London marathon training… 8 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 60 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 24 mins
Average steps – 13,569 per day
This is what I was supposed to be doing this week:
Still suffering with a left leg injury which put my training to an abrupt stop for the last month. Leg feeling a little better this week but still not 100%.
Monday – HURT LOCKER – UPPER BODY
45 min rowing and body workout at the gym. Good cardio and doesn’t hurt my leg.
Tuesday – QUICKFIRE – 30 min strength gym class. Leg felt fine.
Wednesday – 5K with stops
Leg still not feeling 100% – still a bit limpy and have to stop to stretch out.
Went to PHYSIO.
Thursday – STRETCH
Friday – Rest
Saturday – VICTORIA PARK HALF MARATHON
This was fine for the first 8 miles but then my left calf, knee and hip began to hurt. For the last few miles I had to stop quite regularly. After nearly a mile of running a bit then walking, I decided to walk 50m then run 100m.
2:00:48 / 9.20 mins per mile
REALITY:
Sunday – Rest
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK:
TRAINING PLAN: 1 hour 2 mins, Cross train, 60 mins, 40 mins, 18 miles
WHAT I DID: Cross train, Cross train, 5k, Stretch, 13 miles
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I am running the marathon for the elephants. A marathon is going to be a hard task, but if elephants can go through the ‘crush’ and a life in captivity, then I can get through a 26.2 mile run. If you’d like to support me and the elephants, please click here.
If you want to read about my experience volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park and the truth behind elephant tourism, please click here.
London marathon training… 9 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 64 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 9 hours 5 mins per night (WOW)
Average steps – 15,318 per day
This is what I was supposed to be doing this week:
Monday – MARRAKECH
Tuesday – 5k with stops – took about 30 mins. Definitely still limping and leg certainly not feeling 100%. It was also a really hot day and I felt rubbish and unfit. Very alarming and disappointing.
PHYSIO – finally went to physio – he’s not too worried about it as it isn’t particularly inflamed. The muscle in pain is my tibilalis posterior and he’s given me some exercises to strengthen it. Need to make sure I regularly massage too.
Wednesday – HURT LOCKER – ABS – 45 min rowing and ab class at the gym. Good cardio and doesn’t hurt my leg.
Thursday – 5k with stops – took about 30 mins. Definitely better than Tuesday run but muscle still feels weak and painful. Still limping / not running right.
Friday – QUICK FIRE – 30 min strength gym class. Leg felt fine.
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – 9 MILES
Was supposed to run 16 miles but at about 8.5 my left leg started to hurt and get lazy so I stopped, fearing I’d do more harm than good.
First 5 miles – continuous run and my leg felt really good.
43.27 mins / 8:40 average pace
Heart rate: 186 average, 199 max
Next 3 miles – 50m walk, 100m sprint
30.13 mins / 10:04 average pace
Heart rate: 185 average, 199 max
Final mile (leg started to feel painful)
9.42 mins / 9:42 average pace
Heart rate: 173 average, 182 max
I definitely felt fit, it was only my leg really holding me back. Whilst my time was far slower when I did the sprints, if I get stuck / tired during the marathon I think that structure is good to have.
London marathon training… 10 weeks to go!
Only managed to get 1 workout in this week. I had flu and then was out of action in Marrakesh. My calf is still not feeling 100%. Very worried about training 😦
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Monday – QUICK FIRE
45 min class – high intensity full body workout – good cardio, tough class.
Tuesday – Rest
Had a physio referral call.
Wednesday – Out of action – flu 😦
Had physio follow up call… made an appointment for when I’m back from holiday.
Thursday – Out of action – flu 😦
Friday – Sunday – Marrakech
We did walk a lot and went on a hike in the mountains but my calf still isn’t feeling 100%. It hurts on and off… some days it feels good, others it doesn’t. Hopefully physio will help.
FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK:
TRAINING PLAN: 40 min, cross train, 54 min, 45 min, 14 mikes
WHAT I DID: Cross train
London marathon training… 11 weeks to go!
I’m feeling a bit worried as my left calf is still in pain 😦 worried all the hard January training is going to waste. I know I need to rest until I feel better but it’s a little disheartening. In addition, I’ve not been eating the best and regularly had a couple of glasses of wine / a couple of beers with dinner.
