Over the hill

A.M. Recovery run this morning, my legs felt sore and heavy after yesterday and my heart wasn't in the run. Usually after 5k I start to feel better but not today so I kept the run short and easy. I start a recovery week in the plan from tomorrow and I'm looking forward to recharging the batteries. I shall try and stick to the plan for the whole week which is reduced mileage and intensity. I'm usually guilty of doing more than planned when I start to feel good. A mistake earlier this year was too much mileage at the expense of quality, got to get the balance right. Total 10k in 52:48, 5:17/k, 8:30/mi.

A.M. Start of a recovery week, cut back mileage and no taking splits, the only time I shall look at the garmin is the start and finish of a run. Rough conditions this morning, we had a storm in the night with winds at 100 km/h here, the Black Forest recorded 140 km/h winds. When I went out the storm was still in the process of dying itself out. I kept to the valley floor avoiding the woods but the first 14k was into the wind & rain and was exhausting. I nearly binned it after 6k but the thought of having to come out again today to finish the mileage was enough to make me carry on. After the turnaround it should have been easier with the tailwind but I was wornout and it was just a slog to get back. Total 26k in 2:07:53, av pace 4:55/k, 7:55/mi.

A.M. Recovery 10k, slow and easy. Lousy weather and predicated to stay like this all week. I only hope its putting off some of my local rivals from training. Felt tired again, 3rd day running and now I think my training last week is to blame. I increased the mileage each day to more than I'd planned but also the intensity. None of the easy days were in fact easy, I'd pushed each one harder than the last one all week. Classic mistake and one I 'm guilty of repeating, note to myself - stick to what is planned. Time 52:44, av pace 5:16/k, 8:29/mi.

P.M. Short & easy 8k evening run to complete the day. Time 40:35, av pace 5:03/k, 8:10/mi.

A.M. Easy paced run with a little bit more oomph today, 4 laps around the lake. Finished with 10 x 100m strides. Total 16,5k in 1:18:23, av pace 4:45/k, 7:39/mi.

A.M. Very mild weather this morning and I was overdressed and paid the price in sweat. I don't know why but have a general feeling of dissatisfaction with running with week. I ran very slow for the first 10k, then started to finally get into the grove and pick it up a little. I struggled on the last hill and not for the first time wished we were living in Holland. Tagged on one k at the end to make the distance. When I got in to cross out the workout I saw I should have only ran 21k, in my blurry eyed early morning state I'd read the wrong day on the schedule, boy was I happy. Total 24k in 1:59:12, av pace 4:58/k, 8:00/mi.

A.M. Easy recovery run, heavy rain in the night but the bonus is a little lake I ran to this morning is slowly filling up with water. It's been dry since the summer which I've hated to see, it's a small wildlife haven, full of noise and life normally but has been silent for months. I felt good this morning after a slow warmup, I can't say the horses were exactly neighing but perhaps snickering in the corner of the barn. Finished with 8 x 100m strides. Total 12k in 1:01:01, av pace 5:05/k, 8:11/mi.

A.M. Mind and body were in unison when I got up, go out and have a good enjoyable run so that's precisely what I did. The conditions were no better or worse than they have been all week but today I felt privileged to be out there running. The sun briefly showed its face near the end which was a welcome boost, I haven't seen the sun all week. Included some hill bounding which was poorly executed, I haven't quite got the knack of it yet. Total 17.50k in 1:24:22, av pace 4:49/k, 7:46/mi. Off to buy some jeans now before the shops close Sat afternoon. When I first started running I thought it would be an inexpensive sport but I didn't count on all the clothes I would have to buy as I lost weight. I have boxes of fat porker clothes in the cellar that I'm going to have to resign myself to give to the charity clothing bank. I'm hoping my weight has bottomed out now.