Fitting running around everyday life is tough. For me at the moment my life is work (Start Fitness, Durham), run and wedding planning. I currently work six days a week, run twice a day and on my day off I catch up with jobs around the house.
Myself and Clare (my fiancée) share a car, but we start and finish work at different times and different locations. Some days Clare is working in Durham other days she is studying at Sunderland University. On the days that she’s working in Durham I get a lift into the city then go for a run around Shincliffe and Houghall woods, before running into work along the river banks and into work which is about five miles. Then after work I either, run home, go to the track for a session or do a session on the way home.
Myself and Clare (my fiancée) share a car, but we start and finish work at different times and different locations. Some days Clare is working in Durham other days she is studying at Sunderland University. On the days that she’s working in Durham I get a lift into the city then go for a run around Shincliffe and Houghall woods, before running into work along the river banks and into work which is about five miles. Then after work I either, run home, go to the track for a session or do a session on the way home.
At least three times a week I run eight miles downhill into work and in the evening I do the same eight miles home uphill. This is actually a good way of getting my miles done, easy downhill first thing in the morning with my heavier work backpack (heavier because I carry spare clothes and lunch) then home uphill with the lighter backpack. Some of the hills home are really tough, but I keep telling myself that if I can manage those beasts of hills on tired legs, after work and with a back pack on, then any hill in any race will be a doddle.
I used to drive into Durham every day, but by the time id driven there then done my run around the woods, river and university playing fields and then finally into work I could have just about run from home in the same time. Likewise going home, I used to walk to the car, drive home, get changed then go for a run, running back and forth saves me time, car parking fees and petrol. I’d like to say it’s me doing my thing for a lower carbon footprint but in truth it’s just training.
I used to drive into Durham every day, but by the time id driven there then done my run around the woods, river and university playing fields and then finally into work I could have just about run from home in the same time. Likewise going home, I used to walk to the car, drive home, get changed then go for a run, running back and forth saves me time, car parking fees and petrol. I’d like to say it’s me doing my thing for a lower carbon footprint but in truth it’s just training.
A normal week for me would be somewhere between high seventy and mid eighty miles a week, a track session, a road session (either hills, tempo or fartlek) and on a Saturday I have a hilly 3.6 mile loop that I either do as a one lap flat out benchmark session or 2x1 lap with a decent jog recovery, and finally my Sunday run which is usually between 1hr 45min and 2hours. If I can fit this into and around my already busy week and keep it going without any aches, pains or colds then I can get myself in good shape.
After my injury last year I found it very difficult to get my mileage up, it seemed as though I was either racing, tapering or recovering with the odd good weeks training in between, but the last six to eight weeks I’ve managed to keep my mileage high and done my sessions too.
When I first stepped up to around the low eighties my times in reps paid the price, my efforts were poor, but after a few weeks of plugging away I’ve eventually come through it and things are going well again. In my last three weeks of track sessions I’ve been running PB times on the track. Things are looking good for my next race which will be the Blyth Valley 10k on the 1st April, but it’s such a fine line between being very fit and being injured or ill.
After my injury last year I found it very difficult to get my mileage up, it seemed as though I was either racing, tapering or recovering with the odd good weeks training in between, but the last six to eight weeks I’ve managed to keep my mileage high and done my sessions too.
When I first stepped up to around the low eighties my times in reps paid the price, my efforts were poor, but after a few weeks of plugging away I’ve eventually come through it and things are going well again. In my last three weeks of track sessions I’ve been running PB times on the track. Things are looking good for my next race which will be the Blyth Valley 10k on the 1st April, but it’s such a fine line between being very fit and being injured or ill.
Running high mileage and doing quality sessions isn’t enough to run well, you have to listen to your body and know when to push it and when to back off. Last week was a great one, but this week started good with a cracking 10x300m session, but that was possibly one session too many as I woke up the following morning with the first signs of a cold, so I took some multi vitamins, ate more fruit, made sure I stayed well hydrated and backed off my next session. I’ve had a couple of days of steady running and feel strong again now.
After last week’s warning signs I’ve looked back over my training diary and seen that it’s been a while since I’ve had an easy week so next week I plan to still do my sessions, but I’ll keep my mileage low, then I’ll get back into it the following week.
Running is a balancing act, fitting your running around, work, loved ones and life in general. Then there is the tight rope of training and over training. For me listening to my body is key, train hard when you feel good, back off when you’re tired or feeling run down and make the most of the time you have.
After last week’s warning signs I’ve looked back over my training diary and seen that it’s been a while since I’ve had an easy week so next week I plan to still do my sessions, but I’ll keep my mileage low, then I’ll get back into it the following week.
Running is a balancing act, fitting your running around, work, loved ones and life in general. Then there is the tight rope of training and over training. For me listening to my body is key, train hard when you feel good, back off when you’re tired or feeling run down and make the most of the time you have.