Week 7 of GNR training began with vigour and good intentions. I began my training on Wednesday morning with what was intended to be 10x200m with 100m jogs in-between, over 5 miles. However, I managed a measly 4x200m of speedwork and completed 4 miles in total.
The main cause of my struggle that morning was sharp pains throughout my left calve, sometimes switching to the right, which marked this year’s biggest bout of shin splints to date. My thoughts post-run were to attribute the pain partly to the trainers I bought in June 2011 and to the lack of support in my ridiculously unsupportive trainer socks.
Remembering I’d been kindly given a pair of hardly worn trainers in my size, I wore those for Thursday morning’s run and immediately felt the benefits, almost assimilating myself to Bolt in the way I could glide along the paths (slight stretch of the imagination, but I felt great!). I completed 6 miles in my target time and was really pleased; especially enjoying the little motivational message that pops up on my watch when I finish a run!
Carrying on with my morning runs to enable my body to have a full 24 hours to recover, I attempted 5 miles with 3 miles at threshold on Friday morning. Unfortunately, I’d acquired earache and a sore throat, and although I thought I could just run through the pain, my body simply would not persist. I finished on 4 miles which would have been 2 miles, had it not been for the fact I was running a loop and needed to get home.
Saturday saw myself and the other members of Gateshead parkrun event team organising another great event, which I was very glad went smoothly! With my pains and illnesses, I’ve been doubting whether my GNR sub 2hr time is achievable, but talking to people at parkrun has given me a lot of encouragement, and although in my heart I don’t think I can run sub 2hrs, I still believe I’ll do it faster knowing that I’ve got the support and belief of others.
The rest of the weekend I rested as I wanted to fully recover from my illness and thought my legs would benefit from the rest too. I’m now looking forward to week 8 of GNR training, which will be filled with lots of stretching, listening to my body and hopefully building up speed and miles!
Hope everyone has a good running week!
Remembering I’d been kindly given a pair of hardly worn trainers in my size, I wore those for Thursday morning’s run and immediately felt the benefits, almost assimilating myself to Bolt in the way I could glide along the paths (slight stretch of the imagination, but I felt great!). I completed 6 miles in my target time and was really pleased; especially enjoying the little motivational message that pops up on my watch when I finish a run!
Carrying on with my morning runs to enable my body to have a full 24 hours to recover, I attempted 5 miles with 3 miles at threshold on Friday morning. Unfortunately, I’d acquired earache and a sore throat, and although I thought I could just run through the pain, my body simply would not persist. I finished on 4 miles which would have been 2 miles, had it not been for the fact I was running a loop and needed to get home.
Saturday saw myself and the other members of Gateshead parkrun event team organising another great event, which I was very glad went smoothly! With my pains and illnesses, I’ve been doubting whether my GNR sub 2hr time is achievable, but talking to people at parkrun has given me a lot of encouragement, and although in my heart I don’t think I can run sub 2hrs, I still believe I’ll do it faster knowing that I’ve got the support and belief of others.
The rest of the weekend I rested as I wanted to fully recover from my illness and thought my legs would benefit from the rest too. I’m now looking forward to week 8 of GNR training, which will be filled with lots of stretching, listening to my body and hopefully building up speed and miles!
Hope everyone has a good running week!