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 66 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 31 mins per night
Average steps – 8,288 per day
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Monday – HURT LOCKER – UPPER BODY
45 min class – half on the rowing machine, half weighted exercises on the floor.
Rowing seems to be quite good because it doesn’t use the area of my left calf which hurts. Definitely a full body workout – good cardio, tough class.
Tuesday – HURT LOCKER – LOWER BODY
45 min class – half on the rowing machine, half weighted exercises on the floor.
Wednesday – 3.03 miles @ 27:21 – 9.01 average pace
Really rubbish run as my leg hurt… was running funny and the pain increased as the run went on. Stopped a couple of times to stretch it out but feeling didn’t improve. Tried to correct my running technique to work the left leg as hard as the right, but injury stopping me.
Heart rate (bpm) – 167 average, 193 max
Thursday – Rest – leg definitely hurting more than it was at the start of the week after the short run.
Friday – HURT LOCKER – FULL BODY
45 min class – half on the rowing machine, half weighted exercises on the floor.
30 MINS DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE ON LEFT CALF
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – 30 MIN SELF MASSAGE
FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK:
TRAINING PLAN: 25 min, cross train, 35 min, 28 min, 50 min
WHAT I DID: Cross train, cross train, 3 miles, Cross train
London marathon training… 12 weeks to go!
I didn’t track my stats last week as I had the week off. I really hurt myself by running the half marathon on a small injury and could barely walk after. I feared the injury was shin splints but the pain has improved with foam rolling & stretching.
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Monday – 20 min stretch (leg still really hurting)
Tuesday – Rest
Wednesday – HURT LOCKER – ABS
Rowing 3 mins all out then 3 mins weighted ab exercises… x 4. Can’t remember the exact routine but intense cardio / weights workout for 45 mins. Leg doesn’t hurt when doing this.
Thursday – Rest (EVENT DAY)
Friday – – Rest (HUNGOVER)
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – Rest
FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK:
TRAINING PLAN: 47 min, Cross train, 50 min, 45 min, 10 miles
WHAT I DID: Cross train
London marathon training… 13 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 61 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours per night
Average steps – 12,070 per day
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Key: ER = Easy Run, SR = Steady Run, LR = Long Run, TR = Threshold Run, FR = Fartlek
Monday – 5.22 @ 45:01 – 8.38 average pace / 8.4km – 5.22 average pace…
This was supposed to be fartlek but my legs felt SO tired so I just tried to run at a steady pace. I was massively sweaty for a couple of hours later which wasn’t good.
Heart rate (bpm) – 177 average, 193 max
Tuesday – 5.86 miles @ 50:05 – 8.33 average pace / 9.43km – 5.19 average pace…
This was 10 min ER, 3 x (8min TR, 2min ER), 10 min ER and felt really good 😀
- 10 MIN ER @ average pace = 9.06/mile
- 8 MIN TR @ average pace = 7.54/mile
- 2 MIN ER @ average pace = 8.29/mile
- 8 MIN TR @ average pace = 7.56/mile
- 2 MIN ER @ average pace = 11.07/mile
- 8 MIN TR @ average pace = 7.59/mile
- 2 MIN ER @ average pace = 8.49/mile
- 10 MIN ER @ average pace = 9.10/mile
Heart rate (bpm) – 176 average, 193 max
Wednesday – 3.5 miles @ 30:01 – 8.35 average pace / 5.63km – 5.20 average pace…
This was very tough. I was supposed to do a 59 min run with 3 x 10 min threshold runs but didn’t feel like I could do it and didn’t want to burn myself out knowing I had a half marathon at the weekend. I decided to cut the run short.
Heart rate (bpm) – 173 average, 195 max
Thursday – Rest
Friday – Cross train & stretch!
