Felt overtired today, so spent most of the day recovering, didnt run, thought I would be pushing my luck. Didnt sleep much, I have a motorbike test on Monday, and did a lesson today, of 2.5 hours, so really tired.

Well, not much sleep again, really stressed about motorbike test today, taking the full licence, so I am on the 500cc, which I prefer its heavier and more balanced. so eat tidy the house, and off I went.  It took us 45 mins to get to the test centre, and I was going 2nd, so I had 1hour of riding round Southport and doing practice U turns and emergency stops, the heavens opened up, so back to test centre for my test. 

O h my I was cold, anyways, the rains was awful, and very windy on the country roads, were I had to get up to speed, but guess what I PASSED<  and with 2 minor faults caused by one error, apparently average for minor faults is 6-9, and 15 is a fail, I only did one thing wrong, and he gave me 2 minor faults for it, typical but alls it was I did my life saver look behind and delayed in leaving a junction so that meant error on observation and error on safety, as its not safe to leave time  but Yay, my instructor thought it was brill,  then another 50 mins back to bike centre, and then drive home of 40 mins, so I am really tired.  

Didnt run, again how bad is that, I was just so cold and tired, I wanted a bath and hubby made my tea for me, I was amazed as that was the 1st time hes done proper tea in over 12 years big smiles ;-),  so training tomorrow.

Well, going to do a really long session today hoping for 16 miles in total.

Slept really well last night, 10 hours, wow.

going for 3 miles easy warm up,

4 x 1 mile, intervals, hoping weather is calm and go for 5.30 mins.

3 mins recovery

then 9 miles really easy, to get mileage up to speed. lets see, Ill let you all know later

Well not what I expected, felt really fresh, did 3 mile warm up, the heavens opened, rain again, 

1 mile 5.30mins  3 min recovery

2nd mile 5.32 min 3 min recovery, starting to feel tired, legs bit tight, might have gone too fast !!

3rd Mile, half way, stopped by a car pulling out of drive! do ran on the edge of the road, but as I did slipped, and felt my calf tighten.

5.49mins

when I stopped my calf was sore, so stretched, and jogged off, but didnt get better, so left the session at that, jog walk home, iced.

Stretched, massaged and iced most of the night. not a happy bunny.

Legs still a bit sore, especially my right calf...

So warm up on xtrainer for 25 mins on a decent settin level 6, goes upto level 12.

calf raises, 15 each one.

Step ups for 15 mins.

went out at jogging pace, till I got onto some softer ground, stayed at 8/8.30 pace, as it was a sandy route.

got upto 3.5 miles, then realised the time, had to take road back, and pick the pace up as time had gone by, and I was going to be late for collecting my son from school, picked the pace up and legs were ok, 6 min pace at one time, but actually backed off because I was worried my calf would go or something.

going to do 6 tonight but jog it out. 

Oh what a difference a day makes!

Wow it was hail stoning kinda cold tonight, but no wind which is good. 

Went out with Paul my husband, he was on the bike.  

jogged out, and did 6 miles continous

mile1 8.30 

mile 2 8.00

mile 3 8.00

feel good now legs eased off;

mile 4 7.30min

mile 5 7min

mile 6  blasted it out 5.59 min.  0.5 mile warm down, and stretched, used vibrogym to ease out my legs more.  iced.  (funny thing was, Paul didnt know I was going to pick the pace up, as I did I had to shout  picking it up all the way! as he was lagging behind, I had to say something as he wouldnt have known, he struggled to keep up at first, which was a good feeling for me....)

So  feel better for doing that, I know its more psychological as I cut my session short, but I have the option of an extra day of recovery which will have to be tomorrow, my rule of thumb is hard day/easy day, got to keep to that to stay injury free.

so tomorrow easy day and Friday session, sat easy day maybe 7 miles, then sunday 16.5 miles.hoping to get through this week.  I am a happy bunny now! lol ;-) 

okay not much time today.

