As I wasn't going to run on Sunday due to the spin on the bike, I did a 13 mile run on Friday at an average pace of 7.33. The pace was tough at the start, and the middle few miles were easier, with the going getting tough again towards the end.
Saturday morning Brian C text, with the offer of doing 'a few 'miles on the bike for an hour, to learn the basics of riding in a group, which turns out is not that simple and there is quite a bit of etiquette to be observed. The few miles started with some steep hills, and then a short round trip to Skerries for a coffee, and back. At least Brian bought me some cake! By the time we got back, we had done 22 miles, and my legs were shot. I was really considering pulling out of the cycle the next day, but Brian said I would be fine, turns out he is not to be trusted!
The Sunday morning was cold and damp, myself Glen and Brian met with John from the running club at the start point. There were about 40 or so cyclists, and the pace at the start was quite manageable, felt easy even, in the same way the first 15 miles of a marathon are easy it turns out! I kept with the group until 38 miles, but they had upped the pace a bit and we met some pretty steep hills, so eventually I got left behind. I stopped and took a gel, turns out the GU chocolate gels are delicious, and don't make me sick, might be related to the chocolate element. Anyway, I just kept on pedalling, not very hard, but fast, I could keep spinning in the easy gear and that kept me going until the end. I picked up two other guys towards the end, and we finished together, last.
After the two days cycling, my legs were surprisingly fresh for running on Monday, but my butt was a different story! I likened the Saturday and Sunday cycle distances to someone who had never run more than 10k, doing a half marathon as practice for a full marathon the next day.
Monday was 7 miles at 7.07 average pace, Tuesday I was working late, so I did my speed work on my own. I did 4 reps of 6 minute miles, with 3 min jog rest between, again with 7 miles for the session.
Wednesday was a nice easy session of 5 miles at 7.45 pace.
Thursday was tempo day, 6 miles at 6.25 pace, with 1 mile warm up and cool down.
So far this month I have done 150 miles, and by the end I should have about 170 done, which is more than I did in either June or July. I still feel the marathon in my legs, I would be doubtful of a quick time in a 10k or half at this point, but I am doing more than double the miles I did this time last year, so hopefully that will stand to me when next season comes around.
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