- 5 min run to warm up3 x
- 12 x shoulder press
- 12 x sit ups
- 12 x press ups
- Plank for 1 min
- 15 min stretch
Saturday – VICTORIA PARK HALF MARATHON
13.1 @ 1:52:58 – 8.36 average pace / 21.1km – 5.22 average pace
Ran a very fast 4 miles and the slowed it down a little. Stopped almost every mile to walk and stretch my left leg from about mile 8. Got really bad pain in my left leg… think it might be shin splints. I have a dominant right leg and my left leg isn’t keeping up throughout all of the training. It feels so painful to walk even after a good stretch and epsom salt bath. Need to take a week off I think. On the plus side, I do feel really fit… it was only my achey leg which stopped me from smashing it.
Heart rate (bpm) – 175 average, 191 max
Sunday – Rest
FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK:
TRAINING PLAN: 45 min, cross train, 50 min, 59 min, 10 miles
WHAT I DID: 45 min, 50 min, 30 min, cross train, 13.1 miles
London marathon training… 14 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 62 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 17 mins per night
Average steps – 14,496 per day
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Key: ER = Easy Run, SR = Steady Run, LR = Long Run, TR = Threshold Run, FR = Fartlek
Monday – 6.71 miles @ 1:00:03 – 8.57 average pace / 10.8km – 5.34 average pace…
First 20 mins didn’t feel great but once I eased into it then it was quite a nice run.
Heart rate (bpm) – 161 average, 181 max
Tuesday – 4.62 miles @ 40:02 – 8.39 average pace / 7.44km – 5.23 average pace…
My first ever Fartlek with Dan. Easy run for 10 mins, then unscheduled fartlek for the rest (eg, run 4 lamp posts fast then 2 easy etc.)
Tough but feel fit.
Heart rate (bpm) – 166 average, 187 max
Wednesday – Cross train & stretch!
- 5 min run to warm up3 x
- 12 x shoulder press
- 12 x bent over row (on each arm)
- 12 x bench chest press
- Plank for 1 min
- 12 x sit ups
- 10 min stretch
Thursday – 2.58 miles @ 24:10 – 9.22 average pace / 4.15km – 5.49 average pace…
Was supposed to run double this with 20 mins threshold but went for an easy one with Ross and Dan with a few stops to walk and chat. Super easy.
Heart rate (bpm) – 159 average, 178 max
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 10.12 miles @ 1:30:03 – 8.54 average pace / 16.29km – 5.32 average pace
This felt long and tough… felt the chill a few times but it passed. I never felt out of breath but just felt slow and tired. Didn’t feel great afterwards… cold sweats! I am listening to music which does make it a little more bearable… just can’t believe I’m likely going to be running for 3 times that time!
Heart rate (bpm) – 178 average, 192 max
Sunday – Rest
FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK:
TRAINING PLAN: 40 min, Cross train, 60 min, 48 min, 1 hour 30 min – 3 hours 58 mins
WHAT I DID: 60 min, 40 min, Cross train, 24 min, 1 hour 30 min– 3 hours 34 mins
I ran 25 mins less than I was supposed to…(20 mins of which was supposed to be threshold)
London marathon training… 15 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 66 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 7 hours 40 mins per night
Average steps – 15,328 per day
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Key: ER = Easy Run, SR = Steady Run, LR = Long Run, TR = Threshold Run, HR = Hill Run
Monday – 5.08 miles @ 44:00 – 8.40 average pace / 8.2km – 5.23 average pace…
This was interval training : 10 MIN ER, 2 X (5MIN TR, 2 MIN ER), 10 MIN SR, 10 MIN ER
- 10 min ER @ 9.13/mile
- 5 min TR @ 7.43/mile
- 2 min ER @ 9.17/mile
- 5 min TR @ 8.05/mile
- 2 min ER @ 10.00/mile
- 10 min SR @ 8.23/mile
- 10 min ER @ 8.57/mile
Legs did feel a little tired… it actually feels better when I run faster surprisingly.
Heart rate (bpm) – 168 average, 181 max
14th Jan food:
Tuesday – 4.96 miles @ 45:02 – 9.04 average pace / 7.98km – 5.38 average pace…
Hill run – 10 MIN ER, 25 MIN HR, 10 MIN ER
Went with Dan. Legs feel pretty tired and definitely running more slowly. Need to properly fuel.
Heart rate (bpm) – 165 average, 186 max
15th Jan food –
Wednesday – Cross train & stretch!
