 'we have your car, the finance is ready and we will upload your photos so you can make your final decision' conversation.  No.  They actually said they had closed the site and the business effective Tuesday and I would not be getting my car.

Now, I was in a meeting at the time and in any event I tend to react to these things in a resigned, accepting way. But when I went to the site (www.tescocars.com - check it out), I read that they would complete pre-existing orders if the car was with them.  My car was due to be with them on the day they called.  I had not been offered this option, it was presented to me as a fait accompli.  I got angrier and angrier, eventually calling them and saying I wanted my car.  They said they'd call back that day or yesterday.  No news.  I do not believe they have any intention of even investigating the possibility of completing the transaction.  Their twitter customer service is giving nothing but stock 'sorry for any inconvenience' crap.  I am fuming.  Not only do I not have a new car, I also have a finance search record on my credit history that means I'll never be able to get a loan myself now.  And I can't follow up with the original loan company, as they don't lend direct to consumers.  And I don't know where my car is anyway!  So I'm never shopping at Tesco ever again.  That's roughly £12,000 in grocery spend a year that Sainsbury's will now be getting instead, plus goodness knows how much petrol.

Rant over.

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20 MINUTE interval. Damn technology

20 MINUTE interval by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

OK, so I blame the technology, but it's actually my own fault.  Today's run (chilly but still lovely this morning!) was an interval run, requiring 5 repetitions of a 3-minute-jog-1-minute-sprint cycle.  Only when I created and uploaded the workout to my GPS, I only set it to repeat 4 times!  So I may have actually run for longer and travelled further than the 2.16 miles and 20 minutes I've claimed.  I extrapolated this from the 1.73 miles and 16 minutes my GPS actually recorded.

Anyway, nice easy session to get me back into it this week.  Thursday, Friday and Sunday planned for the rest of the week.  VERY much liking the shortness of this week (and next) and hoping the weather allows me to enjoy the long weekend.

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10 miles. 90 minutes. SO ready. Bring it on!!!

10 miles by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

I wasn't pushing hard or anything, but this is 30 seconds a mile quicker than last time I did a 10 miler.  Last weekend's successful 19.5 really boosted me and the week's sessions have all gone well, but this was very unexpected.  I need to make sure I don't get carried away and set out at this pace on the day, or I'll really suffer.  Again.  I'm crap at pacing myself!

I like this taper phase of the training, it always feels like the hard work's done and I'm just looking forward to an amazing day.  If the weather on the day could be like today's, it would be perfect.  A lot cooler than it has been, but still gorgeous blue skies and bright sunshine.  Loved it.  Cannot wait.  Come ON, already!!!!!!

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I have no words

20 minute hard run by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

I think someone may have spiked my drink with drink.  Look at the map if you want. Ciao.

2 sessions in 1 update!

20 minute interval by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

30 minute flollop by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

I've been out twice this week so far.  Tuesday's session was delayed until yesterday due to circumstances beyond my control.  People need to learn how to drive, especially on bloody bus routes.  Nuff said.  It was a 30 minute jog, the traditional first session of the week to help get Sunday's kinks and strains ironed out, and it was lovely.  We've been really lucky with the weather, and although this means it's really hot by lunchtime when I'm usually stumbling to the finish of a Sunday jaunt, before work during the week conditions are perfect.

This evening's was an interval session, but only a 20-minuter.  It also went well, although the tendons in my knees that were really sore after the 19.5 miles on Sunday are feeling a bit tight again now.  Some more stretching and a writhe on the foam roller should resolve that, though.

I need to do a 20-minute hard run tomorrow and plan to do it before work.  It's very soon after tonight's, but I know after the Friday finish tomorrow I will have a drink and there's no point planning to run in the evening!

I can then have Saturday off again and do some more work in the garden, with 10 miles (which now feels like a warm up) on Sunday.  I think this gorgeous weather will have disappeared by then, but it might actually make for more comfortable running conditions.  I will also pass the 260 mile mark during that session.  That's 10 full marathons covered in training.  Blimey!

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Never again (?) (!!!) (?????)

Final long run by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

Can you sponsor me?  I now feel able to promise I'll finish the thing.  Any amount would be really appreciated.  Please hit my JustGiving page with whatever you can afford.  Sincere thanks.

