Training week, not exactly to plan!

So this week my training plan had me down for three runs all at an easy pace with distances of 5 miles, 3 miles and 7.5 miles. First run was on the Wednesday, this had me waving goodbye to the month of January with a 5.5 mile run at race pace. What is it with me? 2 days rest and the first thing on my mind is to go out and run what feels natural at the time. Thank god I don't have a coach, they would not be too happy with my discipline so to make amends and add structure to my training I've gone ahead and joined Olney Runners. Track sessions on Mondays, group training runs on Wednesday and the opportunity to throw in some circuit training on Friday. A good decision I believe, they can whip me into marathon shape and keep me focussed on the task in hand!

Having looked at my training plan and desperate for a race I've signed up for the Oakley 20 which fits in well with regards to distance and date. Registering as an affiliate runner had me saving £2 on the entry fee, the added benefit of being an Olney Runners and putting my membership to good use!

Saturday and I was there for the Milton Keynes Park Run at Willen Lake, an easy 3 mile run, infact the instruction was to jog. I resisted the temptation to race but didn't exactly achieve a jog. My 49th Park Run was run at a fairly quick but comfortable pace and now I look forward to my 50th run with the pleasure of earning my Park Run shirt, a run that I'm hoping will see me achieve a new PB at Willen Lake. It's not in my training plan but it's good to diversify, it keeps it all so much more interesting.

Milton Keynes Park Run - Willen Lake

Last run of the week, I exceeded the 7.5 mile distance running 8.75 miles but on this occassion maintaining the steady, easy pace, which I'm sure was helped by the fact that I was listening to music. Playlist created the night before and running to such great songs as;

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Bob Seger - Hollywood Nights
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
The Jam - A Town Called Malice
U2 - Beautiful Day

the list goes on, I could have kept running until the playlist ended. My MP3 player will certainly be there on more outings, the long runs are crying out for motivational music.

Going forward the training plan focusses on endurance, the distances will grow and I have my first MK Marathon organised training run on 10th February which will cover 14 miles. I'm looking forward to it as there were many good comments from the training run held on 20th January and that was in the snowy conditions.