That’s it. I’ve just run my last long training run of the year. After today I’m tapering down (ooooooo, listen to the sound of that!) until my final half marathon in two weeks. I can’t say I’m upset about it – I’m getting tired of trying to fit my life around my running and that is exactly how it’s been this year. It’s self-induced running nonsense, I know.
I decided around mid summer that I was doing too much training and vowed that, after I finish what I’d promised, I’d rein myself back in and content myself with 5k and 10k runs and maybe one half next year. I will stick to that. I probably need to improve my speed a bit anyway and working on shorter distances with the occasional 8 miler thrown in is the way to go.
Today I ran 14 miles.
I ran just shy of 7 of them in a loop around our village encompassing the next village and several hamlets. However, sensibly for me, I realised that another 7 of road running was going to cause further injury to the ankle I turned on a wobbly stone whilst running through the woods the other day. I had it strapped up and was wearing compression socks, but I could feel shin pain developing and knew when to throw the towel in. I was running strongly, far stronger than I have all season! I was maintaining just over 11 min/mile pace on a training run in which I was meant to be running 12-13 min/miles. And I was achieving 11 min/mile pace with relative ease, running 4 minutes/1 minute walk break.
My Garmin data is here > http://connect.garmin.com/activity/596467332
I had some tech issues; I keep catching the part of the screen which lengthens or shortens the run on my Jeff Galloway app. It’s easily done and I wish it was hidden. Today I caught it as I went for my first gel and all of a sudden it thought I’d run 10 miles. It’s then impossible to reset and you end up with an approximation. I just hate that. I managed to do the same thing later on as I reached for a tissue! I think a message to LoLo, the app developer, is required. I’ve sent them before and they are either really nice (my chosen interpretation) or just patronising this little lady.
Tech issues really mess with my mojo. What with that and the knowledge that my ankle was slowly swelling up I think heading home and to the treadmill was a good call.
A quick calculation told me that I needed to run a further 12.41 km (I have a head with miles in it, but a Euro-treadmill) at 10 km/h to be on pace. It actually put me ahead of pace and I finished the second half faster than the first (still running 4min/1min walk).
Garmin data for the second half comes courtesy of MyFitnessPal, which automatically uploads any exercise as I input it. How cool! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/596483397
A quick calculation told me that I completed my 14 miles faster than I’ve run 13.1 all season. I hope that bodes well; I could do with some well boded things happening.
As it is I’m now relaxing having had a quickly cooked lunch of scrambled eggs, not really wanting to go and take my ankle support off and see what’s underneath. I can feel what’s underneath. Hopefully some ice and elevation and an old film will help reduce what I’m feeling. And then I’ve got a couple of weeks to rest it, with just gentle runs planned. My fingers are crossed!
A Running Battle 
Great run! But did you do your asthma clinic like you said you would?
Sorry that sounds officious! Doesn’t it, none of my business.
Was breathing ok?
14 miles is a good distance
IanB
Thanks Ian. Laughing here, no I haven’t yet made an appointment – I’m useless at doing that. My breathing was fine this time. I didn’t have my inhaler at all. I think I may have just had the end of that cold affecting me last long run – I felt great today (apart from my ankle!) I’ve done 17 miles before, so I know 14 is well within my capability. It’s reassuring.
I haven’t put my feet up yet either!
Well done anyway, keep on running!
Good luck with the tapering Julie – something I could never do. In the week leading up to a marathon I’d go out and do the fastest runs of the whole training programme to bleed the system before carbo loading. It worked for me – and Ron Hill – but it’s not for everyone.
Hope that ankle problem clears away and all goes well on your big day.
Wishing you all the best….
PS. I can’t access those Garmin Connect links.
Thanks, Gordon 🙂 My friend, Lord Smythe, ran with Dr Ron on his birthday 5k last week! They are good friends. Those links didn’t work because I’d got my settings to friends only – I’ll change that, thanks!