Wednesday 28 April 2010: Gentle running and wishing for a dog's life

Mileage: 7.5 miles

AM: 3.75miles, PM:3.75miles 

I woke up tired this morning. I was up late last night sorting out more fundraising, blog and web stuff. Even a cup of coffee didn't help shift the heavy feeling from my body. Getting changed into my running gear and walking into the bedroom to find Jack curled up on the bed (see picture) did not help. 

On mornings like this I often wish I could just curl back up into bed and go for a super long nap. Jack has a great life - I am often quite envious of it, although not of that special operation he had a few years ago. He gets plenty of runs (at least 3 or 4 a day), several naps throughout the day, as well as a long sleep at night and lots of food. Sounds perfect! Although a recent trip to the vet revealed he is officially overweight, so we have moved him on to smaller portions in the food department. He's not happy about this and to show his feelings on the situation he has increased his drooling when watching me eat toast and peanut butter. Oops, I've mananged to turn the subject onto food again and this time dog food as well as mine! 

Jack doesn't know this yet, but as my training steps up later this year he's going to start coming with me!

Anyway, back to me. I deliberatly did just a run to and from work today. Trying to ease off a bit ahead of tomorrow's 10km race in Kinross. Also my legs felt a little niggly and tight after yesterday's track session. Really glad I only did 2 sets now! I also felt tired and heavy running both to and from work, so lower mileage is a probably a good thing regardless of the race. 

I am now quite nervous about the race tomorrow. I hadn't intended on making it a key or major race for me, but I have got it in my head that I need to run a PB there in order to maintain my recent good form and results. 

The idea of 3 PBs in 11 days over 3 distances is something I really want to do. However, I feel tired physically and mentally I am not quite right either (yes, I can hear the jokes). Alex said something to me at track yesterday which has been playing over and over in my mind. He told me that it is very unsual for someone to have such a long purple patch (I haven't had a bad race since last September - nothing but PBs and well placed races!). Now to most people this might seem like a complement and it was probably meant that way, however, I am now thinking I am due a failure or a bad race, whereas before, I wasn't even considering such a thing. Of course, I think that bad race is now going to be tomorrow and this has got right inside my head, add to that my general lethargic feeling and niggly legs and I am not in a great racing mindset! Compare that to Saturday morning, where my legs felt awful, but I was still convinced I was going to blast round the 5km. The  perfect mindset and the perfect result. 

Hopefully I'll feel a little more rested tomorrow and if I think positive thoughts all day and wear my lucky red t-shirt,lucky club vest, lucky blue Ron Hill shorts and my lucky white Thomos socks I'll be all set for another PB. Also with Garry and Dan running too we'll hopefully have a good chance of winning the Team prize - that would be good. More tomorrow, with photos!