TailChaser’s HM Training Diary - Week 2

[TailChaser]

I doubt if there’ll be many weeks in my training that will be as interesting as Week 2 but if I can juggle my sessions without it all going to pot during this week then it bodes well.

- Run 1: Well, I had a job interview before this and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel afterwards. 45 minutes of Fartleks were planned (no way I’m doing intervals each week!). The interview went well and I was definitely up for a run to blast away the stress. The run went well and Fartleks are so much more free than intervals. There’s a lovely long line of streetlights that I was able to use and I managed to get a few PRs on Strava doing them. Just over 7km at the end.

- Run 2: I got the job! So this was a celebratory run but also a run to try and get my head around all the things I have to do to move on. 66 minute long, steady run was planned. I went out a bit later than planned as I was nattering away to people trying to sort things out, so it was dark when I set out. Felt a bit hard work as I’d not slept well and I promised myself I would stick to 66 minutes but when I got near the end I was so close to 10km I just had to add the extra few minutes to get my first in of the month. No self control!! 🤣

- Run 3: Well...my optional 20 minute run was definitely optional this week as it would have been on the day of my works Christmas party/Leaving do. I did fit my yoga in before I left but I knew the running wouldn’t happen. So Run 3 became Parkrun and if I hadn’t volunteered with Katnap to do pre-setup at parkrun there was a good chance Run 3 wouldn’t have happened at all...how I managed to get up at all is anyones guess. I had sooo much to drink at the party 🥴... Maybe the large amounts of water I drank and the two packets of crisps I found in the back of the car helped? Anyway, a miracle happened and I made it (after two paracetamols and a cereal bar)! I even jogged carefully there as we were late. I laid the cones out quietly and carefully though, I don’t know how I managed to make a straight line 😂 When it came to the run...well...it wasn’t exactly a tempo run but it was still much quicker than I deserved at 31:34. Not sure what happened to the rest of the day though... That was definitely a first!!

Thankfully I got loads of sleep that night and my gym session was fab. Amazing the difference a bit of extra sleep makes. When I got home I made mince pies, brandy butter and a stonking curry for tea 😋 .

I’ve still got a month’s notice to work through before I start my new job but I’m going to do my best to keep the plan the same as I’d set out. It should be possible but it’s all going to be more of a challenge now. I’ll just have to move things around if I need to. If anything, I need the running now more than ever as life is about to get extra complicated!

Happy running everyone and thank you for being here 🤶🏻🎅🏼🤶🏻🎅🏼🤶🏻🎅🏼🤶🏻

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Congratulations TC. Just don’t let the new job get in the way of running! Put your foot down from day one 👏👏👏👏😊

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC, it definitely won’t, I’ll just have to find a way round things 😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Congratulations on your new job TailChaser, that’s brilliant. Are you going to be able to do some work at home?

Your week 2 sounds very successful, even with a hangover. My niece says some of her fastest parkruns have been after a night on the tiles, but she’s only 30. It wouldn’t work for me.

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I’ve heard others who have said that. Can’t see it somehow!!

No, the working from home is coming to an end unless the weather is really bad and I can’t get to the office. I’ve been spoilt for a long time. I will get a big discount on the gym though and there’s some good running routes around the grounds.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to TailChaser]

Definitely a change if lifestyle then. It’s good to be able to run at lunchtime and that discount at the gym will come in handy. A new year , a new life. Good luck.

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, it’s all change but it should be good for the whole family as they don’t need me at home so much anymore.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

I’m very impressed at that PR time after a skinful TC! 🏃‍♀️🤪 You’re going to smash your HM when it rolls around. 👊

Hey, congratulations on your new job! That’s such good news. 🎉👏 Sounds like 2020 is going to be an exciting year for you. Must make time for VRB meetups too, don’t forget! 😀 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️😀

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Always cheeky! There’s no weekend work as far as I know, unless there’s a very special event on. 2020 is certainly going to be when things change but there is always parkrun!

Thanks, the training is going well so far. I’d like to thing that f I can get through Saturday I can get through anything 😂 I knew Christmas might trip me up but the job thing came so quickly, I’m still a bit in shock.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Congrats on the new job and managing 3 great runs despite some extra challenges! You rock 💥

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Sask, hoping for a quieter week this week!!! 😁

[Katnap Marathon]

Need more sleep!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow that's quite a week! Congratulations- on all counts 😍👏👏👏

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda 😀x

[Windoze Half Marathon]

Whoop congrats on the new job. 🎉🎉🎉

May the beaks be with you..😂😂😂

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Windoze]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 shhhh... first time I’ve ever been drunk with access to social media and I failed miserably 🤣🤣🤣 They are a good band though 😉

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Congratulations on the job. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thanks Shakes, parkrun this week? I’m only pre-settuping, Katnap will be running. See you New Years Day??? Double???

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

What is this ‘double’ thing? Where is the 2nd one?

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Leamington, 10.30!! Do two, twice the joy!!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Anyone got room in their car for a small one???

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Yep 😊

[grumpyoldgirl]

New job, woohoo! 👍🙌 Amazed you managed to run at all what with interviews parties and sleepless nights, sounds like you smashed it. Congratulations, and here's to a slightly less eventful week three 😊

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

So far so good GOG 😁! It’s just that time of year, I just like to add a bit of extra stress (why??????!)! Thank you 🤗

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on your new job, that’s fantastic news and well done on broadly sticking to your plan through all the challenges thrown at you last week. Great stuff 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie, looking forward to starting now 😀x

[Couchpotato2 Marathon]

Congratulations 🥳 on the new job and managing to juggle it all. Sounds like you are being really well disciplined about when you run or not. Were the cones straight... photographic evidence might show differently, however bending up and down to put them must have been quite an ordeal!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

It wasn’t the best CP2 but I’m quite low to the ground so it’s probably easier for me than most. And there is a line to follow as they’re laid along car parking bays so I got a lot of help 😂 thank you 😊

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Oh yes that would be helpful! Although some lines might not be the best to follow: youtu.be/KcLXwEol4uw(Not working as expected?)