Theresas training

Sat 19 May 07 - Well I've just about recovered enough from the trauma to be able to write about last weekend - nasty nasty nasty weather that's all I can say! Sheila M and I headed North to take part in Loch Leven Half Marathon. When we got there we realised that we had forgotten the necessary black bin bag to keep us warm and dry - and boy was it needed! We headed along to the local shop to buy some, ended up with wheelie bin liners which where like floor length dresses - or they would have been if the wind had died down long enough to stop whipping the excess up round our necks. We must have been a right sight. And so the wind and rain continued, and we would have continued looking a right sight. Sooooo tiring running into the wind - think it was behind us for about a mile, and we were sheltered for another one - see if you can guess from the splits!

1 - 9.08
2 - 9.00
3 - 8.08
4 - 9.13
5 - 8.42
6 - 9.01
7 - 9.18
8 - 9.43 (that'll be the hill out of Scotlandwell - head wind not good for those of us who can't breathe well)
9 - 10.04 (still suffering from the last hill and they have another one)
10 - 9.11
11 - 10.27
12 - 10.21
13 - 10.18
.1 - 1.07

Last 3 miles where headwind hell - I put my time at 2.03.49, think the official is 2.04.03 or something. Sheila and I agreed we could take five minutes off for wind factor.....think that's a fair assessment.

Sun 20 - Sheila M and I headed out for a light trot as a recovery run from yesterday. We headed out at 5 so we had a good day to recover - I watched a bit of the great manchester run so was inspired after seeing Jo Pavey win, Kate Read (?) good run and Mo Farah coming third. The Sheila and I started to run - not sure we quite match up with them speed wise but the wee 4 miler helped the stiffness issues.

Tue 22 - For some reason Sheila M and I thought that Daniel's Brae would be a good idea for our club run. So off we headed (Sheila M, Alison and I) took a detour through the trees to get to Spott roundabout in a more scenic way, then running up to Spott, down to the ford, up Daniel's Brae, back to Eweford and under A1 to head back to Halhill via Lochend wood. 2 things shocked Sheila - 1) the amount Alison talks and 2) the fact that she could talk and run up Daniel's Brae quite calmly on her first attempt. (I know how much she can talk but 2) also surprised me as I puffed my way up) She calmly said something along the lines of my legs are burning and carried on running. Amazing.

Thur 24 - Intervals - 12x400m in 3 mins. Last time we did this session was 26th April. And I managed to do better times all the way - probably got something to do with Alison going so fast from the start (she was prob about 5 secs in front of me each lap) and Val and Fay pushing from behind. Probably averaged 1.51 or 1.52 each time, with the last one 1.40 so faster than before.

Sat 26 - Long run. Sheila M and I headed out from mine, along to Doon Hill and followed the path over to the Brunt. We ran on past Ann & Stuart (literally, they where out in their car) and on to Aikengall. Fine so far and about 8 miles covered, and all hills run up (and the rest obviously, apart from the climbing and opening gates moments.) and then....Sheila said may as well go somewhere different. And never ever do this unless you have checked the route on the map first. Our short cut turned in to a very hard long cut up a mountain (ok so up cock law) and past cows and sheep and millions of dodgy barbed wire fences to clamber over. We then managed to get back to the road out of Oldhamstocks, run onto Innerwick and then do some more cross country to get from Innerwick back to mine - so overgrown by the burn at Innerwick - nettles to the waist. Not so bad if you have asbestos legs like Sheila but my wee sensitive legs were getting stung to bits - the air was very
blue.....
Anyway quick sprint to home and in for some lovely homemade cheese-cake. Made it all worthwhile I'm sure - we think a 12 mile run and 2 mile hike is fair.....

Sun 27 - Edinburgh Marathon! Not running, but as bad (or worse) marshalling! At least when running you keep warmer, and it's over quicker....it was really enjoyable at first (apart from the rain) and up until about 2 (so clapping for about 4 hours solid and shouting well done for a lot of that too) but then the back gets sore, and hands really ached. It was cool and breezy and some heavy rain showers but overall everything seemed to go smoothly.
But well done to those running - all looked good as they passed me at 10.5 miles, and 24 miles on the way to the finish. First male was running their debut marathon - what an achievement!
Now I'm deliberating about an easy run tomorrow or heading over to do the rigg race - what's best?

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