February 2011

[marathondan]

Week 12 - 7 to go

A good week in the bag.

Wednesday night - 4 and a bit miles fartlek.

Saturday 6.45 am - 8 and a bit miles tempo. After last week's slightly disappointing run I prepared a high tempo playlist to spur me on, inspired by Music List Creation Man. The effect was good: 1K extra completed in less than a minute longer than last week. Maybe early morning running is better for me than I realise. TdJ: Led Zep / Communication Breakdown (honourable mentions to Quo / Caroline and Metallica / Enter Sandman).

Tonight - 16.3 miles. Again after feeling rubbish during last week's effort, I changed things around on the audio, first trying the Marathon Talk podcast for the first time. I musy say it was pretty fine; there's a lot of chat around elite / high level running, but that only serves to inspire us mere mortals to higher things. Episode 58 has a long interview with Tim Hutchings, Brighton race director, and so that event gets some coverage. The podcast lasted about 8 or 9 miles; I'll be listening again. With about an hour to go I switched to a slightly lower tempo, but more feelgood playlist, which gave me a tremendous boost, and I really enjoyed the last few miles, coming in just a few seconds inside two and a half hours. TdJ: Cha Cha Slide / DJ Casper (posted below for your delectation, in case you're not familiar), honourable mention to Robert Parker / Barefootin'.

28.7 miles for the week; step-back here we come.