Theresas training

Did a bit of a long run last sat - 10.5 miles I think. Over the top of Doon Hill and round Spott, up Daniel's Brae (I made it up - I'm sure all of Dunbar could hear the effort I was making by the huge noisey breaths I was taking but I did it - it's been a while.....) down towards Eweford, up to Wester Broomhouse and then back over Doon Hill. Was lacking in energy and enthusiasm from about 9 onwards. Yet again. Was then browsing through the runners world website and read a wee bit about caffeine crashes. Got me thinking about whether or not that was my problem. I never used to drink much caffeinated coffee - mostly decaf - and certainly didn't used to drink coffee before a race. Decided at some point this year to change this in order to get the much publicised benefits coffee is s'posed to give you, especially when racing. Info on the website sounded very familiar - have coffee, have loads of energy at start of race, crash and burn mid way
through, feel that you have absolutely nothing left in legs. Will try to give up on the coffee for a while - well reduce dramatically and go for decaff where poss. See if that makes any difference. It can also make very funny things happen to your heart rate apparently - no where near as funny as what my heart rate monitor was telling me. I started running at 30 bpm - so nearly not beating at all then - and it didn't seem to rise much from there. I was going up hill at 79 bpm and down at 133?????? Safe to say I think it needs to take a wee trip back to the running shop - again. Didn't seem to do so well with it did I? only bought it in May and changed battery twice before taking back to the shop - they changed battery and still it doesn't work. Man. Hope they give me a new one this time!

Sunday was the annual Goat's Gallop with Haddington Club. Well it's always good fun running this one when there are other's there that have not ever run it. It's good to see their faces when faced with the downhill section! Left early and took it easy - walked quite a bit of the way but defo think heart was working.

Monday - took HRM back - they'd better get it back to me a bit faster than last time.....

Tuesday had train trauma - couldn't make it to club on time. I hate trains.

Thursday felt the need to make up for Tuesday so didn't attend intervals but went for a run with Sheila, Val and Fiona instead. Val and Sheila were on form - although they did keep taking the shortcuts. Fiona and I dropped back after about 30-35 mins but managed to get about 7 miles in.

And today - no coffee pre run and not sure if it's a fluke and I would have had a good run anyway, but managed to do about 13 miles, feeling quite good most of the way (both physically and mentally). Went over doon hill, round spott farm and down to Spott, along to the second ford (near turning to Pathhead etc) up over to Pitcox, back along to little spott, down Daniel's Brae and up to Spott again and attempted to go over doon hill but had to make a last minute alteration due to cooos having a drink in the field I was going to go through. Ran round the bottom and via Pinkerton instead. Managed all the hills except had to stop on my nemisis hill (the one from house with red chimney through field to Spott farm - defo walked it more than have run it). I still ran up but had breathing breaks. Also allowed myself to walk the final hill - if the coos hadn't been in the way I would have been down hill not up hill to home. Was a bit windy too so pleased
with the run. Hope it keeps on going like this......

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