Reading Half Marathon here I come

Training has finished. There is nothing more to do now. The race beckons. Ready or not, I'll be running this Sunday in the Reading Half Marathon.

But I am ready. Less beer and better training have been paying dividends. Track sessions have become easier, and long runs have been longer. Hill sessions remain as murderous as ever, but that has always been the case, so no major worries there. All said, 13.1 miles is well within my grasp.

One last hurdle beckons. A big beer Friday! 'Last Friday of the month' beers and a leaving do that could be quite monumental spells impending doom for both my liver and race efforts. Its going to be tough. But if I keep fairly sobre and make it through the evening without pickling my liver (and have to spend Saturday in bed recovering) I should be OK for Sunday. I am meeting friends after the race and don't want to report a bad time, so hopefully that should help keep me in line. Time will tell.

Now I need to sort out a race or two for summer. Edinburgh Marathon and a 10K in London?

Ready for Reading Half Marathon

At last, a week of training to be proud of. I've made enough progress to feel confident of finishing my impending half marathon, and I actually feel fit for once.

3 more training sessions. Thursday hills was 'murder' as ever. However on Sunday, after dragging myself out of bed, into a freezing cold morning (cars were all covered in frost!!) and up to the track to meet the Sunday crew from the running club, we got ready for our weekly long run. Off we went. And less than 2 hours later I had ran what felt like 12 miles. And a wee check-up online suggests the route was actualy 13.4 miles. Yeh!!! I am there! I am ready! Result. And to complete the past week's efforts, this previous evening's intervals was so much less difficult than previously, and not finishing last was quite a bonus.

Reason for improvement:- less beer. Here endeth the lesson.

Now to apply for the Edinburgh Marathon??

11 Mile Run and Signed up for London Half Marathon

Nnnng!!! I am so unfit. Another hill session and another track session. Both completed, but not worth shouting about:( As for my long run, now that was a different matter. I totally smashed my 10 mile endurance target. An 8 mile trip to Brockwell Park and back then another 3 miles around the local park. 11 miles! Result.

Oh yeh, and I'm giong to need to keep up the training. I checked my email on Sunday morning and found I had signed up for the London Half Marathon in October. ****! I seriously need to drink less alcohol.

4 Weeks to Reading

Another week. Fitter, faster and further. OK, further.

I gave Hell a miss. Thursday was a nightmare of a day! It was cold, windy and I was sneezing all over the place. Run up and downa hill 6 times? Forget that!!

I made it out on Saturday though, for my long run, and what a result. The target was 8 miles. Over the local park and up towards and around Clapham Common, then back again. I was shattered! I had a blister that felt like sin. But I had run 8.88 miles! Superb. I'm well and truly on track. Next long run I'm going for 10 miles :-)

Next stop, Tuesday track session. I finished, but my performance was pooooor. Watching little 10 year olds fly past me didn't please me one bit. I would have done better if I didn't have a half-healed blister to contend with. Honest. Well that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!