Last night, just before I went to sleep, I spotted a Facebook post from my local ParkRun looking for pacers for 26th August. Maybe I was overtired or something, but I volunteered to pace either 32 or 34 minutes, then dropped off to sleep. I woke up with no memory of my insanity until I checked Facebook to find that I'd been assigned 32 minute pacing! Just to be clear, I have never paced before, or even attempted it! My PB for 5k is 26:06, and I tend to run 8:30-9:30 minute miles at the moment. A quick google told me that a 32 minute 5k requires an average pace of 10:17 minute miles, so I abandoned my plan for an interval session this morning and decided to practice pacing instead. I set out on my favourite local route, which (strangely as I'm a bit of a country girl) involves running across a busy motorway junction (on a footpath, I hasten to add!). I settled into a rhythm fairly quickly and set my FitBit to average pace, which I checked frequently. I then ran for 32 minutes, stopped my FitBit and checked my distance. This will probably sound weird, but I think this was one of my proudest running moments (and I've had a few!) - running 5k in 32 minutes, 6 minutes slower than my PB. But exactly the time I wanted and fairly even splits.
I'll be practicing a few more times I hope before the day, but this has definitely made me feel set up for success.
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I think I was really lucky to come home from the Cotswold 24 with no blisters or major damage (bruised toenail probably doesn't count!), but I think I underestimated how much it affected me physically as it's taken these 3 weeks for me to be able to run longer distances again.
I must admit I was starting to get a little worried, but faith has been restored with a couple of good interval sessions in the week (which have actually proved to me that I can run fast when I push myself a little), a 5 mile run yesterday then 13.1 miles today. This also brought my total weekly mileage up above my previous efforts (except the week of the Cotswold 24), which makes me feel a lot better. The balls of my feet are sore and I'm quite tired, but still able to function (I even mowed the lawn!). I've also managed to maintain my running streak (which I'm enjoying most days), and have managed to reach day 81 today! I'm planning to increase my long run to 15 miles next Sunday, followed by 17 the week after. I am having to juggle the long runs a little as I am (possibly stupidly) doing the Shine Walk two weeks before the RFL marathon. That's all for now - I'm off to give my feet a well deserved "volcanic foot mask" and moisturise! |
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May 2018
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