Je Vais Faire Un Jogging

Having signed up for my second ever 10k race only 2 weeks after my first ever 10k race, I should have spent the weekend in between relaxing, doing some light exercise and chilling out.

Instead, I went to France and ate my bodyweight in roquefort, camembert, baguette, soup de poisson and coffee eclairs. Because that’s what going on holiday is all about.

However, I did head out on the Sunday morning for a run (fuelled by camembert) and managed a delightfully pleasant and hilly 8.5kms in the glorious sunshine.

I had to run on the roads for most of the run (don’t worry mum, I ran into the traffic) but the French drivers were very courteous and gave me lots of space in my luminous yellow leggings.

The blue skies were endless and I felt on top of the world as I powered up and down the hills. The only downside is that it was so hot in the sun I was sweating a bucketload (*sweaty selfie alert*)….

Once I made it into the town there were a few more people around and it felt much more like running in London so I stopped shortly after the bridge below.

It was one of the best runs I’ve had so far, I felt strong and steady in my rhythm and didn’t struggle too much with the hills. I feel in the perfect position to take on the Women’s 10k in Finsbury Park on Saturday, bring it on!

Run To The Beat 10km Training - Part 1

If you’ve been following this blog since the beginning, you’ll know that I started it with a post about how I was getting back into fitness through running. You might also have noticed that I have a love/hate relationship with running. Which is why I decided to sign up to Run To The Beat 10k to prove to myself that I can run and I can also ‘be a runner’.

So this is part 1 of my training route to the 10k on September 14th.

I’m following a 5k to 10k training programme to help me judge my training and pace and it’s working really well!

Week 1:

Monday - Rest day - totally nailed this one

Tuesday - 20 minute run (moderate) - skipped this and went to a 60 minute Warriors (boxing fitness class)

Wednesday - Rest day - I felt like a run so I did! 2.45km at 06:27 average pace followed by 60 minute boxing class

Thursday - 20 minute run (moderate) - skipped this for a 30 minute cycle and 30 minute PT session

Friday - 20 minute run (easy) - did this on the treadmill at the gym followed by 35 minutes of making up my own circuits

Saturday - Rest day - easy peasy

Sunday - 35 minutes long run - I did 30 minutes at 06:43 pace and then a 30 minute PT session (in the pissing rain…)

Week 2:

Monday - Rest day - which was lucky as I had a tummy bug

Tuesday - 25 minute run moderate - Skipped this to go to 60 minute yoga class which was much kinder on my tummy than a run

Wednesday - Rest day - I did a 21 minute run at a pace of 06:21 and then a 30 minute PT session

Thursday - 30 minute run moderate - life got in the way of this one but I did a 40 minute cycle instead

Friday - 25 minute run easy - did this one on the treadmill in the gym followed by a 30 minute circuit session including TRX, battle ropes and trying not to laugh at the gym posers

Saturday - Rest day - Squeezed in a 30 minute PT session

Sunday - 40 minute long run - This is tomorrow’s challenge and I’m a little nervous as it’s going to be the longest that I’ll have ever run. Watch this space!

I’ve also been making sure that I’m eating plenty of food as running on a calorie deficit is just plain miserable. I’ve reintroduced protein shakes in the mornings with salads for lunch and a good sized snack in the afternoons even if I’m not hungry followed by a dinner that includes protein, carbs and good fats.

Even though I might not be sticking to the plan exactly, my running is feeling stronger, my little legs are moving faster than they ever have before and I’m starting to believe that a 10k might actually be in my reach!