Running Training - April

It's HERE....

With the big day quickly approaching, a few last minute runs to keep the legs moving were in order, as well as a little duathlon.  This is everything I did until the 26th April, then I will be taking a well deserved break after the Blackpool Half Marathon.  I have already started planning for the full event, but that is still in the planning stages.

2nd April 2015 - I went out with determination and drive for my longest run to date.  I want the 13.1 mile to be an achievement on the day, but I wanted to get as close as I could to make sure I am able to do it...hope that makes sense..it does to me.  Out into Bolton and then straight back again, pretty much the hilliest route I have done and I was feeling strong at the finish.  Keeping an average pace of 8:29 per mile this is where I wanted to be.

6th April 2015 - Another fairly long run keeping the legs moving clocking in a good 9.3 mile.  This time I opted for the longer descents rather than constant inclines.  I think two long runs with a few days was taxing on the legs as my pace dipped a bit near the end, but still feeling confident

12th April 2015 - Taking on carbs for the weekend that lay ahead, I took a break from running and prepared for the Bolton Decathlon Duathlon.  A 6K run over varied terrain, 28K cycle through head winds from hell and hills that just would not give up, and then a repeat 6K run, I was ready for bed on Sunday morning.

14th April 2015 - After I had done the Duathlon and was stopped from taking my phone with me to track or give me any pacing, Clare convinced me that I should look to purchase a GPS Watch.  Looking at the Blackpool Runnner's Guide it is advised that headphones are not used, so I opted for the Garming ForeRunner 15 and what a great choice it was.

With the purchase of my new Garmin ForeRunner 15 I thought I would take it out for a test run and set my pace.  I was thoroughly impressed with how it worked and tracked my pace for the full distance,  Letting me know when I was ahead/behind or on pace with just a simple set of beeps.  Feeling great as I finished even though I had pushed myself to start and finish at the same level, I think I am ready for Blackpool

16th April 2015 - Back with Rosh after 6 weeks, I told him to set his GPS running as he would love our little jaunt.  Taking in the sights of the not so pleasant estate near by, but it is the only place to draw "The Dog", I left him guessing what was happening till he got home and uploaded his run.
"We took a dog for a walk" came the reply.  Nice easy jog pace to taper



18th April 2015 - Returning to Park Run Worsley Woods with the intention to complete in under 27 minutes, the weather perfect and 296 other runners, conditions could not be better.  I have never noticed before, never having been controlled by pacing beeps from a garmin, how many beeps are happening in a crowd of runners, it was like running with a chatty R2D2!  Everyone around me was beeping like mad!  Feeling really strong for the whole rune, I pounded towards to finish line in my fastest ever 1 mile pace.  Clocking in at just over 23 minutes, setting my new PB by 7 minutes and finishing in 70th place I was ecstatic  Also, may I add, I was 6th in my age category.

The Worsley Woods park run is so picturesque, I took Clare and Chewie back there the day after for a walk.

21st April 2015 - The confidence knocking run.  I set out too quick, the sun was too hot, I hadn't carb'd up enough, I am not ready for the half marathon on Sunday.  My mind which I had silenced for months was playing it's harsh tactics on me.  I finished the 5 miler early as I was knackered, but looking at my splits for the first 3 miles I was doing really well, I just got attacked by the negative vibes.  I have one more run this week before Sunday, and it is an easy 5 miler, no sprinting and nothing to prove.

23rd April 2015 - My final taper run before the big day and my confidence was back, feeling strong and keeping a great pace I was ready for Blackpool