Recent Runnings – bank it while you can

Happy belated Easter. Hope everyone had a nice weekend and extended time off (if you were so lucky to have the Friday and Monday off). I also hope lots of chocolate was enjoyed. Because let’s be honest that’s what it’s really all about (joke!).

The past week I’ve had a good amount of running. In fact, I’ve hit both running club sessions, Parkrun and a longish run with the guys from the club on Sunday. I’ve never managed that all before – usually I have to run on my own at least once.

Tuesday night was a hard incline intervals session. I felt strong running and though I hated it I did enjoy it – if that makes sense? It was tough but a good kind of tough. In the end I ran 7.8 miles. I definitely felt it the next day though!

Wednesday was no running but I did 45 minute’s in the gym working on my calves, hamstrings, glutes and core. Boring but necessary.

Thursday night was a longer than expected run with running club. I wasn’t looking for a speedy run at all as my legs felt so heavy from Tuesday. I’m really just not used to intervals anymore. So I was just wanted some good miles with good company. Well I did get some good company. But I just found it very hard.

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I ran down to the meeting spot (which is just over a mile), then joined with a group who weren’t intending on blasting it. The only thing is it was off-road and there were several hills. In fact, our leader was actively looking for hills. I really struggled and felt really tired afterwards. I didn’t feel my usual amazing buzz. So I saw this as a ‘warning run’. A ‘don’t be stupid and try and jump too quickly back into things’ run. I’ve just done a marathon (and off the back of returning from injury and not having a great training lead-up). I cannot let the marathon and my results make me think I’m invincible. One run does not change you (I think those were Hollie’s wise words).

Hollie has been giving some great advice recently. For example, running and racing are like gambling. Quit while you’re ahead. That doesn’t mean quit running, but don’t think if you get a really good time or PB that suddenly you can keep racing every weekend and smash out good times all the time. Bank that result, take some recovery time, and then race again when you’re fresh and ready. Sound advice which I’m trying to follow.

After a rest day Friday, it was Parkrun on Saturday. I went for an easier pace to compensate for the tough Thursday. In fact, I loved it! Ben and me ran with some running club friends and helped out one of them to get a PB for the course.

IMG_6479It was great fun cheering and encouraging him round and seeing how chuffed he was at the end. We kept to around 8 min/mile pace which was perfect for me.

Sunday I was still feeling tired from the running so I was looking forward to a nice easy-paced longish run with some guys (and Ben) from the club. It’s really nice now that Ben’s properly into running and improving all the time that we can run together more now. Before when he first started it just wasn’t possible. Gotta watch my back soon I think 😉

We just managed to miss the rain thankfully! But it was very cold starting out.

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It was quite funny because we actually got lost from half of the group and then had to make a quick and precarious dash across a gold course to get back. Scary times! Not sure the golfers appreciated us there…

This week is all about the RR10 (Hampshire Road Racing league) on Wednesday night. I plan on running an easy run on my own tonight and then (depending how I feel) pushing it on Wednesday so see where my paces are at. It’s all about position rather than time which I find annoying. I much prefer to compare myself to myself with my time than compare myself to others in terms of placing. Hey ho, all good speed work and lots of the club will be there.

And cake. There’s always cake 😀

How have your workouts been lately?

Do you quite while you’re ahead when you’re running really well? I’m just terrified that I’ll get injured. You always hear people getting injured when they’re doing so well in their running…I have no major races coming up so I have no reason to push everything hard.

Do you take part in any club leagues?

21 Replies to “Recent Runnings – bank it while you can”

  1. Lots and lots of running! 🙂
    Yay for getting a friend a new PB. It’s such a great feeling when you can help someone that.
    Definitely watch your back with Ben… 😛 He sounds like he’s improving so much lately. I don’t think I’ll be able to pace Dan anymore. He’s into the 27mins now for parkrun and my PB is only 26:55. Might have to ask him to return the pacing favour by the Summer!
    We’ve got all of our club Summer leagues coming up now. I’m planning on racing most of the NRRL (Northamptonshire Road Running League) and EMGP (East Midlands Grand Prix) series. They’re short races – 5k, 5m, 6m and 10k so easier to recover from and I missed the shorter races from my race calendar last year.

  2. Yay for the running Anna – it all sounds really good, and your attitude is very sensible 🙂

  3. I love Hollie’s blog, and she is always full of such wise words. I might be useless at taking advice, but even I can recognise the good stuff when I see and read it 😉

    I think it’s incredible how quickly you’ve bounced back and recovered from your marathon – I’m sure you’ll do really well on Wednesday, and all the best for it!

    xxx

    1. The thing I need to learn is that easy running is JUST as important (if not more so) as the hard running. They’re not mutually exclusive. Every run shouldn’t be about proving yourself. Just hope I remember this!

  4. Hope the running tonight went well 🙂
    My runs today and yesterday have been hard work as my legs have been so stiff and my hip has been a bit niggly so I need to be careful- I think the long car journey on Monday didn’t help, so I am going to help out at parkrun instead and go for a gentler run by myself later on, as we are back on the normal course (hooray! Although there is still some flooding!) so I know I would be very tempted to try for a pb.
    Our Sweatshop group is going for a bit more training now- last week they did hill training (but I wasn’t there) and next week we are doing proper intervals- I am excited really because it is not something I do properly on my own at all.

    1. Just remember the course will be there again for a PB another time. I am so so cautious about any niggle I feel.
      Doing intervals with a group is so much better than on your own. I just hate intervals so knowing other people are there with me really helps me push on.

  5. Your attitude is truly great. You can never let one run or week, make or break you. I’m glad you are bouncing back as quickly as you are! (glad and somewhat jealous 😉

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