Cobbles & Red Wine - Sarah’s Paris Marathon Plan: Sub 3:35

so impressed that you went out running after christmas dinner.......i rqn before but would never be able to drag myself out after

Impressive Sarah x

Sarah - I normally have no problem running around christmas time. In theory should be easier as should have more time less work and quieter roads. I did a session this morning at 10am on grass and track with a training group in the rain and was ok once out though the bike ride of about 10K in pouring rain to get there was less pleasant 

Hi Bo Duke - hope you are in good health and fitness

Week 2 Day 4: 5 mile buildup

I love running. I absolutely and genuinely love the way it makes me feel. However tonight was a struggle to get out of the door.

I don’t know whether it was the chocolate orange I’d finished off earlier or the nap in the chair but I wanted to stay in the warm ... and dry ... and eat chocolate!

I asked Twitter for some motivation and got responses ranging from friendly encouragement to threats of being beaten with a spatula (as in Run Fatboy Run) and I finally got changed into my running gear. Committing to do the run is the hardest bit … and I’d already made the commitment when I sent in the application for the Asics Target 26.2 …

Tonight’s session was a build up run where I’d start at a reasonably slow pace and build it up to a quicker speed. It was the first time I’d tried one of these so I had no idea what to expect. I tend to start at one pace and stick to that. Apart from the sprint finish at races of course. But a sprint finish is practically law.

I started at a 9 minute mile. I was concentrating so hard on sticking to the pace I forgot to start the garmin. Bother.

After a mile I increased the pace to an 8:40 min/mile, then after another mile, 8:20, then 7:40 and finally 7:20.

I had added an extra bit onto the run to see whether I could make 5 miles out of my usual 4 mile route and overestimated so came in at about 5.5 miles. I aimed to maintain the 7:20 pace until the end of the run.

As usual once I started running, I enjoyed it and was glad to be out there. The session was a good one too and I liked changing the speed and trying something new. All of my Week 2 sessions have so far been done in the dark with a headtorch. I’ve had family staying with me over Christmas and I haven’t been at work to get lunchtime runs in so I’ve struggled to fit in any daytime runs. But hey ... good practise with the headtorch!

Looking at the Garmin data when I got home shows a steady progression of speed which is good. Although I managed to press the lap button by mistake when I stopped to cross a road which confused the laps a bit, but the run was a success and I’ve found a new session I’ve enjoyed!

Garmin info here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/254980361

Evening Andy! – It’s the chocolate Oranges that get me … Love those things! I’m so good normally – very rarely buy chocolate or junk food but at this time of year everyone buys it for me! And it looks at me. And says “SARAH!! EAT ME!!”. Seems almost rude not to … So … did your chocolate oranges and Lindor survive?

Seren – I did mean to go before dinner ... Good plans and all that … Was supposed to do the Coventry Christmas parkrun but changed my mind at the last minute as I was cooking for 4 other people and was petrified I’d forget to take the turkey out and it would be the size of a small charred sparrow when I got home! I haven’t got a very good history in the kitchen …! Have you started your training for your marathon in Wales too?

Dave – Thank you!! However I’m well aware that you threatened to hit me with a chunk of wood to make me go out for my run this evening so forgive me if I accept your compliment from a distance …

Sarah – Yes I definitely know the feeling! I’ve got a 3.5 hour drive down to Dorset tomorrow too … thank goodness it’s a rest day! Although I suspect there’ll be quite a lot of running this weekend as my younger sister has had a Garmin for Christmas and I think she’ll want to test it out. (Knew I’d bring her over to the dark side eventually … mwah ha ha ha!) Are you going to try and get a long run in at the weekend?

Steve Marathon Coach – Evening Steve! Yes, I definitely appreciate the quieter roads at the moment and because it’s been a bit rainy there haven’t been any scary kids hanging around on the street corners either which is a bonus! It’s lovely when I get out for a run but it’s been difficult scheduling the runs in in the daylight because of the holiday commitments … although it does give me a valid excuse to escape from games of charades and the like for an hour or so!!

....maybe thats what I need to buy my OH....a garmin 

Im meeting Minni at the park run tomorrow, we are going to do a 3 mile warm up and then the park run. I might do a bit more afterwards to try to get the milage up, or do my long run on sunday before starting my marathon training on monday (although I am starting with a rest day). 