- 5 min run to warm up
Then 3 x - 10 x shoulder press
- 20 x kettle bell swing
- Plank for 1 min
- 40 x sit ups (frog, bicycle, normal)
Then - 10 min stretch
16th Jan food –
Thursday – 9.02 miles @ 1:20:02 – 8.52 average pace / 14.5km – 5.31 average pace…
1 HOUR 20 MIN LONG RUN
Felt tough to begin with but easier as it went on. Better than last weeks runs in terms of strength. Need to pick up my legs more and not lean back.
Heart rate (bpm) – 170 average, 183 max
18th Jan food –
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
I was in Riga on holiday so ate and drank lots and didn’t run at all.
TRAINING PLAN: 44 min, Cross train, 45 mins, 45 mins, 1 hour 20 min – 3 hours 34 min run
WHAT I DID: 44 min, 45 min, Cross train, 1 hour 20 min– 2 hours 49 min run
Because of my trip I missed a 45 min run!
London marathon training… 16 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 63 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 14 mins per night
Average steps – 12,760 per day
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Key: ER = Easy Run, SR = Steady Run, LR = Long Run, IR = Interval Run
Monday – Rest (legs still incredibly achey from the half marathon on Saturday)
7th Jan food:
Tuesday – 4.69 miles @ 40.01 – 8.32 average pace / 7.55km – 5.18 average pace …
Legs were still very tired from the long weekend run but made it through. Had a nice stretch after and used the foam roller for the first time.
Heart rate (bpm) – 180 average, 193 max
8th Jan food:
Wednesday – 4.42 miles @ 40:03 – 9.04 average pace / 7.11km – 5.38 average pace …
Slow run to Regent’s Park with Dan… strong wind and spend most of the time dodging tourists. Legs felt very heavy and tired. Had a nice stretch afterwards.
Heart rate (bpm) – 174 average, 188 max
9th Jan food:
Thursday – Cross training / core / stretch
- 5 min treadmill run
- Circuit 1
Overhead press (6kg) – 12 reps
Triceps kickback (4kg) – 12 reps
Chest press (6kg) – 12 reps
Repeat 3 times - Circuit 2
1 min plank
1 min side plank
1 min side plank (other arm)
Press ups – 15 reps
Triceps dip – 15 reps
Repeat 3 times - Stretch
Not done any upper body / weight exercises for a couple of weeks now and can definitely tell. I definitely need to do this once a week to keep up the strength.
10th Jan food:
Friday – 10 MIN ER, 5 x (2 MIN IR, 2 MIN ER), 10 MIN SR TREADMILL RUN
- 10 min @ 6mph (ER)
- 3 x 2 mins 7mph, 2 mins 6mph (IR, ER)
- 2 x 2 mins 7.5mph, 2 mins 6.5mph (IR, ER)
- 8 min @ 6.5mph (SR)
- 1 min @ 7.5mph
- 1 min @ 8mph
Found this treadmill run tough considering how slow I was running for the majority. Got really hot and struggled to cool down afterwards.
DIDN’T TAKE FOOD PICS!
Saturday – 7.8 miles @ 1:10:02 – 8.58 average pace per mile / 12.5km – 5.35 average pace …
Horrifically hard run. Felt like I was trudging through mud the whole time. Legs were very tired and I struggled to keep going.
Heart rate (bpm) – 176 average, 192 max.
12th Jan food:
Sunday – Rest
13th Jan food:
TRAINING PLAN: 40 min, Cross train, 40 min, 40 min, 1 hour 10 mins – 2 hours 10 min run total
WHAT I DID: 40 min, 40 min, Cross train, 40 min, 1 hour 10 mins – 2 hours 10 min run total
London marathon training… 17 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 64 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 22 mins per night
Average steps – 12,871 per day.
Okay… so now the actual training begins. I’m going to try to follow this intermediate 17 week training plan as best I can. I will have to switch some of the plan around during the week to fit in with my schedule. Also, last week in the spur of the moment I booked onto the Victoria Park half marathon so will be doing a way longer run than required on Saturday.
