What with the recurrence of this stupid stomach muscle pain, I can't say my runs this week have really been ones where I've wanted to bounce out the door. I've also been feeling really run down and tired which hasn't helped - I suspect I've been eating far too much rubbish since returning from the parentals.
However, Jantastic must go on and with some encouragement from the Wallers I re-jigged my route to be safer in the dark, and tried to get myself into the mood. I also made a point of making sure that I hydrated properly (as this is one of the things I'm probably guilty of not doing properly).
Run was pretty slow, but then it was an LSR, and ended up as a bit of a shopping centre tour - had a quick detour/comfort break at Cameron Toll and then passed another two before I got to Musselburgh! Not sure why mile 4 was SO comparably slow - although it might have been because there were a lot of major roads to cross and I had a slight detour to map read (a few more signs might be nice at roundabouts Edinburgh Council). My Garmin was also being a bit of a pain and not stopping/starting properly (perhaps because of the cold or similar) - GRG took another minute off the time ...
I had my gel at the halfway/five mile mark - which was slightly easier to eat than the normal packet ones and didn't taste too horrible - I then sipped water occasionally and had my almond cube at 9 miles - none of which seemed to cause any stomach problems so I'm rather pleased with Decathlon! If nothing else, the almond cubes taste scrummy!
There were definitely a few chunks of the run (would be a bit unfair/pessimistic to say moments) that I was feeling pretty much in the zone and the running was relatively easy. There were others (particularly the last mile) where I could have given up and cut the run short in a heart beat. The detour in Musselburgh off my planned route meant that I actually made the 10 mile mark in Portobello rather than having to face the hill up to Morrisons.
However, for once the run was only the START of my problems! Hopped on a bus to take me to the Morrisons cafe (feeling a tad wobbly! although with some chocolate) - only to discover that the cafe was closed. Even though I put my dry clothes on that I'd carried in my rucksack, it was still blinking cold - the temperature must have dropped about 10 or 15 degrees subsequent to me leaving the house! Mostly I was ok but my hands were pretty cold.
Eventually got on another bus that was going to take me to a chip shop (I was getting desperate by this point) from where I could theoretically walk home - but after barely managing half my chips (probably more like 1/3 - which at least is good for the diet) I was still freezing and rather too tempted by the line of taxis waiting outside the nearby theatre and hopped in one for the journey home.
Rather cold and damp I then buried myself under my duvet with dressing gown and extra blankets - but it did take a few hours for my feet to warm up (should have gone for a hot water bottle/micro-clanger).
I can't say it was the most pleasant/easy long run I've ever done, but it was definitely an improvement on the last time I did 10 miles and it was rather a mental victory over myself - particularly that last mile! Now just got to do another 3 miles next week (although I do have 2 rest days before and the opportunity to carb load!)
Stats for comparison from the equivalent run last year below ....
W7 D2 Marathon training MT W14 R4 LSR
Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:56 Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:12
| Distance | 10.51 mi | 10.00 mi |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 2:21:11 | 2:01:40 |
| Avg Speed | 4.5 mph | 4.9 mph |
| Avg Pace | 13:26 min/mi | 12:15 min/mi |
| Calories | 1,262 C |
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