HM training week14 day3

I’m afraid I’m not taking this half marathon training seriously enough now - this is what taking a break does: I start slacking. I was supposed to run in zone 2 for 55 minutes. I let myself get up into zone 3, I stopped and took photos. I’m seriously a bit concerned as I’m still tired. My resting heart rate is up from around 55bpm to 60-70 or more, and I’m sluggish when I’m running. I’m really not sure why, but this happened last year at around the same time. I’m really not a cold weather runner.

And it was very cold this morning: 5 degrees when I left the house. Autumn is underway with leaves beginning to drift, and berries flaming scarlet on trees and bushes. Very overcast today, but that meant colours were bright and saturated: cyclamen on the verges; chrysanthemums in shades of apricot, purple and bronze in the gardens. There are squirrels absolutely everywhere, all very busy and all with nuts and berries in their mouths. They are very unafraid and will happily sit on a branch only a couple of feet away.

Must go and change as I’m chilled now I’m not running. Practically not sweated at all today it’s so cold.

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon]

You'll be fine on the day, young Fick. You've already done 16.1km, so you're only adding a park run to the end of it, and they are no distance at all. I have every confidence in you x

[Hidden in reply to MikeJones68]

thank you lovely Mike. I think i was fitter in the summer, but I'm determined to get round on the day x

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I know you will do it x

[Hidden in reply to MikeJones68]

I really appreciate your faith in me 😊❤️

[alisonx]

Flick you are amazing! Don't forget it...so today was not the best run but at least you got out there, you enjoyed the scenery and what beautiful pictures too!

Hopefully it won't be so chilly when you come to run your event - your body seems to not like the cold and the joy of the event will spur you on!

[Hidden in reply to alisonx]

Thank you Alison ❤️😊. The cold subdued me and makes me lethargic. I’m the opposite to most people and prefer summer running x

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

As you know, I have been following all your runs and reports Flick, I am always advising people to take all their runs slowly, I don't need to advise you as you are a excellent and experienced runner, it's not long now until your HM, just keep to your training program, I know you will run that HM without any problems whatsoever. 👍😊

[Hidden in reply to AlMorr]

Bless you Alan. I’ve done a LOT of taking my runs slowly during this training. The only thing is, it’s murder for my dodgy knee, which likes my weight on it for as short a time as possible. And only 10 days to go! I’m looking forward to hearing how Clairecandothis and Tasha99 do with their marathons. I’m not sure my knee has a marathon in it , but who knows x

[Snuffy_T Half Marathon]

Lovely photo xxx

[Hidden in reply to Snuffy_T]

Thank you xxx

[Katnap Marathon]

It could be stress / excitement before the race. You have done the work and just need to hang in there and maintain fitness.

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Hidden in reply to Katnap]

I think it will be ok on the day. It will be very upbeat: thousands of runners, bands at various points on route.

[backintime 10 Miles]

You've got this ! Over the distance you'll have the time to warm up : )

[Hidden in reply to backintime]

That’s true - thank you x

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

I was exactly the same Flick! It took me 3 runs to get my head back in the game after my enforced rest. It was vile and cold this morning, huge shock to the system but pretty visually! You will be fine lovely lady. Try to tell yourself you can do it.... We must believe! Xx

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

Thank you 😊 your support has been amazing. thats interesting that you found it hard to get back into the training.

I have fingers and toes all crosse for you for Sunday, but I know you will be fine. Xx

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

Thank you 😊🥰🥰

I think the training is so very disciplined that any break from it affects it. It's that just want to run feeling..... but maybe that's why going slow helps you go fast! I have my small run tomorrow to stretch my legs out before Sunday. Be interesting to see what zone I can stay in! Xx

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

If you can, post your stats in your race report, or screen shot them to me, as am really interested xx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Gorgeous photos Flick. I love autumn 😘 and find running easier this time of year. I know you’re the opposite and prefer summer.

You’re nearly there and all the training will pay off, you’ll see xxx

[Hidden in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you for all comments ❤️😊

I don’t mind autumn running when it gets warm and sunny, though I was doing intervals today (not the above run) so didn’t mind it being cooler.

Im excited and apprehensive in equal measure xxx

[johnm12 Half Marathon]

Good luck on the day! Good photos too. I see you are using the HR zones on your Garmin. So can you let me into the secret of how you use these with the training plan as I think I should have a go at an HM before I get much older, but want to go about it carefully.

John

[Hidden]

Hi John, I actually have a Polar Vantage V. I switched because it was hard to read the screen on the Garmin without glasses. I chose one of their HM training plans based on hr zone training. Each running day, the plan is sent to the watch and you just follow it. It buzzes if you stray out of the correct zone for that phase of the run, and the required hr zone and your actual hr are displayed on screen. It couldn’t be easier. But I don’t know if Garmin do something similar. It’s been an excellent training guide though. It adapts as you go along, so it can become easier if you aren’t coping - it reviews your stats as you go along. My fitness has improved incredibly. I can now run faster in the lower zones as well.

Thank you for the well wishes btw x