Tackling the long runs....

Ground frost, bright sunshine, blue sky - perfect running conditions for my 11miler. the last mile or so started getting hard (bearing in mind that there are no flat roads in and around Reigate!!) but was quite chuffed about it at the end. Must sort out the music though - I've been listening to the same CD since I started running and at these long distances I end up listening to it 3 times!!! Any tips on running music greatly appreciated.

Beating the winter blues

Managed to fight the little voice urging me to stay in the warm and bright of the house and went for a 4 mile run last night - felt sooo much better for it - still smiling :-)

Children's Trust Marathon Training day

 The Trust organised a training day which comprised of a run (6/12miles), breakfast and a tour around the Trust itself. In addition we had the opportunity to speak to experts about the training plans, nutrition, injuries and fundraising. It was a great morning (the run less so) and good to meet the other runners.
Training wise this was an off-week - I've been very tired and did not manage to get out running at all. Add to that a gruelling weight session on Fri and the run on Sunday and everything still aches. Trying to be positive and make sure I get all the runs in this week... this is the difficult part...

Add another x-country for good measure

Overtaking during the second lap

The Perch - an odd title for a race. It's an old land measurement of 5.5 Yards and 2,000 makes the unique distance of 6.25 miles or 10.05 kilometres.
Previously held on the Epsom Downs, it was moved to Nonsuch Park in Cheam instead. Believe it or not, they managed to find every single mud track in the park. With all those paved roads available, the organisers turned into another bl***y x-country race!!!!!
Never mind, I stuck to it and to be fair it felt much much easier than the day before and I started overtaking people on my second lap, mostly on the uphill. So whilst I'm not fast, I seem to be building up stamina and endurance which is really what the training is all about.

Going for the finish (not looks)

So I was mightily pleased with myself when I managed  to beat a couple more runners to the finish line - as you can see by the look of concentration I gave it my all (that was left that is).

Timing - again about 2 mins slower than 3 years ago. But, glass half full mode - I did race a similar distance the day before and this was pure cross country whilst the previous Perch had quite a bit of road running thrown in.
Satisfied and achy I went home and spend the remainder of the day recovering ...