This week was all about the first long training run I’ve done in a while and I’ve found the only practical time to do it is to get up at 5am midweek and run further than many people commute to work.
Still, following a big week of mileage last week I am finally getting into the sort of mileage range I’d like to do (50-70 mpw) and will be using this training for Ladybower 50, Red Bull Steeplechase and the White Rose Ultr
To get ready for the long run I had to ferry spare clothes and leave my laptop at work on Tuesday so I could treat it as a proper training effort wearing my race vest rather than backpack with clothes and laptop in it and apart from falling and twisting my ankle 7 miles in, I felt very comfortable with the effort level and was happy pushing to sub 8 min/mile pace for the last 5 miles without any real issues so I’ll be doing 2 more 20ish milers before Ladybower but working at a reasonable pace still rather than plodding them out super slow.
It was clear to me during the unfortunate extra 6 miles I did at the Berghaus Trailchase on day 1 that I can run reasonably strongly for about 15-17 miles but after that, there’s no hiding a lack of long runs in training so hopefully I can cover this off with midweek early starts. I don’t mind getting up early and running and I actually look forward to the darker mornings to get some real use out of the Led Lenser head torch I got as part of the trail team kit.
The niggles seem to finally be easing off *touch wood* and I hope to
- Monday – Rest
- Tuesday – 16.2 miles (9.1 & 7.1 miles)
- Wednesday – 20.7 miles
- Thursday – 7.4 miles
- Friday – 8.6 miles
- Saturday – Rest
- Sunday – 10.9 miles
Total: 63.8 miles, 5,364ft elevation.