Training update

I've forgotten to update for a few days (weeks). Summary follows:

Sunday 19th May: 6 mile long run (aim was to run for 60 minutes)

Monday 20th May: short interval session at the underpass, curtailed because the surface was slippery. 

Tuesday 21st May: Pilates 

Wednesday 22nd May: swimming, 16-20 lengths (lost count)

Thursday 23rd May: beginners' intervals (in heavy rain), then a 4 mile run, with a fast 400m interval at the end (7:10). 

Sunday 26th May: long run with my sister in Lancashire, 10 miles with the first 5 up a 900 foot hill. 

Monday 27th May: interval session, 6x 400m. 8:16, 7:18, 7:15, 7:12, 6:48, 7:40. Happy with that!

Tuesday 28th May: Pilates 

Wednesday 29th May: circuit training. Managed a two-ball plank for the first time!

That's you up to date. This weekend I start Juneathon, daily running or exercise, plus blogging. So, two rest days before then. 

Injury-wise, ankle (Achilles) is stiff every morning. My sister has offered to give me exercises to aid this. I'm also doing ankle rotations and icing daily. 

Thursday 16th May: running club

It was my turn to take the beginner run-walk group. We ran 2 minutes and walked 1, through the fields along the river, then back up Regent St. Pushed the girls to a longer run, they all did really well.

Intermediate group ran up to Langford water tower, or we aimed to. Off-road running is not my favourite choice at the moment, grass is getting longer, and the uneven surface is hard on my sore ankles and calves. Managed 2 miles before we turned back because two members had to be finished by 8:30. Discussed lack of mojo and speed, and considered Marston 5K as a possible incentive to get quicker. I'm not keen though...

Tuesday 14th May: pilates

Yet more Pilates love this week, lots of leg exercises that are doing great things to my gluts and hip flexors, not so much my hamstring, which I managed to pull slightly. Also, lots of press-ups, should make circuit training tomorrow interesting.

We learnt a new stretch for our lower calf and Achilles, basically a low crouch as if about to run 100 m race. One to do at home, since my ankles and calves are currently a bit sore and tight.

Tuesday April 9: Pilates love

Pilates tonight. I have a love-hate relationship with Pilates.

HATE!

First, I go to the class under duress (Physio instructions), so it's not my choice.

Second, it's blinking expensive (£7 a session!). I could join a gym for that.

Third, I still don't breathe properly, and I'm not sure I'm "aligned".

LOVE!

But, I like the instructor (I used to go to her aerobics class years ago, when I was Fat Sarah).

I'm not actually that bad at it, despite what I think.

And I am improving with respect to leg strength!

Plus I'm more aware of my posture now. It's definitely helped my running and other training.

So, even though I spend the hours before Pilates thinking "I'm not doing this class next term" and wishing I were at running club instead, I actually do like it really.

Tonight we did lots of leg work. (Possibly why I'm on a Love high at the moment.) I can do the leg stuff. And the back exercises. It's just the advanced core work I struggle with. And we didn't do that today :)

Other stuff: ankle/heel is OK today, only hurts if I press on it. I can't go to circuits tomorrow now so another rest day will be good for it.

Cough is chesty and now I'm sneezing everywhere too. Blinking cold! I blame the children. Does mean I'm allowing myself "medicinal whisky" in the evening. Cheers!

Monday April 8: circuit training

Woke with slightly stiff calves this morning but they soon loosened up. No running planned today, just an hour of circuit training.

Ran over to the class with the kids who were on their scooters. It's the Easter holidays, but Pete allows well-behaved children to come along to his class. Not sure why he lets my two in!

The circuit today was eight stations, which we repeated four times.

• Inverted row with TRX (probably managed fewer than 10 per round -- rubbish!)
• Lying hamstring curls (single leg, alternating after 6 reps)
• Abdominal curls with 7.5kg kettlebell (5kg last round)
• Squat jumps (using a box to jump on and off to aid the squat)
•Press ups (full to begin, then three-quarter. Earned a 'Loser' comment from my son for my poor attempts)
• Single leg squats (right leg only, to strengthen the dodgy knee. Some progress made on avoiding the "wobble")
• Back extensions
• Skipping (attempted double jumps but instead managed to whip myself with the rope on my arm and bum!)

Warm up and stretch after cool down. Learnt a new "trust" stretch for upper back, involved a partner holding the other while they leant back and stretched.

Ankle/heel today feels stiff and bruised. No running until Thursday to see if that helps. Cough has worsened too so definitely no running.

Sunday April 7: long run day

I'm currently training for the Greenway Challenge half marathon, on May 5. I ran this last year with a friend and set my current half marathon PB. I'm not expecting to get a PB this year, I just want to run it and feel comfortable, without knee pain or anything else arising.

Training today was 12.5 miles, split into two 10K loops. The first 10K was run in 1 hour, which I am happy with, it was a very steady pace. The second was slower (about 1 hour 9) because I was running with some of our Club's newer intermediate runners (or those returning from injury). All in all, 12.9 miles (including running home) in 2 hours 13.

The back of my right ankle is feeling sore. I've alternated ice and heat for 20 minutes and have done some ankle rotation exercises.

Wore my New Balance 1080s today, I really notice the reduced cushioning in them, although they feel supportive. Longest run so far in them, which could explain the ankle pain.

Slight cough and sore throat, nothing major.