Week 7 of my HM training out of the way with an 8 mile run this morning. Roll on Feb 19th.

Hi everybody,

I've not been in touch recently as like the rest of you, its been nose back to the grindstone and hello 2017.

I had a cracking run this morning, it was my final run for the week. It was supposed to be 7 miles but I was enjoying myself so much, that I added an extra mile to help build up my stamina.

I crossed the causeway from Portland and it was hard going, as I was running into the wind, and as the 'donkey said to Shrek', "Layers!"

That was the dress code and I did look a little like an onion.

At the end of the causeway I entered the Rodwell Trail and followed it all the way to Weymouth, seeing lots of dog walkers, runners and cyclists, the majority didn't seem adverse to greeting a smiling Allium, bouncing along the trail. The sun was slowly melting the frost from the track, some bits were slippery so I was careful as I moved along. There were Wrens, Robins and Grey Squirrels flitting about, they looked fabulous darting in and out of the shadows among the fallen leaves and twigs.

At the 4 mile point my wrist received its little vibe and I turned around and started to retrace my journey. I reached the highest point on the trail, the view over Portland Harbour and the Island was spectacular. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, there were white horses scurrying across the water, the sun was glinting off the waves, what a beautiful day. I descended to the causeway and soon as I had moved away from the land, the wind clouted me in the back, pushing me along, towards the Island and my finishing point. That extra mile I had treated myself too, then decided to bite me in the bum! The last mile was pretty hard work on my legs, I suppose that I can't complain as they are carrying 18 stones around.

I'm so grateful to Couch to 5K as fifteen weeks ago I couldn't run up a flight of stairs.

My training is going so well, I haven't missed a run or a rest day. lol

Five weeks to go and I know I can complete the HM, injuries aside.

I hope your all having a great weekend and enjoy your runs.

All the best.

[Tomas Graduate10]

Sounds like a wonderful run. Love your description, and the extra mile is very useful mileage in the bank for the HM. Well done!

[Biscuit0107 Graduate10]

What a lovely run write-up! I can almost feel the wind 😀. Well done, you're definitely on course for the HM.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Wow! That is very speedy progress for a recent graduate! Well done, but take it steady too - so you can get to your HM safely and without injury. What training plan are you using? I have my first HM in March and am still a bit anxious I won't be ready in time! I was running up to 10 miles in November but December was a month full of lurgies for me and I had to take a break, so am now on 8mile long runs. I shall steal a bit of your positivity I think! Good luck!🙂

[Hidden]

Hi Sandra,

Thanks for your reply.

I'm using the "Hal Higdon" Half Marathon Training. I got the book from Amazon but you can actually get the training plan online as well. The book is great as it goes into depth about all aspects of the HM. The down side is that a lot of the events and people he talks about are based across the pond. He writes a lot for Runners World, in fact I think he is or was an editor.

There are several programmes in the book and I'm following the;

NOVICE 1 TRAINING PROGRAMME.

It's a twelve week programme and I jumped in at week 5 for a couple of reasons;

1, The running I was already doing was more than the runs in the programme.

2, More importantly, I only had 8 weeks as I had already signed up for a HM on 19th Feb. I turn 60 this year and the HM was one of my new years resolutions.

Another thing I have done is to buy 2 music albums on "I tunes".

Audio Fuel, Run Free 1 & RunFree 2.

They are both coaching you at 150 to 165 BPM for long running.

I think that they are brilliant, I can almost switch off whilst running, letting the beat carry me along. Plus they give you tips on running and encouragement as well.

I will be posting more on this site so you can see how my training progresses before my Blackpool HM in February.

Good luck with your training and I hope that you can keep the lurgies at bay.

All the best.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Wow, Hidden just found your recent posts and think you are amazing😊

I have been on the ic with a nasty cough all of December and seem to have missed your progress since graduating not so long ago...

Your run route sounds fantastic and you are certainly making the most of it. Well done on reaching the 10k marker and your enthusiasm for running comes shining through your posts. What an inspiration, and brilliant weight loss too. I don't doubt you will be successful at your HM in February and hope the training continues to go well😊

Go You x

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Hi Jan-now-runs

Thanks for your lovely reply.

I am certainly enjoying the runs.

I used to run early morning before work, but as the runs are getting longer on the HM programme I now run after work.

My favourite runs are on the weekend as they are in daylight. Yippee!

All the best x