And we’re back at it for another week! Hope you’re all refreshed and raring to go. I’m feeling well and truly into marathon training now and excited for the coming weeks (and when I say excited I mean terrified obviously).
Saturday was the standard parkrun affair at Netley Abbey. I got there early to help set the course up. Our flags for pointing the course directions are so sad and pathetic as they’re falling apart and very shabby. But my running club has donated a chunk of money to help Netley buy new ones so hopefully we’ll be getting them soon – how very exciting! (OK, not that exciting but good news for us who have to deal with dilapidating signs every week).
After a very stormy and rainy night I was pleased to find the wind had died down somewhat and the rain was MIA. Though the course was very wet and muddy. On driving to Netley I realised I’d forgotten my Garmin – which is quite shocking for me. I’m a data geek so the thought of not recording a run is a bit crazy for me. That’s not to say I have to actually see my watch when I run (‘naked’ runs where I’ll cover up my watch are very freeing and always good to do), but I like to have the data afterwards at least to eyeball my stats. Luckily I had my phone so I could turn on the Strava app, but this was quite annoying as it meant running with my phone in my hand as I don’t normally run with it at parkrun anymore so don’t bother bringing my armband.
I ran with my friend Mark, who’s normally a lot faster than me but was doing a longer run with parkrun wedged in the middle, so he ‘slummed’ it at a slower pace 
Having my phone meant a bit of selfie fun while running, but I’m definitely out of practice as both photos were blurry.
Always a good laugh! As I was using my phone I couldn’t see (or at least I couldn’t work out how to see) my current pace or distance so I just went by feel. I didn’t want to attempt any great speeds for this parkrun as I was concerned about my 16 mile run I had planned the next day. I found by running hard last Saturday, my Sunday run felt quite tough. My aim was to take it steady as my true speed session was my hill session earlier in the week.
I’m really pleased with those splits (and overall time of 23:49). I’m not sure how I’ve managed to do this but for whatever reason I can now seem to consistently negative split a 5k. I just save myself some extra ‘oomph’ at the end and then power to the finish. Mentally it works far better for me that way.
Later I met with my parents to go for a nice walk. We went to Stansted House (which is where one of my favourite races in the year takes place: Stansted Slog half marathon).
The house and grounds sadly weren’t open but we had a nice walk regardless and then stopped for a snack in the Pavilion Cafe.
The cafe was lovely in the greenhouse type building. I saw the cakes and I was sold. I’d already had lunch a few hours earlier so afternoon tea seemed rather excessive… But I wanted something. I couldn’t decide between the bread and pudding cake or a scone with cream and jam. So I went with both. I’ve been craving bread and butter pudding for ages since it’s always for sale at the cafe at parkrun but I never buy it as I don’t want to spoil my breakfast.
I had the scone first (I had clotted cream with it, not sure why they also gave me a slab of butter as well) and then the bread and butter pudding. I didn’t realise quite how dense the bread and butter pudding would be and found it really filling. I wasn’t sure if I’d actually be able to finish it (this is crazy talk!). I did though obviously.
I also found myself a lovely armchair for my flat (the final piece of furniture for my flat). And luckily we managed to fit it into the car.
I was considering getting an armchair from Next but they take around 12 weeks and are quite pricy. This was a beautiful alternative for over £100 cheaper.
Sunday morning was long run time. I sometimes get nervous about my long runs. I run them on my own and plan the route beforehand but there’s something so daunting about the distance. I felt 16 miles was definitely stepping it up. One way I find that really helps calm myself about it is to mentally run the route. I know the route really well as it’s where I did most of my marathon training last year; along the seafront at Lee-on-Solent and the surrounding areas. I just ticked the miles off in my head and gave myself milestone points to break things down. I really find this helps.
I also told myself to start off slowly. There’s quite a beast of a hill towards the beginning of the run so I didn’t want to knacker myself. Despite continually telling myself to go slowly I still found I was naturally running 8-8.15min/miles. I don’t really look at my watch that much during long runs – I tend to zone out and focus on my podcast. In fact it’s always such a great feeling when your watch beeps and you think you’ve done 6 miles when actually you’ve done 7!.
I know I could really force myself to run slower but should I when it feels that natural? I just don’t know. Last year most of my marathon training long runs were around this speed and I found it really helped make me stronger. I’m not planning on running Boston any quicker – if anything, it’ll probably be slower due to the course being quite challenging. I do think though that for my 18 miler planned in two weeks time I’m going to really force myself to slow down, but then hopefully increase the speed as I go along. I know it impacts the following week otherwise.
I did struggle mentally though on this run. It was quite gusty along the coast and I just felt like I was plodding and I’d never finish. It just felt like such a long way. Physically I felt drained – probably from ridiculous amounts of sugar the day before. But I did feel good running in terms of no niggles. Thank God.
Afterwards I ate a hearty bowl of warm porridge which was just absolute bliss. I was damp and cold from the run so this just hit the spot.
That and a hot shower and I was human again. I spent the rest of the day just chilling at my flat, eating, watching the Armstrong Lie (very good documentary about Lance Armstrong), walking Alfie and doing general chores. Perfect!
