Edinburgh Marathon - 31.5.09

(me at mile 25)

That's my first marathon done and dusted and I am already planning my next one . It was very hard, but nowhere near as hard as I thought it was going to be. I had been scared stiff all week with the weather reports gradually predicting higher and higher temperatures. I knew how hard it had been at Sheffield in the heat and how dangerous a marathon could be anyway. So I drank water like it was going out of fashion, carbed up on very sensible foods, cut out caffeine and ran virtually nothing. Saturday morning came and it was lovely to see Kay and Nicky at the station (saw them at Leeds and Edinburgh stations, but our trains were 20 minutes apart unfortunately). We went for some lunch in Princes Street Gardens when we got there and then went to find the 'expo' which consisted of overpriced rubbish marathon branded stuff, a help desk to pick up numbers that hadn't arrived and a chance to sign up for 2010. Saturday evening should have been lovely with all our running club friends around, but as the evening went on I gradually lost the plot and ended up dashing into the toilets because I was about to burst into tears with anxiety. Jaz, Helen and Janice sorted me out between them - thank you! Sunday morning started for me at 3am (not deliberately!). It was hot at the start already. The mountains looming around the start pens were incredibly beautiful. Then in no time at all we were off. I had my pace band on for 3:42, 'BLUE BALLOON' written on my hand to remind me of Helen's story about setting off too fast and my Garmin set up to tell me the time, distance, current pace and lap pace with me intending to start a new lap each mile. Didn't see any mile markers until about mile 4 so that went out of the window. And pace band? Looked at it twice I think. I suppose that is a reflection of how much I have improved at pacing over the last few months. The race itself went by in a bit of a blur really. The heat was unbelievable, but wearing my hat seemed to help. There was no breeze from the sea and very little shade. I felt comfortable to about 14 miles when my body had its usual mile of yuck before settling down again. I knew I was hitting faster than my required pace for most of the miles, but they weren't silly fast. The only one I did tell myself off for was an 8:08, but I think that was actually a short mile. I drank at every water station, had a gel every 4 miles or so because of the heat and also had a couple of bottles of lucozade sport. Mile 24 was my slowest mile at 8:43, but then I saw our amazing supporters at mile 25 and it lifted me enough to get back on track. The next mile was hard, but not impossible and I didn’t experience anything different from my usual end of race negative feeling, except it was easier to turn it around and keep on target. The end was a welcome sight and as I stopped my watch I knew I had beaten my target – 3:41:45 (official time was one second faster lol). I have my good for age place for London 2010 and am absolutely thrilled. I know you will all be shocked to see that I even managed a fairly even split – 1:50 for the first half and 1:51 for the second. I was horrified that they ran out of water too. Apparently anyone slower than about 4:30 had difficulties. On a day like that it brought it home to me very visually how scary and tough a marathon is. I saw people collapsed by the side of the road, ambulances and a packed first aid tent at the finish. I was lucky. My worst injury came from my skins compression trousers being too tight when my legs swelled and leaving amazing bruises on my legs! I also have two tiny blisters and a bit of chafing from my ipod. I am so proud of how well everyone did on Sunday. Firstly, we all completed a marathon. Secondly, it was in the heat and some of you were out in the blazing sun without water for far longer than was safe. I am so lucky to have had such brilliant support and advice – thank you. And to all of you who came up to cheer us on – thank you so much as well – it kept us all going when it got tough. So now in typical me fashion I am planning my next race and already thinking about what I need to do before London to improve on my time. I can’t walk properly, stairs are a nightmare and I haven’t stopped grinning yet!

