November holds the transition between the Getting Faster Phase and the Going Further Phase and this is what I have been looking forward to.
I am happy with my half marathon now and know that I can complete one feeling strong. So I want to try and push myself to cover larger distances and still remain as positive throughout.
After a little family crisis at the end of October, I had to postpone a few of the runs, but now things are back on track I intend to be back out pounding the pavements again. I also have a little Norwich Half Marathon with my brother at the end of the month which we will be running together (until the last 100m then I know it will be a sprint finish - I will not finish behind him even though he is an IronDude!)
Here is the initial phase of the Getting Faster Stage for November
Week 1 - 2nd November to 8th November
After a pretty horrible week of hospitals and such, I missed pretty much all of my training last week. My intentions for this first week is to get myself back in the swing of things.
Run 1 was supposed to be a "fast" run, but I was happy just to get out with my great run friend Rosh and have a good catch up. We plodded the miles out and chatted away, this is one great thing about running. In days of yore, I would have done this with copious amounts of alcohol and not really remember much about it. Now I get to burn calories, keep fit and enjoy time with mates. We didn't break any records, or really break a sweat, but that was not the intention.
Run 2 I retraced my steps of the "fast" run a couple of weeks ago. Taking a lift to the top of my big hill, running the outstretching roads either side and then down hill to the finish. I know I am no Usain Bolt, but this was quick for me and running in the high heart rate zone was a killer. Thankfully I have a couple of comfortable runs ahead now
Run 3 To close the running week off, I had decided for another half marathon. Aiming to hit anywhere less than 2 hours I plotted my route, prepared for the inevitable torrential downpour and hit the streets. All that careful planning went to pot and at the 9 mile mark i was faced with the decision to tootle home and hit around 11 mile or extend it with a loop. I am glad I chose the latter and got my sub 2 hour half marathon
Week 2 - 9th November to 15th November
Run 1 I have not ran a gentle 5k for a while, but the plan wanted me to get out there and jog, jog! So I did. I jogged up my big hill and then jogged back down. On the descent I met a good chap who was aiming for his PB on 5 mile so I joined him for his jaunt (wether he liked it or not) and began to chat. He was going to Pennington Flash on Saturday to run his 100th, which was pretty impressive. As we got closer to his finishing line though the conversation (which was slight anyway) disappeared. Tonight I really felt like a runner, going out for a enjoyable trek and not struggling.
Run 2 With a pretty chaotic week my runs had been discounted and forgotten, but my Clare pushed me to go out for at least an hour to keep the legs in action. With the November weather really settling in I prepared for a cold run by layering up. Within two miles of my run I realised that the cold front was still hiding and I was seriously overheating. Too many clothes and not in the right mind set called this run to a four mile finish.
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The second phase of the month looks like this:
Combining fast runs with extended distances should be working on the stamina of the marathon training. I think these will need careful planning to the route and making sure I get the pacing right that I can complete the runs nice and strong. The 8.5 mile fast is a little worrying. The run on the 22nd will be our half marathon in Norwich so I will be trying for a good steady pace with that one.
Week 1 16th November to 22nd November
Run 1 - With the Norwich Half Marathon planned for the end of the week, I opted to go for a little taper run. To really test the limits I decided on Hell Hill. Knowing the flat terrain that waited for me in Norwich the strain of hell hill would prepare my heart. It did! and it still remains one of my favourite 10k's
Run 2 - The Larking Gowen Norwich Half Marathon.
For the full synopsis of the run, please see the post in the events section or just click here
Week 2 23rd November to 29th November
Run 1 - As a taper run from the Half at the weekend, I decided to go up and down the big hill again. I really felt the fatigue in my legs on the journey up, but the fun going back down is always worth it. Looking to run my furthest distance this weekend
Run 2 - prepping the night before by consuming the largest bowl of spaghetti ever known to man, I was up early Sunday Morning ready to take on my new challenge, 14 miles, my furthest distance. I felt great for the first 13, but as I entered the unknown, I don't know if it was fatigue or mental drain, I really felt the pain. Thankfully I arrived home just before we were hit by a UK style hurricane!
Week 3 30th November to 6th December
Run 1 - My legs were still aching after the long run at weekend, but I manned up, went out in the rain and ran up my favourite hill again. On my way back down my legs started to feel like legs again. I am intending doing hill repeats on my next jaunt, but I will see how that goes.Run 2 - Opting to go for just one big hill instead of repeats, I went for a reverse hell hill run....and it was still hell! what I did manage to do (somehow) was a sub 50 minute 10k (49:59.8 - it's still sub!)
Run 3 - Carrying on with my Half Marathon weekends (which is apparently a new thing) I set off to cover a little further than last week. Unfortunately, I missed a crucial turning and had to find some way back to my chosen path. This added an extra couple of miles on, which when you are doing a 15 mile run, is pretty significant! Still, 17.68 miles done, longest run to date, and a great pace to boot.
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