A TOUGH couple of weeks have passed since my 10,000m race mid July. Some major life changes had to take priority over my running.
I mentioned in an earlier post back in April that I had started a new job that had been a 'good move' for me, but the weeks following that only demonstrated that it was anything but a good move. The earning potential was nothing like I'd been lead to believe and it was clear I needed to make a change and quickly. Thankfully this has taken me no more than three months and two weeks ago I handed in my notice.
I am now self employed in financial services and passed the exams in double quick time. I am working alongside a guy I respect and have known for the thick end of 15 years. The future looks bright.
With the final exams, the handing in of my notice, a residential training and assessment course in Swindon and a very sick daughter in the last two weeks, my running inevitably suffered. I felt lethargic and listless on my runs, and disconnected from my training.
Knowing that you need to be 100 per cent committed to marathon training had me a little concerned 11 weeks from my next marathon in Toronto.
However, this weekend I feel I have regained my focus as things have begun to settle down. I had planned a 5,000m outing for my club on the track yesterday, but my daughter fell ill and my sleep was severely disrupted. I just could not focus on a race of any desription.
Training over the last two weeks has been largely devoid of any specific sessions, just standard runs. However, I now feel ready to move forward with a marathon build up phase. Longer reps, longer Sunday runs. I'm still committed to racing over 10,000m in the BMC race at Birmingham Uni on 13 August as I see this as beneficial to my marathon ambitions in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
M July 18 - AM 5.1 miles easy and tired, PM 8.9 miles feeling better
T - 6.4 miles off road in Swindon after a long day being assessed - tired 6.26 pace
W - AM 5.6 miles really tired, felt like shit. Mentally drained 7.03 pace, PM 8.2 mile home run after drive back from Swindon - much better 6.06 pace and last few miles well under 6 min pace
T - 10.5 miles after morning in London passing CF6 exam - sub 6 pace - felt ok
F - AM easy 5 miles 6.25 pace, PM 10 miles at 6.22 pace
S - AM session with Andrew Inskip - pulled it out of the bag as I felt very tired upon starting - 5 miles warming up/down, 6 x 100 strides then 12 x 550m on grass [off 60s]. Got stronger as it went on, PM 5.1 miles easy
S - 13 miles, most I could manage, myriad of niggles and felt totally detatched from it - 6.37 pace
89 miles
M - rest
T - AM 8.2 miles home run feeling ok, PM 6.4 miles tired
W - 8 miles to collect new car from dealership - felt tired but still 6.03 pace
T - AM 7 miles early after dropping old company car off at former employers! 6.53 pace, PM 5.1 miles hopelessly slow after a day with my daughter who is very sick
F - 10.5 miles at 6.30 pace feeling slightly better
S - Bad night with my daughter so withdrew from 5,000m and did fartlek session late in the afternoon with miles in 4.58, 4.46 and two mile segment in 10.09 - otherwise low 6 min pace
S - Up early with sick daughter so very early 20 miles at 6.22 pace - took 2:07
77 miles