The Road To Chester: Week 4

My week by week log of training towards my first marathon at Chester in October.

Week 4 highlights:

• "Just" 39.8 miles ran this week. 
• 50 tee collected.
• We Love Mcr 10k race. 

I had my first rest day of my marathon training this Friday. I could have gone out for a gentle four miles as the training plan had me down for but I decided I'd a lie in would be better in the long run for me. For once the training plan actually had me down to do a 10k race this weekend; this worked out nicely as this weekend was the We Love Mcr 10k.

It was an earlier start than last week at Leigh but was still hot and sunny. The race started with one and 3/4 laps of the athletic track. Chaos ensued right from the start as a photographer fell over in front of the start and caused at least one person to trip over him. It also didn't help that people were still trying to form up at the back as we came round to start our second lap - we'd been formed up for five mins before the gun where had these people been?

Out of the athletics stadium and past Manchester City's ground the pace started to pick up for the best couple of kilometers of the day. The pace started to drop as the heat took hold towards 5k but not as bad as last week, this could have been a combination of the earlier start or the face were were on roads against trail.

By 7k we were back at the start and ready to start a smaller second lap; it's never good going past the finish but there isn't a lot that can be done apart from get your head down and get on with it.

Re-entering the stadium for the last 200 meters it was easy to kick on a sprint finish on the track, we also had the vocal support of Emma who was unfortunately injured and Sarah who hadn't entered but came to support.

Overall I'm pleased with my time, it wasn't the fastest 10k I've done but it was a good time considering the heat. It's the last 10k race I'm entering until after Chester. The Fleetwood HM is the one I have my eye on next. Sub 90 is the plan.

Showing off the 50 before post run full English. 

This week also saw me collect my parkrun 50 club tee. This is one of my proudest running attachments: a parkrun club tee can't be earned by anything other than dedication to complete 50, 100 or 250 parkruns. There is no shortcut to it.  Only 47 more parkruns to go before I hit 100!

This week I've also completed an interval session of 8x800m reps with 400m recovery. My aim was to complete each 800m reps in under 3 minutes and was pleased to complete all eight, though the last couple were tough. Speed work for marathon training? Well yes, I might not be doing 6 minute miles at Chester but hopefully it'll be easier. I'll let you know once I've finished!

So that's my first month of marathon training completed it's flown by at this rate the big day will be on me before I know it. Lots of long runs are needed over the next few weeks to be ready for Fleetwood at the end of August. Remember, sub 90 is the plan.