Build up to Brathay

So since I  last wrote my training hasn't progressed a great deal. The sore knee I mentioned last time out has continued to bother me, although a regime of stretching and strengthening exercises is gradually increasing the time/distance I can cover prior to the onset of pain. I was also struck down with a vomitting and diarrhoea bug for a few days during which I wasn't really able eat leaving me feeling incredibly weak. So in the last two weeks the longest run I've managed is about 6 miles! not really the sort of distances I was planning on covering at this stage. I also attended a Stag party this weekend in York for my soon to be brother-in-law. So all in all a pretty good example of how training plans can be easily disrupted. However I've not let it get me down (too much), I got my diary out and replanned my training for the next month so I can hopefully get back on track with where I need to be before I start to taper for he big event. As well as changing my schedule I've had to look at the types of training I'm doing. Due to the current problem with my knee I've been trying to keep the length of my training sessions up by running on the treadmill until the pain starts then switching to the exercise bike and continuing on there for the equivalent time. for example I was planning a 15 mile run (~2hr 15min), I ran for 55 mins before the knee started to niggle then switched to the bike for 1hr 20mins. I have also focused more on the shorter sessions with a more speed work and High Intensity Interval Training. Runners world - article on HIIT  

In two weeks time I will be participating in the Brathay Windermere Marathon, my original plan was to ease my training back over this next two week period, tapering slightly to give myself a chance at running a good time for this, my first ever marathon. However seeing as I've done less than I would have like over the last 2-3 weeks I will just be incorporating it into my schedule as my weekly long run and continue with the other training. It should be a really tough but enjoyable challenge as the course is very hilly but has some beautiful scenery. Ill be aiming for around 4 hours, but realistically I'll be happy as long as my knee doesn't stop me from finishing. With that in mind I'm off to do so stretching. I have a busy work week coming up so I'm going to have to be very disciplined and make sure I get my runs in where I can.

next installment will hopefully be after a successful run at the marathon, speak to you in a couple of weeks!