I’ve been finding my marathon training plan a bit stressful at times - having to fit lots of shorter runs in at silly times of the day to fit around work & family commitments when I should be doing fewer longer runs with proper rest days. So I was dreading this morning’s run. There was no way out of it - it had to be at least HM distance and the last run in a week of 10k & 5k runs mostly crammed in around breakfast & lunchtimes.
I knew I had to find an easier route, which are limited around where I live, but I’d had enough bog jogging this week already. So I thought ‘hey it’s Saturday, so why not run to work and back? - that’s about a HM’. So I ran to work and back, which is mainly footpaths (no quagmires) but when I got there I just ran around the car park and decided as I was already on leave that I wouldn’t nip in and check me emails.
I started the run at an easy pace, thinking I would struggle & fade towards the end, but I actually got faster in the second half on the way back. So maybe the programme with the ridiculous volume I need to do, and the bog jogging is helping?
When I finished I was tired, yes, but not broken. In fact after some good stretching and a shower, I felt I could go out for another run. I’m pleased with that, because this run was my 2nd fastest HM distance, and my best was back in March - in which I faded really badly and could barely stand up afterwards.
So persistence does pay off. The programme you’re on might seem relentless and, at this time of the year, pretty stupid, but if you stick with it you will get rewarded with milestone moments like this.
I’m now looking forward to my rest day tomorrow!
