Mission completed!

Well, it's done!
 
This is my marathon in 26.2 pictures......
 
We arrived on Friday morning.  We had to get up at 5am but we were actually really lucky as there was a plane fire (read all about it here) and 192 flights were cancelled.

1) Edinburgh Castle

 

We spent the day touring around the city which happens to be one of my favourites in the world! 

 

2) It was exhausting! (this is my husband not a random stranger in case you were wondering)

 

 

We went out for dinner and had quite a bit to drink - my husband is a bad influence. Saturday was really hot and sunny.  We spent the day on Portabello Beach.  In the evening we met up with Bev and Penny to carb load - pizza! 

 

3) Portabello Beach, Edinburgh

 

 

I slept fine and was up early.  Met Penny and Bev for breakfast...

 

4) Scrambled egg on toast with marmite - the breakfast of champions!

 

 

5) We had a 1.5 mile walk to the bag drop....

 

 

6) Followed by the obligatory queue for the loo... (twice)

 

 
7) This is us at the start.  Penny wasn't cold, she was hiding her number as she was purple and we were gold!!

 

 

8) We all moved forward and it started at 10am.....

 

I needed to stop for the loo.  I kept telling myself it was all in my head but it wasn't so stopped off at about 1.5miles!

 

9) 1.5 miles (the loo was here) and you run into the Holyrood Park.

 

 

 

10) First water station....

 

11) Coming up to the beach, about 5 miles ish....  Check out the sunshine!

 

12) 6 mile marker, Portabello Beach....

 

 

 

13, 14, 15) The route follows the coastline which is absolutely beautiful. 

 

16) This was the turn-point at about 17 miles.  We left the coast and go through a really pretty park.....

 

17) Ok, so I didn't take this one but I should have, it was beautiful and you run straight past it (through the gates above)!

 

 

 

 

18) 21 mile marker...

 

19) 23 mile marker.... just a parkrun to go.....

I cried at mile 26.  The sort that means you can't breathe so no photos of the finish I'm afraid.  Good points were the scenery, bad points were no clock - I had no idea how long it took to cross the start line and no idea of how I was doing (my watch packed up at 16 miles) so my time was surprise to me; bus home - it was about a 30 minute walk to the park-and-ride and then a long queue to get on the bus and a 1.5 mile walk back to the hotel (not fun); not much support and no oranges (only sweets).

 

20) Nice medal and t-shirt!

 

 

 21) And the end to my first ever marathon in Scotland!

 

22, 23) The walk to the bus home was miles and the queue was miles long.  Then there was the walk back to the hotel - more miles up and down more hills....

 

 

 

24, 25, 26) The bagpipes welcomed us back to town and the sun was still shining!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last thoughts..... chaffing - ouch my vest rubbed under my arm and it is very sore!  The support in Edinburgh was nice but London is phenomenal!  Thank you to everyone who has supported me and encouraged me through the last 21 weeks and 471 miles.

 

Total miles this week:

Tuesday: 6

Sunday: 26.6

 

Total: 32.6

Total marathon miles: 471.2

 

 

So good-bye until December when I start again for my next Spring challenge, the Brighton Marathon on 6th April 2014!

 

(this is the point 2 by the way)!

 

 

 

 

 



Week 20 - only 1 week to go!!!!

Ermmmm what can I say about this week?  I managed to run 16.6 miles.  Tuesday was wet and miserable but there was a pretty good turn out for an interval session by Penn Ponds in Richmond Park.  The LSR on Sunday was beautiful.  My photos were rubbish!  I tried to take a photo of a heron and their nest with baby herons in.  I also tried to take a photo of the plaque on Kew Bridge that marks the divide between Middlesex and Surrey.  I love that bit but that didn't come out either.  I did take a pretty average picture though of Syon House.  Next week is a taper week and I will spend most of it worrying about what to pack.  We fly out earlier on Friday morning.  I just got butterflies thinking about it.........

I am looking forward to taking a bit of a break from running; not long now!! What will I do with my Sunday mornings?

