Training plans are in interesting thing in themselves and I'm sure a smarter person than me will have dedicated a whole blog post to it. Alas I am not that smarter person. I decided to seek help from a higher power and instilled an Iron (wo)man who will not be referred to as Jurgen (read James Cracknalls book for the reference). I based a plan on Hal Higdon novice and tweaked it based upon the belief that I could always run 3 times a week and possibly add a 4th on if work and my motivation allowed. Jurgen Was quick to help and edit, offering advice in ensuring I kept my long runs slow and added in some marathon pace in the last few miles, building up to a 70/30 ratio. I also added some more longer runs. Conscious of how I faded in the last half of Loch ness. So thanks Jurgen and sorry for what you're about to read.
My training plan started on a week I was on nights. The following week I was at a conference so I had to bodge the first two weeks, much to the mockery of my parents and sister who visited in the 3rd week. This ribbing and nagging from Anna was actually just what the doctor ordered. It got me back running some decent miles of regular 6-9 mile runs. I've now managed 3 solid weeks and feel I'm in the swing of things. I find the first run really important. This is all just habit and sadly they are easily lost and hard gained.
Anyway. I've now revised my plan to take my first sloth like 3 weeks into account and am running well. Part of the plan is to run with people regularly and before Christmas I went to a 4 sessions at a running club. I found I really pushed myself as most of the members are 'proper' runners. I was amazed that on my first 6 mile run at the club I finished well under 50 minutes, though I almost dead at the end. Running in company means you push yourself to keep up and I would have definitely slowed had I been on my own. I also went to one of the group speed sessions where everyone stays together. Despite me being too out of breath to speak everyone was very friendly. Sadly shift work means I can't be a regular but when I can next go I'll sign up and go whenever I can as I really enjoyed it and think my running will benefit massively.
Before Lochaber I will be running in the Forfar Multi-Terrain Half Marathon and am really looking forward to it. I think it's probably a really strong field with a lot of club runners but I'm running it with a friend so either way it'll be fun. As the course is really tough, with a river crossing and lots of mud if I can get round in under 2 hours I'll be happy. I'll also use it as a gauge to set targets for Lochaber.
After Lochaber I will be running the Edinburgh Half marathon with some friends. A group of us are hopefully running it and I will have the aim of pacing Anna to get whatever time she says. This is a little payback for all her help and to say thank you for the support she gives me. Hopefully I will still be faster than her. She is catching me quickly.
The rest of the year will be taken up by trying to get some more speed and focusing on 10 miles. Whenever I run 10 miles in training I really enjoy it and I think this is 'my distance' but having never ran the distance in a race I'd be interested to see how it goes.
This has been a bit of a mixed blog so I will add to the pot luck and talk about two other things while I'm at it. My mum and Dad got me a Garmin forerunner 10 for Christmas. I had previously been a bit sceptical about GPS watches as I thought the battery and size would be terrible and Huge. The forerunner is billed on line as the entry level watch but it's brilliant. I haven't used all the settings yet but I really enjoy being able to quickly check current pace and distance ran rather than the ever increasing time. If anyone is on the fence give it a go, as so far, so good. As for the size it looks great on and is smaller than some dress watches these days. The battery seems to be holding out well but I'll mention that on my bigger runs.
Finally I bought two pairs of trainers recently. The first, a pair of Brooks Ghost 6 for my marathon training. The second, a pair of Adidas Kanadia 5. The Kanadia's were a bargain as they were on sale. Anna got a pair too as we enjoy going for trail runs together so hopefully they will see some use.
I'll write about them more when I have used them but I just wanted to say I thought the people at Sweatshop Dundee were friendly and helpful. Not pushing you to buy expensive shoes, just the right ones. It seems a long established shop so it probably doesn't need my support but if you are in Dundee and want some advice/shoes go local and head down rather than the online lottery of shoe sizes.
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