Theresas training

only cos I've been running so much. This is going to take ages for me to type...might even need to do it in a couple of episodes!

Last time I wrote was 5th May. Here goes....

6th May - ran with Brian from East Links, through John Muir, over A1 just about Tynefield to Hedderwick direction, round the farms and out at North Belton, back through John Muir (nice new tar road is quite bouncy) and back to car. Ran this in my old trainers - not so nice and bouncy as my brand new Saucony's. Awww - hope the Saucony's last - think I could be a convert. So lovely and bouncy on my feet. Anyway went for scone afterwards - worlds best at Lauderdale park.

7th May - bank holiday so guess what - went for a run. Headed out with Sheila for a long run (12?) - headed from Belhaven up to Eweford, Wester Broomhouse, Spott and second ford. Then on to Pitcox, and through a magic gate into a secret garden. Trotted along and went over a cool old bridge next to a hidden cottage, past Biel house (I think) and headed down to the A1 just opposite Tynefield, heading through John Muir back to Belhaven. Found a new wee path in John Muir to avoid boredom. Rain started when we got to the A1 - nasty big raindrops that soak you through - bummer. Shoes kept me bouncing along though - up those hills like tigger. Then lovely food at Sheila's.

8th May - missed club tonight as Sheila M and I went to a running clinic at Run and Become. It was cool - some people from Optimal Fitness talking about lactic acid testing (although you have to be able to run on a treadmill for 40 mins and I think there is no hope of me managing to do that - high boredom factor!) and core stability. Also Hayley Ovens (international athlete - just googled her and think she did the 1500m in Commonwealth Games) and also Yvonne Murray (not telling - you should know who she is) where there giving a chat. We went out for a jog (Sheila and I both bet Yvonne Murray - am thinking of taking this up professionally now - although concerned that she was maybe holding back a bit) and then went back to the shop to ask any other questions. Then guess what? Yup - we went out for dinner. Fab dinner at First Coast - fishy stuff for Sheila (scallops and lythe) and courgettey things for me (courgette and mint fritters & then courgette, sultana and pine
nut linguine). We both had delish pud - banana, covered in hot toffee sauce, covered in toasted oats, with blob of ice cream. Yum

9th May - headed out for another run. This time with Sheila M, Val and Brian. From Belhaven, through John Muir to Tynefield over A1 as per Sunday's run, back through John Muir to Belhaven. Approx 8 but a good speed - Val's fault. And this is her after taking time off........

10th May - intervals, but had to take it easy in advance of race on Sunday. Did all 24x200m but did them at kind of 10k pace (1 min for 200m, so 8 min miles). Found it hard to hold back though - the first six I did in 53 secs each, then was sensible and did the rest at a min - apart from the last one. Did it in 45.

13th May - Glasgow Women's 10k race - fabby race and great organisation. Look forward to this one every year. Sheila M and I were running this one, starting in the second pulse start. Distressingly pressed the wrong button at some point in the race which means that I didn't get my splits. Also had to try to guesttimate how I was doing, without having proper timings on my wrist. Felt quite good and enjoyed it, although it was tough and warm when not in the breeze. Managed to knock nearly 2 mins off my time from last year (55.03 last year, 53.09 this year) and just 17 secs outside by pb. Way better than Dunbar, and this one is def hillier. If only I'd run 2 secs per km faster and I would have managed a pb. How annoying! Although Sheila not speaking to me (lasted about 2 seconds) cos I managed to finish in front of her. Quite a good race though, as managed to finish in top 10%! how good is that?

15th May - Tuesday club night. Sheila M and I were planning on doing a longer one, but as it was a nice night we decided to head up the brunt. Luckily I was prepared with my water bottle belt. Although many were taking the mick out of me....Quite pleased though as legs were very sore after Sunday but made it up all the hills totally. Very cool (had a wee walk just before Spott farm but made it up the horrible hill in the field, then all the way up the Brunt). If you can run that you can run anything....(although still too scared to try Starvation Brae)

17th May - Intervals. Stuart was taking us tonight - he's meant to be tapering for the marathon, but I'm really not sure he knows what tapering is! Tonights session was 16x300m, in 2min15secs. I did 3 out of every 4, but ran the last one as well so did 13 of them. Only ran them at half marathon pace (or maybe slightly faster) so felt ok. Did the last one substantially faster - 1min11 compared to 1min33-36 for the others. Still no faster than my best earlier this year though....Legs feeling tired - races and hills obviously have an effect.

Now will need to stretch them out before the weekend.....

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