 

I know it is hard to see but this is the nest.

Tuesday: Interval session (in the rain) 5.26 miles
Saturday: parkrun
Sunday: 8.25 mile LSR

Miles this week: 16.6
Marathon miles: 439

Week 19

This week wasn't very exciting.  I've had a very sore foot and so went to see Clare Gibson after work on Friday and she fixed me.  I had a nice long run on Sunday with Deirdre, Penny and Bev and saw a seagull eating a fish.  Who would have thought it in the Thames!  I just remembered the naked lady!  How could I forget?  As we were heading up the hill towards Pembroke Lodge there was a naked lady being photographed - what would the "Friends of Richmond Park" say to that!!!!

Tuesday: Hill session at the ballet school, 4.8 miles
Saturday: parkrun
Sunday: 10 mile LSR

Total miles: 17.9
Total marathon miles: 418.35

(2 x spins, 1 x pump and 15 miles cycled)

Week 18

This has been a memorable week......  I went to see my GP on Tuesday for my blood test results.  This isn't anything unusual because I go about every 6 weeks but this time they were NORMAL!  This is totally amazing news - the first time in three years that it has been so I was off the scale happy.  I actually cried when I called my husband to tell him.  I didn't run this week on Wednesday or Thursday.  I went to a funeral on Wednesday.  Nobody likes a funeral but they do make you think don't they and to appreciate what you have.  Well I do anyway!  On Thursday it was my daughter's 18th birthday.  Obviously there was much celebration, wine and cake!!  Saturday after the wine and cake I was super happy to run 5k in under 30 minutes.  The icing on the cake was that Deirdre did too - on the same day!  I know that to most people this isn't anything monumental but for me it is.  I ran a handful of parkruns before my clots (well 5 actually) and didn't start running them regularly until June 2010 (after the clots) as a way of getting back to running and getting my fitness back.  So, it has taken me 86 parkruns to do it.  I admit that I didn't put maximum effort into all of them.  I ran a lot of them with a hangover.  There were quite a few last July that I couldn't even finish.  I've now run 91..... 9 more until my 100 t-shirt!!  (I'm very excited about that prospect).  I don't know my official time for today's half marathon but I was 2 hours 30 mins and something seconds.  It was hot but I don't have any real reason why it took me longer than I'd hoped (I was aiming for 2.25 ish) but to be honest I don't really care.  It was fun and I'm still smiling from Saturday.  Oh, and Edinburgh Marathon is 3 weeks today.... must book a physio appointment as my leg hurts!

Tuesday 5.2 miles group run
Saturday 3.1 miles parkrun
Sunday 13.1 miles Ranelagh Half Marathon
Total miles this week: 21.4 miles

Total marathon miles: 400.45

(2 spins, 1 pump and 20 miles cycled)

Week 17

So, the plan for this week was to recover!  I had Monday off of work and I managed to haul myself down to Virgin Active to sit in the spa pool until I was as wrinkly as a prune.  I was seriously sore until Wednesday anyway but I managed to go spinning on Wednesday morning which helped.  I was raring to go by the weekend and got a PB at parkrun on Saturday.  I wasn't going to run on Sunday but as next week is a bit of a challenge (a funeral on Wednesday and Danni's 18th birthday on Thursday) I went for a 10 mile run with Deirdre.  It was a beautiful, sunny day so I took some photos.

This heron was sitting as still as a statue on the grass near to the tunnel leading up to the Terrace Gardens in Richmond.

This beauty was chilling by the polo field.

It took until Sunday, but I've managed to talk Deirdre into running the Brighton Marathon next year - another Spring challenge!!

Saturday: 3.1 miles
Sunday: 10 miles
Total miles this week: 13.1 miles

Total marathon miles: 379.05
1 x spinning, 5 miles cycled - not bad considering!

The morning after the day before.....

