Week 19

Wow I hurt! I am just relaxing after a 19 mile run this afternoon. That run was the longest I had done by 3 miles, and probably the last 5 were uncomfortable! Hopefully there will be no residual damage done by the run, my thighs and calves hurt but I had an ice bath when I got back and am stretching regularly.

I totalled 41 miles this week, I missed my Thursday night run as a) it was my parents anniversary and b) I needed a break! Still, 41 miles in a week is a good number and a increase of 3 miles over last week.

The miles continue to increase next week, with the 'cherry on the top' being the 20 mile run next Sunday... All I can say is thank god the NFL is back otherwise I'd go mad on the treadmill.

I took 1 run outdoors this week, on Tuesday, and frankly it beat me up. It's made me realise that I definitely need to strengthen by running a lot of outdoor miles in the next 7 weeks so will aim to do both my Tuesday and Thursday 5 mile runs outdoors this week. Hopefully I will feel better after those runs.

We have a lot of travelling coming up with will create havoc with my schedule. I am already making plans to adjust my schedule to make the most of the opportunities I will have to run.

Here's to hoping I can walk tomorrow, otherwise I'll be asking wifey for massages :)

Week 18

A good week, back on track! As hoped I kept to the schedule and managed all 38 miles which was my best weekly total thus far. Most of the runs were a little uncomfortable however, for different reasons. I had cramps 2 times and also felt light headed once, but that abated after pounding some Gatorade. Overall I am obviously pleased with this weeks efforts however, and the aches and pains can be understood when we consider a week on week mileage increase of 14 miles.

Next week sees a big increase in mileage once again. My long run on Sunday will be 19 miles and the week will see me run for 45 miles in total, and another big jump week on week. Having missed several important runs recently I am determined to 'fulfill' my obligations this week. It's very important as next week will be the first of my longest training weeks...

The first of my 50 miles weeks is next week. I will do 3 of these weeks as I lead into the Marathon. My long run (and longest I will do in training) will be 20 miles, and those weeks will be complimented by two 10 mile and two 5 mile runs.

This week will see me take my running outdoors again starting with my two 4 miles runs on Tuesday and Thursday. I'll then follow that up by adding my Saturday runs as of next week which will alternate between 10 and 6 miles. By the middle of September all but my longest run will be outdoors and, eventually maybe even those will be.