8/4/2008

Local News

Come rain or shine...

Week 7

Steady run: 60 minutes at Level 2
Easy run or cross train: 30 minutes at Level 1
Threshold run: 3 x 8 Level 3 with 2 minute recovery (35 minutes)
Long run: 120-130 minutes at Level 1 or 10mile/half-marathon race.
NB only race EITHER in week 7 or week 8, not both.

Fairly easy schedule this week which was good as work was rather busy.

I did the steady 60 minute run first. I seem to be getting used to this kind of distance.

I ran just over 7 miles in one hour and seven minutes. It was only an extra mile and a little bit back to my house so I just added it on.

I think I might need to try and do this route in an hour soon. The lack of pain unnerves me slightly. Attempting to run seven miles in an hour is bound to fix that.

Sport Relief at Surrey Uni! I ran six miles today with my friends Becki (Yateley reporter at the paper) and Andy (previous News Editor).

It was a miserable day (horrible, fine rain that soaks you completely) but the company made it really enjoyable.

Tooms didn’t run but came along anyway to support us and brought his little boy Lincoln along too.

He is only four but he stood out in the rain and clapped and cheered for about an hour while we were all running. He was amazing.

It was quite weird to run with people other than Tooms.

I don’t know how many runners participated as only some went the full distance but I think it helped prepare me a little better gfor what it will be like on the day.

Of course I realise it the number of people there is nowhere near the scale that will be at the marathon but all the same it was interesting to have to sort of fight for running space.

Although things seemed to even out after about a mile, the start line was a bit crazy with people running in front of you without looking (irritating) and lots of children zig zagging about in all directions.

I found it very frustrating. I suppose I have been a bit spoilt. Tooms and I always have a nice clear road ahead of us, aside from stray branches and things which have whacked me in the face before- always when a car passes as well.

Because the shame of looking like a complete geek when I run just isn't enough.

Tooms also runs ahead when we have to cross roads and checks the coast is clear.

I never noticed that until I went out running by myself and nearly got hit by a bus having leapt into the road without looking like a moron.

Back to the run- it was very difficult to settle into any kind of pace until people started to disperse.

The fact that some runners appeared to need oxygen after about one minute of running at an incredibly slow pace was also a bit of a boost.

I have become the people I used to hate when I was rubbish at running.

I always used to take for granted people who ran long distances were natural able to do it.

I am sure some people are but I also now appreciate the graft involved in making it to the stage where you can run for mile upon mile if you are not.

I will probably forget all of this within days of doing the marathon and never want to set one foot in front of the other at any pace above a gentle stroll ever again.

I hope not though. I feel as though I have learnt quite a useful skill.

I completed the six miles in an hour which was alright.

I couldn’t seem to get warm afterwards though- I think it might have been because my clothes got soaked and went really heavy although I have felt like that before after runs when it hasn’t been raining.

Becky said she was the same. Even after a really hot shower and putting on layers and layers of warm clothes she said she was still freezing.

Week 8

Easy run: 40 minutes Level 1
Threshold run: 3 x 10 minutes at Level 3 with 2 and a half minute recoveries (40 minutes).
Long run: 130- 140 minutes at Level 1 or 10 mile/ ½ marathon race.
 
I am slightly concerned how much the training schedule appears to have eased.

I really ought to stop questioning and start appreciating it as I imagine it will get a lot tougher closer to the marathon.

I didn’t do a long run this week which I felt terrible about.

It can be quite hard to find 2 and a half hours spare especially when the days are so short. Looking forward to when the clocks change.

I will actually be able to do hour long runs without having to worry about being safe.

Or falling down kerbs or getting tangled up in undergrowth as I tend to when I run in the dark.

Tooms keeps telling me off for training alone after I get back from work because it is pitch black by about 6.45pm so this week I went to my local gym to try and do the 130 minute run. It was horrible.

I found it incredibly difficult to run on the treadmill.

Having to press buttons to change the speed was so annoying.

I think I ran for about 40 minutes (rubbish) which takes care of the Level 1 run but my body didnt feel challenged in the same way at all.

I stayed at the gym for as long as I could bear watching people watch themselves and did some rowing and cycling.

Virgin Active in Farnborough very kindly offered me free membership to train for the marathon.

Their facilities look amazing. I think it is about time I took full advantage of it.

Sponsor Mel at www.justgiving.com/melanienadineroberts

Read more of Melanie's blogs here.

First printed in: Surrey Advertiser Online