Week 16

Well that's it. All my training is done and now I just have to wait until Sunday, rest, eat, keep my nerves in check, don't go off too fast and run a great race! I have totalled up my training. Over the last 16 weeks I have run 5 or 6 days every week but one (parents evenings and concerts at school). I have done two 18s, three 20s and one 22 mile long runs which I never thought would be possible for me. My total mileage is 556.74 miles and I have spent 71 hours 22 mins and 38 seconds running. It has been very hard getting out there in the cold and snow and running after school when I am tired. It has been incredibly tough doing most of my long runs on my own, but I am proud of myself for doing it. I am pleased with my training. I missed about two sessions I think out of the last 16 weeks and I couldn't have done any more with the time I had available. I have enjoyed reading about everyone's training and the highlight for me is definitely Kay and Nicky's contraband paper bags! I have learned so much and had some amazing support from you all - THANK YOU! Good luck to everyone racing on Sunday and thank you to all our fab supporters too

Week 15

Well, in one week's time it will all be over. Strange thought! This week I have well and truly tapered. Rested Monday and Wednesday. Run club on Tuesday, 4 miles on Thursday, 3 mile tempo on Friday, parkrun Saturday and 10 miles today. It seemed really odd to do just 10 miles - I was left with the thought that I had a lot of time to myself on a Sunday for the first time for a long time. It has been hard to stay properly paced this week and I have been relying on my Garmin to yell at me when I went too fast. I saw the physio on Thursday evening. It has been about 6 weeks since I last saw her and my knee was back to being bent again and very tight piriformis muscles as well. She put me through the usual agony including sorting out my achilles problem which was caused by a tight plantar fascia. I said I hadn't been sure about whether I would physically be able to do another marathon because my knee didn't seem to cope with the high mileage, but she said that providing I have physio every 3-4 weeks I will be okay. Yesterday at parkrun was lovely because Kara did her 10th one. I am so proud of her for sticking it out and trying her best each week (despite the drama queen act she is so good at putting on!). Only 2 runs left now this week - run club on Tuesday and another of about 2 miles on Thursday. I hope that will be enough to keep me going whilst letting my legs recover enough as well. I know that I have done my best races when I have not been able to run much the week before...

Week 14

First week of the taper done and tbh it didn't feel like much of a taper apart from the long run today. Monday I rested. Tuesday I didn't go to run club because I know I always end up pushing myself and didn't think I should so soon after Sunday's effort. So I ran round near home instead, but ended up doing 7.5 and probably too quick as well. So I rested Wednesday as well. Thursday I did 5 easy miles. Friday I did 7 x 800m intervals at the track. It was only then I realised how much the long run had taken its toll on my legs because they didn't want to move. The recovery period was too short as well I think (about 80m) and I only managed 6.5 of the intervals. Saturday I did HPTT with Kara and again my legs were tired. Today I had 15 scheduled, but my knee and achilles were niggling a bit so I took the sensible option and only did 14. Much slower than last week too at 9:11 min miles. This week is when proper tapering starts. I will probably run 5 days, but I only have one tempo session on Friday which is remotely quick. Trying desperately to avoid bugs at school. The kids think I am nuts because every time they sneeze or cough in my lesson they get squirted with anti-bac handwash!

Week 13

Well that's it folks. The hard work is done and now it's TAPER TIME!! Well done to everyone on the hard work and training you have all put in over the last 13 weeks. You all deserve to have fabulous races in Edinburgh on 31st. My week has been quite eventful. The club interval session on Tuesday night was great fun. I had said to myself that I really should take it easy after my long run the day before, but I couldn't. I love intervals and just couldn't rein myself in! Wednesday was a rest day. Thursday my legs were very tired so my tempo session was a bit of a wash out. My old injury on my achilles was playing up this week and hurt while I was doing my race pace run on Friday evening. I still managed it, but it was sore. Saturday I decided to spectate at HPTT and had a massage to try and ease the pain before today's long run. I didn't feel 100% last night and was wondering if I would be well enough to run today, but after an early night I woke up refreshed so set off just before 8 to do my 9 miles before Leeds Half. I treated it as a dress rehearsal and had arranged for Jaz and Kara to give me lucozade drinks on route and ran in my new running sunglasses even though it was a rather dull day. I arrived at the start at about 9:20 which was just about right and kept jogging on the spot while we were waiting to start. You all know me so well and I just couldn't keep to the right pace today. It was a race and I couldn't mentally view it as anything else. I kept having to slow myself down, but it was much faster than I have done any of my long runs before. Even the dreaded hell of Stonegate Road felt easy today. By the time I got to Lawnswood roundabout I felt so good I upped the pace for the last 6 miles. I did wonder if it was too fast, but I thought I could always slow down again if I needed to. Getting a hug from Kara on Kirkstall Road was lovely and my energy drink gave me a big boost. Then of course there was the VARR cheering squad outside the gym which gave me a real boost (thanks Tom for yelling at me to slow down!). I didn't lose pace and even the hill by the international pool didn't slow me down today. I finished my 22.22 miles in 3:12:38 which has given me a real confidence boost that I can get under 3:45 and get my gfa place for London next year (my half time was amazingly 1:50 which is only 9 mins slower than my pb). I followed Helen's advice and drank at virtually every water station, had gels at 5, 10 and 15 miles and lucozade at 9 and 19 and it really helped. I didn't hit the wall in the slightest and today was the first long run I have done where I didn't feel it was tough at any stage. So that's it now. I am ready for my taper now and just hope I haven't peaked too soon.

