I’m getting into the groove of ultra training. My miles aren’t as high as I’d like them to be and it’ll be slow – I need to manage it between life and staying injury free – but it will be done. 50k in mid-July in the Chilterns with XNRG.
I’m trying to shift my headspace a little. Marathon training is about the miles, it’s also about keeping running. Running and walking up hills etc takes a little getting used to on trails. Trails are taking a little getting used to. But there’s something about the chill factor I’m finding on the trails that I don’t find on the road. On the road, it feels like walking is somehow a failure – not fit enough, not strong enough. On the trails, it’s about taking a little more time, being more conscious about where my feet land, the negotiation of muddy quagmires and a little walking. And occasionally I stop to take a photo and listen to the birds.
The most difficult thing I’m finding is dealing with killer hayfever. Spring for me announces the coming of six months of hayfever – the choking, eyes streaming, you know how it goes. Sometimes it means lovely rashes from where I’ve been hit by pollen. I’ve stocked up and there I days I have to take the stuff morning and night.
The last couple of weeks have been good. High points include:
- Helping out on our club’s last session of the beginners’ group where they all run 5 miles and receive a lovely bit of bling. For most, this is the first time they’ve ever run that distance. And the smiles on their faces – brilliant.
- Meeting up with Gary, aka Gazza. Gazza is a Brit living in Australia and we met via Instagram. He was due to run the London Marathon but had to defer for personal reasons. He was doing his own version so I met up with him, his wife and another of his Insta friends on the Mall at his own finish line. It was great to meet him.
- I’ve started going to club again. I didn’t go during marathon training as it conflicted with pilates classes. I’ve decided to prioritise club runs – it’s great meeting up with folks and I’ve got a choice as to whether I want to run hard or take it a little easier.
Where I’ve gotten lazy is the core work and extra stretching on a daily basis. I must get back into that. I’m also working into my training more time on my feet so while I haven’t done any really long runs, there’s been a reasonable amount of walking post-run.
This is how it’s been going –
Week starting 8 May
Monday – stretching, core, light weights
Tuesday – 6.7 miles at sub 10s which is speedy for me; 15 mins core/stretching
Wednesday – 4 miles, slow and steady
Thursday – my left knee was feeling a little tweaky so I decided to take the day off.
Friday – rest day
Saturday – 5.5 miles with a couple of hours of walking on top
Sunday – headed to the Mall and did a few laps of Green Park; 12.4 miles plus some walking so about 4.5 hours on my feet.
Total – 28.6 miles
Week starting 15 May
Monday – rest day
Tuesday – 5.6 miles with lots of hills, core and stretching
Wednesday – 6.3 grim miles with brutal humidity. After a mile I was dripping head to toe
Thursday – Back to it. 3.1 miles with 6 shorts sprints – sub 9:45 pace all up which I was happy eith
Friday – rest day
Saturday – 10.5 miles with an even pace plus 2 hours of walking
Sunday – 9.2 miles on trails. This was a bit more of a run/walk effort as my legs were tired from the day before. Back to back runs are going to take a little getting used to! I did get to see an alpaca though!
Total – 34.7 miles
(May 2017)
Great job on the training Sophie 😊👍🏽
Cheers Marcus and back at you – you’re doing some serious miles!
Where was the alpaca?? Doing really well.
Thanks Jo – it was in the park as part of the festival! Lovely to see!