Sunday Run Down #12 Bruises, Bruno and a Breakthrough

I’m getting so bad at posting these on a Sunday. Oooops!  My race number arrived in the post on Saturday this is becoming very real!

MONDAY

I had my second sports massage at 5.30pm, Mondays are cross training days but Caroline advised not to exercise for at least 24 hours prior to the treatment so it was essentially a rest day…although my legs were beat up! It wasn’t as sore all over as the last time but certain areas needed a lot more work and those hurt A LOT,  again I was left with some bruising.  However, with the exception of the bruises being sore to touch, my legs actually felt great straight after!  **they are still bruised 1 week later and really hurt from foam rolling last night!

TUESDAY

8 miles. I was advised not to run for 48 hours after the treatment but I knew I was busy on Wednesday as was my run buddies Mairi and Emma and Thursday just felt like leaving it too late, so I broke the rules…ooops! I must confess my legs felt like lead for the first 3-4 miles and I considered just turning back a few times.  After making a stop for a minute or two to speak to a fellow runner my legs improved and by the time we finished the run they actually felt good.

WEDNESDAY

Rest.  I went to a Bruno Mars gig with my sister, he was awesome. who doesnt love Bruno? and who said marathon training ruins your social life? Ha!

Our seats were in the clouds but we danced all night!

THURSDAY

Rest. I had planned 5 miles with Kevin but after work I just felt awful.  I am too old for late nights, I also had that embarrassing interview at work that day! I’m still cringing!

FRIDAY

Rest.  At least this rest day was actually scheduled on the programme. Ha! Today was about prepping for our 20 miler, hydrating and carb loading.  I’ve been looking at that 20 miler on the programme with fear since I was given the programme late last year, today was no different, in fact I was probably more scared because it was actually here, the recent IT band issue and missing that 18 miler.

Fuelling:-

Breakfast : melon and grapes 

Lunch: prawn salad 

Dinner: Pizza Hut Chicken Supreme cheesy bites pizza & jalapeño poppers (shared this with Kevin, not exactly a healthy way to carb load but I just really wanted pizza!)

Water: 2litres (that’s a lot for me, I’m sooo bad at hydration)

SATURDAY

20.5miles. I did it, I actually freaking did it!! The first 5/6 miles were absolutely brutal as we climbed uphill, it was warm with the odd strong gust of wind.  I knew after the hills at the start that it was a pretty flat route and I think that’s what kept me from turning around also Nigel our group leader ran the hills with me even though I was really slow, he was a star!  The group split up and I was at the back with a couple of others as usual, but we regrouped a few times as Nigel had left water at miles 7 and 16.  He even left us all some Mini Eggs as an Easter treat which was so nice of him and each stop just seemed to spur me on even more!

I had an embarrassing fall at mile 11 but thankfully no injuries,  then a bit of a dodgy tummy at mile 17 but it disappeared without any emergencies..phew, the knee niggled but nothing too bad and my determination to finish seemed to overpower any thoughts of needing rests! The sun was shining and my head was just in a really good place it felt effortless!  I really don’t like the sound of bagpipes (I know, I’m so unpatriotic) but when I passed a wedding in Dunblane at around 17 miles they sounded amazing and made me smile.  I caught up with, chatted and passed a couple of girls from the group in the last 4 miles.  When I reached Helen at mile 18 she said she was so glad to see me and had been about to burst into tears as she was really struggling.  I stayed with her and we got back to the shop together.

I finished strong and felt like I had more in me, for the first time ever in my training, I thought I CAN DO THIS!!!

Fuelling:-

Breakfast: (7.45am) muesli & semi skimmed milk & wholemeal toast with peanut butter. 300ml water.

Pre-run: (8.50am) nature valley protein bar -half of (couldn’t finish…nerves)

During run:  between 1-1.5 litre water, half bag of jelly babies and couple of mini eggs. I forgot my gels but obviously didnt need them!

I just wish I know what went so right, haha! Mondays massage? Over indulging in rest days? The sunshine? The hydration or the pizza? The slower pace?

Fingers crossed I can replicate this on the day!!

small person 2nd from right…thats me!

SUNDAY

Rest. My legs felt ok, the knee was painful at times on stairs but nothing major. I had a day with family, I thought I would want to eat everything in sight but we went out for a family meal and I struggled eating my starter.

I earned a few!

 

Weekly Totals

Miles: 28.5

Weeks to go: 5

Embarrassing moments: 2

Are you training for anything?

I hope you all had a lovely Easter Weekend if you celebrate.

Thanks for reading☺️

Have a great day❤

Angela xo