Training Log Archive: Thraws

Last long London Marathon training run. How would it go? Well, I was very glad I'd recced the route as we were able just to get on with the running. And it went very well. I was full of running at the start. Lu was great company and we were together throughout. We didn't stop for navigation, food or fatigue, running all the hills, and the training benefit will be colossal, I'm sure. The miles to Stoughton just flew by, especially in comparison with the pace I'd been going on Thursday. And thereafter, as expected, it got tough. Discomfort in both hips and very tired quads meant I ground out the last hour. But it's a foretaste of the big day, now just three short weeks away. Apart from 13 timed flat miles next weekend, it's taper time. Finally.

Ostensibly a navigational recce of this weekend's last long training run. In practice an excuse for a walk on a glorious spring day. From Petersfield station to SDW at Buriton, then Hucksholt Fm, Telegraph Hill, through 'roller coaster' section between Locksash Fm and Inholmes, Bow Hill, West Stoke, Brandy Hole Copse and home. Tough, but offset by magnificent scenery, especially views of Isle of Wight from Telegraph Hill. Final road section a slog so started to feel tired. Sorted out one or two tricky sections navigationally, and spotted an improvement/extension near Compton village. Now to run it!

What a total blast! Completely loved it. The name - the Brooks - on the map, the elevation, 2m, and the morning after the night of Storm Katie should all have been clues. I started steady like Wednesday, but wanted a clear run at the puddles so moved up the field a bit. At about 3k we were straight into the wind for 3k, but I just found this exhilarating, especially as I seemed to cope better than everyone else. and I knew we'd have it behind us for the business end of the race. After Iford and a small hill we entered the waterlogged fields. Thankfully the sheer amount of water kept the mud from becoming too sticky, and although shoes were coming off all over I felt able to power on. The last road stretch was almost boring by comparison. I caught and overhauled three more but they all got me back on the lap of the track. Last bit of speedwork before London and it couldn't have gone better really. Great event.