Returning to the core

As someone who doesn’t enjoy the gym or weight lifting, when I return to core training it isn’t with an expression of joy, especially at the beginning but I know it needs to be done.  It’s only a 30 minute session but those side planks are tough.  My coach has also added in an additional 15 minutes of Swiss ball exercises which has me falling off the ball on a regular basis.  Every part of my core is screaming at me and I feel like I’ve been in the boxing ring doing 12 rounds!  But I know the importance of it as next year if I am going to have a successful season with my biggest ever challenge, I’ll need to have greater core strength that I do currently. So rule 5 is being applied!
My aches and pains last week were attended to and a painful hour on the physio table where she worked my achillies and groin were anything but pleasant.  Although sensitive to the touch I’ve had another good weekends training and once again fast!
On Saturday I was given a target pace of 5:10ks and without looking at my watch I ran 4:55ks and didn’t feel I’d pushed it.  That was followed up today with a longer run on target and no aches or pains from my achillies or groin.  Result!
Today was also the Strathaven 50 run and I passed a number of runners at the 20 mile stage.  It was raining hard and their stare told me everything I needed to know.  They were completely focused on the race and running in their “bubble” where they were ignoring everything other than the road ahead.  That’s a great place to be and it inspired me to work harder and get on with my core training with a smile rather than grimace on my face.  My 65km Ultra on 18 November is fast approaching and I’m really wanting to finish the season on a high and then build my core strength for 2019.  How’s your training going? I hope you are formulating your plans for next year.