Maria's Running Blog

Finally got out when the opening in weather looked like it may be few hours without the rain. I almost made it - got soaked only in the last 25 min. of my run. We're in the middle of complete washout here, with showers and downpours happenning randomly. I thought of going to a 5 mile race this morning, but then decided to cancel it, and just put in the miles. I haven't run long in 3 weeks, and my mileage has been pathetic last few weeks.

Felt good on the run, despite high humidity. At least it wasn't hot - mid 60s. Started off at 8:30 pace, and only slowed down a little over entire course. I'm sure quicker pace was due to low mileage in general, and 2 days of rest right before, in particular. All that stored glycogen made 8:30 pace feel like 9:00.

Total time: 1:43:00 (8:35 pace).

The complete washout continues. Last night there was a lightning strike into the tracks on my line, and there were no trains at all from work. I had to go home through Heathrow airport by tube, and it took me 2 hours to get home. Not to mention continuing downpour. No running yesterday.

Today was still lightning and thundering, but it died down by 8PM, so I got out. Decided to do CV repeats workout since I haven't done it in 2 weeks. Ran 2.7mi warmup, 4x200m strides (53, 52, 51, 48), then did 4x1km with 1' jog (4:36, 4:34, 4:33, 4:32). Then did 4x100m strides and 1.3mi cooldown.

I'm happy with my 1km times, because they were not slower than before, and the effort actually felt easier than I remember, and definitely easier than 5x800m with 45 sec. recovery. I'm afraid I'm losing some conditioning with decrease in mileage, but maybe not yet. I'm hoping to put in some miles tomorrow and Thursday. I have an option to run 5K race Thursday night, but not sure if I'll do it. With limited running I'm doing now, maybe it's better to put in the volume rather than run a hard 5K. I'm unlikely to run good time anyway. Friday night my daughter is having a swim meet and is doing 400m IM for the first time, so I'll definitely be there, looks like a planned day off (unless I run early in the morning).

I'm still trying to convince myself to switch to early morning runs, it's the only way to keep consistency in my training. I have to start trying it, it may not be so bad once I get into routine (but of course I need to go to bed on time!). I should look to Lybi for inspiration...

Easy run in the rain. Again. And long sleeves again, too. I felt slow and had GI problems, so only went 5 miles. This "summer" is amazing, especially compared to the heat of US. Wimbledon has the longest delay and cancellations in 25 years.

Total time: 45:52 (8:59 pace).

finally a nice day, upper 60s, blue skies with white clouds rather than grey! No long sleeves today, it was actually too warm in the sun, but I'll take it after the misery of the last 2 weeks. Felt good on the run and did last 3 mi. in 23:42 (7:54 pace). Distance approximate as Garmin decided to cut out in the middle and woke up only on my last tempo mile.

Total time: 1:42:03 (8:26 pace).