I bought tickets for me, my OH and parents to go on a steam train from pickering to whitby on Sunday so my run needs to fit around that (so probably when we get back if it isnt too late), then monday im back at work 

hey hey hey!!! sorry if I've missed the bit about what kit you actually got? I onc

e had a 16 miler and it rained from beginning to end!! I ran with a friend who was very negative which in time dragged me down! since then always looked for something waterproof, for shorter runs its fine but long runs would just like something..... even . .... a little dryer!?!

Sorry Sarah, I'm really struggling to keep up with you lot. I have you and Ady to follow and now Sarah O's gone and given me another thread I have to keep up with! I haven't even had a chance to call in on Bacon yet.

Sounds like you are throwing yourself at this just as I knew you would.

I'm with Seren re. post Christmas dinner running - that is mighty impressive!

Sarah – Has to be worth a shot …! Although how impressed will you be if he started beating you at parkrun?

Ooh good luck at the parkrun romorrow! That;ll be fab meeting Minni there! Let me know how you get on … although if you get sub-20 on your first parkrun I’m confiscating one of your traijners as a handicap!!

The steam train will be AWESOME!! Is this your training for Race the Train...?

Evening Andy!! – Same here! I seem to use Xmas as an excuse to buy boxes and boxes of chocs and biscuits … then I have to eat them all up so they’re not around to tempt me in the New Year!!

How did the 5 miles go? Did you go on road or head for some mud? Yep – I’m in Dorset as I type! Have 5 miles fartlek scheduled for tomorrow! Taking my little sis out for a run as she’s got a new Garmin and dying to try it out so I’m going to run with her, then sprint on and double back and mix it up a bit

Then  on Sunday … my treat!! 12 miles in Weymouth along the promenade and up to the fort and past Radipole Lake at 8:30 min/mile! … I may even be forced to have an ice cream!!

Hi Tigger! - I got some fab kit!!! I even managed to get running clothes in co-ordinating colours!! (gasp!) Normally I look as though I’ve fallen over in the bargain rail in Sports Direct!

 I’ve got a fab jacket! It’s very, very lightweight but is windproof and seems to be reasonably water resistant … if I’ve been wet while wearing it, it has been lightweight enough not to notice it! I think it’s this one:  http://www.asics.co.uk/running/products/trail-jacket-women/

Although the sleeves can be removed on mine for summer running. I’ll get it out tomorrow and look at the tags and confirm which one it is. I’ve worn in daytime, night time and in mud and rain and it’s been excellent in all of those. Def buying another when I break this one!

Evening Malcs! Great to hear from you … so are you in TR24 yet?!! I’m in! Registered Boxing day!

I’m loving having a proper schedule to follow … and it gives me an excuse to go out for a nice long run “…because Steve told me to!”

Re running after Chritmas dinner – I didn’t have a choice! Couldn’t fit it in in the morning and I couldn’t miss a session … we need to get DS2 in those pink socks!!

Cheers buddy I'll have a look at that!

I thought I was lucky I got out of washing the pots on christmas day by walking the dogs, a run as well would have been awesome!! but if I were to run it would have to be before dinner!

Really enjoying your thread RRR.  As disappointed as I was to miss out I'm really pleased you made it through.  You are doing a great job on here - definitely better than I would have managed. The other thing is that having an extra 5 weeks training for my marathon is beginning to look a good thing. I've been searching the interweb and there appear to be a shortage of pink compression socks in the larger sizes!!!

You really have done well to get out every planned session. I didn't run Xmas day - I just couldn't make the time, but have managed everyday since!

watch ouit that you don't get blown of the promenade at weymouth........weather not good at the moment anywhere is it

Hi Tigger! I cooked the Christmas dinner so told everyone else THEY were on pot washing!

Re the jacket, I couldn't find a model number on it anywhere so here's a pic! Hopefully you'll be able to track one down.

Afternoon DS2! Thank you!! … A shortage of pink compression socks, you say? (Gets out writing paper and overlarge pen to start writing stern complaint letter)

Well ... I HAVE to do every session. As well as having the opportunity to get you into some pink socks, I knew everyone from Bootcamp would come and kick my arse if I started slacking off So no other option …! I’m really enjoying it though to be honest – love having a structured plan to follow. Makes it a LOT easier ... don't have to think about what I'm doing that day!!