Weekly total – 99.5 miles
Monday 1 – 13 miles (4AM; 9PM)
Tuesday 2 – 9.5 miles
Wednesday 3 – 10 miles
Thursday 5 – 14.5 miles (half Club Meadows session)
Friday 6 – 20 miles
Saturday 7 – 16.5 miles
Sunday 8 – 16 miles
I still can’t believe that Amsterdam was only 3 weeks ago. I am now in full ultra-training mode and working hard. This week was certainly a lot tougher than last week. I think mainly because I worked so hard at the end of last week with 3 consecutive days of 16 mile runs all at sub 7 minute mile pace on average. It meant that for the first three days of this week I struggled through aching calves and tight Achilles muscles in both legs. Still I preserved until Thursday night at training.
As always when Bryan and Colin are involved, I then got a bit carried away at training on Thursday. With my 82 mile 3 day ultra race coming up next week I knew I had three long runs to do over the weekend to mimic the race, so my plan at training had been to drop back a group and take it easy. Unfortunately I didn’t listen to myself and saddled up next to Colin, Bryan, Graham and Callum.
The session was one minute marathon pace, one minute 10k pace and one minute at 5k pace, no recovery and 11 sets. It seemed fairly reasonable so we set off. After the first set I was already feeling the burn in my lungs and it was at this point I realised I hadn’t run this fast since my last fast session before the Amsterdam Marathon. I was a little out of shape for it. It didn’t help that we were really pushing it and holding nothing back. After the fifth one I could feel my legs, heart and lungs all aching so I at last saw sense and told Colin and Bryan I would be dropping back and taking it easy, as I feared for my planned 20 mile run the next day. As I dropped back I found Callum who along with Graham had dropped off the pace slightly. Callum was on his own so I joined him and did one more set to give him a bit of company.
The efforts of Thursday made themselves well known all through my 20 mile run on Friday, as my body felt tired, empty and ached. Still, I managed to get through it and the second half was considerably quicker than the first, which was reassuring. The thought of doing 18 miles on my own on Saturday was a little too much, so I texted Kim to see if she fancied a long run. She suggested a long trail run out Linlithgow, where she was staying at her parent’s house. I agreed straight away, as I was desperate not to have to run on my own, but also Kim had described these trails before and it sounded like a nice wee escape from my usual run along the Water of Leith.
We set off early, 8.30am, and the morning was absolutely stunning, beautiful blue skies, a crisp autumn chill in the air and not a breath of wind anywhere. If you could pack-up weather to take running with you, then Saturday morning would always be in your suitcase.
However, the real star was the stunning scenery and places we ran. We ran up and down forest paths, beside lochs, up a few hills and through numerous farm fields. Every time we hit the summit of a hill we were treated to stunning views across the central belt including Grangemouth and its towering chimneys pumping out fumes into the empty sky, the Forth bridges, the Pentlands and even Arthur’s Seat. It was a great run, really refreshing for my tired legs and mind. Having said that it was still quite a work out and after 2hours and 35 minutes we had covered 16.5 miles. The fact that I enjoyed a nap of a good couple of hours in the afternoon was testament to the effort.
Sunday was back to the familiar of Craighlochart and our usual 16 mile club run. This week, unlike last, we were full of sensible sentiments and took it at a nice leisurely place all the way round. Colin and I are now convinced that Bryan, who was away this weekend, is the bad influence on the group making us run at ridiculous pace when he’s there. Overall, my legs felt pretty good and strong, but I felt tired in my body with little energy.
When we finished I certainly knew I’d had a hard week. A 100 mile week only 2 weeks after finishing Amsterdam was a big ask so I am pleased I got through it uninjured. I now have an aggressive 4 day taper before I start my first ultra. I have to admit I am feeling pretty confident. My legs, although tired, feel strong, fit and fast. I am hoping my 4 days of rest and easy running will allow them some recovery, as well as fill the rest of my body with enough rest and energy to give the 3 days of racing a good go.
I am really not sure how well I will do, as I know there are a few runners there who have faster marathon times than me, as well as some seasoned trail and mountain marathon runners. In my mind the main objective is to get through the three days without injuring myself, but also to run consistently across the three days. I think this will help give me the confidence that I am capable of multi-day racing. The competitor in me wants a top 10 or even 5 position overall! We’ll see!!
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