Weekly Mileage: 98 miles
Sunday Mileage: 20 miles in 2.14.57(6.45 mins/per/mile pace)
What a day. I think I made it pretty clear last week how much I love long Sunday runs after last week’s run. Today the weather was a lot better than last week, as there was no rain, however, there was still a good stiff breeze blowing about. Today was my first planned 20 mile plus run as part of my marathon training. I hadn’t run this far since April when Ben Mitchell, Seamus and I dressed as school girls (to celebrate Ben’s 40th birthday) ran a marathon along this route with some additional Pentlands bits thrown in.
I gave Seamus and Colin a lift to Criaglockhart where we met the rest of the club including Jenny and Niamh and it was obvious that we five were going to be able to run together as a group. Jenny was only planning to do 16 miles, but we planned to do the usual 16 mile route and then add on 4 more at the end.
We set off at a good steady pace and although it was comfortable we were working hard from the start. Jenny and Niamh, however, seemed to find it very comfortable and for the first few miles happily chatted away. I was feeling good, but not good enough to talk. I looked across at Colin to see if I was being rude by not talking, but he was, like me, working away and didn’t seem keen to chat. The girls were obviously in good shape!
The first 6 miles of this run is gradually up hill and miles 7-8 are two big hills. Today was really good as the five us worked together, pushing each other on and we emerged out of the water of Leith at Balerno where we took on the two hills together. It was really good having the company as we pushed hard and I am fairly certain that’s some of fastest running that I have done up those hills. We crossed the 8 mile mark in exactly 56 minutes, a minute quicker than last week. I think a lot of that came down to having the support of a large group of similarly paced runners. It would be great if we could get a group like that every week on the long runs as it really helps with the pace and makes the whole experience seem easier.
Unfortunately my group work came to a sudden halt just after 8 miles as a sudden bout of stomach cramps meant I had to take refuge in the bushes for 5 minutes, letting the rest of the guys get away. They were no where in sight when I re-emerged, but I took up after them at some pace. Even though I knew I had no chance of catching them I ran as if I could. My Garmin was working sporadically today and so I managed to get some mile reps recorded during the 8 miles back to the start. I was pleased to see my pace move from 6.50s through to 6.25s, a 6.15 and 6.10 minutes per mile. I felt really strong and fit. The only bad point was that my right leg was still a little stiff and sore at times. I am fairly certain it’s just tiredness, but I think I’ll need to get a massage soon just to make sure it doesn’t develop into something worse.
I reached the bridge that marks the 16 mile mark of the route in 1hour 48 minutes, meaning that my last 8 miles had been in 52 minutes. I was really pleased, as it also meant that my total time for the 16 miles was two minutes quicker than last week. Unfortunately there was still no sign of the others. I pressed on past the bridge towards the end of the canal. I hit a bit of a wall at this point and my legs and chest grew heavy and laboured. I guess it was a combination of not running this far in some time and of course the high mileage I have run this week. The next two miles were a struggle, but I managed to keep a reasonable sub 7 minute per mile pace. After 2 miles I turned round to head back to the bridge. I was still a littler perplexed that I had not come across the others who had been due to run this way. My answer soon appeared as Colin and Niamh were heading towards me as I headed back. I didn’t know how, but I had some how got in front of them. They turned and ran back with me and it turned out Jenny had taken them on a slight accidental scenic route adding an extra mile, which had let me get past them. Jenny had finished at the bridge along with Seamus who told us afterwards that he was very tired and his legs had clearly had enough leaving Colin, Niamh and I to finish off the 20 miles.
Being reunited with a group had a positive effect as I found myself picking up the pace, as m legs and lungs both felt better. I’d pushed through the wall. In fact for the last mile Colin and I really picked up the pace pushing each other toward the finishing line. Again, I am convinced that this was down to having the support of a group, as I am sure it not only helped me break through the wall, but also to finish off so strongly.
I was shattered when we crossed the line and most of my lower body ached, but it was really good to get the 20 miles in and as we staggered slowly back towards the car we all agreed how much we had enjoyed the run. Next Sunday 22 miles! I am already looking forward to it.
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