This week's big run
8 weeks until race day, and my free time is now pretty much dictated by marathon training. My plan involves a 10-15k during each week, Parkruns on Saturdays and a longer run on Sundays. This is hard work.
This week's training update, which I've just posted on That Facebook:
Some people would say setting my alarm for 6am to go out and run 20 miles on a Sunday morning is insane. Those people would be right. Though it's marginally less insane than going out running later in 29-degree heat would have been.
Today's route took me along Rivelin Valley, up Manchester Road(!), down through Broomhill and Brocco Bank, through Endcliffe Park and Whiteley Woods, out just past Forge Dam, back along Ecclesall Road, up Hanover Way and roughly following the tramline home. Lots of trees, babbling rivers and a great view from near the top; Sheffield really is stunningly beautiful in places.
Anyway, ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! I managed to (mostly) run 20 miles, or 32.2k in 3h2m52s. That's 76.3% of a marathon in 76.2% of my target time, so absolutely bang on pace. I had to do 2½ laps of the park at the end to make up the distance, which were utterly soul-crushing that close to home, but I'd be damned if I wasn't going to finish the distance, having come so close.
I am, however, completely knackered now. I ache A LOT, have various blisters and chafing that I won't go into, and am mostly hobbling when I try to walk. (And my teeth! No one warns you about this - energy gels are essential for long runs, but boy are they grim. I've scrubbed my teeth twice since I got back!) I might just sleep now for the rest of the day...
Please help me make all this ridiculous training effort worthwhile by sponsoring me!
This week's training update, which I've just posted on That Facebook:
Some people would say setting my alarm for 6am to go out and run 20 miles on a Sunday morning is insane. Those people would be right. Though it's marginally less insane than going out running later in 29-degree heat would have been.
Today's route took me along Rivelin Valley, up Manchester Road(!), down through Broomhill and Brocco Bank, through Endcliffe Park and Whiteley Woods, out just past Forge Dam, back along Ecclesall Road, up Hanover Way and roughly following the tramline home. Lots of trees, babbling rivers and a great view from near the top; Sheffield really is stunningly beautiful in places.
Anyway, ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! I managed to (mostly) run 20 miles, or 32.2k in 3h2m52s. That's 76.3% of a marathon in 76.2% of my target time, so absolutely bang on pace. I had to do 2½ laps of the park at the end to make up the distance, which were utterly soul-crushing that close to home, but I'd be damned if I wasn't going to finish the distance, having come so close.
I am, however, completely knackered now. I ache A LOT, have various blisters and chafing that I won't go into, and am mostly hobbling when I try to walk. (And my teeth! No one warns you about this - energy gels are essential for long runs, but boy are they grim. I've scrubbed my teeth twice since I got back!) I might just sleep now for the rest of the day...
Please help me make all this ridiculous training effort worthwhile by sponsoring me!