Well, I didn’t make any cupcakes today, but I did find an alternative use for my cupcake stand;
It doubles as a clementine stand- excellent 🙂
The weather here today was dreary- grey skies, drizzle (on Andy’s computer this is called “sprinkles” which sounds so much better), but at least a lot of the ice was melting.
I made some soup with a massive crown prince squash- I even managed to cut it in half before I cooked it! No pictures though. It made a delicious soup. After our shopping was delivered we braved the damp drizzle for a walk outside- this was made better by some teapigs tea once I returned to the warm and dry! Although there are more pavements clear so my run tomorrow might get a different route, how exciting!
This afternoon I have been chilling at home- watched Home Alone on the TV. I got around to doing another review of a cookery book- this time I did Bake by Rachel Allen, so feel free to nose. I also did a little online shopping- I ordered a summery dress from animal, and some clif bars from wiggle.
Andy and I have also decided to go away for New Years- we don’t tend to do much normally, maybe have a few friends over or watch a film, so we have booked a few nights near Bath (I have never been)- so at least we get a little holiday this time of year!
I have also been looking at loads of marathon training plans- I think my brain has got overload! I have decided that 3 runs a week will be my aim, and the Run Less Run Faster book advocates this- so long as one run is speedwork, one is tempo and one is a longer slow run which suits me fine. The next phase is to properly sort out the distances (especially of the long runs). Some plans seem to work up gradually, finishing in a 20 mile run, and other plans seem to go up quick (eg 12 miles one week, then 14, 16, 18) and then have loads of 20 mile runs (eg 20 miles one week, then 18, then 20, then 14, then 20)- so I was wondering how many 20+ miles you marathon running peeps did before your marathon? It will help me decide you see 🙂
I like the run less run faster plans but I haven’t tried the marathon one! I need to start half training soon too… need to get bck into the swing of things, the snow and cold have thrown me right off kilter!
Well the book seems good, but there are no training plans for my time- as they are all boston qualifier times so even if I chose the oldest age bracket it is still too fast! But I like the principle of it!
I know what you mean about the snow- hopefully it will not come back in the new year!
One twenty-miler for me.
For my second marathon, I tried one of those arrangements whereby you did more long runs: two 20s, one 18 and one 22, and I ended up too injured to run. I firmly believe now that the ‘run less’ approach works better. I did lots of 13s and 14s and only the one 20 for the first one, and was back to my normal self straight away afterwards.
I would most definitely say that it’s better to be under than over-trained for a marathon, particularly from the point of view of injury. Your approach sounds good to me 🙂
Whoops, I meant to injured to run THE RACE…and also knackered for a good month whereby I literally could not run. DNS a race is awful, so I’d stick with your plan!
Do you know I heard an interview on marathon talk this week (ep 49) and the person was saying the same- it was better to be undertrained as if you train too much you risk overtiredness and injury far more- he was saying it was about doing the minimum to be actually trained, but no more.
Thanks 🙂
Ooh, a holiday! I have never been to Bath either, but would like to go.
The plan I followed had two 20 milers in, but I didn’t finish the second. (I had a huge crying episode, if you remember.) I think as Laura and Jess say, less is more with your first one. I can totally sympathise with feeling overwhelmed though — there are so many options out there!
I think I remember reading about a really hard run that you did 🙁
So I am thinking less is certainly more.
I am looking forward to Bath 🙂
I totally understand your training plan dilemma- there are so many different ones out there! But I agree with the other commenters and with the book that less is more, and one 20 miler seems to be the norm anyway!
Great- that sounds better to me anyway haha!
🙂
Your plan sounds very similar to the one that i’m doing (ish!). I’m vaguely following the FIRST one which has a basis of 3 runs per week – 1 tempo, 1 speedwork, 1 long slow run. It only has one 20 mile run and that is 4 weeks before the marathon. My long runs are as follows: 11, 12, 10, 12, 13, 14, 12, 16, 13, 18, 10, 20, 13, 8, 26.2!!!!! However, I do need to do a bit of jiggery pokery as I also need to fit club championship races around that!
I’m glad to hear everyone recommending only the one 20 miler as a few people were telling me that that wasn’t enough and that I should actually be doing a 23 miler too. It’s all so confusing isn’t it! There are also people in my club who have told me not to worry about distance at all but just to go on time on feet…. is it just me wondering what on earth I’ve done now it seems so close!!!????
Rosexx
ps you’ll love Bath, it’s a gorgeous city, very relaxed and loads of lovely eateries/bars/shops etc etc
Yeah I read one plan which is based on time not distance, and it says the longest run should be 3.5 hours- I would not get 20 miles done in that time, and it seems too far short of the time I am hoping for (5 hours). It is confusing but I am glad that only one 20 miler is recommended! Yours is closer than mine but we still have months to go so dont panic! 🙂
My word those distances sound so scary! I think I’m happy sticking to my half! I need to find a good training plan for next year, the Great North Run isn’t until Sept but I’m determined to beat this years time. Sounds like you have a lovely new year planned, have fun in Bath!
I have no doubt you will beat your time- I didnt follow a proper training plan for my half marathons- I just added a bit more onto my long run each week, and also made one of my shorter runs a little longer. Seemed to work as I got around 🙂 I think it is best to not think about the distance though!