Not as solid on training this week but happy with what I had managed given the circumstances. Phillips Nan was down for the week, which meant no during the week as I usually setup in the dining/living room area which was where she spent most of her time.

Monday
Usual swim lesson. Started with 2 lengths of each stroke(front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and dreaded butterfly). Afterwards we had a couple of things to tick off our list. First up was on our backs carrying a weighted block. There was only 2 blocks for the whole pool.. a 1kg and a 5kg.. the 1kg was taken, so I just went with the 5kg.. and it was so hard! my head kept going in the water, I was being weighed down by the block. I've never kicked so fast to get it done! xD

Next up was some Roly Polys(tumble turns), I sat out like the wimp I am and watched everyone else. though I do realise this doesn't help me and I really need to give it a go.. I'll never do it if I don't keep trying it!

Lastly we did some jumping into the pool and some diving. Uhh.. No! I don't know what it is or whats caused it by I have a massive fear of jumping into the pool. So diving was out of the question(I did a seated dive and felt really stupid!). After 10 minutes of being frustrated with myself, I finally managed to squat down and jump into the pool. It wasn't bad! but I know when the coach asks us to do it again I'll struggle again!

Tuesday
It was really miserable and wet! I headed out with Phillip, donned in my Waterproof jacket, it was raining right from the off - which is always really hard. If it's raining whilst Im already out, Im totally OK with it, however, it's so much harder to go out for a run when it's already raining!
I did 4.09 miles in 40:10 with an average of 9:49min/mi which I was happy about. The fact that Im consistently below 10mins makes me happy!

I ended the run with some stretching. I've been having some hip/groin discomfort towards the end of my longer runs(9 miles+) so I've been making more of an effort to stretch out. If anyone has had the same issue - tell me, what did you do?

Thursday
Headed out for some wind training! ;) Storm Doris was in full swing but I wasn't gonna let her stop me. There wasn't any rain at first but it was really windy the whole time. However, a couple of minutes into my run, the rain started and that combined with the wind was horrendous!

The calm before the storm..

I arrived back looking like I'd been thrown in the river and then dragged out and through some bushes! My hair was a state. Despite that - I managed a respectable 5k in 30 minutes dead on with an average pace of 9:46 which I wasn't expecting, especially given the headwind for most of my run, it was damn tough!

Sunday
Headed out with Phillip for a 6 mile run since I'm tapering for the race this weekend. It was pretty windy at points, especially out in the open country roads but overall really happy with the run except for one little point.

Wearing all Skins Compression - including the beautiful Botanica Print! <3

I needed the toilet for the last 2 miles of my run and had to slow down as there was nowhere I could stop! I hate getting caught short!  but it happens to everyone at least once right?

I managed the 6k in 1:00:21.. 22 seconds off a sub one hour! If you're upto date, you know I got my first sub 1hr on my 10k race at the beginning of Feb.. so I was delighted to see that I would have done it again if I hadn't have needed the toilet! Damn!

The run definitely instilled some more confidence in myself. For the first time, I actually feel like my training has been on point and Im feeling ready and confident in having a good race.

If I run this half like I have been doing for training, I should smash it. I mentioned in one of my earlier training diaries that my main aim for the half was to finish it by running the whole way without walk breaks. Im fairly confident I'll be able to do that.

Second was to get a PB, which Im hopeful for too, especially from my last couple of weeks of training, however, Im not going to get my hopes up too much.. as anything can go wrong on the day. I'll just do what I've been doing throughout my training.. and whatever happens happens!
My race bib arrived last week and I'm looking forward to hanging another medal on my rack! :)

Just 1 week to go!

---

Im linking up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC again to share training diaries with other runners! So check out the linkup on her blog! :) Also, if you want to catch up on my other training diaries, you can find them all HERE.

Question: Ever been caught short on a run? How do you prevent it? Do you like jumping/diving into a swimming pool?

A solid week of training this week. A had an iffy run this week and a really crap swim session but all in all happy about my training this week and felt very proud at the end of last week. I have 2 weeks until race day. My race bib arrived today so it's very real.. but Im feeling more prepared for a race than I ever have and that can only be a good sign.

Monday
Our regular swim coach was back this week and there was no silly lane split, thank god! We focused a lot on swimming drills and I came away with a lot of homework and things to focus on. We started with front crawl kickboard drills, I need to work on straightening up a bit. Apparently I arch my back(which was quite hard NOT to do when we had to keep our heads out of the water), the arching is causing some drag in the water and it would help if I didn't do it!

We moved on to some backstroke drills, first just kicking, which also needs work.. apparently I kick with my knees rather than my feet which isn't good technique.. I didn't even realise I was doing it!

I also need to work on my arms with backstroke, my arms come out looking like T-rex arms all tucked up instead of straight(sounds comical I know!).
All in all a good session!

Tuesday
I hadn't planned a run.. it was valentines day.. in the evening after work I decided I needed to work off some of my planned evening meal calories off so I went out for a quick run. 3 miles - 29:50 - 9:53 min/mi.. not bad and happy to be able to maintain under 10 min/mi for my runs lately.

Wednesday
THE most frustrating swim EVER. I went for a swim on my lunch break. First off I forgot to start my watch at the beginning of my swim.. didn't realise until 25 minutes in.. doh! Im guessing I did around 1200-1400m.

