Training Log Archive: Thraws

Worst race ever, probably, but hopefully that’s because I was carrying fatigue from last weekend and not due to advancing decrepitude. Have been run down (deliberately) most of the week and never felt like running from the moment I woke up. Leg muscles completely lacked spring and bounce during the warm up and long wait at the start. But this always was just another ingredient in the VLM build-up so let’s hope the benefits manifest themselves once the recovery commences. I knew I’d be somewhere between 90 and 95 mins so set off at 7 min/mile pace, which soon felt unsustainable. By mile 3 I’d settled though and was ok till mile 6 (42.20), 10k (43.50) and halfway. After that I struggled. May have been the change in rhythm over the bridges that began the problems but my right ankle was also threatening to bring me to a halt and I eased back once or twice when it felt like I might struggle even to finish! Slowed to 7.15 and then 7.30 miles through miles 7 to 12 and felt pretty much as I did around mile 20 of the marathon last year, ie just hanging on. Managed to find a bit for the finish ‘straight’, but was hugely relieved to finish. Ankle very sore after. Having said all that, and despite all the pain, I’m glad we came. It was an interesting route and a good test for me to do an endurance road race. The rain at the start eased off and I had some great support. Slightly depressing to realise, though, that my 25-year-old pb would have got me third place here once upon a time. Corp Challenge on Wednesday will be ... challenging.

Another day off would have been nice, but I'm not training for the Silverstone Half.

Easy does it.

Felt pretty good.