This is what I am supposed to be doing this week:
Key: ER = Easy Run, SR = Steady Run, LR = Long Run
As I know my sugar reserves plummet when I run, I’m also going to start posting what I eat each day. This will hopefully encourage me to:
- eat more fruit / veg
- cook at home more
- actually think about what I’m eating
In addition, I hope to figure out what gives me the most energy for running.
Monday (NYE)
– Rest
Tuesday (NEW YEARS DAY)
– 4.8 miles @ 40.03 – 8.21 average pace / 7.72km – 5.11 average pace …
Felt like a massive struggle today and I wasn’t even particularly hungover. Need to not get so excited and slow my pace for longer distances. Felt easier as I got into it but first 2 miles I had to majorly focus on breathing.
Got cold sweats after but I think I know where I’m going wrong. I push myself hard running and obviously get hot. Then I finish the run, stretch for 5 mins and cool down. Then I jump in a hot shower. Then I get out and cool down. I think my body temperature changing so many times so quickly can’t help. I don’t know how I combat this as obviously I need to shower before going to work 😦
Heart rate (bpm) – 185 average, 197 max
1st Jan food:
Wednesday – 3.47 miles @ 30:05 – 8.40 average pace / 5.58km – 5.23 average pace …
Ran with Ross for the first mile. Nice short run and went straight back to the office to cool down and stretch. Stayed there for around an hour before going to the gym to shower and I didn’t get any cold sweats 🙂
Ross mentioned something I have noticed too… I’m really heavy footed! Tried to run through my feet and land a little more gracefully. Need to be conscious of doing this or else I might hurt myself.
Heart rate (bpm) – 174 average, 192 max
2nd Jan food:
Thursday – 3 miles @ 28:41 – 9.33 average pace / 4.83km – 5.56 average pace …
Nice, easy run with Ross and Dan (Ross is doing a 5k a day in January!)
Heart rate (bpm) – 163 average, 180 max
3rd Jan food:
Friday – Stretch
4th Jan food:
Saturday – HALF MARATHON @ 1:51:59 – 8.33 average pace per mile / 5.1km – 5.19 average pace …
I am absolutely chuffed to bits with this. I beat my 1st half marathon time by nearly 5 minutes which I am chuffed with considering I haven’t trained for this distance! Ran at a very steady pace the whole way. Had a Maoam at 3 miles, 6 miles, 8.5 miles, 10.5 miles, 12 miles. I took my time walking home and didn’t get any cold sweats afterwards. Really good start but can’t get complacent.
Heart rate (bpm) – 178 average, 100 max.
5th Jan food:
Sunday – Rest
Oh my god my legs ache SO much today!!!
6th Jan food:
TRAINING PLAN: 30 min, cross train, 35 min, 40 min, 60 min – 2 hours 45 min run total
WHAT I DID: 40 min, 30 min, 29 min, stretch, 1 hour 52 mins – 3 hours 42 min run total
Therefore, I’m actually up by nearly an hour!
London marathon training… 18 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 70 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 29 mins per night (it’s Christmas).
Average steps – 10,741 per day.
Monday (CHRISTMAS EVE – Northampton)
– 3 miles @ 24:40 – 8.12 average pace / 4.83km – 5.06 average pace …
Felt really nice although wouldn’t be able to keep the pace up.
Heart rate (bpm) – 183 average, 195 max.
Tuesday (CHRISTMAS DAY)
– Rest (obviously… I’m not a maniac)
Wednesday (BOXING DAY – Northampton)
– 3.57 miles @ 30:04 – 8.26 average pace / 5.75km – 5.14 average pace …
Felt very heavy after Christmas day… a struggle but not horrific. Did have cold sweats for an hour or so afterwards and felt pretty drained.
Heart rate (bpm) – 172 average, 196 max.
Thursday – Rest
Friday – 3.17 miles @ 27:56 – 8.49 average pace / 5.1km – 5.29 average pace …
Chilled lunchtime run with Ross & Atanas. Notice I sort of lean back when I run which I need to stop doing. Going to start reading some blogs on running techniques as I realise I’m quite a rookie.
Heart rate (bpm) – 173 average, 193 max.
