Week 8 and the start of a new week of training. The plan this week is to increase the mileage slightly in the morning runs (10, 6 and 8) and then have two x 2 hour runs on the weekend.
Tuesday – 10 Miles
Today’s run is the longest early morning run I’ve down in this training block and the reason I’ve been getting up and out so early for runs is so that when I start to increase the mileage I’ll still be able to comfortably run it without having to rush to get to work afterwards.
The legs were feeling a bit tired after the long run on the weekend but much better than they’ve been after marathons in the past. Worryingly the knees (in particular the right night) were feeling a bit uncomfortable so obviously they hadn’t fully healed after the fall a couple of weeks ago. It didn’t interfere with the running but I was always made aware that there was an issue with each stride.
Tomorrow is a hill session but I’m tempted to substitute it for a flat run or perhaps a slower hill session with much longer hills.
Distance: 10 Miles
Wednesday – 6 Miles (Hills)
Yesterday’s run appeared to aggrevate my knees, in particular the right one and within a couple of hours had become uncomfortable. Whilst walking it wasn’t too bad but sat down with the knee bent caused the most discomfort along with getting up and moving after sitting. I purchased some Deep Heat to apply and it did help alleviate the discomfort.
I wasn’t sure whether I would run today so got my kit ready and for up at the usual time but I wasn’t completely sure whether to head out so resisted the urge and cancelled. It’s the first session of this training block that I’ve missed and am disappointed but it was probably for the best to take a break. Based on the fact that this stemmed from the fall a couple of weeks ago I’m hoping that it’s purely related to that and not an injury.
Distance: 0
Thursday – 8 Miles
I probably shouldn’t have gone out for a run but I just had to test things out. The right knee hadn’t been great throughout the day and I think it was mainly due to it being bent when sitting – it was of being bent put some extra pressure on the kneecap. I used Deep Heat throughout the day which did aid things.
I resisted running in the evening (when you miss a session in a training plan you can’t help think that you are going to instantly lose fitness!) but wanted to try and run the next morning to test things out.
I opted for my ‘Loopz’ route around the Riverfront so I would only ever be a mile away from home if I needed to stop. Overall things weren’t too bad but around 6 miles I had decided it was time to head home. The right leg was aching in other places other than my knee which may we’ll have been due to my body trying to use other muscles to compensate for the knee.
I don’t feel as though I ended any worse than when I started although I probably should have left it. Part of me wanting to test it out is due to having my second COVID vaccination today (Astra Zeneca) and the first one knocked me for six so there’s a chance I may have to take a few days off anyway.
I probably shouldn’t have gone out for a run but I just had to test things out. The right knee hadn’t been great throughout the day and I think it was mainly due to it being bent when sitting – it was of being bent put some extra pressure on the kneecap. I used Deep Heat throughout the day which did aid things.
I resisted running in the evening (when you miss a session in a training plan you can’t help think that you are going to instantly lose fitness!) but wanted to try and run the next morning to test things out.
I opted for my ‘Loopz’ route around the Riverfront so I would only ever be a mile away from home if I needed to stop. Overall things weren’t too bad but around 6 miles I had decided it was time to head home. The right leg was aching in other places other than my knee which may we’ll have been due to my body trying to use other muscles to compensate for the knee.
I don’t feel as though I ended any worse than when I started although I probably should have left it. Part of me wanting to test it out is due to having my second COVID vaccination today (Astra Zeneca) and the first one knocked me for six so there’s a chance I may have to take a few days off anyway.
Distance: 7 Miles
Saturday – 12 Miles
Saturday’s are the highlight of my week and throughout the week I ruminate about where I can head next. I always aim to try a new route to see what I can discover along the way and once I get some ideas I head to the OS Maps website to plot some routes.
The routes are driven by a desired distance and whilst kind of random I will gravitate towards features on the map such as woodlands, historic items and anything written in an old font. I have no idea what I will see along the way but there’s always a good chance of seeing something interesting.
Today’s route was going to be around 15 miles and take me from Frome to Bath. It was going to be a mix of road and trail with a bigger slant on trail so that I can get some training in for the many stiles, fields and hills on the Tour de Newport route. Speed wasn’t going to be a factor in this session, it was more time on feet and running on more challenging terrain.
The route didn’t disappoint and in between Frome and Bath I encountered historical features such as the remnants of disused railways, locks from a disused coal canal, the 14th century George Inn at Norton St Philip, numerous other old buildings, a Tudor dovecote, the Orchardleigh Estate and a swing!
Earlier in the week I wasn’t sure if I would be able to run due to the issue experienced with my knee but it held up throughout the run and the only issue was running down hill where I had to be careful not to run too quickly. Afterwards the knee was a little sore but not as bad as it had been earlier in the week.
Distance: 16 Miles
Sunday: 2 Hours
After yesterday’s tough Traill run I was hesitant to head back off road for today’s 2 hour run but with the weather forecast to be good for the morning I couldn’t resist it so opted for a split of trail and road.
I plotted a route which would take in around 6-7 miles of trail along the River Wye starting from Ross-on-Wye and heading south as far as Goodrich. The route would then cross the busy A40 dual carriageway and head back through country lanes to complete the circular route.
The route turned out to be stunning with stunning scenery along the River Wye, wildlife, Goodrich Castle and glorious sunshine. The route along the river was tricky in places through some wooded sections but largely runnable. The second half consisted of undulating country lanes the other side of the A40 and would end up back where I started.
The legs were feeling a bit tired throughout the run (I think they were a bit surprised by the longer trail run the day before) but the knee was fine. Next week sees a similar mid-week lineup of 8/6/8 mile runs followed by a 24-26 miler on Saturday and 1h 45m on Sunday.
Distance: 12.5 Miles (2.5 hours)
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