Week 12

This week has been a nightmare for me and I am glad to have come through it the other side with some fabulous support from my friends (THANK YOU!). I decided to take Monday off because my knee was a bit sore after Sheffield. Tuesday's club night was good fun even though the rain was bad. It was nice to get warm and have a natter to people in the sauna afterwards too even if Dave did tell me off... Wednesday I had to teach athletics at school and thinking the field would be soggy I wore my old trainers. Had great fun teaching the long jump and showing the children how to improve their running style. It has even got me wanting to start a running group on a lunchtime for the children who would never dream of joining cross country club. Really hope I can persuade some of them to give it a go if I am allowed to do the club. I was cross with myself though because when I went out to do my run ater school, I was about 10 mins in when I realised that I had not changed my trainers. I had wondered why my knee was so bad and I was kicking my legs again all of a sudden. I didn't have time to go back so just carried on. I haven't slept well this week and I wasn't sure why. I entered the London ballot on Monday but because the site kept crashing it was 10:30pm before I managed it and was then too hyper to sleep. Tuesday was another late one and Wednesday I lay in bed for ages trying to sleep and it just didn't happen. So by Thursday I was well and truly wiped. My knees hurt and for once I could not get myself to even go for a short run after school. Friday I decided to give Stonegate Road a go because I haven't been up there for a while and didn't have enough time for an interval session. Saturday I did HPTT and ran with Surinder. Sunday morning I woke up late having been out on Saturday night for some much needed relaxation. And I lost all motivation to run. I just could not get myself out of the door to do my long run. I haven't missed a single long run during this schedule and felt awful to not do it, but knew that it just wasn't happening. I did force myself to do 6.5 last night, but it was incredibly hard. Today I did my 18 miler though. Michael hadn't run yesterday so was up for a long run today and having the company really helped. It was still a tough run, but I did it and am just trying to get warm now having been absolutely soaked to the skin. This week seems to have been much like the end of races for me - the end is in sight and it seems so far away still and my motivation just went. It really helped to read Tom and Helen's blog this morning while having my breakfast. Knowing that other people feel like this and still do amazing sessions after made me think yep I can do this. So again a big thank you to everyone who has helped me get to the end of this week Only one more long run to do then taper time...

Week 11

Two decisions made for me today: 1. I will leave the 5k pb try until after the marathon 2. My predicted marathon time is 3:42 which means running at 8:28 per mile. Today we ran Sheffield Half Marathon. It was hot and there were some tough hills in there as well. I found it incredibly hard to pace myself properly, but still managed a pb by finishing in 1:41:11 (according to my Garmin). Applying Tom's double it and add 10% rule, I came out with the 3:42 time which would still give me a gfa place for London 2010. I pushed it hard today, managed a negative split and didn't fade in the last mile, but it still wasn't what I had hoped for - maybe I am not a long distance runner. Kay pointed out that I hadn't tapered for this and the last two weekends I have done 20 milers so my legs were probably tired. Don't get me wrong - I am pleased with my time though. As the time draws nearer, I have decided that I have no idea how well I am going to cope with 26 miles even though the 20s have been relatively easy (during them at least!), so I will play by the rules to mile 20 and then see what happens. If it is as hot as it was today for the Londoners, I know I will have no chance!! A HUGE well done to Kay for her race today . Nicky did fantastically well considering she has been injured and only back running for 4 weeks. Two weeks to taper time...

