Abingdon Marathon Training ...18 weeks to go!
What I've been up to since Boston...
Well, I've used the time to recover by running less miles each week (around 30 miles a week on average) and also try some different activities. We've discovered and signed up to MoveGB (if you like working out and keeping fit and have not heard of it, do look it up) which means we can do 7 classes a week at pretty much any gym. John and I have especially enjoyed attending a yoga class at Pure Gym in Cargo 2. As it's really close to our flat, we thought we'd give it a go and I've certainly enjoyed it more than I expected to. Our teacher, Amelia is brilliant; the class is relaxed but she really challenges us to stretch and try new positions. After only about 6 weeks, I've already noticed an improvement in my flexibility. We've also done some spinning classes and played a few games of squash. We've continued doing PT sessions with Jules and I'm definitely feeling stronger than I was at the start of the Boston plan.
John and I have had some pretty good races since Boston. Most notable: us both winning the Pensford 10K; me winning the Weston Prom 5mile series; a successful Welsh castles weekend with me winning the stage and John finishing in the quickest GWR time for his leg; lots of 1st place parkrun finishes; John winning the Eastville 5k with me finishing in 2nd.
Why the Abingdon marathon?
Well, as Boston was hot and hilly, I was desperate for a marathon that would be the exact opposite and Abingdon ticked the boxes. The fact that it's in England in October should guarantee the cold and John (who ran this marathon last year) has assured me that it's flat!
Goals...
Obviously, 18 weeks is a long time and a lot could happen, but, if everything goes to plan, I'm going to try and break the magic 3 hour barrier. It would be especially poinient as Abingdon is where John did his sub3.
The plan...
This campaign, we're using a plan that we've created ourselves. We're drawing on our individual experiences, factoring in our lifestyles while still encompassing the key PandD elements. My main aims:
1) to do more long runs at target pace so I can feel confident that I can maintain 6:45 min miles for 26.2 miles (oh god!)
2) to meet the aims for the speed work sessions
3) to ensure that I'm recovered ready for the important sessions so I can give them my all
So how do I feel about it all? ...I can't wait to get started!
Monday 19th June 2017
Eager to get off to get off to a good start, we were up early to do a steady 5miles on our favourite route around the Harbourside. Just a gentle 9:08mm average.
Unfortunately, our now regular Monday routine of Yoga at Cargo 2 was interrupted with a really bad spell of hayfever which caused me to have to leave the class early. Hayfever has always been a problem during the summer months but I've not suffered as much as in the past 2 weeks during our spell of hot weather. The pollen especially causes me a problem in my ears, throat and my eyes. During this yoga session, my eyes were so full of pollen that they were incredibly painful - it felt like my eyes were full of sand. I lasted about 5mins before making my apologies and running home to remove my contact lenses.
Note - realising that I needed to take action, I then bought all available hayfever products from Asda - now feeling like I've got it all much more under control!
Tuesday 20th June 2017
Today was the 2nd race in the Sri Chinmoy Eastville Park series. This one was 5k which meant 3 challenging laps of the park. Our plan called for 8 miles today and the park is 3 miles away so we decided to run there and back to make the miles up. On the way, we stopped off to visit an idol of Johns...Morph- who was visiting us on the Harbourside!
The course is difficult because the first half a mile is downhill followed by a half mile of uphill which you then repeat 2 more times. For the first race of the series, I went off too fast (how unlike me!) and slowed a lot in my second lap. Consequently, I set myself the challenge of running an even pace for all 3 laps.
Mile 1 - 6:27
Mile 2 - 6:33
Mile 3 - 6:36
Challenge achieved!
I also managed to finish as 2nd lady and earn another medal for my collection.
John had a great race as well - finishing as 1st man while 'taking it easy!'
Wednesday 21st June 2017
The plan called for 12 miles today but the combination of the temperature reaching 30 degrees C and it being Woody's birthday and 1000th mile ran this year, meant that we just ran the 6 miles with our club today.
Thursday 22nd June 2017
A gentle recovery run today. We knew it would be another hot one so opted to go out early for a steady 5 miles at 8:58mm.
Friday 23rd June 2017
I ran to work today. I've done this a few time over the last couple of weeks. It is a lovely 3 mile route all on footpaths or through park - ideal!
Knowing that I'd be away all weekend for my friend Jennifer's hen weekend, encouraged me to try and get a good pace for the runs to and from work.
Pretty happy with 8:08mm average on the way there and 7:59mm average on the way home.
Saturday 24th June 2017
No running today but the hens went to a high ropes course which gave me a good workout - especially my arms. Plus, with all the dancing in the evening, I definitely got some good cross training in!
Sunday 25th June 2017
After arriving back at home in the early afternoon, I couldn't wait to see John and go for a run together. We did a great 6.2 miles around Ashton Court to visit our mate again! 8:38mm pace - not bad after quite a heavy night!
All in all, I'm pretty happy with my first week. Definitely need to get my mileage higher next week. Also looking forward to racing on Tuesday in the last Aztec West 5k of the series.
Unfortunately, our now regular Monday routine of Yoga at Cargo 2 was interrupted with a really bad spell of hayfever which caused me to have to leave the class early. Hayfever has always been a problem during the summer months but I've not suffered as much as in the past 2 weeks during our spell of hot weather. The pollen especially causes me a problem in my ears, throat and my eyes. During this yoga session, my eyes were so full of pollen that they were incredibly painful - it felt like my eyes were full of sand. I lasted about 5mins before making my apologies and running home to remove my contact lenses.
Note - realising that I needed to take action, I then bought all available hayfever products from Asda - now feeling like I've got it all much more under control!
Tuesday 20th June 2017
Today was the 2nd race in the Sri Chinmoy Eastville Park series. This one was 5k which meant 3 challenging laps of the park. Our plan called for 8 miles today and the park is 3 miles away so we decided to run there and back to make the miles up. On the way, we stopped off to visit an idol of Johns...Morph- who was visiting us on the Harbourside!
The course is difficult because the first half a mile is downhill followed by a half mile of uphill which you then repeat 2 more times. For the first race of the series, I went off too fast (how unlike me!) and slowed a lot in my second lap. Consequently, I set myself the challenge of running an even pace for all 3 laps.
Mile 1 - 6:27
Mile 2 - 6:33
Mile 3 - 6:36
Challenge achieved!
I also managed to finish as 2nd lady and earn another medal for my collection.
John had a great race as well - finishing as 1st man while 'taking it easy!'
Wednesday 21st June 2017
The plan called for 12 miles today but the combination of the temperature reaching 30 degrees C and it being Woody's birthday and 1000th mile ran this year, meant that we just ran the 6 miles with our club today.
Thursday 22nd June 2017
A gentle recovery run today. We knew it would be another hot one so opted to go out early for a steady 5 miles at 8:58mm.
Friday 23rd June 2017
Knowing that I'd be away all weekend for my friend Jennifer's hen weekend, encouraged me to try and get a good pace for the runs to and from work.
Pretty happy with 8:08mm average on the way there and 7:59mm average on the way home.
Saturday 24th June 2017
No running today but the hens went to a high ropes course which gave me a good workout - especially my arms. Plus, with all the dancing in the evening, I definitely got some good cross training in!
Sunday 25th June 2017
After arriving back at home in the early afternoon, I couldn't wait to see John and go for a run together. We did a great 6.2 miles around Ashton Court to visit our mate again! 8:38mm pace - not bad after quite a heavy night!
All in all, I'm pretty happy with my first week. Definitely need to get my mileage higher next week. Also looking forward to racing on Tuesday in the last Aztec West 5k of the series.
