Highs and Lows of training -Week 2

• Sunday January 24th Parkrun 7.2km at 42:37.

• Monday January 25th Roadrun 4.2 km at 25:42.

• Tuesday January 26th Hot Pilates class.

• Wednesday January 27th Track Run 12 laps (3 miles) at 26:15.

• Thursday January 28th Roadrun 5.1km at 29:13.

• Saturday January 30th Group 8 km at 48:43.

Feeling on fire from my first group run I took to the road the next day to put in 5km on the Ballina Parkrun route in Belleek woods. This is a great fast little trail, a few hilly moments but nothing too hairy, although I slowed down sufficiently to say hello to all the cute dogs I met along the way. There are always other walkers/runners around so I don't feel unsafe going alone and I have yet to come across the "weirdos in the woods" my mother keeps mentioning! I managed to hit the 5km in under 30 mins so being the dedicated pro that I am I decided to double back a km, making my end run 7.2km. I thought I would be wrecked from the day before but my legs felt fine and I was neither tried nor out of breathe, so happy with this effort!

My eagerness didn't last too long! Monday I decided to do my usual road run at home. But I was't really feeling it, I thought I was coming down with something, my head was all stuffed up and I was shattered! The thought of going out in the cold was less than enticing but Monday is Runday, no excuses! So off  I went. The beginning of the run is a killer because its up a sloping hill, it took all my effort not to turn back but once I was on the main road on the even surface I manned up. I usually fly this route and am knackered afterwards, I'm not sure if this is because I am aware of all the traffic going by and people glancing out the windows that I speed up, but it always seems to be the case. To be honest I really didn't enjoy this one, my breathing was all over the place, I felt ill, my headed ached and I kicked my run happy mantra to the curb! 

I still didn't feel great by Tueday's Hot Pilates class, but I had committed myself to go at least once a week and my run schedule would've been all messed up if I skipped. Plus I figured the heat might loosen some of my congestion (gross) and I'd sweat out my system so off I popped. At the start of the class we spend about 5 minutes lying down in silence focusing our breathe and acclimatising ourselves to the heat and I found this particularly helpful to talk myself into staying and not running for the door despite feeling poorly. The class as usual was intense and there were a couple of minutes toward the end that I thought I wouldn't make it! I focused my energy on finishing strong (cursing under my breath the whole time) and our little meditation afterwards allowed me to remind myself why I am doing this in the first place. Onward and upward!

This was my third Pilates class since I started the programme and I would usually expect to feel stiff and sore, but on Wednesday I felt great! Not a bit of achiness and my cold seemed to have improved, I was on top of the world so I decided to hit up the Ballina athletic track for some laps. I set a goal of 12 laps and and it honestly didn't feel like I had done 3 miles. The track is a nice alternative to my road run, the surface is so springy and I felt so light on my feet. I kept a steady pace and even when it started to rain I didn't whinge and give up, I stuck with it and manage to finish in under the time I had allocated myself. I think the Pilates classes are starting to stand to me now, even after only 3 classes my core and my legs feel stronger and I am more confident in my running ability.

I decided to brave Storm Gertrude on Thursday night and armed with my new light up arm reflectors from Penneys (nerd) I began my road run. The first 2.5 km were easy as the wind was behind me doing all the work (bliss). I couldn't help laughing the whole way back, I probably looked like a nutcase, I got splashed several times by cars and the rain had dissolved not only my mascara but also the glue from my eyelash extensions so as you can imagine I was looking pretty cute!  Despite the rubbish weather I actually enjoyed this run, I kept positive thoughts on a loop in my head and was looking forward to the group run on Saturday.

Group run rolled around again and after feeling pretty successful last week I was really looking forward to it again. This week we were instructed to go 2km further than the previous week, while I was apprehensive I put the distance to the back of my mind and focused on getting to know the group and keeping a comfortable pace. The route was a mixture of wood trail and road with some small scattered hills.By the end of the wood trail at 2.5km I was feeling a little ache in my right leg, but I was enjoying the chat and managed to keep the pace with my running buddy, we realised that the front group were moving a bit quicker but it honestly didn't bother either of us, I was delighted to keep a pace where I could hold a conversation without losing breathe and my buddy was focusing on running continuously without stopping. We were the last back to the starting point but I was happy with how the morning went and for right now I am focusing on distance rather than speed.

I was optimistic at the start of my running week, but the head cold did throw me off a bit. I'm glad I stuck with my running plan even though I felt lousy. I know the consistency of my training at this point is crucial, so that every new week I am prepared to clock up more kms and go further. I am also really grateful for the support of the group too, everyone keeps an eye out for each other and I've gotten some great tips from the others. 

Also I have decided that my training week will begin on a Sunday, this is so I am not tempted to go on mad benders on Saturday nights! This is also to ensure I am not slacking off the rest of the  weekend especially considering our group run is first thing Saturday morning and I don't want to write off just because its the weekend. 

Thanks for the support guys and keep running happy!