Well I ache this morning but I’m pretty happy.  I’m going to start at the beginning....... which was waking up at 5.30am, getting into my kit and forcing my muesli down.  Paul (Deirdre’s husband) gave us and his brother Ian a lift to the station, where we met Stacey and Oliver, and we got the train to Waterloo.  We walked over to Waterloo East and got the train to Blackheath.  From there we walked to the start.  We got there at about 8.45-ish and we queued for the loo (twice), put our bags on the lorries and lined up in our start pen.  We were in pen 9 – the back!  I probably shouldn't, but I have to tell you that Deirdre tried out the female urinals.  She regretted not trying the she-pee the last time and was determined to.  I didn't!  I didn't want to start the race with a wet leg or worse a soggy shoe but she did it and ticked it off of her bucket list (brave lady) and no, she didn't have a soggy shoe or wet leg!

It took us about 15 minutes to cross the start line but it was amazing from the start.  There were loads of people, bands, music and runners.  It was hot, hot, hot from the word go.  Some parts along the route got a little bit quiet – like between 8 and 10 miles and the going got a bit tough.  It was a nice relief seeing Deirdre’s sisters and their family at about 11.5 miles and it was a great feeling crossing Tower Bridge.  It was even better after half way as we got into a bit of shade going into docklands and it clouded over a bit.  That was a good job as I was totally overheating. 

One of the rubbish lasting effects of my clots is that they permanently damaged my lungs.  The receptors in my lungs were damaged and so although I can breathe and there is air in my lungs the receptors don’t tell my brain that.  My brain thinks I need more air which leads to something that feels a bit like a panic attack.  This gets worse when I’m hot.  I have learnt to control it but it isn’t very nice and it hurts because I get chest pains at the same time.  I felt like this between about miles 9 and 13 so I can’t tell you what a relief it was when we hit a bit of shade.  I walked through every shower and fireman’s hose to cool down.  They were so cold they took my breath away for real!

We saw Deirdre’s kids and their friends at about 14 miles.  In some places around the 14 mile mark there the crowds were so packed that it was hard to get through.  There were lots of people walking and sometimes it was like hitting a wall and we struggled to get through.   Around Docklands we saw Simon and Deborah, Nikki and then Maggie, Allyson and Deirdre’s work colleagues.  The children in Deirdre's class had made a banner with messages from every single one writen on their hand prints!  The drums under the underpass (I’m not sure where we were) gave me goose bumps!  We saw Lyndsey then Deirdre’s kids again at about 20 and then Maggie and Allyson again, my family and Graham at 21 and 22 and Sharon.  We saw the lovely Carol on the Embankment (with her bad back) who nearly made us cry!  Both of our watches has gone wrong by Docklands so I have no idea on how far we actually ran – which was loads more than 26.2 due to the weaving around the walls of walkers. 

The last 4 miles were really tough but we just kept run/walking and although we didn’t make the pace we’d hoped for it didn’t really matter, we finished!  (And we were quicker than Amy Childs by 3 minutes!!) Stacey finished in 5.21.  This is probably the nearest I will ever get to being a rock star as hundreds of people shouted my name which was totally AMAZING!

 

I was a bit premature yesterday when I posted my summary:

Tuesday: 4 miles
Saturday: 3.1 miles parkrun
Sunday: 26.2 miles
Total miles this week 33.3
Total marathon miles to date: 369.95

Only 4 weeks and 4 days until Edinburgh!!
 

Tomorrow is the BIG day!

Tomorrow is the BIG day!  This week started with the bombing of the Boston Marathon on Monday.  It was such a senseless, shocking and sickening thing to happen.  It made me think about all the people who are planning on watching me tomorrow.  My husband, kids and lots and lots of friends will be spread out around the route.  Their support really keeps you going and distracts you from whatever ache or pain you have.  Can you imagine the guilt a runner would feel if their child, partner or friend died, lost a limb or was injured because they’d come to watch them?  All these practical questions came into my head like how would you get your bag back?  Not really significant when people are injured and dying but how would you get your phone to let people know you were ok? How would you get home or back to your hotel?  It puts into proportion the closure of platforms 1-10 tomorrow at Waterloo station! If must have been horrific and will take a long time for people to recover.  I will be wearing my black ribbon tomorrow to remember those who were killed and injured.  My mum’s not too pleased with me for running.  I hadn’t actually told her (she worries about me because of my heart and lung thing) and then there was a bomb.... Well that was it!  I’m still doing it though, sorry mum!!!

