In the Long Run...

[CaroleC]

When you are in training for longer distances (half marathons/marathons) knowing that the weekly Long Run is due on a Saturday or Sunday (or whenever you do it) can really colour your whole day.

I am trying to build my long run back up to half marathon distance again with two shorter runs for speed work during the week. I'm being careful and just adding one mile a week to it, but as the distance builds up...it gets harder to be casual about it. Oh it's just 10k (6.2m), I'll be done in an hour; oh, it's just seven, eight, whatever miles. It won't take too much out of the day; I'll be able to keep the pace up; I won't be hobbling home with an injury (like the last time I managed ten miles on the Bupa programme, or when I painfully finished the Saltash Half Marathon).

(Anyway, stoppit Carole, because this is meant to be an uplifting blog!!)

Yesterday was my Long Run for this week; originally a 9 miler, I didn't plan the route well (after a year you'd think I'd know!) and was more than half a mile away from home when the Garmin told me I'd hit the required distance. It was about 18c and the BBC weather site had told me it was in the high 90%s humidity wise so I was soaked through. I kept plodding on (it was downhill!) and made it to 9.7 miles, which I'm pretty pleased about and the best bit, no injuries! Plenty of stretching and a little ice on both knees when I got in just to make sure they weren't too achy this morning and a gym session at school this afternoon should iron out any other kinks.

connect.garmin.com/activity...

Got to get on the TamarTrotters website and see what events are coming up...oh, and I've ordered my C25k Grad tshirt - Royal Blue with a white logo...I think it's time!

CaroleC

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Wow CarolC what a star you are, I can only try and imagine what that sort of distance is like to run. I hasten to add its not for me, ever, but those that do it have my greatest respect. Keep up the good work which I know you will and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to stay injury free. Well done, look forward to perhaps seeing a photo of you in your lovely new Tshirt when it arrives, I love my berry/black one.

[Pelephant Graduate]

I am amazed by you! Just out of interest when you are running almost 10 miles as your long distance - how far do you run in your so called 'shorter runs' during the week? What is a short run to you?!! Keep going!

[CaroleC Graduate in reply to Pelephant]

Hi Pelephant,

I did 3.8 miles last Wednesday (threshold run - hard going, 6.4-6.5mph)

connect.garmin.com/activity...

And 4 miles on Friday, again, trying to do a fast first mile and a half which pretty much wiped me out for the rest of the run, managing 6.3mph average. It goes to show, do not go out too fast! It will get you in the end...and it did!

connect.garmin.com/activity...

I have just bought some audiofuel coached interval downloads to try and get my speed up a bit more. As well as getting the Long Runs in , I am aiming for a sub 27 minute 5k by the end of the year.

I have read that when you are increasing your Long Run weekly, you should also try and add a tiny bit to at least one of your other runs; but I guess that's down to how much time you have. Also I think my longest new audiofuel download is 52 mins, so it's down to how many intervals my body can do in that time.

Listen up everyone, whatever we are doing, whatever stage we are at, we are GETTING OUT THERE AND WE ARE DOING IT, so kudos to us all...we are all heroes...everyone of us. xx

[Gridlet Graduate]

You are definitely a hero CaroleC! You are not far off that sub 27 minute 5K already! Well done! It's hard to cover that distance in the time that you do, in the heat as well!

You are such an inspiration to us all. I'm a bit nervous about going out again after my injury, but you did it didn't you?

[CaroleC Graduate in reply to Gridlet]

Yep I did it. I kept my fitness up as well I could with swimming, and non impact gym work. An injury, unless it's extreme, doesn't mean a total loss of fitness. There are ways and means to keep your cardio fitness up; you just have to be prepared to try them.

Thank you for the kind words; I am determined to do that fast 5k; nothing like a bit of stubborn bloody mindedness to get the job done!

CaroleC