Having not started 2017 how I intended too I have missed the opportunity to run a spring marathon sadly. It has been a rocky road to recovery but seeing progress and feeling improvement from Glandular I have gradually increased the miles. Recovery started with Maidenhead 10 and then incorporating a 1 x weekly track session. Also on the weekend of Maidenhead 10 ( 16th April), I managed a 25 mile run around the local track averaging 7:05 pace ( quicker than intended race pace) on what was a long training week with overall miles tallying 90.
Beyond this the week later I upped the anti and again this was to run on the track which was a safety net if I felt unwell, it’s quiet and I could test my running kit, water/drinks strategy. This time I achieved 31 miles ( 50k) at 7.00 min miling pace in 3hrs 38.10 and came off this feeling tired but also positive on the progress having only a month earlier been unable to run a few miles without fatigue. The final long run was the last Saturday in April and 22 miles, this time I wanted slightly shorter after a stacked week of miles a quicker pace. Starting at the race time of 7.30am I ran 20 miles on the track and due to the slower miles running to the track had to pick up pace to complete in a quicker time than the past 2 weekend runs. Last few miles were at 6.40/45 pace with an overall finish pace of 6.58. Helping on an event on Sunday I used the day to then sweep the course and tally up a 14 mile run finishing the week mileage at 95. With time running out and not wanting to be exhausted for the May 100k and no marathon completed this will have to be it.
The final long run was the last Saturday in April and 22 miles, this time I wanted slightly shorter after a stacked week of miles a quicker pace. Starting at the race time of 7.30am I ran 20 miles on the track and due to the slower miles running to the track had to pick up the pace to complete in a quicker time than the past 2 weekend runs. Last few miles were at 6.40/45 pace with an overall finish pace of 6.58. Helping on an event on Sunday I used the day to then sweep the course and tally up a 14 mile run finishing the week mileage at 95. With time running out and not wanting to be exhausted for the May 100k and no marathon completed this will have to be it. I feel in myself better but equally conscious with the last few days suffering dehydration and tiredness that Glandular Fever is lurking in the background.