Week 10

Employing pyschological thinking on this - only 3 weeks hard training left and then taper. Okay, so I know I did my 20 too fast last Sunday now (did wonder, but I had been trying to run by how I felt). Monday was a 5 mile recovery shuffle in the hope that my legs would magically become looser. By Tuesday night they were feeling much better.... until I tried to run again. It was like running through treacle and my quads were agony. Wednesday I rested, but my legs still didn't feel any better. By Thursday I was panicking a bit and went and bought myself some Skins capri pants. I have read about how compression clothing helps, but thought it must be a placebo effect. Placebo or not, they have worked for me. Thursday 4 x 1.5 mile intervals on the treadmill went fine and legs didn't ache. Friday a 3 mile tempo session plus warm up and down also went really well. And today I can't quite believe the point I am at - no more 20s to do! The thing I was most nervous about and dreading is out of the way. (Strangely the 22 in a couple of weeks isn't actually worrying me too much). I tried to pace it better today and ended up doing it in 3:01 which was about right I think. I did try to pick up the pace for the last couple of miles again and so pleased because it felt easy (8:18, 7:57 pace). When am I allowed to get excited / nervous?! And when I am tapering will I be able to try for a 5k pb? Desperate to give it a go, but don't want to ruin my marathon chances in the process.

Week 9

It's been a good week this week. After my pb last Sunday and being 6th in my age group, which is my best placing, I was on a bit of a high . I did manage to go over on my ankle on Sunday evening (no heels or alcohol involved, just me being clumsy!). Rested Monday because my cold was still not good and my ankle was sore too. Tuesday I saw the physio who told me that I have improved and now have runner's legs. As long as I can keep them I asked her to check my sore ankle and she said I had tweaked the ligaments, but was okay to run. Club run was the surprisingly enjoyable time trial along the canal (hoping nobody noticed that I was nearly sick after sprinting to the finish ). Wednesday I nipped out to do an easyish 7 miles. Thursday I managed to battle the dreadmill and did 8 x 400m intervals (was meant to be 15 x 200m, but that seemed too short for marathon training so changed it). Was nice to see Paul W there and have a natter with him. Friday I did 8 miles. Saturday was meant to be parkrun, but after insisting on Friday night she wanted to run, Kara decided to play on Saturday morning instead (fine except I had set the alarm for 6:30!). Today was my second 20 miler. Lovely morning, but I found it incredibly hard to get going. My knee was a bit swollen after physio and my ankle still hurt. At 4 miles I nearly turned back. But I kept going and am really glad I did. It was easier than last time, I did it 7 mins faster than last time - 2:56 (avg 8:48 ) and even managed to do the last 2 miles as my fastest ones (8:21 and 8:13). Really pleased with that one.

Week 8

This week my legs have felt more tired than I thought they would after the 20 last Sunday. Tuesday I did 9 miles, Thursday was a tempo session and Friday was 6 miles. As the week progressed I felt more and more tired and by Friday night I was shaking and wondering if it was a good idea to run. Thought it was just tiredness though and running tired would be good practice for May. When I woke up yesterday morning I realised that it had not been tiredness, but the start of a cold and I felt lousy all day. Typical to end up ill on the first day of the holidays. So I was a little apprehensive about racing this morning. Cold medicine taken and asthma inhaler inhaled I decided I couldn't miss it and had to run. The new route was a lot hillier than last year and the first half seemed to be virtually all uphill. At least that meant the second half was downhill though! My legs felt strong all the way even up the hills which is unusal for me. I still need to sort out that finishing psychological bit though because I looked at my watch at well into the last km and it said 41 mins. I then panicked and slowed down. Still did a pb - 44:36. I know the official time is more than that because it is one of those races where the timing chips all start with the gun and finish as you cross the line. But I know my time and I am really pleased. I know that 10k as a distance doesn't translate well to the marathon distance, but I can see my improvement and the fact that my legs felt so good has really helped.

