London Marathon Training
Week 12, Day 1
It seems so long since my last run. It’s only been four days, but it has felt much longer although it has been my longest break since Christmas week when I was struck down by the dreaded lurgy.
After the triumph of the weekend I decided to give myself a couple of days off, fully intending to get back at it on Wednesday night. But that didn’t happen, nor did it happen on Thursday.
One, I couldn’t be bothered, my confidence had gone, I felt there was no way I’d be able to reach the heights of Belfast and Hastings and my mood suggested that anything less would be a disappointment. Plus the weather was rubbish. Big wuss.
And, two, my left calf had suddenly and annoying decided to develop a slightly worrying niggle in it so, with it only being a month until the marathon, I didn’t really want to risk anything until it felt better.
Which brings us to tonight, Friday. A fantastic day weather wise, my leg felt better after a walk into town and back, so I didn’t really have any excuses.
Tonight’s run was my first in my new trainers, Hoka Clifton 3’s. I was sorely tempted to use them in my last two races but that wouldn’t have been sensible. I had walked in them every day to break them in, and they felt amazing, so I was content they’d be ok to run in tonight.
I was only planning 5k so what harm could it do? After the first km I wasn’t entirely convinced. Yes, they were soft and I got a good bounce and landing from them but my feet and ankles didn’t seem impressed.
I carried on regardless, putting it down to teething problems and their general new-ness.
My first km split was good, and my second was almost as fast. As ever, that troublesome third kilometre proved to be a bit of an issue (damn my legs!) but I gradually began to settle into them and, as the run progressed, they turned out to be everything I had hoped for. They were light and helped each step flow much better than before.
I felt really comfortable and strong in those final two kilometres and, crucially, confident in my shoes. I was getting an impressively positive response from them and, rather than tire, I actually began to get significantly quicker, eventually recording a new best time for 5k on my Garmin (an improvement of 18 seconds), albeit still frustratingly outside my PB. Some day, some day.
It was pleasing to get back out again. My calf felt fine once I got going and, rather than a loss of performance from the weekend, I actually maintained my form – plus there’s the added bonus of a hugely positive first outing with my new trainers.
If you’ve enjoyed following my progress so far could I be so bold as to ask you if you’d consider making a donation to my chosen London Marathon charity this year – Asthma UK? No amount is too small, and all donations are received with such heartfelt thanks. My fundraising page can be found here. Thank-you so much.
London Marathon Training (204 miles – 41 runs)
Week 1 – 12.2 miles (4 runs; average 3.1 miles per run)
Week 2 – 9.3 miles (2 runs; average 4.7 miles per run)
Week 3 – 17.7 miles (4 runs; average 4.4 miles per run)
Week 4 – 18.8 miles (4 runs; average 4.7 miles per run)
Week 5 – 14.9 miles (4 runs; average 3.7 miles per run)
Week 6 – 18.7 miles (4 runs; average 4.7 miles per run)
Week 7 – 20.3 miles (4 runs; average 5.1 miles per run)
Week 8 – 23.7 miles (4 runs; average 5.9 miles per run)
Week 9 – 18 miles (3 runs; average 6 miles per run)
Week 10 – 21.9 miles (3 runs; average 7.3 miles per run)
Week 11 – 24.6 miles (4 runs; average 6.2 miles per run)
Week 12 – 3.1 miles (1 run; average 3.1 miles per run)
HUFF, PUFF AND SHUFFLE 