Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 May 2010: Easy running and back to track

Tuesday 25 May

Mileage: 17.5 miles

AM: 3.75miles PM: 13.75miles

Tonight I was back at track, it felt great. I've missed track over the last two weeks as I have been in constant taper mode. 

I was still quite tired from Sunday's race, so I was determined to take it a little easier than normal. The session was 6 sets of 500m, 300m, 100m reps, with one minute recovery between the reps and 2 1/2 minutes between the sets. I decided straight away that I would not do the 100 meters, as my hamstring was still a little tights and sore after Sunday. 

I felt pretty tired and heavy during the first two sets, but by the third I felt pretty good. I was trying my hardest not to go too fast, but on a couple of 300m reps I did push it a little. Thankfully it all felt good and it was really great to be training hard again after 2 weeks of bitty training. 

I am in the bizarre situation of not having any upcoming races, so nothing to aim for. I've obviously got Amsterdam in October, but aside from that I have nothing else planned. I have a  few ideas, but nothing concrete. I have also got a holiday coming up, starting on 4th June for 16 days. I have decided that I am not going to do too much running on that holiday, but to use the time to rest before going for it when I get back. I will be doing other activities on my holiday such as mountain biking and kayaking, but very little running. It means that the time I have between now and then can just be spent training and ticking over. 

It feels strange not having a race to aim for. I am not sure I like it. I maybe need to find a small race before my holiday and have one last blast. Any ideas, please email me!!

Tonight's Splits

Set One - 500m: 1minute.35seconds; 300m: 54secs

Set Two - 500m: 1.33; 300m: 53secs

Set Three- 500m: 1.31; 300m: 52secs

Set Four - 500m: 1.31; 300m: 49secs

Set Five - 500m: 1.30; 300m: 47secs

Set Six - 500m: 1.32; 300m: 47 secs

Monday 24 May

Mileage: 10 miles

AM: 2 miles PM: 8 miles (54 minutes)

I was very stiff and a little bit hungover when I woke up this morning. Not a pleasant feeling at all. I was instantly regretting my decision not to take the day off work like Dan and Seamus had! Lesson learnt. My run to work was slightly interrupted, as I had to pick up my car, which I had left in the city centre overnight.

I spent most of the day feeling pretty sorry for myself, but by the time it was early evening I was ready for a run, if for no other reason than to clear my head after a hard day at the office. With my car parked near work, I decided to go for a run along Blackford Avenue and through the Hermitage Park and near the Braids, a wee out and back 8 miles. I even passed coach Alex's house and was amazed to see his car parked outside. He's usually out most night's doing something. On the way back I was very tempted to knock on his door and ask for an energy drink, I was parched. 

My run was actually quite good. I started off quite stiffly and my hamstring was a little sore, but once I got going I quickly dropped from 7 minute mile pace to close to 6.30 minutes per mile. I was pretty happy with that and felt pretty refreshed by the time I got back to the car.