Week 6 Training . . . DONE !!!

Week 6, Session 4 - Recovery Run - (4 Miles)
              Session 5 - Progression Run (11.25 Miles - Last 4.25 miles HM Pace)

What a great end to the week.  Both of my weekend runs were run in gorgeous conditions and on Sundays long run the weather was so good I was able to run in just a running vest for the first time this year.  Who'd of thought only a couple of weeks ago the ground was solid and we were all wrapped up to protect ourselves from sub-zero temeratures.

Yesterday's recovery run was pretty standard, but I was just happy to get out and feel good after a few tough runs during the week.  Todays long run was a progression run in preparation for next weekends Half Marathon, so the mileage reduced but the final 30 minutes had to be run at HM race pace to get me used to running at that speed at the end of a long run.

In order to prepare for next weekend, I timed the run so that it was at roughly the same time as the race, which starts at 11:00am.  Thankfully this meant I didn't have to get up too early to get my porridge down me, because I didn't get the best sleep the night before as I had to keep getting up to tend to my youngest son Kieran who wasn't feeling well.  As my wife was working in the morning, I took the kids over to my Mum & Dad's after breakfast and did my run from there.  This works out really well as I get to run a more varied route, the boys get to spend time with Nanny & Grandad and they give me lunch when I return.

The run went really well and I was able to comfortably maintain the pace that I intend to race the Half Marathon in.  I completed the 11.25 miles in 1hr 29 mins.  I'm nowhere near my usual HM pace, but certainly well within the required pace that is equivalent to my target marathon time.    I've just got to hope that my wig etc. doesn't slow me down too much.

After the run I made the bold decsion to have a cold bath for the first time this year.  It was agony, so I aborted a bit earlier than I should have done, but at least I did it.  The pain is well worth the reward of a lack of aching muscles the follwoing day . . . I just hope getting out early doesn't stop it working.

Next week is a taper to the race, so it should be fairly easy with just one quality interval session and a couple of recovery runs to do.  I'm looking forward to it as I haven't raced since September before I got injured.

Week 6 Summary - 34.75 miles : 4hrs 42 mins

Session 1 - 6 x 5 Mins Threshold Intervals - 9 Miles
Session 2 - Recovery Run - 3.5 Miles
Session 3 - 5 x 5 Mins Kenyan Hills - 7 Miles
Session 4 - Recovery Run - 4 Miles
Seesion 5 - Progression Run  - 11.25 Miles with last 4.25 miles HM Pace