Sunday, 24 February 2013

A slow marathon training week

So following my MK marathon organised training run the weeks activities have not exactly been in accordance with my training plan. An early mid week easy run to stretch out the legs and then off to the Peak District with the family for a couple of days.


I've never really ventured out into the Peak District, I'm more inclined to head to the Lake District but as it was only a 2 day break I didn't want to spend a great deal of time in the car travelling. What I found upon arrival was that this is a very attractive part of the country. 

Although cold with the threat of snow, the weather was kind in the sense that it did not rain which was a big plus. What I learnt was that although I regard myself as fairly fit, there is a distinct lack of strength in my quads. As I watched my wife and kids rush off scaling the heights of Thorpe Cloud, I tentatively made my way up welcoming the rest breaks something that was partly driven by my wife and kids having to wait for me to catch up. Even the trip down took it's toll, I would certainly not make a fell runner, the thought of letting yourself go to freely run down hills would see me in A&E without a doubt. A mental note was made that day that hill sessions must be added to my marathon training plan.

Back home Friday night had me mentally preparing for my 50th Park Run at Milton Keynes with a target of achieving a new PB for the course. Saturday morning brought on a cold start to the day, the threat of snow having apparently followed me home from the Peak District. The run itself was good, I did not achieve a new PB but managed a sub 23 minute run if only just! I finished feeling fine which then had me thinking "had I really pushed myself as hard as I could?" Not sure what I was expecting, collapsing over the finish or being sick are hardly things that would be attractive. A well deserved coffee and a tick in the box for my 2013 goals was the order of the day;


On to today, another cold morning 6 mile easy run to help stretch out the legs and a good stretching session to follow. My quads are still feeling the tightness from the Peak District climb but I'm sure I'll survive.

Another week down, the MK marathon draws closer.

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