Pudding and Custard

Week ending 4^th January

I won’t be bothering with all this 15 weeks to go and 12 weeks to go and all that jazz. At the moment I am simply pondering about going back to work to-morrow and trying to fit in running around it. To be honest working is a necessary evil that interferes with running, I have often wondered what it would be like to have paid leave for a period of time to enable me to run 6/7 days a week with a coach and a fitness guru’s but as that will never actually happen I will have to make do with things as they are. It’s better to be working and making some money than no money at all.

Mileage wise the week has average at best – only 30 miles and 3 days off running. At the moment it is Sunday and I haven’t actually ran anywhere since Friday’s 10 miles up in Cork (8.27 pace, 154 HR). Monday was a 4 mile walk run jog trying to clear my head of a pretty bad hangover enjoyed in some very favourable company in the local on the Sunday night. Tuesday I was in better form and knocked out a pretty decent 4 mile tempo – 7.10, 7.05, 7.00 and 6.55 with 2 mile warm and cool down. Very happy with that I have to say. Wednesday the legs were feeling a bit cranky but managed to get through the 70 minute run at a reasonably slow pace – 8.6 miles. The heart rate wasn’t particularly low but I don’t have the figures to hand. I was thinking that in terms of Hr my threshold/ marathon pace should be no higher than 145. Maybe cutting down on sugars might help as will consistent running.

 I knew getting miles in the rest of the week was going to be tricky as I had several meetups and social functions planned. New Years Eve on Wednesday night meant a few more beers and helping to keep the house in good shape all day Thursday (tree came down) before a house call that evening – no drinking but lots of eating. Friday I was up in Cork as mentioned already and was delighted to get that 10 miles in but Saturday was a write off having met Derm and Tim on the Friday night for yet more beer. That left me with Sunday morning, normally a ideal time to get a long run in but my snotty nose and overactive stomach told me otherwise.it wasn’t a pretty picture. Christmas pudding was rather rich.

Yeah it’s not being a great week for training. I really need to get moving over the next few weeks. I am pretty sure I won’t be socialising a lot over the month bar one impending 40^th at the end of the month and the ultra is a ideal opportunity to cut down on the sugars and sweets. Without getting too hung up on the weight thing I will be getting the weigh in done during the week.

Mileage for the week 30 miles (Monday 4 miles, Tuesday 7 miles with 4 mile tempo, Wednesday 8.6 miles, Friday 10.34 miles)