Went to see the doctor this morning for a pre-marathon health check and to ask him some questions I had…
- Why do I get shivers / feel weak when I run & cold sweats for a long time after?
Likely because I’m not eating enough / enough of the right thing and am burning up energy quickly. Need to eat better and figure out what works for me to munch on when I run… didn’t get on well with gels. He did ask me a bunch of questions to rule any other cause (heart / lung problems) out. - Why do my toes go numb / feel broken after I run? Bad circulation?
Likely bad shoes / scrunching up toes. Checked circulation in my feet and all fine. My new trainers do feel more spacious and I need to be conscious of not curling my toes. - Is my heart rate too high?
He said my heart rate was fine. - Anything else?
I need to drop off cholesterol results from a health check I had a year or so ago to make sure all ok.
Saturday – Rest
Sunday (Northampton)
– 8.32 miles @ 1:16:24 – 9.11 average pace / 13.39km – 5.42 average pace …
Nice steady run with Adam on a little bit of a hangover. Discovered love hearts (the sweets) are amazing – full of sugar and easy to eat as they dissolve. Didn’t realise how hilly Northampton was… lots of quite steep climbs which wore me out but generally could’ve continued a lot longer at this pace. I thought I was okay but I did get cold sweats for quite a while afterwards.
Heart rate (bpm) – 176 average, 194 max.
London marathon training… 19 weeks to go!
For the last 7 days:
Average resting heart rate – 67 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 7 hours 47 mins per night.
Average steps – 13,610 per day.
Monday – Burn with Scott. Exhausted from the 2 weddings at the weekend but there’s only 1 week until Christmas so I need to find the strength…
Tuesday – 6.87 miles @ 1:00:04 – 8.44 average pace / 11.06km – 5.26 average pace …
The first 10 mins felt very difficult but as I got into a nice rhythm it didn’t seem so bad. Started to feel cold and a bit funny at 54 mins but I was really pushing myself to try to get as far as I could within the hour.
Online it says my maximum heart rate should be 200bpm minus my age (27) so 193bpm. My heart rate is a little alarming and I will speak to my doctor about this before the new year… 186 average & 197 maximum.
6.87 miles – 26.2% of marathon (26.22 miles)
Wednesday – HIIT with Ian. A bit devastated to learn that was the last HIIT class the gym is doing 😦 Felt strong although my legs were a little achey from the run on Tuesday.
Heart rate (bpm) – 129 average, 190 max.
Thursday – Rest – felt a bit worried about my shins and toes today. I think my shoes may have been a little small as my toes frequently feel numb – my right toes even felt slightly broken! During the evening my shins really began to feel painful… worry I’m getting shin splints. I have been wearing my Nike Air trainers rather than Asics so maybe that’s part of the problem. Adam just bought me some new running trainers from Asics so hopefully that will sort me out.
Friday – 2.33 miles @ 20:19– 8.44 average pace / 3.75km – 5.26 average pace …
Tough run as the wind was so strong it nearly blew me over! Wore my new running trainers but didn’t unlace them enough and got a bit of cramp because they were a little tight. Hopefully when I loosen them they’ll feel better 🙂
Heart rate (bpm) – 175 average, 190 max.
Saturday – Rest – home for Christmas
Sunday – Rest – home for Christmas
I am running the marathon for the elephants. A marathon is going to be a hard task, but if elephants can go through the ‘crush’ and a life in captivity, then I can get through a 26.2 mile run. If you’d like to support me and the elephants, please click here.
If you want to read about my experience volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park and the truth behind elephant tourism, please click here.
London marathon training… 20 weeks to go!
I’m away for the weekend at 2 different weddings (eeek) so going to wrap up the week today (Friday).
For the last 5 days:
Average resting heart rate – 65 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 22 mins per night.
Average steps – 10,895 per day.
Monday – Pilates – easy 45 min session with Kate
Tuesday – PUMPED with Scott. Intense 30 mins.
Wednesday – Rest (lunch with my cousin meeting little Lily)
Thursday – Rest (Hamilton with the parents)
Friday – 3.5 miles @ 30:02 – 8.37 average pace / 5.63km – 5.20 average pace …
Run around St. James & Green park with Ross. Slow first mile but picked up the pace for last 2.5. Hit stop twice when waiting for Ross so did have 2 x 20 second rests. Ran 0.29 miles @ 2:37 – 8.59 average pace to get back to the gym too. Didn’t stretch – need to be better!