I plan on running the whole way with Deirdre.  We’ve done all our training together and bar anything unforeseen we should finish together.  Stacy will be with us too.  This is Stacy’s first marathon and she is a bit worried as she’s had a problem with her knee.  I’m sure she’ll be able to stick with us, if not zoom off and leave us for dust.  We will run the first 6 miles and then run/walk 9 minutes run and 1 minute walk for 20.2 miles.  We probably won’t talk all the way but most of it!  This reminds me of something someone once said to me.  It was a few years ago and I can’t remember what race we were discussing but she asked me what time I was aiming for.  I said something like, “I don’t know, I’m running with so-and-so and we’ll just have a nice run”.  Her response to this has stayed with me to this day: “People like you only say that because you are embarrassed about how slow you are.”  I was pretty upset at the time but I confess, I am slow.  I am aiming to finish in between 5 hours 15 minutes and 5 hours 30 minutes and I will be proud to finish!  I run because I like it, because I enjoy it and because it is fun.  I like to run at a comfortable chatting pace, I like to take in the crowd, the sights and be part of an occasion and lets face it, London is the biggest occasion! 

We had great fun at the Expo on Wednesday when we went to register and pick up our numbers.  I bought more kit (that I don't really need) and GU chomps (that I don't really like) and picked up maps for my supporters.  Deirdre loves the music!! This marathon malarky is so emotional!!

I’m just off to get my kit and my bag ready.  I have butterflies but I’m good nervous..... BRING IT ON!


Tuesday: 4 miles
Saturday: 3.1 miles parkrun
Total miles this week 7.1
Total marathon miles to date: 336.65

Week 15 - 1 week to go!!!!!

This was a busy week.  It was my mum's 70th birthday and my daughter was in the U18's National Hockey Final.  These limited my training!  The sun has finally come out and about time too!  It was the Brighton marathon on Sunday and Tanya did well to finish with an injury and a smile on her face.

Tuesday - Interval session
Thursday - 45 mins on treadmill
Saturday - 6.4 miles at marathon pace, including a parkrun

Total miles this week : Only 13.4

Total marathon miles:  329.55

(plus 15miles cycled, 2 x spins and 1 x pump)

Week 14 (only 2 weeks until London)

This week the sun has made an appearance!  This week is the start of the taper which means it is all down hill - yipee!!  We actually got to run in the park on Tuesday evening which made a really nice change.  Thursday it snowed (again) and I hadn't packed enough clothes so that wasn't fun.  Saturday we went to Old Deer Park for the first time for a special parkrun.  It was a bit lumpy bumpy and I was worried about twisting my ankle but it was a fun event.  Sunday was sunny and the six of us had a nice run along the river.

I discovered body balance this week.  I've been before but not for a while and this may be the answer to my pilates/yoga problem!  I'm giving it another go next week.

Tuesday: 5.6 mile group run in Richmond Park
Thursday: 5.85 miles at marathon pace
Saturday: Parkrun
Sunday: 10.6 mile LSR

Total miles: 25.15

Total marathon miles: 316.15

(plus 7.5miles cycling, 1 body balance, 1 pump, 1 spin)

Week 13

This was a week of two halves (as they say in football), with the first half sitting on the sofa eating way too much chocolate and drinking way too much wine whilst recovering from my op.  I had to rest for 5 days so on Thursday (nearly 4 days rest) I went to Pilates.  You may recall from an earlier blog that I actually hate Pilates but this time was ok.  We got to use poles which you hook around your feet.  I think I did it wrong as usual because I didn't ache at all the next day!  The second half of the week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday I ran loads!  Sunday was the best run as the sun came out and everyone in the world was happy.  We also saw most people in the world whilst out on our run and Deirdre took photos around the route, so here is our 15 mile Easter Sunday route courtesy of Mrs I:

We went down to Richmond Lock (1.5miles)

Along the tow path to Richmond and then Twickenham (we saw Kirsty along by Marble Hill Park)

From Twickenham we followed the river to Strawberry Hill

We then went into Bushy Park (where we saw Jo SH), Sharon, Mark, Linda, Katrina and Jackie.

