Today was 13.1 K or 8 miles using NRC Week 5 to go; an interesting concept of being taken through race day using visualisations over the shorter distance.
As usual I was off early although not as early as I wanted; I felt as if I'd over slept and was lethargic and disorganised. I'd wanted to try one of the isotonic gels bought last week so tucked it away to use during the run. Glugged some water and ate a Kitkat to try and give me an energy boost. The first mile seemed to fly by. That was because it wasn't a mile it was a kilometre. This fried my fuggled brain at first 😕but as the run went on I started to use the K to mile analogy.
By 5 miles -no 5k-whatever, I was tired. I stopped under an underpass to get the gel. To be fair, not without some concern. I'd read about unpleasant after effects and didn't fancy having to leg it to the nearest loo. So- no glasses, couldn't see where to open it. Couldn't tear it. Ok. Tried biting it. The top twisted but stubbornly stayed closed. Bite the other side. A ridiculous soggy mess and some worry about expensive dental work. Then a small opening and I could push up the gel. It had a pretty unpleasant consistency in my opinion but tasted sort of ok. But-the sticky stuff got on my face and worse, my hands. They were covered in goo. I looked longingly at the puddles in the road wanting to dip them in the water to get rid of the gunge. Tried a tissue but it stuck. Even worse, I still held onto the sticky packet. There was a doggy doo bin and I managed to rid my self of the pack. I was shaking my hands hopelessly still trying to lose the sticky tissuey mess. Must have been my rain dance because the heavens opened and eventually the rain washed away the goo.
I ran the rest in the downpour, enjoying the sensation of freedom running in the rain gives. Coach carter talked about race day and supporting other runners as well as taking and using support. A lovely listen.
However, I have done far too much this week and I'm tired out. My quads refused to stretch out when I did (tried to do) cool down stretches. They're sore and I'm groaning when I try to kneel down to those low kitchen cupboards. That hasn't happened for a long time. HM distance last weekend followed by a recovery run which wasn't, then a speed run. I also thought running the uphills on dog walks would be good. Then my long run a day early. Rest day and a slow slow recovery needed now,
Have a great weekend everyone and happy training all!
First week of HM training, not a great start...
I only blooming well did it!
A 10 mile PB in the pouring rain🏃♀️🏃♀️🌧🌧
Training at race pace or racing at training pace
Week 5 done