Well, that's it.  The last properly long run in preparation for this year's Brighton Marathon out of the way.  Another stunning day, if what you have planned is a lot of lolling about.  Not so perfect if you're trying to drag your sorry great carcass all over the East Sussex coastline with limited fluids and even less confidence.

But in the end it all went rather well.  From the Shoreham end of the course, I could clearly see the Brighton end, which somehow made it shorter.  And my discovery of the public loos by the rather lovely Carat Cafe in the Southwick section of the harbour made that section much less stressful.  In fact, I did it twice!  This meant that when I hit Hove Lagoon for the third time I only needed to add a couple of short loops in Hove and Brighton to cover the full distance without having to ascend the cliffs by Brighton Marina.

Pace-wise, the first half definitely felt slower than I have recently been running.  This was not intentional, but means I now have a sense of what 10-minute-miling feels like on fresh legs and I faded a lot less than I usually do on long runs.  In the past, I've always set off at what I thought was a conservative pace only to find out when I uploaded and reviewed the data afterwards that I'd been shifting along at speeds much more suited to short sessions.  This has made me think I can't actually run slowly unless and until I'm incapable of running quickly.  A welcome change to my thinking and if there are pace runners on the day, I'll attach myself to mister 10-minute-miles and not lose sight of him come hell or high water.

Not running yesterday definitely helped with this, too.  Even with a couple of walk-stretch-cry intervals in there, I never felt I wouldn't finish and I completed 19.5 miles of my target 20 in 3 hours 21 minutes and change.  Not too shabby and just about on track for a PB over the full distance.  Factor in the amazing boost I always get from running with other people and the AMAZING crowd support on the day, I am really hopeful I will never, ever again have to complete a run of this distance with nothing but my music, my breathing and my own pain for company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It really takes it out of you mentally and physically, doing sessions like these alone, with only your own motivation and no real goal.  I burned over 2,500 calories and I'm starting to feel it now.  Doing my stretches a few minutes ago, I found myself completely incapable of counting to twenty!  Refuelling this afternoon and I expect to go to bed quite early tonight.

Work people, if I am late in the morning it's because we may have been a couple of minutes out when changing the clocks.  Getting to the bus stop at the same time as the bus is a bit of a precision exercise, I can't promise to get up early and leave myself extra time and if I time it wrong, I will not be able to run to catch it!!!  You'll see me when you see me.

I am feeling a lot more optimistic now.  I've been making 'this has to be my last marathon' type noises throughout training this time, mainly because I have not felt like I'd ever actually be capable of finishing, much less doing a decent time.  That's behind me now.  I'm not saying I will ever do another - I really do fancy the Hever Castle triathlon for next year - but I'm not quitting out of hatred of the experience any more.  Just out of a desire to try something else!

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Easy does it

45 mins by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

A nice post-work run on a glorious evening.  This week's weather has certainly been spoiling us.  I did this last night, but could not be bothered blogging then.  I can barely be bothered now, it's just too nice out there.  So this is a very brief 'I did it' post only.  I'm not running tonight as planned and I have no intention of running tomorrow - as I said in my last post, running the day before the long session is a no-no now.  So Sunday's session is next.   And, as I seem to have lost a week somewhere, it is to be my last mammoth training session before the big day, which means trying to hit 20 miles.  Eek.  If I can do 19 I'll be happy, 18 and I'll be satisfied.  Gulp, etc.

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Poweeeeerrrrrrrrrrr!!!

25 minutes maximum effort by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details

Beautiful morning, stunningly successful run.  SUB BLOODY 8 BLOODY MINUTE MILING.  For me, this is a massive step forward.  I think helped greatly by obsessive stretching every day and the foam roller.  However undignified, uncomfortable and generally 'un' the damned thing is, it's definitely got rid of a few kinks and probably-years-old strains and scars.

I was on such a high after this session, and it hasn't worn off all day where usually I slump a bit after lunch having done one of these early sessions.  I think the 2 days off after Sunday's session probably helped, too, although that has become an established pattern of late so it can't have been the only factor in this improvement.  With this in mind, I am trying to replan the next few weeks to remove any Saturday runs.  Given there's only 3 weeks left, that shouldn't be too hard!

