Theresas training

I've only just recovered in order to write my piece. I don't think I'll do much on the running - the running really isn't up to much at the moment! Earlier on in the year I manager to get 3 pbs in the space of about 4 or 5 weeks and now I've managed to get too pw's in the space of 3 weeks. (to be fair I think Aviemore's official time was prob a pw, today at Jedburgh probably wasn't quite as bad but still my second worst ever.....). No clue why or what is causing it - just anything after about 4/5 miles in a race is feeling too far, and even that much feels a lot harder than it should. Resting heart rate fine, but once I start running it seems to rocket - higher than previously when running the same pace. Very odd.

Now I have been working on the motivational piece (well kind of) by seeing Mo Farah, then listening to Steve Cram chat for 40 minutes about his career and then having the pleasure of listening to Liz McColgan - on a different evening - also talking for about 40 minutes. All of them very inspirational - and really only a tad faster (ha ha ha) than me!

I hate this time of year - dark when you leave for work, dark when you get home. The only good thing is that it's not too hot to be craving macaroni cheese, mash tatties (sorry Stuart but mine are fab), veggie lasagne and all lovely comfort foods. Just need to make sure I figure out the best for fuelling these runs.

Anyway DRC did pretty well at our orienteering outing - think we came out top in one of the categories (although to be fair I think we were against kids in that one) and 4th in the harder one we did. Pretty enjoyable and we were quite good as well! Might need to take it up as a new sport.....

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well things have been going a bit better - I think. Not going to bore you with all the specifics of every run since I last managed to update but generally speaking intervals are going better, hills a wee bit better, general running fine but still races not getting much better....

did manage an interval a couple of weeks back that was my fastest 400m ever - had sat one out so had a good rest and the next one I went woosh (just like a wotsit) round the track, passing Hannah and Clarissa, and getting on the heels of Karen and Anne for the first 150-200m. Kinda felt it was a bit wrong to pass them and lo and behold they pulled away after the 200m mark. Finished that lap in 1.35 so pretty pleased. It was mid interval session though, so that meant I still had another 4 to go. Suffice to say they weren't quite as fast.

also recently did a repeat of the 800m session that I mentioned in my last entry. Although this time I did the whole session and did a faster interval at the end - 3.45 I think. Woooo hoooo!

In between times Jenny took me out on a bit of a tempo run up to Wester Broomhouse, along to the Pleasance, back under Eweford to West Barnes and back to Halhill. Tiring but pleased I kept up.

I've done a couple of longer runs - one through John Muir, along the Tyne and up Biel, round to Pitcox, Pleasance, Bowerhouse, Eweford, West Barnes and back through John Muir and today one from home up to the top of the Brunt, down to Spott, round to Pitcox, along to Biel and down to the river at Knowes where my chariot and chaffeur were awaiting me. On both I managed all the hills and felt ok. Feet hurting a bit though - achy on the top and burny on the bottom when running. Slightly worrying as they are pretty important when running!

Now I just need to translate all of this into better more consistent races. Did Thirlestane Castle race a couple of weeks back - it felt pretty hard to be fair. Would be a lovely route if I didn't feel the need to race it. Was a few minutes slower than my five mile time from Haddington so not great but it was cross country....and a bit long I think. Did Norham the week after - lovely part of the country, very scenic, but all those hills don't make for fast times. Well not for me........did a definite PW for about 2 years. But I kept running - no stopping and no giving up. And I wasn't last (quite) there were about 5 people behind. Bit of a far cry from Glasgow women's race where there are about 12000 behind.

Anyway even that cloud had a silver lining - crap time on Sunday = better handicap for 5km club race on Thursday. I got 27 mins, managed to run 25.33mins and won the trophy!!!!! A wee boost for the next month having the trophy on the mantle piece. Aaaawwwwwwww

Anyway have been reading about the importance of confidence and self belief for runners - Craig Mottram apparently is full of confidence. He wins important medals so it must work (well apart from in the World Champs - but even more importantly shows that even the best have crap days!)

Am heading up north for the Aviemore half next weekend - can't wait as it's a bit multiterrain and sound beautiful. 1000 runners with 200 on the waiting list. I'll let you know how it goes - not expecting a great time given that it is multiterrain with styles/gates etc but think it will be very enjoyable. And with a 1000 runners, and the times from last year, I'm hopeful there will be a few more than 5 behind me......

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