Week 7

have had a strange week this week. I had two evenings at work again which meant that my training was disrupted. Tuesday I got home after parents evening at 6:40, let the dog out and was back out again at 6:50 to do a quick interval session. Was more like fartlek really as this was supposed to be an easy interval week. Wednesday I did the harder tempo run. Thursday was the spring concert so I couldn't train and felt so wiped out by Friday I could have fallen asleep standing up. So I decided to give Friday night's medium run a miss in the hope of being fresher for Sunday's long run. Saturday I still felt really tired, but made sure that I ate a good meal because the late nights had also meant that for a few days I ate nothing but sandwiches, which I know is not ideal. Today I did my first ever 20 mile run. I had been dreading it because it seemed like such a long way and I have been told horror stories about the distance. But, I applied my positive mental thinking and viewed it as just 2 miles longer than last week which helped a lot. I had bought myself a camelbak yesterday and took a couple of gels out with me as well. And I did it! I finished in 3:03 and it actually felt easier than last week's 18 miles. I even feel like a proper runner today because I have my first blister Wondering if it might be caused by my running gait changing from wearing my orthotics. I wasn't wearing my orthotics today and wore my stability trainers instead. It wasn't even the distance because it came on by 8 miles. One thing I have noticed recently is a change in my stamina. Last summer when I did long runs, I started to struggle at 7 miles and was fine again by 8. Today I didn't start to struggle until 10 miles and was fine again by 11. Next week is Wakefield 10k and I am looking forward to testing the marathon training leads to pbs over shorter distances theory...

Week 6

10 weeks to go... Did my longest run ever this morning - 18 miles. Did 3-12 with Michael and it was nice to have company . The route I had worked out had a couple of big hills and several more longer but less steep ones so my legs and bum are really complaining now! The last 6 I did on my own and was fine up until the last 2 when my legs started to really tire. The last mile seemed to go on FOREVER! I got back and walked around the kitchen (didn't dare sit down in case I couldn't get up again ) wondering how on earth I would be ready to run another 8 miles on top of that. But, when I think about it sensibly, I have only ever done three 16 mile runs and 16 today was easy so maybe after I have done my 20s I will feel better about the distance. Speed was okay - did it in 2:40 averaging 8:54 which I am pleased with. I tried the easy tempo / hard interval thing this week and that also worked well. Wasn't quite sure what an easy tempo run would look like so I did a shorter distance at fast tempo then another mile or so at slightly slower speed. My intervals this week were really good. I did 6 x 800m with 200m recovery. Three of them were at sub 7 pace (one was even 6:46!) and the other 3 were just over. It was getting dark by that point though so I had to slow down to avoid breaking my ankle in the pottholes on the track I use. My easy 3 miles of parkrun on Saturday morning turned out to be not quite so easy as Kara did a fantastic 27:53 time averaging 9 minute miles. Really proud of her! Less miles this week due to having to be at work late twice this week and it will be the same for the next two weeks, but am trying to move things around to get the miles in. Total: 39.68

Week 5

am posting this a day early because I have had a fab run today and am feeling positive . The rest of the week, my legs have felt incredibly tired and I ended up abandoning my interval session on Thursday because they had turned into lead weights and refused to move quickly. I think it was because I had run every day since Sunday and have also been wearing in my orthotics (which has meant my calfs were tight and sore as my feet and legs adjust to a 'normal' position). I have also been very tired and experiencing the same thing as Kay in waking up ridiculously early despite being so tired. Anyway, I was apprehensive about my run this morning to say the least and really had to force myself out of the door. BUT - it was brill! I went on an undulating route, got lost when I ended up on a farm track which was also very muddy, and had fun trying to move forwards in the wind. The invisible treadmill running must have been very funny to watch as I was running incredibly hard and literally moving nowhere! At one point I think I even went backwards as well. It took me 2:29, but I didn't mind considering the conditions in places. So this week I have done 5 recovery, 7.8 medium run with run club, 3 tempo, a few intervals and 16 mile long run. I will be finishing the week with a 5 mile recovery run tomorrow evening bringing the total for this week to 41 miles.