15mins xtrainer for warm up,

9 miles out on the road and some soft stuff!

route, back to front, usual 9 miler from gym, up by-pass, through to little crosby, wrights farm, back o hightown, and past down path nxt to barracks.

1hr 09 mins. took it easy today, but still did in average time for this route, so happy with that.

go see physio, my god I had some knots, very sore, hips, rippled hammy's, and really sore calves, but I knew calves would be sore. so home for tea and sleep, I thinks.

Weather is rubbish, rain/sleet slight wind, and just gone cold again, thought it was nearly spring soon, but no chance hey!

3.5 mile warm up 

session day, 0.5 mile reps, 6 lots effort, vo2 max

1. 2.54

2. 2.56

3 2.53

4 2.56

5 2.53

6  2.51

3 miles in total of efforts 

 jogs in between

 3 mile run back on road, used 2.5 miles as tempo,  fast  last half mile warm down jog.

pm. 3 mile easish run through woods quite a hilly area, I do this or a walk through woods, whilst my son is goalkeeper training. 

easy run to do 

long run day today. 

did 5.5 miles with my brother and his friend, Fr Rob, they are kinda slow, so was good for me to start out slow, did sand dunes and woodland tracks, took 50 mins.?  so v slow.

went out on last 10 miles, with husband Paul and son dylan on their bikes.  

ok pace, kept it down to 8min pace which is ok for long run, did faster mile for last 1.5 miles then jogged in on .05 miles.  

Was okay run as weather was extremley windy and cold, hail stones and frosty wind.

sleep ok, had a late night, went to a local pub with some friends didnt drink as I knew had long run but still didnt get home till 12pm, so late night.  I was made up for my sons football team today, they have made it to a cup final, under 10s, which will be held in a small football stadium so should be nice for the team ;)

easy 10 miles..

1hr 18 mins, very very windy, and cold.

10 min warm up on xtrainer.

15 mins on vibro gym.

 feeling tired today, very sore throat, feeling groggy.

Session day today....

3.2 mile warm up through sand dunes and woodland tracks.

1 mile reps on the road, with 3 mins recovery, going for 5 this week so dropping the pace slightly.

1. 5.45 min

2. 5.42 mins into a good wind.

3. 5.34 too quick, but didnt feel too hard, cross wind.

4. 5.42 mins half wind half not,  

 5 5.45 mins this one should have been allot faster, I think for the effort I put in low 5.30s,

the course I took was to go over a railway crossing, barriers came down, so I took a detour of allot of turns, then over a good hill found this hard.

6. (supposed to do 5 only, but after the last one, I though Id squeeze a 6th and just take whatever I can do).

6.00mins, this was a tuff one, felt hard from the start I felt empty legs heavy!

2.3mile warm down.

Didnt sleep well, just kept waking up, things going round and round sometimes wish my brain would just shut down!  arrgghhh! ;) 

went on easy run, and ended up doing last 3 miles at marathon pace, felt good really good.

15 mins warm up on xtrainer

15 mins step ups hard 

8 miles 55 mins.

 5mins warm down on xtrainer.

great day, nice and cool with hardly any breeze, sun shining.

Slept like a log, thankful for that really am.  

10 mins on vibro gym 1st thing this morning.

doing 17 miles easy today, weather is sunny cool and slight breeze, so should be a nice outing.

Warmed up on the xtrainer only 10 mins, and 10 mins of step ups. 

 Well, weather was good, a bit of a breeze nothing too bad.

went too far out so ended up doing 18.5, meant to do 16 maybe 17 miles.

went through 16 miles in 2hrs 5 mins, fastest ever done in a training run, at 17 miles I was getting the usual runners tummy, which for me ends up with me being sick, but I was ok in the end, finnished on 18.5 miles in 2hrs 25 mins. 

Really tired now,  had tea and its feet up time.

recovery day, and saw my physio, for a very sore massage, sure it will do me wonders, didnt know I had a huge knot in my quad, so that was a sore sorting out, but all done and tired now early night I thinks.

