26 days and counting

OK, so I've been a bit negligent on the blogging front but fortunately not on the running front.
Highlights include keeping up with the club runs, I'm no longer at the back on the efforts or time trials. I'm at the front of the slow group so probably time to move up to be at the back of the middle group.

About ten days ago I did a 15 mile run over the Long Mynd with Eddie from the club. I'd post a map but I've no idea really of the route. Eddie tells me we did 2500ft of climbing (which did me in) in about 3hrs 15. He finished looking fresh and I just looked finished. Anyway good strength training.

Yesterday I did my longest run so far at 19.22 miles in 3 hours 25 minutes. It's a bit slow, 10 minute miles so here's my defence. 1) I had too many stops, messing around with my shoelaces. 2) I had a genuine stop to change top and pick up some fluid gels off my better half 3) I didn't quite take on enough fluid and got a bit tired 4) It was a mix of cross country and road and the river sections were quite awkward footing 5) I finished with a couple of hills 6) It's a chuffing long way OK!!!

Actually I was really pleased to manage it and it's given me loads of confidence that I can have a real go at the 4 hour mark on the 26th. I may not run further than that until the day, I'll chat with the guys at the club and get their advice.

Here's my route

New Shoes

So I've stuck with Asics for the second pair in a row. I've 600 miles to road test these. 10 miles in and so far so good. These shoes will hopefully keep my feet safe around London on April 26th.

These are the Stratus and apparently they are:

• Top of the range running trainers from Asics
• Air mesh upper : Synthetic leather : 3M Reflective piping : SpEVA midsole
• Visible Rearfoot GEL and Forefoot GEL makes this an extremely cushioned trainer
• Forefoot has Trusstic and heel has AHAR+ heel
• DuraSponge rubber Forefoot
• SpEVA 45 lasted
• Removable compression molded EVA sockliner
• A very lightweight, cushioned running trainer for the serious athlete

I am now therefore a serious athlete.

7 miles in new shoes

After a couple of frustrating runs - too much mud, too much kit, too aching limbs - it was good to get out and run a decent time over a decent distance. 7 miles just under an hour. 8.30 minute miles. Nice to run in some new kit too.

Run in the rain

Had a really busy week and just didn't run at all - that's not no exercise but it is no running and the marathon is way too close for comfort for that to happen again. So out I went today and club run tomorrow. So today was a loosener for tomorrow which will be a loosener for a long run on Saturday (I hope about 15-16 miles). It was pretty wet but I quite enjoyed that but getting the right amount of gear to avoid getting either too cold or too hot is quite tricky. Anway 4.58 miles in 38 minutes, 7 miles an hour and if I kept that up I'd run a marathon in 3 hours 40 something. Possible? Hmmm.