The speedwork, such as it was, was going ok, but the slow runs were painful.
As I set out on Saturday, for a short 6 mile run, I was worried that I was developing shin splints or something of the like. On the first mile, I was deciding whether to take the hilly route, or the flat one. As I was deciding which, it hit me. I had done the hilly one twice that week already. My usual route lately is a 10 mile loop, but pretty flat. Obviously, my legs weren't used to the hills anymore, and the more I thought about it, and where the pain was, made sense. So I have undertaken to put some hills in at least twice a week from here.
The speedwork at the moment is mostly 4x1 mile repeats at 6 minute miles, with 1.5 warmup and cooldown. I am finding these easy enough, with tempo day 6 miles at 6.35 last week and 5 at 6.30 this week, next week I hope to do 6 at 6.30, then 7 at 6.35 etc, and build from there.
I need to get some 800's in, and get the mile repeats down toward 5.40.
I am looking towards Raheny 5 mile again in January, last year was the first time I broke 30 minutes, but I would not be confident yet for this year.
I feel a bit like a bear at the moment, storing fat for the winter, up 6 pounds. Some discipline is required on the diet side.
If I can maintain the mileage around the 40 mark between now and Christmas I will be happy enough, ramp it up from there for London. Did I mention that one?
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