Remember the old sticker charts you used to get at school? When you did something good, you got a gold star. Well, I am awarding myself a Gold Star for Marathon Monday #2. No skipped training sessions, 100 miles in 2 weeks, 1 race. My perspective switched, I started to break up each session, finding running partners, different routes. Got lost a few times, but that’s all part of the fun.
Although some new bright and colourful socks also helped!
Pre first race of the year kit layout. Laying the kit out is key to a good race.
If you have ever done a race in the UK, you will be all to familiar with stuweb. Post race you always (or rather I do), sprint over to the van/tent, enter your number and wait to see your official time. I was over the moon with a 1:46:29 in the half, although like the Great Scottish Run not an official half by my watch. (I was at 13.03 miles.) Considering I had done 38 miles in the week before the race and the fact the course was oh so hilly I was so happy.
Speaking to my Mum after the race and we were talking about how my attitude to running/ability to run has changed. In my first half, Great Scottish 2015, I ran a 1:53, with very little done the week of in a tapering week. Fast forward a few years and here’s me on none fresh legs, on a more difficult course, beating that time. Amazing how hard work, stubbornness, many soggy miles causes you to improve.
Post race lentil soup to warm up, much needed.
Total training distance – 201.5 miles in 5 weeks. 101.3 has been in the last 2 weeks!
