So after an easy week of sorts last week it was all about getting back to normal this week with only a couple of peak weeks left to go before tapering/easing off for London.
As usual with me though things never do seem to go exactly to plan. On Monday I joined the Balbriggan Roadrunners group for 5.75 miles at an easy pace around Balbriggan. Achilles felt a tad tight after the long run the day before but nothing major.
Tuesday is speed night and Gary had told me in advance to get there early and start into a 50 min Tempo at 1/2 marathon pace. After a 1.5 mile warm up and some stretching I set out on laps and laps of the track, felt a bit sluggish for the first 10 minutes or so but built into it and finished with 7:26 pace for the 50 mins. Wrapped up with a mile cool down.
Wednesday was a 6 mile recovery and the Achilles was throbbing a bit and ended up getting it looked at by Mark that evening. Had a couple of days off on Thursday/Friday and didn't really want the tempo hanging over me so set out on Thursday to see could I manage it. Got going after a 1 mile warm up on my usual loop where I could stop if I needed to and not be too far from home. Once I got 5/6 miles into it I was going to finish it as I didn't want to have to do it again. Managed the 11 miles @ 7:56 pace but it wasn't pleasant. The pace wasn't an issue just the pain and picking up a nice blood blister on the other foot :-( Was pretty difficult to walk later that day but with the tempo out of the way I was happy to take a couple of days off and let things settle down a bit.
Came back at it on Sunday with 4.3 miles at an easy pace. Didn't really feel the love for this one to be honest and was still in pain but not as bad. I think the run the next day was hanging over me a bit. Spent a good bit of the evening icing the Achilles and foam rolling as well. What a wonderful way to spend your bank holiday Sunday night.
The plan for Monday was 7 miles before the Balbriggan 1/2 marathon at around 8:40 pace and then do the first 7 miles of that at 8:30 and the last 6 at 8:20. I honestly didn't know doing the warm up miles if I would even be lining up at the start. I had committed to meeting Niall Campbell though so I just got on with it and got through them ok though without much discomfort and made the start line just in time. Took off at an easy pace but the start is downhill so by the time I was joined by a friend of mine Matt towards the end of the first mile the pace was a bit fast at under 8 min miles. We toddled along and chatted and the miles ticked off and soon enough we had a loop done. The pace felt pretty easy and not pushing it, although quicker than it should have been. Legs tired a bit on the 2nd loop but not surprising with the amount of hills. Was really happy to get to the finish in one piece and think I finished in 1:46:xx without ever really forcing the pace.
I suppose the bad news again is that I haven't run since but I kind of expected that after Monday and got some dry needling (ouch) on the Achilles on Tuesday night from the ever reliable Mark. I think it's probably sensible to try and get it sorted properly now and take a couple of rest days than have it linger on closer to the marathon.
All in all still 57 odd miles over the 8 days. It could be worse.
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