Busy Times Ahead (June)

[ladyrunner]

Saturday 4th June - 100 Mile South Downs Way Relay

Again not the most ideal night before arrangements for a 4:10am start on the day of the 100 mile relay. The teenagers had me driving them up to Crystal Palace for their kickboxing grading which started at 6:30pm. I was lead to believe that it would only last an hour so I had calculated that I would be home by 9pm and in bed by 9:10am. Ha ha, off course this did not happen!! The grading finished at 8:30pm, they then had to get changed so we were leaving London at 8:50pm!! The journey home was good up until Gatwick when we hit a traffic jam. Finally we got home at 10:20pm.

I am one of the world's worst for sleeping when I know that I need to be up early for a race so I decided to take a sleeping pill, rather than lay awake worrying all night about trying to get to sleep. This did the trick and I was fast asleep by 11pm. Just over 5 hours later I was up and feeling recharged, and setting off to meet my team at Withdean Satdium at 5:00am.

I was running the first leg at 6:30am. Beachy Head to Exceat, 6.5 miles over the Seven Sisters. A very tough leg to begin the day. I power walked up some of the steep climbs to the top of the Sisters and had to brake hard whilst running down the steep descents. I made it to the change over point in 55 minutes which was 10 minutes quicker than I had hoped for. A good start to the day even though I was feeling a little sluggish (due to the sleeping pill). Then it was in and out the van all morning until my next leg.

My next leg was the 8th from Adur Footbridge (nr Bramber) to Washington. Again it was quite a long and tough 6.25 mile leg. There was a very long steady climb all the way up to Chanctonbury Ring. It seemed like the climb started at 1 mile and went on until 5 miles!! This was a midday run and the heat was unbearable (probably not by Aussie standards!!). I did struggle on this leg and clocked again 55 minutes. Maybe the 2 races in 5 days had caught up with me!! Again it was in and out of the van all day until my final leg.

My final leg was the 14th and slightly shorter, 5.5 miles and over much easier undulating terrain. Also it was much cooler as it was late afternoon, probably between 4-5pm. On this leg I felt very good and probably had my best run. Many people were starting to struggle and walk, whilst I felt like I was just getting going. I have always been better over distance than short fast stuff. This leg took me 45 minutes and I was able to finish with a sprint.

Wow it was a good feeling to finish, but my legs were completely hammered. Mainly my quads from the steep down hill running on the first leg. I did think afterwards that maybe I shouldn't have got so carried away on my last leg. I should have been more conservative as I now have the Dublin race to train for.

My next move had been decided. I would take the following week very easy to try and get maximum recovery. Then hopefully I will be able to commence a good week of fast training before I need to ease down again for Dublin in three weeks time.