Marathon Training: Week 6

Week 6

Monday 8^th June – Rest day

Tuesday 9^th June – Rest day with 60minutes walking

Wednesday 10^th June

Distance: 6.48km

Location: Altona

A new challenge, just what I needed to keep motivation high and give me something to target.

I took up the advice of my coach Keith Fearnley along with some fellow running enthusiasts and signed up for the Wellington Marathon in New Zealand on Sunday 5^th July.

With just under a month to go and training going fairly well, a marathon on the Oceania continent was in-sight.

This run was a short one designed to get my legs moving again after the previous long run and at 60% effort it meant I could relax in to the pace and really start to think about my plan ahead in order to conquer Wellington.

Thursday 11^th June

Distance: 9.62km

Location: Altona

With fresh enthusiasm I decided that I would take my running clothes to work so that I could get changed straight after my shift and hit the road.

It was an absolutely beautiful day, the sun was out so thought I best make use of it and run along the Pier then on to the Esplanade and back around to my favourite spot, Altona Hill.

KF had instructed me to do 10x100m sprints up the hill and walk down for recovery, the first few I flew up then things started getting tough and I could feel it in the tops of my legs.

The last two sprints I gave everything I had left to make sure I was getting the best out of my session.

After the hill reps I completed a number of movements to help activate other muscles including skipping, side steps, high knees, butt kicks and jumping jacks.

Because of al these slow movements and the walking recovery my pace had dropped a lot on Nike+ but the encouraging signs were that I was able to bring my pace right down again on my last two kilometres.

Friday 12^th June

Distance: 6.01lm

Location: Altona beach

My shins were sore today probably from the hill reps and having to walk approx. 15-20km at work, it was tough going but it all helps build strength and character.

My determination did not falter and off I set as soon as I finished work, once again another sunny day in paradise.

With my shins a bit soar, I decided against more hill reps and instead did eight lengths of Altona beach, back and forth on the sand with the soft cushioning helping each time I land.

I could really feel it in my thighs, plus my pace was really slow (but not too important)

With 3km left to get home, the concrete was a welcome return and my pace soon increased dramatically.

Saturday 13^th June

Run scheduled but not completed due to extended day at work and tiredness.

I must average approximately between 15km-20km at work per a 7-8 hour shift so the movement today will still help in training.

Sunday 14^th June

Distance: 9.38km

Location: Altona

Long run scheduled but due to late call to cover someone at work, I only had time to run for 50minutes, still better than nothing.

For 50minutes it was fast paced and I felt really good throughout. It was another glorious day and with plenty of other runners out along the Esplanade it really was a shame I had to cut it short.