8 weeks down, 4 to go. Race packs have arrived so the Great North Run seems closer, but in my mind, 4 weeks is a lot of time and there’s still training to be done.
My race number came, and after initially seeing my mam and sister’s white number, I was surprised to be put in the green zone, considering we all run similar times. However, after initial confusion and upset that I’d be starting alone, as well as the fact I’ve got nothing to go with green (all my tops are purple!), I tried to focus on the positives, such as the possibility of not being overtaken by as many runners.
My race number came, and after initially seeing my mam and sister’s white number, I was surprised to be put in the green zone, considering we all run similar times. However, after initial confusion and upset that I’d be starting alone, as well as the fact I’ve got nothing to go with green (all my tops are purple!), I tried to focus on the positives, such as the possibility of not being overtaken by as many runners.
My training this week has pretty much been plan perfect. I completed the longest run of my training so far: 6 and a half miles along the cliff tops from South Shields to Sunderland and back again, clocking up 13.18 miles in total. I really enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, and found Friday evening to be the perfect temperature for a long run.
At the beginning of the week, I took up a recommendation of going to Sweatshop to get some Footbalance insoles which I’d been told helped with calve pain. In my eagerness to try anything to relieve the pain and run more, I read some reviews which all seemed to confirm that they worked and went along to buy the insoles. I had my feet analysed by a machine which showed I had really high arches on my left foot, coincidentally the leg with more pain. My long run was the first run with the insoles and they seemed to be in less pain; however I’ve got a 30 day no quabble guarantee so I need more time to try them out before definitely knowing they work.
My other runs of the week included speedwork in the blistering heat on Tuesday evening, which consisted of 5 miles with 4 fast 1kms, as well as 3 miles at 9:40min mile pace on Wednesday evening on the treadmill as the weather had turned completely horrendous and an easier, but boiling, 3 miles on Thursday evening, to give my legs a bit of rest before Friday’s long run.
Sunday was my last run of the week which entailed running 5 miles with 8x150m hills, which again was a very hot run, but I managed the hills and quite enjoyed stretching my legs out.
Overall, I’ve built up a bit of mileage this week, and think this week will be focusing on ensuring I’ve got speed as well as mileage. After being at the helm of organising Gateshead parkrun the past fortnight, alongside the other volunteers, I’m planning on running parkrun this Saturday to enable me to gauge what my speed is like, although I’m not placing everything on one run and there are always variables on the day.
Hope everyone has a good running week, will report back at the end of week 9!