Tough Challenge

This is certainly the toughest challenge I have faced both physically and mentally, but I need those challenges to keep me going . I do tend to set myself high targets and, following a conversation with Tom, I think I will have to set myself a lower target for Edinburgh. Two reasons: 1) I don't think I am capable of a 1:35 half marathon yet and I know I really need this to achieve 3:30. 2) I really want to do London and if I can get under 3:45 I will get a gfa place and if I aim too high and miss it I could blow my chances of a London place. I am doing my physio and stretch exercises as often as possible although I don't have time to do it every day. I have done this volume of training before although not at the same intensity I don't think and had no problem with it except being a little more tired. So I was trying to work out what was different and came to two conclusions - I am working more hours than before and I am having difficulty refuelling straight after a run. This is because most of my runs are done after school while madam is in aftercare or clubs and I can't eat until I get home which could be an hour later. If you have any ideas as to what I could take to eat in that 20 minute window I would be grateful. Please don't suggest nuts though (the packet I bought with hope after our marathon meeting went home with Kay last night!).

Week 4

Well it's a quarter of the way through training now and I have had a good week's training. Tuesday was a tempo run along the route Kay suggested which worked much better and I was able to hold the pace. Wednesday was a recovery run. Thursday was 6 x 800m intervals which was not easy, but I managed the right pace in all but one. Friday was my medium run of 7.5 miles (all I could fit in while madam was at Brownies). Today I was aiming for 14 miles, but missed a turn on my route, tried to make up the distance later and ended up at 15 miles. Mileage for this week: 37 I know that I am achieving the speeds and distances required by my schedule, but I am wondering whether I can possibly be ready in time. Today's long run was tough going and my legs felt very tired. It was a hilly route and quite windy this morning, but I had thought that the training I have been putting in over the last year or so would have meant that that distance would have felt like relatively easy. I did manage to pick up the pace at the end and finished in 2:13. Is it normal to feel like this at this stage of training? When does it start to feel like it is coming together?!

Podiatrist Visit

I finally got a name for my knee problems today - I have equinus. This means that my foot doesn't flex properly at the ankle and my foot points downwards. It could be something I was born with, or caused by walking on my toes for 33 years! I have been fitted for orthotics and she tried some templates under my heels and I was amazed at the difference just 4mm made - I could actually bend my knees! Thinking about it, it is no wonder I have difficulty with hills. If my foot doesn't flex upwards and my knees don't bend, I can't possibly have the power needed to push my body upwards. I'm going to awfully disappointed if these don't turn out to be a panacea when they arrive in a couple of weeks!

Week 3

have been really sensible this week (for a change!). I didn't feel brilliant on Tuesday so stayed near home instead of run club and cut my run a bit short as well. I also took Wednesday as a rest day which meant two in a week which is a bit unusual for me. Thursday I attempted a tempo run, but I think I was still feeling the after effects of the bug I had because my legs did not want to move as fast as I needed them to. Also found that there where I thought would be fairly flat near work wasn't that flat. Need to try to find somewhere else for future runs. Friday was much better and I did a 4 x 1 mile interval session. Got some strange looks from the police as there was an accident on the route I found to run around so had to run past them 3 times. Saturday was parkrun and I took it easy. Today was a 12 miler which I really enjoyed. Quite a hilly route, but I finished in a reasonable time and completed the week on a high note. More reasonable mileage this week at 33 miles which my knee has been grateful for I think. Podiatrist visit on Tuesday afternoon and I am really hopeful that they will be able to help me complete the higher mileage I know is coming up very soon with little or no pain.