Saturday – WEDDING – Rachel & Alex
Sunday – WEDDING – Turlough & Frankie
London marathon training… 21 weeks to go!
For the last week:
Average resting heart rate – 61 beats per minute.
Average sleep – 8 hours 27 mins per night.
Average steps – 9,008 per day.
Workout wise I had a pretty rubbish week 😦
Monday – 1.73 miles @ 15:03 – 8.43 average pace … this was absolutely horrific. I honestly think this was my worst run to date. I was trying for a quick 30 min run but about 5 minutes in my torso felt like it was sticking together and it became incredibly painful to run. I gave up and had to half walk half run back.
Tuesday – PUMPED with Scott. Intense 30 mins.
Wednesday – Rest – horribly, horribly hungover after our client Christmas party!
Thursday – Rest – still recovering.
Friday – Rest – went for a curry instead of a workout 😦
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – 5.51 miles @ 50:05 – 9.05 average pace / 8.87km – 5.39 average pace …considering I’d been drinking the night before and had a week of drinking (lots of festive fun) this didn’t feel too bad. Lots of hills which were a struggle. Had major cold sweats for a couple of hours afterwards. Felt the start of a cold coming on and generally felt exhausted for the rest of the day. Need to eat better, drink less and train more.
London marathon training… 22 weeks to go!
I bought myself a fancy Garmin watch in the Black Friday sale which I am very excited about. When I properly figure out how it works I will hopefully be able to include some additional stats to the blogs.
My average resting heart rate for the last 5 days is 60 beats per minute.
My average sleep has been 8 hours 8 mins per night.
Monday – Burn with Scott. Strength training largely with weights. Definitely feel stronger. Managed 5 pull ups (jumping up) 4 secs down without failing.
Tuesday – 5 miles @ 40:34 – 8.07 average pace / 8.05km = av. pace of 5.02 per km.
This was actually a really nice run. I’m finding I’m enjoying running in the cold weather as my body doesn’t overheat. My heart rate was 180 bpm average with 197 bpm being the highest! It seems very high. Is this normal? I’m hoping to get this down as my fitness improves. I then ran uphill all the way back to the gym with tired legs – 0.64 miles @ 6:11 – 9.37 average pace
Wednesday – Rest – I was supposed to go to HIIT but just couldn’t be bothered so allowed myself to have the day off.
Thursday – TRX with Jonny. Definitely feel stronger.
Friday – Rest
Saturday – Rest
Sunday – Rest
London marathon training… 23 weeks to go!
Monday – Circuits (strength) with Scott. Lots of weight training.
Tuesday – Circuits (strength) with Scott. Again, weight training. Felt stronger than yesterday.
Wednesday – HIIT with Ian. Fitness definitely improved already. Wasn’t as tough of a class as last week but felt good.
Thursday – 4.41 miles @ 40:00 – 9.04 average page / 7.10km = av. pace of 5.38 per km.
Trying to focus on increasing amount of minutes I run for rather than distance.
Friday – Rest (my nephew was born!!!)
Saturday – Rest (snuggling baby Beau)
Sunday – Rest (snuggling baby Beau)
London marathon training… 24 weeks to go!
Monday – Burn with Kate. Nice core workout.
Tuesday – 3 miles @ 24:52 – 8.17 average pace / 4.83km = av. pace of 5.09 per km.
Body felt very achey and miles felt so much longer than kilometres! Felt like I was trudging through mud but very decent time for first run back.
Wednesday – HIIT with Ian. Body felt wrecked from Mon & Tue but powered through. Fitness not too bad. Warm-up, 10 min of Tabata, then ascending ladder as main workout.
Thursday – TRX with Jonny. Body felt far less achey than yesterday which was surprising after a tough HIIT class. Mainly upper body workout so good to change it up!
Friday – Rest
Saturday – Skiing at the Snow Centre was actually a pretty tough leg workout.
Sunday – Rest
Travel with Shan 
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