From Bushy Park we went through Hampton Hill to Crane Park (11 miles).

And we bumped into the lovely Heather who took this photo of us

We had a bit of an adventure in Crane Park trying some paths we'd never tried before.  We then ran the 1.3 miles home bumping into the lovely Annie in Whitton High Street.  It took us ages to cover our 15 miles because we had to keep stopping to chat!!

 

Friday: 10 miles

Saturday: Parkrun 3.1miles

Sunday: 15 miles

Total miles: 28.1

 

Total marathon miles: 291

 

 

 

Week 12

This week is bloody freezing again!  My 20 mile LSR was cold and painful and I ended up running the last 6 on my own which was tough for good for me!  It took until Wednesday for my quads to recover from the Reading Half Marathon but the 5 miles on Thursday was nice and easy and I took the parkrun nice and steady.  It is really hard training in the snow, sleet, rain and wind.  I wonder what the chances are of a sudden change in the weather?  I am a bit worried that suddenly the 21st April will be a scorcher and I will die of heat exhaustion!!  Well I'm sitting on the sofa, my legs are aching but I'm happy.  It took about an hour for my lungs to recover though!!  Anyway, I'm planning on getting a cheeky 4 miles in tomorrow morning and a body pump class because I'm having an operation in the afternoon and I'm not sure how long it will take to recover.  Four weeks today and London will be over........  I get butterflies when I think about that!!!

Tuesday: Ham Cross Hill Session 4.2 miles
Thursday: 5 miles steady
Saturday: Parkrun 3.1 miles
Sunday: 20 miles LSR

Total miles: 32.3 miles

Total marathon miles to date 262.9
(2 spins, 1 pump and 15 miles cycled)

Week 11

Week 11 was spent mainly on the beach, around the pool and drinking sangria.  Not the ideal preparation for a half marathon in the rain!  As the only exercise what-so-ever I did this week was the Reading Half Marathon I'm going to have to blog about it in-depth!  Well the best bit was that we got Mizuno VIP passes.  That was amazing.  The weather was atrocious and we were soaked walking from the car park to the race village but luckily we got to go into a warm, dry hotel to drop off our bags and the best bit was that it had real toilets - whoo hoooo!  We were a little late getting to the start and it took practically 20 mins to cross the start line.  I was frozen and soaked to the skin before starting.  The first 8 miles was ok but then I got jabbed in the face by a disgruntled passer-by who was having a disagreement with a marshal.  He didn't mean too but he was jabbing his finger and my face got in the way.  So by 10 miles I was frozen, fed up, had a sore eye and my legs started to cramp.  I had a miserable last 3 miles but on the bright side, I was 1 minute faster than Brighton (I moaned that Brighton was too hot and now Reading was too wet - obviously I am never satisfied).  The finish was in the stadium but they ran out of space blankets but again lucky VIP me, I got to go into the warm, dry hotel to get my dry clothes on and have my free commemorative race photo.  I obviously looked gorgeous after about 3 hours in the race (and the jab don't forget) and I'd just like to say it was the photographer who suggested the thumbs up! 

We also got Mizuno water bottles, bum bags and t-shirts.  I do love my Mizuno Wave Riders.

Tuesday - Beach
Thursday - Beach
Saturday - Run Director at Crane parkrun
Sunday - Half Marathon - 13.1 miles

Total miles 13.1
Total marathon miles 230.6

Week 10

I feel like a naughty schoolgirl bunking off class as I'm off to Spain in the morning and everyone else is heading to Worthing to run 20 miles!  On Thursday the absolutely lovely but evil Clare Gibson tortured me.  My foot was a bit sore and so she fixed me by making my whole leg sore.  She is a genius!! I must remember to do my exercises.  The runs this week were all fun and felt easy. 

