Why Do I Always Want To Go Longer Or Faster?

With a lengthy break in lessons today, and finishing near the gym, I headed for a run and a swim. Having ended up doing a tempo run last night, I rearranged my training schedule (which exists purely in my head on a day to day basis at the moment) to slot in the steady seven mile run which was supposed to happen last night.

13:13 7 miles 51:55

1 7:21 2 7:25 3 7:16 4 7:06 5 7:18 6 7:19 7 7:28  Average 7:19 min/miles

I actually ran 7.1 miles today. Having run 5.4 last night, I sadly felt the need to make it up to a real half mile. I aimed to run at about 7:30 pace today, and didn’t do too bad to start with, but as usual I soon picked up the pace. The final mile saw me struggling with tiredness after last night, and it’s never easy to run quickly when you need the loo! I actually struggled a bit over the last few miles, and felt that I was much slower than I actually was. 

My hip was a bit sore/stiff today, probably after pushing hard last night so I went up to the gym for a good stretch after the run. I then headed for the pool. The shower was lovely and hot, and after pushing the start button four times, heading for the pool was not top of my list. It was a one step forward two steps back walk to the pool side as I tried to talk myself out of it. Once in the pool I settled on swimming 32 lengths (1/2 mile), then 40, then I might as well go for the mile (64 lengths), then 70, then, well, I’d never swum more than a mile before,  but feeling good, and enjoying the sun shining through the windows and the nice quiet pool, I decided I might as well go for the mile and a half… but who stops on 96 lengths? So, 100 lengths done in approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, I dragged myself out of the pool feeling rather chuffed with myself. 

The highlight of the swim was the Mr Bean like chap in the lane next to me who part floated, part walked,  and part swam (I use the term very loosely) his way up and down the pool, complete with goggles and  speedo’s!

I’ll take things easy now until the Glasgow half on Sunday. I don’t think I’m going to race it though. I’m not confident in my hip yet and think that a marathon pace (7:00 – 7:15 pace) run would do me more good.

JK has laid down a challenge to me. It’ll be the pacepusher v’s JK triple crown challenge next year. The challenge? To post the fastest accumulative time for the Highland Fling, The West Highland Way Race and The Devil O’ The Highlands. A total race distance of 190 miles… Bring it on!