Progress doesn't come easily

Following my last post when I'd ran 20km on the WHW, which was an increase of 150%, I was bust.  I said at the time that you are meant to increase your runs by 10%, so this was always a risk.  That means virtually no training, certainly no running the next week.  I managed some yoga and one gym session.  That's what I get for stepping it up but I knew that I needed to "shock" my body and my mind into increasing the load.
Work was also mental as I was clearing up to go on holiday on the Saturday so that didn't help either.  On Saturday Beth & I flew off to Lanzarote for a "rest" and some training in the sun,  What a week we had.  We were able to train like professional athletes. Train, eat, rest and repeat.  What a privilege it is to be able to do this.  I started with a 10km run, then 11km, the 2 x 21km.  It was tough in the heat but it was quality running.  We also were in the gym for 6 days, did yoga and swam in the beautiful 50m outdoor pool.  Considering neither of us have been swimming, 3 x 1 mile swims was hard but rewarding - couldn't get my garmin to record the right distance!  An excellent weeks training and I think my enforced rest did me some good and 21 km is now my minimum longer distance run in the build up for the WHW - 131 days and counting (154 km).
Today we ran 10km at Chatelherault to "shake the legs" out and getting used to the temperature took time.  But it's good to be back home and we could feel the increased level in base fitness.  It hasn't come easy but definite progress has been made.  Now to maintain consistent running which is key to building the miles.  Every time we reach these goals we strengthen our mind to believe that they are achievable.  More hard work and progress to follow.