Tuesday's run was an easy five miles with the average pace smack in the middle of my current target range and each mile evenly paced. Thursday was too nice an evening for running on the roads so instead of going straight out from work I headed home to pick up my trail shoes. Despite the slower overall pace the uneven surface and steeper gradients put it firmly in the steady to tempo pace effort category for just over 7 miles.
 |
| Holly Walk in evening sunshine |
Saturday's mileage has really ramped up at this stage in the training cycle. The day started with a steady 3 miles at Parkrun. All the fast runners must have been away this week as I finished 30 places higher than last week despite running 6 seconds a mile slower. Pleased with my pacing on that one as each lap got progressively faster. This was followed up by a hilly 7 miles at easy pace.
Sunday's long run was 16 miles this week. Previous 16 mile runs in this cycle have been a real slog with rain, hail and high winds. So although it was colder and windier today than earlier in the week it was still good conditions for running. I've been practicing drinking a little every mile in preparation for the marathon in a few weeks time as I don't like chugging down lots of water when you get to the water stations. I do need to stock up on gels or something similar - going to try experimenting with some Tailwind on the next few longer runs as I find gels hard to stomach in the later stages of a long run or race and cans of coke are hard to carry for 15+ miles.
Didn't do too badly on the strength training this week managing 3 out of 4 of the planned sessions. Missed Saturday's due to need to let people into the Scout Hut for a coffee afternoon, bake and deliver a cake for an event at church, walk Marley and then finally lock up the hut again.
Stats for the week:
Miles: 38.86
Elevation gained: 716 metres
LeJog: 319.34 miles (half way between Shrewsbury and Tarporley)
