Week one of training, complete, and it’s time to start thinking about what I might learn from it. Here’s what I’ve got so far
- Last time out I trained over the winter time for a Spring marathon. I virtually lived in long sleeves and long running tights. So much so that I celebrated completion of the marathon with a week of no lycra whatsoever. Yeah, my pants fell down but it was all good. This year, it’s the opposite – I am in shorts pretty much all the time. I may need to buy another pair
- I am also running dangerously short of socks. The Lidl/Aldi jobs I’ve been wearing since 2012 seem to be developing an alarming number of holes
- Hydration wasn’t an issue for me training over winter and running through the snow. This time around, it will be
- I’ve learned how to get halfway decent heart rate readings from the Apple Watch
So not a bad week!
It started out, as Hal Higdon’s training plans always do, with a rest day. On Tuesday, however, I had the first day’s run – three miles, which I did round Linlithgow Loch. I was trying to keep my heart rate in zone 2, which I had calculated to be up to 117 bpm. eventually I gave up because I would have gone grey (okay, greyer) before completing the lap!
Max elevation: 64 m
Min elevation: 46 m
Next day I had a more relaxed approach to the heart rate, and got my five miler in at lunchtime. Running at lunchtime is not going to be very sustainable, though, and I’ll need to find another way to get those miles in.
Max elevation: 82 m
Min elevation: 46 m
Thursday was back to being three miles, but I had a busy day planned. I had to be out in the afternoon and evening, and I had a Pilates class at lunchtime. That left me with only one option – I had to do my run before going to work! I am just not a morning person; this was painful!
Max elevation: 110 m
Min elevation: 73 m
Friday was a rest day, and then on Saturday there was a five miler. Well, I did six – I am going to try to stretch the mileage just a little this time round. And I didn’t do it at marathon pace, instead I decided I would add some hill work. Ater all, Loch Ness is famous for its hills. So my loop had me climb Wallacestone Brae and Standrigg Road – a gain of about 120m in 1.3 miles. That has to be good for me.
Max elevation: 184 m
Min elevation: 71 m
And Sunday? Well, pretty much the same, just with a few more miles on the canal. Again, the height gain, which I feel to be very important. Once again it was a lvoely day to be out running
Max elevation: 184 m
Min elevation: 71 m
That’s week one finished, let’s hope I can keep it going!