The "Real Training" has started

As I mentioned last time, the "real training" has started this week.

My programme was revealed last week Friday by Rachael.
It is definitely a step up when it comes to days of training and total running distance.

The short intervals and long interval sessions are quite similar, although they obviously vary from week to week.
Some longer, some shorter.

I can go to my crazy class followed by a half hour stretch class.

The second strength and conditioning session is now much much harder as we're going for heavy weights now.

And on top of the long run, which now goes up by 2 miles each week, I have an extra 2 mile run session this month.
I felt I needed that to try and get faster.

So this week has been busy. Today is a rest day as tomorrow I have my 10k race in Hyde Park.

Last week, I went out with Rakhee for an 8k run, and we agreed we could have gone a little faster all along the way.
So that's what we're going to try and do tomorrow. Run a little faster and see what happens.

I also had another session with Lucy. I actually realised that it's the first time I've been running that my knees hadn't been sore.

In my previous running attempts, I always had to tape my knees, and they ended up being really sore.
Since being treated by her regularly, I had no need for any of it.

I promised her I would up my water intake. At the moment, I went up from 1l to 1.4l, but I need to get to 2l without counting my herbal teas.
Tricky, but it has to be done, as it important for my joints, my muscles, my focus, and obviously many other things.

SO let's see what happens tomorrow. It will be cold, but at least it will be sunny.

Seemingly the "real" training starts next week!

On Monday, it will be only 14 full weeks till marathon day, and I've been told by Rachael that as of next week, the "real" training starts...

So the question is, what have I been doing until now.

Well, as a non-runner really, it was all about getting used to run regularly, getting stronger and fitter.
But also, get to a point where I don't dislike running.

Yes, you heard it right. In the past, I went out and hated it. If you ask me how I feel about my half marathon I did in Edinburgh, I will always say that I hated every minute of it, and all the time I was running I was wondering why I even entered in the first place.

So hopefully now, that I don't dislike running as much, I hope I will be able to enjoy the next 14 weeks.

I have 2 races planned until the big day. My first 10k will be on Sunday Jan 25th, and my half marathon on February 22nd.
I'm a little apprehensive about the half, as it's quite soon. I know that as per normal programme, I could have done it a week or two later, but I couldn't find any that was convenient and not a long way away or super expensive.

I also know that until the half, I don't have any free Sundays due to birthdays, family visits, golf competitions, etc.
So the long runs will have to happen on a work day, which doesn't make it easier.

So serious things are coming up.

Now going back to my last update, I haven't done a huge amount of running. 

Last Sunday I went to a running workshop organised by Rachel. It was a long day, getting up at 5ish to get to Manchester for 10am.
But it was worthwhile.
I even managed to say that after the marathon, I am retiring.....
No seriously, after the marathon I want to focus on my 5k speed.

We learned a hell of a lot about the POSE running technique and why it's so good so as to avoid injury.
We did lots of drills, and even had to do quite a bit of running!
Looking forward to get the video analysis of the before and after.

But we also learned why strength training while training is so important as well as stretching.

On Tuesday I went to an exercise class, which was followed by a 30min stretch class. I have to say, it was a fabulous class, and I felt amazing afterwards. Working on mobility is super important.

And when I did my short interval session yesterday, my legs were totally fine. It was the breathing that was tough. Definitely going back for more of that class next week!

Curious to see what my next months plan will look like. But first, there is one more strength session planned for today, some long intervals for Friday, and a long tempo run on Saturday.

First week or so in January

The last update was on New Year's Eve...

Since then, I've been quite regular in my training. Or at least much more regular than previously.

New Year's Day was supposed to be a rest day, but actually Richard and me decided we were going to go to the gym.
I joined the abs and the spinning class.
It actually felt good to start the year the way you want it to continue.

Then on the Saturday, I went for a tabata class. For those that don't know what it is, it's an intensive class where you do an exercise for 20 seconds, then rest of 10, then 20 and 10 again.

I felt great coming out of the class. However, thanks to Lucy's job, my glutes are now totally activated, and as they have been lazy for some years since my car accident, I admit that I was walking like a duck the following day.

Forget my run, there was no way I could even lift my leg!

This week has been pretty busy, with lots of chats with potential clients who all had made New Year's resolutions to get fit, healthy and lose weight.
So planning was mega important.

Unfortunately I woke up on Tuesday with 2 swollen toes. It reminded me of when I was a child and had frost bites, but it wasn't as painful. 
Still, I wasn't happy when I put my running shoes on, so I decided to see how things were going as I knew I had my short interval session on Wednesday.

The next day, it felt a bit better, so managed my session. It wasn't easy. 10x 60secs with 60secs rest.
Sounds easy, but it wasn't that easy.

And then today I went to the gym for a kettlebell class. Again, my glutes are burning, so hopefully I will feel OK tomorrow to go for a run.

Sunday, I am planned to go up to Manchester for a running workshop with Rachael. I don't know if I have to say that I'm looking forward to it or not. But will report back afterwards.