Sunday 21 December 2014

Feeling great

Last week I started the training to get my body and mind read for my 100 mile ultra in 178 days time.  My running hasn't been regular so I addressed that immediately. On Monday night I went out with the Strathaven Striders, a friendly local running club, as I wanted company to motivate me. The pace was faster than normal but I held on for 7.5 miles.  On Tuesday I went for my tough swim session which always makes my legs feel better - even if my lungs want to exit my chest!
Wednesday I was on taxi duties so in between drop off to my daughter's clarinet lesson and pick up I did a fast road run. My thinking was that I should push the pace on the road runs.
Saturday saw 2 laps (total 10 miles) at a wet and muddy Chatelherault with some pals and Duke & Rosie who are fast, cover double the distance and use their "4 wheel drive" to its full advantage! I felt good after the run but it was a couple of minutes slower than my norm.
I returned this morning to have a back to back session and ran with another friend for 2 laps. We ended up just under the target time so I was happy with that but the most pleasing part is my legs feel fantastic! Back to back runs are a great way of preparing for ultra runs and they will play an important part in my training.
What is lacking is my turbo training on the bike. But this is where you can help me. I am going to set my bike up today on the turbo and promise to have done 2 sessions by next's week blog.  I've been putting it off because you need to be mad to love turbo training and I know it's going to be tough. I also need to find my heart rate monitor which has been missing for months. But even if I can't find it I need to get back on the bike because I have a tough half ironman in May. So one week in and the plan seems to be working.