I am packing my trainers but not too sure I'll be putting them on my feet.......

Tuesday - Out and back 6.1 miles
Thursday - 8.5 miles at marathon pace (ish)
Saturday - parkrun (plus a run there and back) - 6.3 miles
Total miles: 20.9

Total marathon miles to date 217.5
(2 spins, 1 pump and 15 miles cycled)

Week 9

This week I had the lurgy which wasn't much fun!  It's been cold but sunny so I shouldn't complain about the weather. My biggest problem this week has been breathing, which isn't brilliant at the best of times but with a cold and the cold weather I've struggled this week.  I did get a new PB on Saturday though, however Sunday was tough.  Deirdre is sticking with her Bath bun strategy and I think that I will be joining her from now on (maybe hot cross buns).  Someone in my house ate my very expensive GU Chomps, not that they're very tasty or anything but you do need something to keep you going on a long run.  I've learnt a few things this week:

• My camel pack leaks if you hang it upside down and don't put the rubber seal on properly
• Remember to check that I have my skins on the right side out (inside out not back to front!)
• Don't leave very expensive Chomps in plain view of husband
• Hot cross buns are much better on a LSR than cinnamon bagels
• Running on a camber hurts my foot

I've decided to raise money for The British Heart Foundation.  My page is here and it links to this page so if you just came from my Virgin Money page HELLO and welcome to my blog!

It was a tough decision as there are so many worthy charities to choose from.

Anyway I'm looking forward to an easy week because I'm off to sunny Spain on Sunday (not ideal I know but I can't wait).

Tuesday - Selection of hills, 4.2 miles
Thursday - 7 miles at marathon pace
Saturday - parkrun PB!!!!
Sunday - LSR 17 miles - ouch

Total miles run: 31.3 - biggest weekly mileage so far.
Total marathon miles: 196.6

(22 miles cycled, 2 spin sessions, 1 pump)

Week 8

After the sunny half marathon last Sunday this week was freezing again!  This week feels like a Wednesday - or hump day as some people call it.  The LSR was tough as it was bitterly cold.  I took my camel pack because I hate carrying a drink and there weren't any water fountains on the way (they'd probably be frozen anyway) but it leaked so I had a cold and wet back for 15 miles.  On the bright side, the route was lovely.  We went along the river from Richmond to Hampton Court and back via Kingston, Ham and Teddington.  Thursday I ran on my own, which is unusual.  Again it was freezing cold but I felt good and maintained a good pace.  I got a PB on Saturday at the parkrun too!  I don't like to cold, especially the wind as it makes my lungs feel like they are on fire.  Now I've got a stinking, rotten cold :0(

Tuesday - Interval session
Thursday - 50 mins, marathon pace
Saturday - parkrun
Sunday - LSR, 15 miles

Total miles run: 27.12 (actually the first week over marathon distance)
Total marathon miles so far: 165.32

(19 miles cycled, 2 spin and 1 pump)

Week 7

This week the weather perked up and I'm fairly sure that Sunday was the hottest day of the year! 

I drove to the Brighton Marathon leaving at 6.30am.  It was foggy and really hard to see in places on the way down the motorway.  We parked at the Race Course in the Park and Ride and got a bus to the start.  The queues for the loos were mega and despite queuing for 20 minutes we ending up hiding in the bushes but were still late to start and had to weave through the field.  It was a nice course, if a little undulating in places.  The water was really cool.  They were squishy pouches.  I was seriously desparate for a drink at 8miles but there wasn't any water until mile 11 so I died a little bit.  The medals were nice and glamourous.