3 loosener miles, really easy ready for the race tomorrow. 5k.

Race day, and after such a big week for me, I was tired.

 5k. 17.43

NEWS IN official results was 17.41 mins well happy now! It was in Athletics weekly, in the uk. :))

 4th overall, men and women, and 1st lady.

The weather was good, sunny cool, and a slight breeze.

Started out at a good pace, felt Like I was holding back, although I usually go off at break neck speed in races, so It was a good pace, approx 5.45 pace.

got to  about 1k left and my legs started to feel heavy, so that was deffo from the week I have just done, and held the pace at 6mins just.

Course, was along seafront, and some ups and downs, steps and even some soft sand!

so made up with new pb. :-)

Very happy bunny. 

Lovely day, sunny, temp 20 shorts and t-shirt weather!

10 mins xtrainer,

7.5 miles easy on road, hammy slightly tight, near end started to feel my calves.

step ups for 20 mins hard.  Felt really tired after this workout.

Looking at doing 5-6 miles today, with 10 mins xtrainer and 20 mins step ups.

 Again I slept like a log, made up legs still slightly sore, weather is dull temp approx 17.

Any suggestions anyone, I am waiting on my coach's decision, should I do a long run wk end before half marathon, or should i start my tapering???  not sure if I should do a longer run this sunday or just do say 10m's  thoughts anyone???

Wow easy day again! so went the gym did 20 mins xtrainer and 20 hard mins of step ups.

So easy afternoon, cleaned the house, dogs and cats, lovely day today too, weather in 20s and sunny no breeze.

gonna run tonight with hubby on bike.

3.5 mile warm up 

session day, 0.5 mile reps, 8 lots effort, with 3 mins recovery.  two sets of 4, with a 10min jog between sets.

Again off road session sand, wood chip sand! and more sand, some grass. 

1. 2.59

2. 3.00

3 3.00

4 2.59

10 min jog 1mile. 

5 2.59

6  3.00

7   2.56

8    2.58 

4 miles in total of efforts 

 jogs in between about 0.5 miles.

 3. mile run back on road

Glorious day, kinda warm or me, but Im english so gotta complain bout the weather.

No it was perfect weather for a nice easy run, not a session!

Anyways, small breeze nothing too bad.

I felt slugglish today, struggled through this session, I felt tired after my 3.5 mile warm up, then my legs were tired after my 1st set of 4 reps, going into my 2nd set I was dreading it, but just took each one at a time, and thought If I need to quit I can, really wanted to, but once I had got to 6 I just hammered myself and then jogged back the 3miles, feeling really tired now and hammy string very sorey so icing it, and stretching.

News from the coach::  10-12 mile easy run, on sunday, so thats good news for me, dont know if I could cope mentally with another long run, feeling slightly fed up not sure if its after my race last weekend, but I should be feeling great not so tired and dismal>     :-} 

did 3.5 easy miles, went to do 7 but cut it short, went really dizzy, thought I was going to feint.   Had to stop and sit down. not a good feeling.

Went to Wilmslow, and recce the course of my half marathon English championships next Sunday.

The weather was cool, and a good breeze at times windy.

Couldnt do the whole course as some of the race is on really main roads.

Did 11.7 miles  last few 0.3 was jogging warm down.

Went out really easy, after yesterdays fiasco on my easy run. 8 min pace, getting warmed up.

the course is supposed to be flat and fast, although Id say undulating but reasonably fast.

Went through 7 miles, averaging 7.40-8min pace. ramped up the pace for a few miles, 2 of miles at 6.45/7min pace, and last one 7.05 mins, then warmed down 8 min pace for remaining. So a decent run. 11.7 miles in 1hr 27 mins.

I am happy with this as it was supposed to be really easy, and after yesterday didnt know if I would finnish the run. Glad I got the course straight in my head and I know what to expect, also it took ourselves approx 1hr to the start area of the race in the car, so the drive up wont be the usual frustrations of are we here yet! I can get pretty damned nervous the day of the race. Paul cycled with me around the course, and for the 8 min pace we were talking allot which was nice to have this time together.