Week 2

How quickly have the last two weeks gone?! It will be May in no time at all at this rate... Week 2 done and dusted and (no surprises here...) I did a bit much this week. Not that I feel that I have done too much, just know I should have done a bit less. Monday - 4 mile recovery, Tuesday 7.8 mile run club session. Wednesday didn't go as planned because Tuesday night I didn't sleep because my leg was aching from the physio on Monday and I couldn't get it comfortable. I thought I had escaped lightly this week, but during my Wednesday session I got my numb leg after 2 of my 3 1.5 mile intervals on the track. It's so frustrating when it goes because it just turns into a dead weight. I did mention it to the physio but she said it was understandable because she had stirred my leg up lots and not to worry. Easy for her to say when I ended up dragging myself back home. Luckily it went off again after an hour or so. Thursday I battled the dreadmill. I just can't get my head round why it is so hard nowadays when I used to love it. Still, I did a mile warm up and 4 miles tempo at 7:30 min mile pace. I was very glad to finish though! Friday was meant to be a rest day, but I needed to see my doc and the appointment they had meant that if I didn't run there I wouldn't get there in time and it's only 2 miles each way and I didn't push it - honest! Saturday was an easy 3 miles at HPTT. This morning was a toughy. I have been tired all week despite not being at work (fighting off another cold maybe?). 10 miles supposed to be at 8 min mile, but the tiredness and the horrendous wind this morning left me exhausted. I did it, but slower than I wanted averaging 8:25. I'm not worried though because it is still early days. Total mileage for this week: 40.41 Stretches and physio exercises also done almost every day

Week 1

Okay, so one week in and so far so good. I have done 5 training sessions this week and got out of them exactly what I wanted. Tuesday's hills were a killer though! The thing that I have been most pleased with is my pace judgement. I have been absolutely amazed (and I'm sure Rick will be as well lol) to have done 3 approx MP runs (2 of 4 miles and 1 of 8 ) without having to be beeped at by my Garmin. They averaged at 8:03, 8:04 and my 8 miler today I completed in 1:03:44 - spot on! Total miles for this week: 26.33.

pb pb pb and marathon training

Didn't realise it had been so long since I had written on here.
It's been a busy few weeks.
Got a new pb at HPTT thanks to Rick dragging me round :) 21:54 and I won again as well!
Did too much though because my knee started playing up - typical - a week before Brass Monkey. So I cut back.
Brass Monkey was okay. Set off with Rick and we stayed together for the first 7 miles at which point I just couldn't push the pace. I was running with a knee support on and was very aware of how uncomfortable it was and the fact that I may hurt my knee more meaning my marathon would be compromised. When I realised I wasn't going to get my time I lost it mentally and slowed down instead of speeding up. The last 3 miles were hell. Instead of thinking yeah it's only 3 miles and I do that easily every Saturday morning it went the other way and I was thinking oh no that's another 23 minutes at this speed. Support from my club mates at 12 miles helped, but only for a short distance before my negative mental state took over again. I still managed a pb in 1:41:23, but it was 2 minutes slower than I wanted to get. I did get a new 10 mile pb in the process of 1:16:55.
I was fed up after the race because my knee was bad. I went to see a different physio and was amazed at how quickly she picked up on my problems. The usual tight calves and hamstrings, but weak calves and glutes and tight adductors to add to it. She also wants me to see their podiatrist to get orthotics rather than running in support shoes because I overpronate to different degrees in my feet. But, I am allowed to run because she wants to see how I cope with it. Great, except now I have a coldy type virus and feel dreadful. So bad that I missed my long run for the first time in months.
I am trying to think longer term now and aiming for Edinburgh. A fantastic seminar yesterday on marathon training. I learned loads about long runs and nutrition and listening to stories about pace made me realise how important it is not to set off quickly. I have an image of Helen's pacing balloon in my head and will keep it there to remind me. I can't do Leeds Half because I have to do a 22 miler that day so I am doing Sheffield Half instead. I have to use my race time there to work out my marathon pace. Tom's rule is double it and add 10%. Currently that would be 3:40. I fully intend to get sub 1:40 in my next half. Tom reckons that I am capable of a 1:35 half at some point. That sounds awfully fast to me, but is only really the equivalent of my sub 45 10k in terms of thresholds.
Looking at my race pbs my HM, 10 mile and 5k times are all in line and it is my 10k time that stands out as the best. Maybe 10k is my distance. That surprises me because I have felt more comfortable doing longer distances recently. I need to crack the mental nut though.