The best inspiration is not to outdo others, but to outdo ourselves

I do have a very long run to report on, but you'll just have to wait a minute while I fill you in about what went before! On Sunday I was back at the triathlon swim training and feeling great about it. I just absolutely love that session and I always get out feeling great. I won't deny that it helps to feel like I'm actually good at something sporty, but it's a friendly session with really useful coaching and I always know that I've had a good workout too. Morgan says, having seen the footage he took of me swimming, that I over-rotate on my breathing side and under-rotate on the non-breathing side, he suggested I focus on evening it up. So I spent most of the session really thinking about where I was looking and how far my head was coming out of the water. I have to say that it did feel like it made a difference. I felt like I was going further, or faster for each stroke, whether I was or not, I don't really know, but it felt good. I was having to really think about it though, so it'll need quite a bit more practice if I'm going to change my style to incorporate it. Good to know something to work on to improve though, I'm pleased about that.

Then on Monday morning I was out for a short run, just three miles to get things going again for this week. I felt pretty ploddy and tired, which did worry me as bit in light of what Tuesday held, but I opted for the simple expedient of not really thinking about it! Anyway, I did my three miles in an acceptable but not great time and then it was straight back to get ready for work and the day in general.

Distance: 239.9 miles

Time: 44:33:13

Calories: 22,894

And so to my long run. For me it was a seriously long one. I sorted out my route on Google maps like I did last time, but after that went for the head in the sand method. I was deliberately not dwelling on the fact that I'd just plotted an 18.1 mile route for me to run. I got changed as soon as I got in from work so that there was no time in which I could even think about talking myself out of it, although I'm not sure that I would anyway, the idea of a marathon that I haven't trained for properly is terrifying - and I'm actually enjoying the training mostly, which has, in a way, surprised me. Mind you, I was talking the other day about the range of different weathers that I'd been out training in, I think I got quite a few of them all in one session yesterday. I suppose that's easy to do once you're out there for over three hours, but boy was it as mixed bag. I went out with my hat and gloves on as usual, and along sleeved top under my jacket because I was so cold towards the end of my last long run. It was about 4 degrees so that all seemed okay. Well, it didn't warm up, but the sun came out and I ended up with my gloves in my pockets, my hat threaded through my belt and the zip on my jacket partway down! But then when the sun went behind the clouds and the wind started up I was very, very glad of being able to put the hat and gloves back on. It rained on me for a bit, but thankfully not for too long. Then just for a short while, there was quite a flurry of snow, it got very cold feeling and my trousers were quite wet for a while. I thought my hands would never feel quite warm again, but they did eventually warm up again, thank goodness. I mostly enjoyed the running and was pleasantly surprised by how okay it felt. The pull up the hill from Dewsbury is definitely the worst bit, although coming up our hill right at the end was a bit much really too! Anyway, I was very happy with how it went, I'm sure that I've read that the wall is often at around 18 miles, no sign of it yet. Also, I did better with food side of things this time. Last time I took banana loaf (fine) and peanuts (not fine) they made me extremely thirsty and I nearly ran out of water and the little bits kept trying to get stuck in my throat. This time I took banana loaf and jelly beans. Although I was a bit sick of sweet stuff by the end of it, it did work and they don't attack you or make you so thirsty. I may have to think of something else as well though, I can't face many more jelly beans and there are longer runs yet to come! Oh, and it took me 3 hours and 24 minutes using the 9 minute 1 minute pattern throughout. So, I am up to date with my training and feeling suitably pleased with myself for having managed to run the furthest ever so far - woohoo!

Distance: 258 miles

Time: 47:57:29

Calories: 24,691