Clocking up kilometers - Week 9 half marathon training.

• Monday March 14th Inferno Hot Pilates. 

• Tuesday March 15th easy road run 10km at 61:12.

• Thursday March 17th easy road run 6.5km at 35:26.

• Friday March 18th Running Chicks speed work intervals 3x50m, 3x 100m and road run home 4.5km at 26:09.

• Saturday March 18th Strandurance group run 12km at 71:43.

I had a busy week and had to shift around some of my running plans in order to make all my exercise and running goals. So I once again attended the Monday night Pilates class. I still maintain this is way harder than Tuesday class, but clearly I am a glutton for punishment and I glistened my way gracefully through planks, squats and flutter kicks in 32 degree heat.

I was supposed to do a 5km race on Tuesday evening as part of the Running Chicks but with the half looming I needed to build up my kms and so went out on an easy 10km road run instead. I had an interview the following day and I found it was a really great way to clear my head and focus my thoughts. 

Instead of partying on Paddys Day I hit the road to do a nice easy 6km through town (how sad).I still think its crazy that I'm considering 6kms short runs now. On Friday I was dreading doing the  speed session with the Running Chicks. Grim. But we soldiered on, doing 50m and 100m sprints with plenty of intervals, my breathing while running fast needs a lot of work but hopefully that will come with practise. Even though I knew my group run in the morning would be 12 km I decided to run the almost 5kms home.

Saturday morning I started out the run at a good speed but about 3km in I started to feel fatigued and the endless hills and uneven road surfaces were causing fire in my  my calves and hamstring. I was about to slow down and separate from the group but Dean talked me out of it and encouraged me to keep up with the rest, telling me to keep my eyes on the movement of the runners in front of me and that way I wouldn't have to think about keeping the pace it would just happen naturally. I eventually got my second wind and was running faster than I had before,. After the long loop we had to do two small loops and then two laps of the track  before finally finishing exhausted at exactly 68 minutes, and a full 3 minutes faster than the week before. So thrilled!

Our half marathon training group is participating in a Duathlon next month, it will be my very first and while it is terrifying I am very excited! I never would've thought I would become interested in all these different activities but when you are surrounded by VERY persuasive people it's hard not to feel inspired!