 Burt I am still a happy Bunny :) 

Slept like a log again! 10 hours, trying to get early to bed all week this week, so get extra sleep in, not sure it will work, as I already have loads of energy from only doing 4 easy miles.

so 4 easy miles, half off road, very blustery windy conditions and not so warm.

15mins on xtrainer and thats it, almost an hours worth of exercise today, not much for me.

Again 9.5 hours sleep last night, but slightly broken only from about 6am onwards though so all good, felt more tired this morning though for having so much sleep.

Feeling bloated from not doing enough training! arrgghh,  but have reduced cal intake..

going to do 6 easy miles today, what a doddle, and 10 mins xtrainer and 20 mins step ups. 

Did 6 easy miles, having to hold back and at average 7.10min pace,  feeling good! 

Physio too later getting my back sorted, its been giving me problems so I should be really tired tonight with any luck, another good night sleep.

Physio sorted my back more like my piriformis/sciatica, ouch! still a little sore having to do lots of weird stretches. 

 Happy bunny again! ;)

HHHMMMNNNNNN not good folks! went to do my 6-7 miles, with 800metre efforts, only 6.15pace, so nothing fast, my piriformis is sore, so did 2 efforts and jogged back! 

Bumma hey, so Ice bath for 10 mins how painful, and stretching and stretching and what the ****.  I sometimes wonder why I have trained for over 3 months for a race, and this happens.  Gonna see me physio tomorrow, afternoon, and me coach said, lets suck it and see!

we gotta see how it is??  fingers crossed I wake up tomorrow and its all gone away. :(

so burt not a happy bunny not happy at all. 

Im sure worse things are happening to other people in the world, but you only get one shot at life, and I feel I have given up so much for my running and not sure its worth it now! :( 

Well I only decided the night before to do this race in the end, as I spent most of day on saturday in ice baths and hot showers, stretching, etc.

Ok, 2 miles of jogging to warm up, really slow dont want to aggrevate my piriformis before I have even started.

Started off slow, 1st mile 7 mins, did this on purpose to ease into the race and not cause any cramping, in my piri!

I started to do really well, after that, allot of ups and downs and more downs than up which is good, but I knew there were more ups in the 2nd half.

havent got my splits yet.

I was feeling my hammy which is basically the piriformis causing the pain through sciatica down my hammy, but it feels like your hamstring is injured, not nice when your racing. 

but with about 4 miles to go, I was just on target for a sub 1.25 hr race, and I really started to feel it right down my leg and in my lower back especially on the hills going up, not nice, and going down hills I tend to let myself go and open my stride but I couldnt do that in the last 4 miles as when I opened my stride I got a stabbing pain in me butt, on the ups I knew I was strong and could have pushed up the hills but again I had to cut the pace to stop the stabbing pain.  Knowing I was losing time, I just kept trying to keep it together and the last mile tried so hard to pick it up, but just nothing there.

So I got through with 1.25.39 mins.  Not the time I wanted but a pb at that, by 1.20mins.

Happy Bunny Burt, sort of! LOL  I stretched iced it with ice pack in the journey home and straight into a bloo** ice bath, for 10 whole mins, arrgghhh.   

SPLITS IN;

1st 6.40

2nd 12.55   6.15

3rd  19.12   6.17

4th  25.32    6.20

5th   31.35    6.07

6th 37.54      6.19

10k 39.20

7th  44.10     6.16  

8th 51.06     6.16 

9th 58.03      6.57

10th 1.04.19 6.17

11th 1.11.35  7.16

12th 1.18.09  7.26

13th 1.24.57 6.48

0.1       1.25.32     so I did pick the pace up wow, amazed didnt think I had, 9th mile had a huge hill in it, then I deteriorated from mile 11 onwards.

swam did easy 50 lengths