Training Log Archive: Jon X

Another morning run. Raining and big headwind on the uphill outward stretch. Still not feeling too lively although unsurprisingly not quite so bad once downhill with the wind behind - and any striding out not really taking any more effort than the slower pace.

Niggles generally okay although quads/ITB need to loosen off a bit, and right achilles/lower calf is still pretty tight, need to make sure I keep stretching it out on days off. Think I probably also still have some residual tiredness from JK and the week following - taking another day off tomorrow. In Reading tomorrow anyway so that fits well.

Taunted by the weather which did of course decide to turn very sunny and pleasant post-run while we were sitting eating breakfast!

Taper plan said a run in the morning with some gentle approx 100m accelerations up to around MP.
Tick.

The plan says today is a total day off - after last night I am happy to oblige :)

Thinking about tweaking next week's plans and take an additional day off. Will decide after I see how I feel on Sunday's run.

C • You are what weight!?! 4

If you fail to plan.....

Today was intended to be the last proper session pre-marathon. Knew I wanted to do up to 3 miles worth of reps but didn't really have a firm plan. Was toying with mile reps but also with something shorter ending with 400s/200s on the track to give confidence that marathon pace quite a bit slower than top pace and therefore should be comfortable.....

Didn't leave the office when planned, decided against mile reps on the Carse because it was windy, headed to the uni for track reps - felt quite keen on them when decision made. Except of course I had forgotten that there is a Central session on the track at 7pm on Thursday.

So road reps after all, not so keen on the short ones there so did 6x3mins along below Minewoods on the ever-so-slightly undulating road there. Idea was to do about 5km pace/intensity, but felt pretty sluggish and tired, no zest or bounce. And quads very heavy - maybe as a by product of massage yesterday.

Pace not actually as bad as feared (pretty much 6min/mile).
Lots of reasons for not feeling great including 7hrs since lunch and under-hydrated, plus post-massage effects and also maybe a bit of residual post-JK tiredness.
But nevertheless not quite the motivational and encouraging session I was hoping for!

Rest day tomorrow anyway and nice easy week planned thereafter, just a little bit of MP and some strides in a couple of the easy runs. A good reminder also to pay attention to the hydration and nutrition all through next week!

Off to physio for MOT/massage at lunchtime, prefer to run before that not after so an easy loop before work.

Out at lunchtime along the Carse road - time to do some running earlier in the day rather than all of it in the evenings.

Two miles warming up, feeling good, 1.5mile continue out at approx MP effort, feeling good, turn round for the remaining 1.5mile at MP effort, brutal headwind, all now explained!

20:03 for the MP section which is about right (but hides that in the wind it was 9:35 for the first half and 10:28 for the second half).

Pilates back by popular demand for a summer season. And a good old stretch was very much needed!
Missing next week so last session before the marathon - and last weigh-in so down to race weight just in time :)

Three circuits this week. Including three abs exercises in a row ouch.
Resisted temptation of a jog afterwards...