It has presented me with a little issue that there are only 3 weeks left, however.  I was planning to add 2 miles each Sunday, this week and next, to achieve the 20 miles that from past experience, and many conversations on the Facebook group for the Brighton Marathon, I think I need under my belt before attempting the 26.2.  But I don't have 2 more mammoth sessions left!  This week's is to be the last, after which I begin to 'taper' and try to store some sort of energy thing in my muscles by loading up on carbs.  So I have programmed my GPS for 20 miles this Sunday, but am not 100% sure I'll do them all.  Even if not, other people on Facebook are now chiming in to say a high teens miler before the big day will be more than enough to get me through the full distance, factoring in competitiveness and crowd surfing on the day.  I certainly hope they're being truthful and not just trying to calm down those of us who feel a little behind.  Or, indeed, themselves.

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3 week highlight report - 16 miles today!

Yes yes yes yes yes!

So it's been a patchy 3 weeks.  Or rather a crappy one followed by 2 where I did all the sessions I meant to, but not entirely successfully.  I had a bout of complete and utter exhaustion with accompanying snuffles, where 12 hours' sleep a night just wasn't anywhere near enough.  This meant I did nothing for a full week.

Since then, I've done a variety of sessions.  Last Sunday, I attempted 17 miles but only managed 13 before my ITBs in both legs started the knees collapsing and I had to stop.  Thank you SO MUCH to the lovely man in the very expensive car who came across me forlornly waiting for Colin to collect me from Hove Lagoon.  There are still some truly nice people in this world and it really cheered me up.

Tuesday evening I planned to run home from work.  I got about 100 metres along the seafront, when this gaggle of girls started screaming my name (which is prominently featured on the front and back of my running vest).  Fearing a lairy teenager plague, I kept on going, but they didn't stop.  When I did eventually turn round to see what was going on, there were three of them chasing me along the seafront, each waving a different item of clothing.  Including, yes, boxer shorts.  Bless them, too, and shame on me for jumping to conclusions.  Cheap rucksack could not cope and popped open again a few seconds after I reorganised everything and tried to start again.  So I got the bus.

Weekday runs are really improving, both the ease and the pace.

Today.  Now, today, I should really have been doing 18 miles.  But given my recent history on these long runs and the interrupted nature of my training, I decided I would be happy with 15 - 14 was my previous longest run, 3 weeks ago.

I decided to do the Shoreham Harbour thing on this run, which I've not done before, and do a series of loops up and down the Hove and Brighton proms.  I've seen a bunch of people on the Brighton Marathon Facebook group talking about doing the Shoreham bit in preparation.  I remember it was the most boring bit of 2010's course, when it lacked any spectators (there's nowhere for them) and any entertainment (so why would they go there anyway), but I believe it's been remedied since.  Anyway, the sun was beating down, there was a gorgeous cool sea breeze and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

When I got back to Hove seafront, I had covered a big distance already and this really lifted my spirits.  Once out to the Peace Statue and back to Hove lagoon, then back out past the pier and the wheel and I turned for home with about 5 miles of the 18 left to do.  Pretty perfect distance-wise and almost like I'd planned it!

But then, oh my god, my feet hurt.  I mean, really, really hurt.  And then I started to get really tight in the muscles in what I can only describe as my groin.  I walked a bit and stretched a bit and got going again, though.  This is about the point last week where I reached my 'oh my god I can't do this I must be mad!' stage.  I'm very proud of myself and I eventually covered 16 miles.  This brought me back to Hove Lagoon again and Colin came to collect me.  Warm glow of satisfaction is now (3.5 hours later) overtaking aches and pains.  I've done some intense stretching and the foam roller is looking at me.  I'll tackle that later.  No crying, no dying and no injuries.  Hallelujah.  Also very impressed with the new drinks belt.  Made a huge difference not having to carry 1.5l (i.e. 1.5 kg) of fluid in my hands.

I've also decided to try to plan to finish at Hove Lagoon from now on.  The bit from there back home is intensely unpleasant - lots of roads to cross, lots of kerbs to negotiate (does anyone else have trouble getting up and down kerbs after 15 miles or so?  They feel about 10 foot high to me.) and generally uphill, quite steeply.  I have tried to sweeten the 'you're going to have to collect me every week' pill with Colin by suggesting he gets as far as the pub down there and waits.  We could have roast dinner there!!!  Not sure it's worked yet.

