WORK – LIFE – FITNESS – FOOD – FUN

How are we already at week 8?

Happy to say, I am back baby! After 2 weeks off the plan, I really wanted to keep the required mileage over the weekend with back-to-back long runs. It was a test to see how my training so far was going and what I need to focus on for the next 4 weeks. Sunday, I treated myself to a change in scene by running in London (see yesterday`s post for more info).

Strength training is something I have been slacking on and my sore body was proof of that. It was a good wake up call.

Here is how last week went in terms of training:

Scheduled run distance in ( )
Mon - rest day, driving back from Wales 
Tues - taught 2 spin classes
Wed - taught 25 min spin and 45 min boot camp
Thurs - 5km run (0km); (DOMS in my legs from boot camp)
Friday - rest day
Saturday - 32 km (32km) 
Sunday - 21.1 km (21km)

How do you motivate yourself to get strength training in?


#ultratraining
#trainingupdate
#highmiles
#racetothestones
#runner ...

Oh the places you`ll go!

This was a big mileage weekend for me. 32km on Saturday and 21 km on Sunday. After 2 weeks of reduced miles, I was adamant that I needed to hit the prescribed distance.

Saturday was forecasted to be heavy rain but luckily it showered on and off. I ran to parkrun, did parkrun, ran for cookies and then headed to Panshanger Park. There, I ran the parkrun route and enjoyed the views. From there, I w ted to run home but Google put me on a motorway so I walked for quite a while (sadly, there wasn`t any phone signal to call an Uber). I completed the distance with lots of additional time in my feet.

Today, I planned on ending my run at @technogym in Mayfair as my friend @therunnerbeans was hosting. I headed into London early for a change of scenery. A cancelled train meant I was delayed in starting so after the Technogym run I still had a mile to go. The 5km run itself was great. I saw some people I hadn`t seen in a while (hi @bethantaylorswaine and @youleanmeup ) and met members of the @deafrunclub . Plus the sun was shining!

Of course I am tired and hungry. The weekend gave me good experiences that I can use in 5 weeks at Race To The Stones. I just hope it doesn`t pour that weekend!

#ultratraining #londonrunner #thisgirlruns #running #londonrunningcommunity ...

Happy Global Running Day!

Since 2006, running has been a big part of my life. I may not be great at it, but I have met extraordinary people because of it and seen some pretty cool places too.

Am I crazy to want everyone to enjoy running too? Enjoyment comes with feeling included, which is something often missed in group runs.

That is why I created @findarunclub This free directory is a tool for runners to find a community that suits their needs (and pace).

Who do you run with? What makes them your running family? Tell me in the links below.


#globalrunningday #londonrunners #thisgirlruns #running #loverunning ...

My cold has been hanging on. I called in sick to my scheduled spin classes on Monday and Tuesday (which I hate doing but needs must). Using my Suunto watch data, my Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has also been helpful in justifying when I should rest vs workout.

On Saturday, we were in Porthcawl, Wales and I left the hotel too late to get more km in. I was feeling pretty good after 20km, even though it was super sunny. My goal had been at least a half marathon but we had to check out of the hotel. We did a bit of walking along the coast later so there was additional time on my feet. Plus Sunday was a good hike on Skomer Island while carrying a heavy rucksack on trails.

All in all, not a perfect week but I am slowly getting back on track. This weekend`s plan is a long run on Saturday and Sunday. My goal is to get them both done. Check back next Monday to see how I do!

Scheduled run distance in ( )
Mon - resting with a cold and heat wave. 
Tues - physiotherapy on the stairs, 5km weighted walk on treadmill 
Wed - rest due to poor hrv and I felt tired
Thurs - 10km run (14km) have a cold; physiotherapy on stairs 
Friday - rest day, driving to Wales
Saturday - 20 km (32km), 37,000+ steps
Sunday - 8.5 km hike to see puffins, 18,000+ steps



#ultrarunning #trainingupdate #runnergirl
#ihaveacold #runner ...

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#weightlossjourney #medicatedweightloss
#looseweight #weightlossinspiration #weightlosssuccess ...

Continuing on from my slight injury two weeks ago, I then caught a pretty bad cold. Rest became a priority even though the cold stayed in my head. Most runners will continue to train as long as the symptoms are in the head, not chest. On top of feeling ill, we experienced a mini heat wave! Lastly, a from from uni was visiting so once again, my training plans shifted.

Focused on getting time on my feet when I could. Let`s hope not all is lost in terms of conditioning.

Scheduled run distance in ( )

Mon - resting in Barcelona.  Step count 16,000+
Tues - taught two x 45 min spin classes; physiotherapy on the strairs
Wed - 30 min lifting session at home;
Thurs - 5km run (9km) with a cold; physiotherapy on stairs 
Friday - 16 km combo (Walk 8.5km, run 4, walk 2.5, run 1.5) for a total 2.5 hours on feet (30km)
Saturday - rest day
Sunday - rest day at Warwick Castle, 13,000+ steps

How are you coping in the heat?

#ultratraining #runnergirl
#running
#timeonfeet
#ihaveacold ...

Race To The Stones Week 6 Training Recap

Sadly, I developed sharp pain behind my right knee Tuesday evening running from the gym in KX to my train. When I went to run Thursday morning, it was still there. As this is a marathon training block (definitely not a sprint), I haven`t run since Tuesday and I am ok with that. My hope is that it is an over use hamstring injury and nothing more sinister.

We were in Barcelona this weekend so I got plenty of time on my feet (see below. Normally I just hit 10,000 step per day). My knee twinged sometimes on the Metro stairs which reaffirmed my decision to rest. It was a de-load week anyways.

Tomorrow, I will be back to my normally scheduled training, moving my long run to Friday as a friend is visiting from the USA for the weekend.

Here is my training recap from last week. Scheduled run distance in ( ):
Mon - taught one x 45 min spin class; 5km total on treadmill (across 2 sessions)
Tues - taught two x 45 min spin classes
Wed - 35 min lifting session at home; physiotherapy on the stairs 
Thurs - 0km run (9km); knee pain; taught two x 45 min spin class
Friday - rest day; knee pain; 15,000+ steps in Barcelona
Saturday - 0 km run (16km); rest day; knee pain; 13,500+ steps walked around Barcelona
Sunday - rest day; 19,900+ steps walked around Barcelona

How do you cope when you get a niggle during your training block? Do you push through or rest?


#injuredrunner
#ultratraining
#running
#thiagirlruns
#deloadweek ...