WORK – LIFE – FITNESS – FOOD – FUN

Peak week is over. Thank goodness.

High miles. High temps. Moore lesson learned in what I need to pack and bring with me for the big dance which takes place on 11-12 July.

Let the taper begin!

Scheduled run distance in ( )
Mon - taught 45 min spin class; weights session
Tues - 6.5 km run, 29 min toga
Wed - 4 mile total bike ride, weights at home
Thurs - 0km (5km), rest day
Friday - physiotherapy on the stairs 
Saturday - 50 km (50km) 
Sunday - 10km (5km) 


#running
#ultrarunning
#peakweek
#timetotaper
#ultratraining ...

Peak week has come and gone!

My training schedule had 50km on the plan for yesterday and 5km for today. I decided to take part in a parkrun, followed by a marathon to build up to 50km, on Saturday. And today was the Welwyn 10k.

Both days were hot and sunny. Each provided valuable lessons on what I need to do, eat and drink for my 100km race (over 2 days) in July. Each also provided a medal! The marathon medal is a pink belt buckle. The 10k `medal` is made of wood and has a pig on it.

The mental training is what is currently lacking. I was able to listen to some runes during the marathon, which helped me chug along. However, today`s 10k in the blazing sun without a hat really slowed me down. My legs felt fine but my body was empty. After walking for a kilometer, we reached some shade which made all the difference in the world.

Legs are a little stiff but my osteo will sort me out on Wednesday. I am so glad that is over. It is smooth sailing for the next 2 weeks as I am now officially tapering.

Thank you to everyone who messaged in reply to my stories over the weekend. I appreciate it!

#medalmonday #ultratraining
#runner #toohottorun #runrunrun ...

What a week! It has been so busy, I haven`t yet had time to share what I got up to with @sportsdirectrunning and @salomonrunning on Tuesday night.

We were celebrating their Gravel range- shoes that work on both trail and pavement . I have been running in the Aero Blaze 3 GTX #gifted for a few months now and love how stable they are. I know whether the ground is dry or muddy, these shoes are comfortable to run in.

We ran about 7 km from Oxford Street to Shoreditch along the pavement. We ended up doing yoga along the canal, hitting up the sauna, and taking a cold sip. Plus there was cold beer and delicious pitas. It was pretty cool to attend such a unique event (normally, there would not be yoga or sauna time. I even got to catch up with a few friends and make new ones.

Big thanks to #salomon for inviting me along. I can`t wait to see what running shoes you come up with next.

#LondonRunning #sportsdirect #running PRinvite ...

**OOPS it is only week 9**

How is it already week 9 of training for Race To The Stones? With 4 weeks left until my 100km race (50km two days in a row), it is time to buckle down.

Last week, I was pretty tired (I assume due to the two days of running over the weekend). It took a bit to figure out when to rest and when to push. Work was a bit crazy so it made resting on Wednesday with a Jack and Diet essential.

My focus going forward is back on strength training. No more skipping lifting sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. A strong runner is an excellent runner.

Here is my recap from last week:

Scheduled run distance in ( )
Mon - taught 45 min spin class then was meant to have a doctor`s appointment at 7:50pm but it was cancelled last minute. No time to run or lift after that.
Tues - osteo appointment at @hatfieldpractice
Wed - physiotherapy on stairs; skipped my weights session after a tough day at work
Thurs - 9km run (10km);
Friday - physiotherapy on the stairs
Saturday - 20 km (18km)
Sunday - rest, 3 hours of gardening (and today my back is killing me)

What exercises do you find most beneficial for trail running? I would love to mix up my current routine.


#ultratraining #racetothestones #runner
#thisgirlruns #osteopathy ...

How are we already at week 8?

Happy to say, I am back baby! After 2 weeks off the plan, I really wanted to keep the required mileage over the weekend with back-to-back long runs. It was a test to see how my training so far was going and what I need to focus on for the next 4 weeks. Sunday, I treated myself to a change in scene by running in London (see yesterday`s post for more info).

Strength training is something I have been slacking on and my sore body was proof of that. It was a good wake up call.

Here is how last week went in terms of training:

Scheduled run distance in ( )
Mon - rest day, driving back from Wales 
Tues - taught 2 spin classes
Wed - taught 25 min spin and 45 min boot camp
Thurs - 5km run (0km); (DOMS in my legs from boot camp)
Friday - rest day
Saturday - 32 km (32km) 
Sunday - 21.1 km (21km)

How do you motivate yourself to get strength training in?


#ultratraining
#trainingupdate
#highmiles
#racetothestones
#runner ...

Oh the places you`ll go!

This was a big mileage weekend for me. 32km on Saturday and 21 km on Sunday. After 2 weeks of reduced miles, I was adamant that I needed to hit the prescribed distance.

Saturday was forecasted to be heavy rain but luckily it showered on and off. I ran to parkrun, did parkrun, ran for cookies and then headed to Panshanger Park. There, I ran the parkrun route and enjoyed the views. From there, I w ted to run home but Google put me on a motorway so I walked for quite a while (sadly, there wasn`t any phone signal to call an Uber). I completed the distance with lots of additional time in my feet.

Today, I planned on ending my run at @technogym in Mayfair as my friend @therunnerbeans was hosting. I headed into London early for a change of scenery. A cancelled train meant I was delayed in starting so after the Technogym run I still had a mile to go. The 5km run itself was great. I saw some people I hadn`t seen in a while (hi @bethantaylorswaine and @youleanmeup ) and met members of the @deafrunclub . Plus the sun was shining!

Of course I am tired and hungry. The weekend gave me good experiences that I can use in 5 weeks at Race To The Stones. I just hope it doesn`t pour that weekend!

#ultratraining #londonrunner #thisgirlruns #running #londonrunningcommunity ...

Happy Global Running Day!

Since 2006, running has been a big part of my life. I may not be great at it, but I have met extraordinary people because of it and seen some pretty cool places too.

Am I crazy to want everyone to enjoy running too? Enjoyment comes with feeling included, which is something often missed in group runs.

That is why I created @findarunclub This free directory is a tool for runners to find a community that suits their needs (and pace).

Who do you run with? What makes them your running family? Tell me in the links below.


#globalrunningday #londonrunners #thisgirlruns #running #loverunning ...

My cold has been hanging on. I called in sick to my scheduled spin classes on Monday and Tuesday (which I hate doing but needs must). Using my Suunto watch data, my Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has also been helpful in justifying when I should rest vs workout.

On Saturday, we were in Porthcawl, Wales and I left the hotel too late to get more km in. I was feeling pretty good after 20km, even though it was super sunny. My goal had been at least a half marathon but we had to check out of the hotel. We did a bit of walking along the coast later so there was additional time on my feet. Plus Sunday was a good hike on Skomer Island while carrying a heavy rucksack on trails.

All in all, not a perfect week but I am slowly getting back on track. This weekend`s plan is a long run on Saturday and Sunday. My goal is to get them both done. Check back next Monday to see how I do!

Scheduled run distance in ( )
Mon - resting with a cold and heat wave. 
Tues - physiotherapy on the stairs, 5km weighted walk on treadmill 
Wed - rest due to poor hrv and I felt tired
Thurs - 10km run (14km) have a cold; physiotherapy on stairs 
Friday - rest day, driving to Wales
Saturday - 20 km (32km), 37,000+ steps
Sunday - 8.5 km hike to see puffins, 18,000+ steps



#ultrarunning #trainingupdate #runnergirl
#ihaveacold #runner ...