Anyway, if I can add 2 miles each Sunday for the next couple of weeks I'll have done what I have ever managed previously in training and be as prepared as I'm going to be for the big day.  Got the e-mail with my runner's number yesterday.  It's all getting very real!  If the black and pink vest, with 'LEE' front and back is not enough for you to pick me out, I'm wearing number 9276.

Updated Training Plan

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GREAT 30 minute thrash

I had one of the best runs for a long time this morning. 3.62m in 30 minutes, 8:17 minutes per mile average!!!!!!!!!

No link to map and stats, because for reasons I simply cannot fathom or, after extensive research, resolve, Garmin Connect has uploaded the data from my GPS (deleting it from the device) but denies any knowledge when I actually view my activities. Not the first time this has happened, and previously it appeared again after a few days, so if this happens again I'll put the link in. I am annoyed, because, as I say, it went GREAT. It wasn't half foggy at that time of the morning, which was pleasantly cooling and not too clammy. And then it turned into a rather gorgeous day!

I need to run every day now for the rest of the week to get all this week's sessions in. Am planning another tomorrow morning, then one Friday evening, then the usual weekend stuff.

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Another stunning Spring day. Ruined.

14 miles by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details - link to map and stats

Just kidding!

Pace-wise, today's run ended up being identical (to within a second a mile) to last week's nightmare. But the experience could not have been more different.

At no stage this week did I feel like I was running particularly slowly, or labouring just to put one foot in front of the other. Last week, I never felt I was running particularly quickly and every step was an effort. This week, my pace and the effort I felt I was putting in felt very steady and consistent throughout ( the numbers back up this impression). Last week, I could barely move for about the last 3 miles and knew I was slowing down, despite never having felt I was pushing that hard.

I'm not going to claim to have enjoyed it, but it's definitely a step (or several thousand) in the right direction! I actually managed to notice people I knew this week, and raise a smile and a wave, rather than being locked in an isolation tank of pain and misery.

And, oh my god, what a beautiful day it is out there! It brought out the hordes onto the seafront, which did create some issues. Especially towards the end, when both my steering and breaking capabilities were rapidly running out and I almost stepped on THE SMALLEST DOG ON THE PLANET. But, this gave me the practice I usually get doing a competitive half marathon, which is actually quite important. When you're sharing a course with 15 thousand other runners (35 thousand if you're running London), you cannot ever, no matter how much you want to, run the shortest distance or anything approaching a direct course. You're hoppity-skippy-jumping constantly to avoid people, thrown bottles, etc. And negotiating the seafront today was the perfect rehearsal for all that.

All in all, much less horrible than it could have been and, if not quite convincing me a PB is on the cards this year, at least I now feel I won't humiliate myself. Beyond being out in public in lycra, obviously. And I passed another milestone this week at some point - training runs so far have totalled over a full day's worth of running!!! 24 hours plus!!! And the long Sunday runs are almost burning 2000 calories each. Just in time for Easter. Hurrah.

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Another half hour interval run. Nice!

Another half hour interval run by leecolgate at Garmin Connect - Details - link to map and stats

Got shopping out of the way early this morning - bummer that 24 hour opening doesn't include Sunday, it would be great to be able to do this before the long runs - and drove down to Hove Lagoon again for another interval session this morning. By the time I got there, the rain had thankfully stopped and all that remained was a refreshingly light breeze.

To begin with, it didn't feel all that great. My last run was only just over half a day previously, so there was probably some residual tiredness still hanging about, despite extensive and repeated stretching sessions. And the first 3 minutes proved to be, on reviewing the session data, the slowest bit. After that, again, there's a pleasing and surprising consistency throughout. I'm definitely getting fitter and recovering more quickly from the high intensity blasts in these runs. This was different to Wednesday's, which was a 1-minute-sprint-1-minute-recover, with some 5 minute jogs. Today, it was 3-minute-sprint-3-minute-recover, 6 times, no extended jogging. And I did cover about as much additional distance as I was hoping I would. Overall pace almost down to 9-minute miling.

A restful day with plenty of food ahead, I hope, ready for the 14 miles tomorrow. I REALLY hope that goes better than last Sunday. Almost couldn't bear another run that horrible.

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