11 weeks to go..The nights are lighter and I`m loving the crisp blue skies and frosty mornings. I`ve actually got a tan from the lovely sunshine last week. The training`s going well and I`m looking forward to the two 20 milers I`ve got booked in this week followed by a weekend in London and a great sightseeing run!
For dinner this week I experimented with Kate Percy’s Thai curry with jasmine rice recipe. It`s packed with the sort of nutrition which replenishes lost electrolytes, salts and minerals. Ginger is a great anti inflammatory and the fish sauce is nice and salty to replace salt lost through sweat plus lots of vitamins from the chillies and veggies.
I’m enjoying the training and easily covering 13 miles. This is a result of great base training and core work. I enjoyed three easy runs this week around the streets of New York and I’ve been working out in a pool, pool running is great as a non resistance workout. I missed my long run this week due to work commitments but I’ve been concentrated on my core and injury proofing myself. Now back in LA I feel recovered enough to catch up with my training schedule and I’m planning a 15 miler mid week. Another great training week I feel so motivate and ready for anything.
How many miles have you run this week?
This week I ran 44 miles.
How often have you run?
I run five days a week. With the other two days I have a rest day and an active rest day where I do something other than running such as swimming, cycling or walking. In previous schedules I have tried running 6 days a week but it resulted in injury. Quality in your training is important not always quantity.
How often?
I've run five days this week. Monday I did 1 hour on my bike turbo trainer and Wednesday was a rest day.
Morning or afternoon?
I was on the night shift again this week so my runs were done at 6am before I went to sleep.
Are you keeping to your training schedule?
I did more than my planned miles this week due to spending three hours at work on Tuesday tracking after an offender from a burglary. I had planned to run 4 miles that day but estimate that I ran about 6 miles. You know your luck is up if you get disturbed doing a burglary and have to make good your escape across the Devon countryside being chased by arguably the best tracking dog our force has being handled by a police officer 7 weeks into a marathon training programme. The offender had 45 minute head start but after two hours of tracking we caught up with him. After a 17 hour night shift I let myself off the 4 mile road run I had planned. My Sunday long run was 16.6 miles instead of 16 due to the route that I did.
What type of shoes do you wear?
Running so often I find it important to have a few pairs of trainers for training in. Alternating your shoes allows them to dry out and rebound after each run. I'm currently using Asics gel nimbus 11, Asics gel stratus 2 and Nike air pegasus for training. I do have a pair of Nike race shoes but only use them for races half marathon distance or shorter. I'm neutral and find it very important to train in decent shoes especially after the knee problems that I have had in the past
click here to view our range of Nike Pegasus running shoes »
How are you feeling this week?
I've been feeling tired this week due to work commitments but by moving my rest day around I was able to get some extra sleep and rest in finishing the end feeling strong.
How are you finding the training so far?
I'm really enjoying my training. I'm injury free and starting to loose a few lbs bringing me closer to my ideal racing weight.
Are you feeling motivated?
I finished the week by doing my 8 mile race pace run at 6:32/mile and feeling very strong on my 16 mile long run on Sunday. This has really boosted my confidence and as a result I'm feeling very motivated for the rest of my training.
What have you been eating this week?
My diet doesn't change much from week to week. Porridge and protein powder in the morning. Cous cous or a sandwich for lunch then a sensible dinner. I eat every 3 hours so always have healthy snacks for between meals. I like all fruit and cereal bars to have on hand for snacks. It saves reaching for chocolate when I'm hungry and tired.
How is your diet?
My diet has been good this week. I set out my food for each day every morning which makes it difficult to deviate from my diet. This week I tried the date, apricot and walnut flapjacks from Kate Percy's book Go faster food and they were lovely.
I'll be sure to have a supply of them on hand for when I need a snack. A good way to put some
carbs back into the system after a run.
click here for me great recipes from Kate Percy »