Training Log | Upping the mileage: Week 3 Ultra-Training

WEEK THREE

6^th November – 12^th November

Monday 6^th November

Proper rest day. Could definitely feel the long run from Saturday creaking in my legs. Planned on getting to the pool post-work but disorganisation led to that not happening.

Tuesday 7^th November

Training plan said 16km legs (and mind) did not agree. Managed to get out before work with the Speedster and get in 11km with some pace variance including Regent’s Park track (bumped in to the lovely Celia) and Primrose Hill. Also managed to lose and then find my keys.

Back on the racing bike with my cleats because a Press Night in the evening helped me gain some mileage easily. Still quicker than taking the tube!

Running: 11.3km | Time: 1:06:40 | Av Pace: 5:53/km | Elev Gain: 93m

Cycle Commuting: 18.5km (60 minutes)

Wednesday 8^th November

Quick bike to work with a plan of running back tonight, running tomorrow and then cycling back tomorrow evening. Run Like Hells in the evening with AR Collective feels hard but racks up the distance. Manage to get left behind on Primrose Hill though which feels a bit bleak but never mind! More elevation than hills last week which I’m pleased with.

Running (inc Hill Repeats): 13.9km | Time: 1:20:42 | Av Pace: 5:48/km | Elev Gain: 210m

Cycle Commuting: 6.8km (21 minutes)

Thursday 9^th November

Legs once again tired when I wake up so, as per last week, turn my long run plan in to a 1.2km run to catch the tube. Beigel family gets me round but it really feels like I’m dragging myself round this morning.

Biking around in the evening and have a rare non-lycra night with the running gang watching the Breaking 2 documentary at the Tribe Shake Shack. Kipchoge is beyond inspiring.

Running: 10.9km | Time: 1:08:59 | Av Pace: 6:21/km | Elev Gain: 48m

Cycle Commuting: 12km (48 minutes)

Friday 10^th November

Adidas Runners sees us doing laps of the English gardens. Don’t feel I have much pace but make it round. Today my mind is definitely winning over my willpower and not in a good way. Commit to re-grounding myself and finding some balance again.

Running (Intervals): 8.3km | Time: 50:45 | Av Pace: 6:07/km | Elev Gain: 26m

Saturday 11^th November

Double run day with Nonsuch parkrun (gentle) followed by my first ever cross country match. Turns out cross country is really fun! Legs are pretty stiff afterwards but some encouragement gets me to do a cool down 1.2km then a whole afternoon of wandering about and cheering on the boys match loosens them up.

Running (parkrun): 5km | Time: 29:15| Av Pace: 5:58/km | Elev Gain: 21m

Running (cross country race): 6km | Time: 29:12 | Av Pace: 4:55/km | Elev Gain: 34m | Placement: 79/269

Sunday 12^th November

Long run day. Church in the evening today so time to get in the mileage in the morning. Need a journey so run to St Ives from Cambridge up the guided busway. Headwind most of the way which makes it tough and my mind keeps up the battle of ‘Oh you should stop now’. Confessed to Twitter & Instagram yesterday my planned distance so feel I can’t cop out. 25km in I find my old steely determination. 32km done. Hard but really pleased. Get pretty cold waiting for the bus back to Cambridge so don’t stretch (stupid) but in the evening instead spend some time foam roller-ing.

Running (long run): 32km | Time: 3:15:01| Av Pace: 6:08/km | Elev Gain: 61m

Week Two Totals

Running: 88.6km | 8:48:00 | 495m

Cycling: 37.4km | 2:10:00 | 173m

Swimming: 0m

Thoughts: Groan. The classic runner of all the running but none of the cross training. Next week must find time for at least one swim, one longer ride and some strength work in the gym. Pleased to remember that I can encourage my mind to think more positively.