Gosh, these last 3 months have whizzed by so fast! I find it hard to believe that I have logged my final workout of the challenge, and equally hard to believe that the marathon is in 2 weeks time.
From my Wednesday run- You can see how long my shadow is here- the sun was just about to go down.
So, how did the last week go?
Monday- I was pleased with how recovered I felt from the 20 miles the day before. I felt a little stiff moving about, but not as bad as last time. At one point I was going between buildings and broke into a jog, but my legs told me “no” so I slowed to a walk. I had a meeting at work so when I got home we just relaxed, no walk that evening.
Tuesday– Running club. Thankfully most other runners had run a half marathon on the Sunday, so no-one wanted to go far, which suited me just fine. We headed out together on an out and back route, but I kept slipping further behind the group. When we got to the turn around, the other girls stopped to stretch, but I wanted to keep going. I kept thinking that they would overtake me, but I got all the way back without anyone catching up with me, so instead of standing about in the cold I ran back along to the top of the hill to see if I could spot them coming up it. I couldn’t, but luckily I was too tired to run down and back up again, so I ran back to the meeting place. No-one was there, so I went back to my car with the intention of sending them a facebook message along the lines of I hoped they were OK but didn’t want to wait. But they were all in the car park- apparently there was a short cut which I didn’t know about, so they had taken that to avoid the hill on the way back, and were starting to worry about me! I am very glad I didn’t go back down the hill again. 4 miles anyway.
Wednesday– I was home earlier than usual, so went out on the fields on my own instead of waiting for the SRC to start. I felt a bit bad but I knew my brother wasn’t going as he was ill, and my other running buddy was going on some trails later on. The trouble is it doesn’t start until 6.30pm, but in reality we start running at around 6.45, and even if we only do a 5k I then run home and get back after half 7- then I have to shower, have dinner, and any work that needs doing it done very late after all that. Whereas I was home before 6.30 which makes a huge difference. Plus it was light enough to go on the fields, whereas at half 6 it probably wasn’t.
4.8 miles around the fields. Love it.
Thursday- Body pump. We had the new release, and to anyone who got the song in their head after my “all about the cake” post can be satisfied in knowing that it will be in my head after each pump of this series as that is one of the songs. Sensibly kept my squats weight a bit lower.
Friday– Lots of walking around London and then walking home from the station.
Saturday– Needed to do 12 miles (as had breakfast plans for Sunday) but wanted to do parkrun. Luckily my dad offered to pick me up and drive to the St Albans one (which is really in the wrong direction for him), so I could do that and then run home. We ran together, although he is faster so in the final half mile I told him to go ahead if he wanted to. It was so funny; initially he said he would stay with me as he had enjoyed it, and then about ten seconds later went “er, actually I am going to speed up” and overtook 12 people (we compared our finish token numbers). The temptation is always there with parkrun so I had to tell myself “it’s not my finish line today”. I was pleased with my parkrun time (just over 28 mins) and then kept a good pace for my run home. It went so much better than my last 12 mile run- I arrived home feeling strong, confident and optimistic. We walked around town for a bit in the afternoon too.
Sunday – 3 mile run- I was awake very early (6.30, so really 7.30 with the clocks moving forwards) so went on a quick 3 miles in the wind and rain, before going out for breakfast with friends.
So, 4/4 workouts done. 24.2 miles for the week.
Excitingly my monthly mileage is 129 (compared to 98 in January and 104 in February), and I am planning a run on Tuesday evening so it will get a bit higher still. It seems crazy, but I suppose 2×20 miles makes a big dent in that.
My final Jantastic score is 100, but the blue circle is not quite joined, because I was 10 minutes off my predicted time. I did play both my jokers, so I didn’t keep the 4 workouts every week, but I think apart from 2 weeks I managed it which I am really pleased with. I don’t think last year I was quite so successful with it.
If you did Jantastic, how did it go?
Well done you! This is just the inspiration I need to get running more, my aim is to get up to 2 runs a week next month, I really need to get myself out there!
I am sure you will manage that- it is a sensible target, and hopefully with the weather cheering up it will be more appealing too.
You’ve done so well with Jantastic, even better than last year. I can’t believe that you have done two 20 mile runs that’s nearly 2 marathons!!! 🙂
Good point! Now I just need to do the whole one all in one go!
Well done! That’s inspiring! You will do great with the marathon.
Thanks- I hope so 🙂
Always love taking part in Jantastic, this year was good but my last week and time target were “slightly” off 😉
You managed such a fantastic week after your 20miles well done, I don’t ever want to get out of bed and thats just after yesterdays half!!! there is no full in me this year, that is for sure.
Well you are coming back from injury so need to take it easy. I am not sure why the second one was so much better, I suppose I was a bit adapted to it, but I think breaking it up helped my mind deal with it too.
Ah, the target time is just a bit of fun- things never go as planned.
Smashing Jantastic! You really did very well 🙂
That was nice of your dad. It’s so nice your dad is into running. I wish my parents were but to be honest I talk about running so much to my dad he’s like my coach haha. He always supports my races and is happy to chat a way and knows my goals.
Parkrun is a funny thing because you can go there and think “nahh I’m just gonna take it easy” and then the whistle goes and boom! I can be flying off with speed I didn’t realise I had that day. Glad your 12 miles went well. I can’t believe how soon the marathon is!
Yes I do love spending that time with my dad. He’s always been very active so it is good that we share that now, and my brother comes sometimes too which is really nice. I am still so happy he is running again as he had to take ages off due to his knee- I remember when the doctor told him no running, he asked her “not even a parkrun?”- I think the atmosphere of a parkrun is so different to running on your own. And you can push yourself, but you don’t need to- he will sometimes run with me the whole way if he wants to take it easier, or other times he will go ahead to try and beat his time, or run with me a bit faster to encourage me.
It’s lovely that your parents come to races- mine are planning on coming to Brighton for the day which will be lovely if they do.