How was your weekend?
How do you mentally prepare for a big workout or long run?
How many speed sessions do you do a week (or targeted sessions where you’re not just doing a steady state workout)?
I love that arm chair! Every time I am in Next I look at the furniture and there is so much nice stuff in there, but you are right, it is very pricey.
Is there such a thing as excessive cake? 😉
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Chipotle Butternut Squash and Black Bean Tacos by Dannii
Next is just full of beautiful things but it’s just ridiculously expensive. I always try and look elsewhere for something similar instead.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
Ooh, lovely armchair.
I’ve done next to no running for the past 5 days: we’re on holiday in the Rockies. Today, though, I think I might hit the treadmill again. Altitude training, right?
Jane recently posted…View from the window
Your pictures of the Rockies look amazing. What a place to visit! On my bucket list for sure. But I don’t envy the tough altitude sickness.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
Wow, Anna you are such an awesome runner! The distances are stepping up for me too, and I’m quite nervous now. Found Sundays run SO hard (I had hardly slept the night before).
I do one tempo, and I’m just about to make another workout hill-specific
X
Scallywag recently posted…10 Things You Should Be Afraid of as a New Marathon Runner
Long runs are always tough – but that makes the marathon itself easier. Make the training hard so the race feels OK! I love (and hate) hills because they don’t feel mentally as tough as intervals…I just tell myself to get to the top, doesn’t matter how fast or slow, just get to the top. Whereas intervals it’s so fast and makes me feel so sick. Plus hills are great for building strength.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
Ugh nothing makes running even MORE miserable than the wind! Ive had a few soccer games in really windy weather and man it’s like running up the steepest hill ever when you run into the wind!
That chair is super cute! It would look perfect in my living room 😉
Kat recently posted…Vegan BBQ Wings
The wind must really affect your football (soccer) matches with it blowing the ball about as well. Very frustrating!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
Well done for going that far in that weather- it was very miserable indeed.
That scone looks amazing! The best!
I get nervous before long runs too- I worry about silly things like getting lost (even if it is a route I know very well), but for some reason I still think about it. It’s worse if I have to be somewhere after as then I worry about miscalculating the time it will take for me to run, and me not getting back in time, or not hearing the alarm…
I am now trying to do one hill session per week, but because I was not well the last couple of weeks I have not done it. Fingers crossed I will this week!
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted…London Winter Run 10K
The best part of the scone was that it had JUST been baked so was still warm. I almost considered adding the butter just so it would melt…but that with jam and cream would have been crazy!
I tend to work backwards with my timings and then add on 10 minutes extra for contingency (about the only time I ever add on contingency!)
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
I found my long run really tough going this week, although it was my second day of long running so probably an after effect and I think I was underfueled, and then spent the rest of the day feeling awful, and in a bit of a zombie state! I do one threshold and one hill session a week currently, with two back to back long runs and a recovery run, at the moment my body seems to be coping well with it. Well done on a good training week. Also I meant to say it wasn’t the armstrong lie we ended up watching, it was a film called the program, about Armstrong but it only scratched the surface I felt- will need to check out the other one.
Lauren (@poweredbypb) recently posted…January Round Up
That sounds like a good week of running. I don’t have any recovery runs mainly because I don’t want to push my body with too much mileage but nice walks help!
Ahh OK, well I definitely recommend the Armstrong Lie. There was also a film adaptation of it recently which looked good as well that I might watch at some point.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
That’s a really lovely thing of your running club to do! That bread and butter pudding looks delicious! I really love it, but don’t have it all that often as I can’t seem to find anywhere that does it locally.
Steph recently posted…Whole 30 Days 28 to 30: Round 3 complete!
Bread and butter pudding never used to sound that appealing – it sounded quite boring. But recently I’ve just been craving it – so stodgy looking and dense. It definitely satisfied!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
I love your Park Run selfie! I always run with my phone – it gives me an excuse to stop to take pictures on longer runs (although not many of those have been happening lately!). Those cakes look so good – definitely deserved fuel for 16 miles in awful weather! x
LilyLipstick recently posted…Mini-Breaks – Destination Ideas
I normally carry my phone if I’m running on my own but then it tends to be in my armband which is quite annoying to wrestle with. I often think I should carry a small camera with me as some of my routes are really pretty – especially along the seafront in the morning.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
1. That’s a LOT of butter with that scone 😛
2. The armchair is awesome
3. I often wonder as well whether I should force myself to run my easy runs slower, I just tend to go with whatever pace feels easy and comfortable.
MrsB @ Mind over Matter recently posted…On sugar and colds and weights and fitness
Yeah it looks like a block of cheese! I played it healthy and had the cream instead 😉
Exactly, my pace is just what I naturally run at. I feel comfortable and not out of breath. It works for me for now so I won’t change it just yet.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Mostly raving #26
I love the chair! I’m still in shock at how much furniture costs since moving house. How are curtains over £100 for a ‘cheap’ pair? Blows my mind.