Do I need a change?

I had another bad weekend last weekend. My legs were really sluggish on Friday so I decided not to run, I then had 3 days in a row of drinking which is both unusual and REALLY bad. Because of my drinking on Saturday - I therefore also decided not to run on Sunday as I wasn't feeling too good. I really need to get back on it today!

I've been thinking a lot about my training program in the past few days. It's becoming a bit mundane with the LONG runs during the week, I don't mind if it's a long run at the weekend because I have more spare time. My local football team start pre-season training next Tuesday so I may substitute one of the runs for a Tuesday training session. I may also start playing Badminton on a Wednesday with my good friend Eddie as a substitute for another run.

I figure if I run 2-3 times a week instead of 4 it would be a LOT more interesting as long as I do something in it's place. I also think it would be good to mix the training up, fartlek and more stop-start exercise will help my muscles become more explosive.

Another thought I have had - is to try and incorporate some weights in to my weekly schedule. I've lost a fair bit of weight - not enough in my opinion but I already feel like I could do with 'toning'.

I think I will do this week as normal and then re-evaluate. What do you guys think? I still think 2-3 runs per week would allow me to increase my mileage sufficiently to complete the marathon. Hopefully mixing my training up will allow me to run faster miles as well.

All the best

Erik

New experience

Yesterday I had a hard time of it, and experienced something I haven't before. I went to do my 6 mile course, and I wanted to really push on so I did the first 2 miles with both miles being 9 minute-somethings. I then got to a massive hill which I normally run up but I struggled. I had to walk for a large chunk of the hill. This has never happened before.

I think it's partly due to the (relatively) fast opening pace and also some fatigue from my 13-miler on Sunday. I was still a bit annoyed. I had to cut my route short and I still did 5 miles in 55 minutes at 11 min per mile as average. If you take into account I walked for 3-4 minutes of that, it's not a bad pace.

I have a cross day today which means Gym and so hopefully I will fare better on my run tomorrow.

Lowest ever and speedy recovery

So I weighed myself this morning to find I've lost another pound and I'm now at my lowest 14st 2lbs or 198lbs which is good news. I really want to push on and go below 14st (196lbs) in the few weeks!

When I did my long run on Sunday which was 13 miles - I really suffered with my knees on Sunday night. They were really sore due to the pounding they took during the long run. I had Monday off - I could still feel them but they weren't too bad. Yesterday I did a 4 mile run and they felt fine - even afterwards and today. This is a sign that my body is recovering quicker.

The impact on my joints will be lower, the lighter I get and so I can't wait to push on and lose some more weight soon.

All the best

Erik

Training plan - updated!

I thought it might be good for you guys to see the training plan. The pink is completed sessions.

As you can see I've got a tough few weeks coming up - no rest for the wicked!

HALFWAY THERE :-) !!!!

So I've reached a couple of more milestones yesterday; 150 miles total as well as the halfway distance of a marathon - 13 miles.

I was only due to do 11 according to my fitness program but I thought if I am going to run 11 I might as well squeeze out an extra 2 and reach this milestone. I am very pleased I did all though I was VERY tired in the last 2-3 miles.

For the first 8-9 miles I felt good and even though my route has a LONG stretch of uphill running (which I pass twice) I still felt like I managed it very well - even on the 2nd time round. In the last 2-3 I nearly felt like giving up and it was will power that kept me going.

Since I got back yesterday - My knee and legs have been hurting so it will be interesting to see how the recovery goes.

I am already looking to the next milestone - 15 miles which I am due to do in 3-4 weeks time. Until then I hope to push on and lose some more weight.

All the best,

Erik

Run in the rain

Out of all of my 137 miles of running I can't remember ever running in the rain - until today. I really enjoyed trying to get back into the swing of it. The rain was actually quite nice as it kept me relatively cool and I managed 6 miles.

I just want to keep it going over the next few weeks without interruptions as the last few weeks have been very stop-start.

-Erik

Back and ready for it

So I've got the 2 weddings and the festival out of the way and I haven't really put any weight!

Now that I'm back it's really time to put some miles in, I went for a 3 mile-run yesterday and it felt painful! I am due to do 6 miles today but I don't know if I'll manage that. I'll definitely give it a go!

All the best!

Erik