We all have weeks when things just don’t go to plan. Last week was one of those weeks for me. I didn’t enjoy my training it was almost as though my love of running had flown away and gone on holiday.
I had my usual two long runs which turned out to be a complete disaster, I only managed half the distance on both occasions as I just couldn’t be bothered. My right leg is bothering me, chest was tight and it has become very boring running the same routes that I’ve been doing for years. Good grief I sound like a very miserable person (I’m not really!) I have the TP100 coming up in a few weeks time and my confidence in my ability is at a very low point, so low I very nearly pulled out – we shall see.
The solution was to not do any running on Saturday or Sunday; rest up my leg, relax and start the following week with my usual enthusiasm.
Saturday I drove to Sandown Park for the Triathlon Show, great to catch up with Wes and be part of the Beyond the Ultimate Team for a day. My talk was taking place at 1.30 and when I checked the schedule I noticed that the other person speaking at the same time as me was Chrissie Wellington – for goodness sakes, how can I have a chance of getting people to come and listen to my talk when you have the Queen of Triathlons talking next door – PANIC!
Thankfully I had quite a lot of marvellous people who were interested in coming to listen to me which was a huge relief and great to be able to chat to some of them before the talk began. I realise how lucky I am being able to go and give talks and meet some fantastic people who are either just setting out on their Ultra running adventure or have been doing it for a few years and have some great stories to tell, that’s why our sport is so fantastic.
Sunday I was supposed to be helping out at a 100 mile race, but due to the high level of drop-outs my assistance wasn’t required which meant a lovely day at home with HWMBO and the added bonus of Wayward Daughter No. 1 and family popping round – perfect end to the week.
Having thought about my lousy week of running last week, I decided that I need to find some different routes without driving for miles. So on Monday armed with my marked map and GPS I parked at Smallhythe in Tenterden and ran along the High Weald Landscape Trail – fantastic. I was amazed that I could run from Tenterden all the way to Cranbrook without going on the roads very much, felt fantastic. Got lost a few times but that didn’t matter and 6 hours later returned to the car without noticing the time – result! The only negative about the run was my tight chest and stupidly I thought my inhaler was in my pack but it wasn’t – that will teach me to double check.
The horses were extremely relaxed!!
Tuesday was another good day, tyre dragging in the morning followed by another session in the afternoon and today I did my second long run. I’m still having issues with my right leg but that will get sorted and my confidence is still low, I just don’t feel ready to race, but will keep positive and hopefully everything will fall into place.
I received some beautiful flowers today from Beyond the Ultimate to say thank you for me talk – how marvellous they really cheered me up. Then, Son & Heir to Nothing returned from his week away with a present for me, I’m feeling loved!
Happy Training
