Sunday Run Down #1 Running and Stuff…

I’ve been loosely following a beginner marathon programme already for months but didn’t want to bore you all to death with my running updates so now that it’s 16 weeks today (what?!? )I thought I’d start my weekly marathon training updates, to keep me accountable and take note of my progress.

Ironically, my first week documenting my training was a bit of a fail, I initially was going to leave it out and start it next week, but bad weeks are real life and my training updates would not be honest if I failed to include the lows, so here goes.

Monday -Cross train

Fail. When it comes to working out I swear by the mantra ‘Never miss a Monday workout’ well, I did just that.  Mondays, on the programme I follow, are cross training days so I had booked in to a boxing class at 5.45 then ended up late at the office till 8.30pm. Too tired and mentally drained to do anything, I headed home for an early night.

Tuesday – 3 miles

Treadmill, I’m still not a fan! It was made even more hell because I forgot my earphones but I done it.

Wednesday – 5 miles

My usual Wednesday run buddies are currently sunning themselves in Gran Canaria. Ugh, not jealous at all!  Kevin ran with me and I must add it was quite enjoyable even if he did complain that I was slow.  Whoever said ‘couples who train together, stay together’ obviously didn’t have to run with someone whose legs are twice as long as theirs. Ha!

Thursday & Friday

Both days were supposed to be 3 miles, both days ended in 8pm finishes at the office. So annoyed at missing these runs, I kinda wished I’d just gone to the gym and squeezed in treadmill runs after work but I was just wiped out!

Saturday – 9 miles (actual 8.6miles & 90mins TRX)

I had stopped going to the running club on a Saturday as I felt I was a bit off pace to stay with the group, but I went back last Sunday as I do really need a group run to keep me motivated on the long runs. Last week they seemed to go at my pace and I stayed mid group for the 7 miles and loved it.  This week however we seemed to start off slightly faster and by mile 6 I was falling behind.  Mandy who leads the group offered me 3 options; to continue on but I’d fall back further so essentially run by myself, run back to shop and end my run or continue running missing out a fraction which meant I’d meet up with the group again for the last 2 miles.  I went for the latter which meant I basically missed out a loop of the route before catching back up with them to finish. When we got back to the shop to stretch off I realised I’d only done 0.4mile less than the planned 9, I should have just stayed with them!

This week Mandy coached us on race nutrition, we all got a free gel to try I chose a Torqgel one in forest fruits flavour.

She said that taking a gel every 4 hours works for her but got us to take one at 2 miles and take note when we felt it kick in (I didn’t feel it at all, although I was a bit hyper and chatty after the run so maybe that was the guarana hitting me. Ha) and how it made us feel (upset stomach, etc) mine tasted like Calpol, sickly sweet but I quite like that, although it did make me feel like I had a full tummy for the rest of the run and I literally took tiny mouthfuls of it, it took me almost a mile to eat it, I also felt really thirsty towards the end but I don’t think that was the gel more me not hydrating sufficiently pre run.

Mandy’s marathon advice: granola bar or something similar at start, gel that works for you every 4 miles, last 4 miles chocolate or jelly beans for fast release.

Next week Mandy has organised for us to start and finish our run at Dunblane Hydro Hotel who are kindly letting us use the sauna and jacuzzi as a post run treat.  How fab is that? Unfortunately, I have to miss next week as I have bridesmaid duties, I’m being bridesmaid again this year, this time for Kevins sister!!

Before I’d decided I’d go back to the running group on Saturdays, I had booked myself into a 90minute TRX workshop at a new hot yoga and suspension training studio that’s opened in town.  I’d left for the run in a hurry (as per) and hadn’t had breakfast so grabbed a banana to eat on route to the class with the hope I’d have time to pick up something on route..I didn’t! I text a couple of my gym friends to see if they wanted to go to the workshop in my place but no one could make it so I just went along as I didn’t want the space and my £12 to got to  waste.

The class was actually really good but I had a little moment half way through where I was basically running on empty and thought I was going to faint (how embarrassing). I had a sit down for a minute or two then was fine, but the teacher who clocked my ‘whitey’ started talking about how if our bodies are not used to using certain muscles or high intensity workouts it can cause us to feel like I did.  I was too embarrassed to attract anymore attention and tell him about my fuelling fail and the 8.5 miles before class.

SUNDAY -REST

Total mileage: 16.6 miles

Total days sober: 14 and trust me the urge for wine after those late nights at the office was real!

I went to see the new Trainspotting movie last night and I feel like I’m speaking much more Scottish today if that’s possible, haha!

That’s my Sunday Run Down.  I’m currently contemplating going into the office to give myself a head start for the Monday carnage.  Anyone else have busy end of month deadlines at work?

How do you feel about gels or refuelling during races?

Are you training for anything and posting updates? Leave a link and I’ll follow you!

Thanks for reading 😊

Have a great week ❤

Angela xo