 

 

Tuesday - Nightingale Lane killer hill session
Thursday - 7 miles at marathon pace
Saturday - Joint Race Director so no run for me
Sunday - Brighton Half Marathon

Total miles run: 24.2
Total marathon miles so far: 138.2

(15 miles cycled, 2 spin classes and 1 pump)

We were sent links to our finishing video - it is the funniest thing ever!!  Please note that is the clock time and not my actual finish time!! http://brightonhalfmarathon2013.sportcamvideo.net/

Week 6

This week was BUSY!  I tried to compensate for missing my Tuesday and Saturday runs by running on Friday but was too tired and couldn't get out of bed.  I have to satisfy myself with the knowledge that the runs that I did make were comfortable and I felt good at the end.  I even tried to make myself love Pilates.  I failed miserably as it was boring as watching paint dry.

The Thursday run was half of the Cabbage Patch Ten route and it wasn't even dark at 4.30pm.  It was really quiet along most of the route and we had a good old chat.  I've got to say that I'm loving my new skins too!

Our Sunday LSR was from Syon Park along the Grand Union Canal, out and back.  It was pretty wet and miserable and very muddy.  The kind of muddy path you slip sideways down.  I was a bit worried that one of us would slide into the canal.  I love that route particularly the section with the 5 locks, the old lunatic asylum and the 3 bridges designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.  By the time I got home my trainers were squelching - eughh!

The Guardian have been promoting their new running blog this week (here) which had a blog by Adharanand Finn about the joy of running and why people love to run (here).  It was a really motivational article and reminded me of how desperately I wanted to run when I recovering from my Pulmonary Embolisms, when I struggled to get the stairs or walk let alone run.  I am happy to be able to plod.  Sometimes I do feel embarrassed about how slow I am, particularly when with a group of people who seem obsessed with PBs, but I should remember that I run because I can (even with rubbish lungs and a naff heart) and because I want to......  I feel even more guilty about not getting out of bed on Friday now!!!!

Tuesday - had to work!
Thursday - 6 mile at marathon pace (actually 6.6)
Saturday - had to work!
Sunday - LSR, 11 miles (actually 11.15)

Total miles run: 17.75
Total marathon miles so far: 113.95

(17 miles cycled, 2 spin classes, 1 Pilates)

Week 5

Wow - week 5 already.  That means only 11 to go!!  This week was a bit wet and windy.  On Tuesday's session we kept passing cars that had been flooded by the high tide and wouldn't start.  I felt sorry for them.  On Thursday we actually got to start running in the light for a change.  The weekend runs were very windy, especially Sunday's when it was windy, muddy and hilly! 
I finally got my hospital appointment through (19th Feb) and I'm hoping to get my op over by the end of Feb/middle of March.  That'll be a relief. 
Next week is going to be challenging as I have a conference on Tuesday and I'm working on Saturday.  I am going to try Pilates because I can't make body pump due of work and because I need to stretch - feeling a little tight.
We are looking at some organised training runs in organised by Gade Valley Harriers.  They look like fun. http://www.gadevalleyharriers.co.uk/london-marathon-training-runs/ 

Tuesday: Interval session
Thursday: 5 miles at marathon pace
Saturday: Parkrun
Sunday: 10 mile LSR

Total miles run: 23.2
Total marathon miles so far: 96.2

(15 miles cycled, 2 spin and 1 pump class)

Week 4

Week 4 - the big defrost started mid week but it was a chilly one!  I'm not too sure what to say about this week.  I got my results and need to go into hospital for a minor op.  I'd like that to be sooner rather than later as it needs to fit in with marathon training.  I'll have to take a week off and I'm a bit worried about when it will be.  Some days I feel like I'm getting fitter and everything is going according to plan but other days I think I'm never going to get round.  Well 12 weeks to go so onwards and upwards!!!

Tuesday - 5 mile group run in the snow
Thursday - 45 min steady run
Saturday - Parkrun - was steady but slow due to ice
Sunday - 9 mile run - the sun shone!!

Total miles run = 21
Total marathon miles so far 73

(only 15 miles cycled - due to ice!  2 spinning classes, 1 body pump)