A mixed month for running – some good weeks on miles, some not so good weeks. I’ve been playing with pace and hitting the hills.
My aim for this year is to get PBs from 5 to 50k which means some serious work …. Let’s just say I haven’t been as consistent as I’d like. Indeed, on some days I’ve been rather slack. I think there’s a bit in my brain which is hoping those PBs will just magically happen!
So here’s how it’s been …
Highlights
- Was off to a good start with the Watford Half – a fab race, well organised and fantastic course. I didn’t get the time I wanted. If I was going to do this one again, I’d be doing some serious hill training.
- Pacing practice – In May I’m pacing at the Hackney Half! The target time – 2:20. At a ‘meet your pacer’ event put on by Virgin Sport, I got to meet some of the lovely folk who might be running with me on the day. And it was great to meet some of the other pacers!
- On at least one run a week I’ve been working on keeping an even pace. This is challenging as there’s usually a point at about mile 7 where I get all hyperactive and want to run as fast as my legs will carry me. It also means I’m deliberately running slower than I can.
- Pacing my running buddy at Parkrun. She’s got a time she’s aiming for and while not there yet, it will happen!
- And I almost forgot, it’s been a little chilly and snowy!
Progress (?)
TOTAL MILEAGE: 84 miles
The big change I’ve noticed this month is I have no runs in the red, and only two in amber, the rest are green which meant they were good runs. Having a good run doesn’t mean it’s easy by any means. Some of my runs have included some pretty good hills and playing with some speedy sections.
I’ve been heading for the hills. One run a week and it’s all about the hills. I’m including hills on other runs as well particularly at the end of LSRs. Yes, they hurt. Do they help? That’s a definite yes. And there’s something exciting about tackling the same hill over a few weeks and it getting easier each time!
I think the hills are helping. I think also having dropped a couple of kilos since New Year’s and playing with pace is also helping. It will be interesting to see what the results are over the coming months.
What’s next?
March is a pretty big month. I’ve got The Big Half this weekend. Then later in the month I have the Reading Half at which I’m aiming for a PB. On that PB, I’m not sure how likely it is but let’s see!
Exciting times!
So how’s your month been?
Sounds like a positive and encouraging month! Hopefully the weather holds out for Sunday!
Cheers Matt! And here’s hoping on the weather for Sunday! eeeek
What a lovely positive month – hooray! I had a good marathon training month including a really fab 20 mile run round some of our outer circle bus route – worked a treat as friends could come with me and hop on the bus home! I’ve been doing lots of hills and also tempo work, feeling stronger than for either of my previous maras but many a slip twixt cup and lip etc. Happy March running!
Thanks so much Liz and it sounds like you’re doing fabulously well! Great stuff and keep it up!
I love the ‘traffic light’ spread sheet Sophie.
What a good idea to reflect on your progress.
Cheers Andrea, and happy running!
Seems like things are going well, yay!
How do you decide the color of a particular run? I make lots of text notes in my spreadsheet, but don’t do an overall rating of a run.
Thanks Melissa. On the colour coding, it’s by feel – easy, so-so, or a nightmare – it’s a very basic measure. I can have difficult and hilly runs that are green because even though they were hard I felt strong, or easy runs that are red because they just sucked i.e. nothing in my legs. Does that make sense? Another measure I will look into using is perceived effort on a scale of 1-10. Hope that helps!
Looks like you had a great February! Love the idea of color coding your runs, and especially love the idea that you do it by feel, rather than some external standard. I may have to steal that idea for my training log! 🙂
Thanks Laurie and very happy for you to use the idea. It’s not mine though I can’t remember where I read about it. Works for me. Let me know how you get on with it!