But lets talk about some things that happened! RANT TIME.
A guy jumped into the deep end of the fast lane with flippers on.. and then got out at the other end.. disappeared and then came back.. repeat. Annoying!

Countless people who do not know general pool etiquette piss me off so bad. If you're slower and theres someone right behind you at the end of your length, let them go first, damn! and especially if you're using a float!

Last but not least.. and most disgusting of all.. A guy jumped in the pool, cutting me up to start his first length and as I pushed off the wall, I could see a plaster float to the top of the water from him. Bloody hell! EW.

Thursday
Hadn't planned on running but ended up heading out with Phillip late in the evening for a quick run. We spent the run chatting or him laughing at my expense as I really needed the toilet and had to keep stopping(I hate when that happens!).
Despite that, we did just under 5k(3.07) in 30:43 - 10 min/mi on the dot.

Saturday
Parkrun day after a 2 week break. Lesson 1: Don't eat breakfast you've never run on before - My breakfast was repeating on me and didn't not sit well on my stomach. My legs felt completely fatigued on this run, I was totally lacking energy, most likely from the breakfast. I also wore 1 too many layers and was too hot and overheated so ended up with a headache. Generally not a great run but managed the 5k in 30:21 managing 9:58 min/mi average pace. Not too shabby given how I was feeling.
Sunday
Headed out really early in the morning for my last long run before training. 11.47 Miles - 1:55:57 - 10:07 min/mi average pace.

Totally happy about how my run went! feeling proud of getting through all my long runs for this training cycle. Feeling rather positive about getting a good time for the half in two weeks.
I am feeling slightly nervous. I have mentioned on here and my social media that I'll be on for a PB if I can do the same in my race as I have been doing the last few weeks. However, I'm worried that Ive talked about it and it wont happen! Not that anyone is really going to be bothered other than me if I didn't.. but I've wanted it for ages and it would be pretty crap if I didn't do it.

So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.. but I need to not beat myself up about it if something doesn't go to plan on the day!
--
As an extra, I thought it'd be fun to do training vlogs every now and again to let people get a little insight into my runs, I filmed my 10 miler last week and t's live on my youtube to watch, i've embedded it below if you wanna check it out:

---

Im linking up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC again to share training diaries with other runners! So check out the linkup on her blog! :) Also, if you want to catch up on my other training diaries, you can find them all HERE.

Question: Do you prefer running on your own or with someone else? What do you typically have for food pre-run? 

Not a bad week of training this week given my fairly lousy week of training last week, minus my PB for the race last Sunday, which Im still pumped about! My running has been going surprisingly well despite my training not being 100% perfect.

Monday
A frustrating swim session. Our normal coach still isn't back, we had yet another different coach for the lesson - which isn't actually my problem. I actually like the variety of the different people and their teaching styles.

However! The half a pool we utilise for the swim lesson was split in half again, each half had enough space for 1 person going 1 way and 1 the other way, no room for overtaking. The coach asked us to pick the fast or slower lane based on our abilities. Im the sort of person that tends to not think Im good enough, so I went in the slower lane.. and I regretted it for the rest of the lesson. I was constantly stuck behind other people in the class and there doesn't appear to be any sort of sticking to swimming ettiquette. Usually if a swimmer is faster than me, I'll stop at the bottom and let them pass.. but that didn't happen.

A photo posted by Laura Dryden (@laura_fat2fit) on Feb 6, 2017 at 2:17pm PST

Instead, I spent just 10 minutes of a 30 minute lesson actually swimming. ugggh.. Thats the last time I underestimate my abilities.. Im going in the fast lane next time!
Wednesday
Got straight back to it with the running, no rest for the wicked since I have a half to continue training for. I did a quick 2 miles. Kept both miles under 10 min/mi. 9:35 average for both miles which I was pretty pleased with.

A photo posted by Laura Dryden (@laura_fat2fit) on Feb 8, 2017 at 2:48am PST

Thursday
Another day, another run, headed out for 3 miles - had the intention of doing negative splits and then got caught in waiting for traffic around the local school to cross over.. so my middle mile slowed significantly. Ended with 3 miles at 30:10 averaging 10:03 with splits of 9:57, 10:25 and 9:45 - at least I ran the last mile the fastest.

Friday
A not very redeeming swim session at lunch time. I had the intention of going in the morning to fit in a good swim session, however, traffic was horrendous in the morning, so I decided to go in work early and had back out at lunch. I ended up being stuck in traffic for the second time, I almost gave up but decided 20 minutes was better than nothing!

A photo posted by Laura Dryden (@laura_fat2fit) on Feb 10, 2017 at 5:47am PST

Saturday
No parkrun due to Phillip being on call, so decided on a Turbo Session instead. I dont know what possessed me to do so.. especially the day before a long run - but I picked a 20 mile, fairly flat route to do. To be honest, I didn't think I would complete it all and figured Id see how far I could get.

1:28:30 later. I'd completed 20 miles on the turbo. Boy does sitting on the seat for that long hurt, geez!

A photo posted by Laura Dryden (@laura_fat2fit) on Feb 11, 2017 at 10:07am PST

Sunday
The plan was to head out with Phillip for my Long Run(10 miles this week), he's been accompanying me on my long runs lately - it's been quite nice as I hate long distance running(Yes.. Im running a half marathon but hate long distance ;) ).

We headed out a lot later in the afternoon compared to usual early morning. I wont be doing that again, a heavier meal doesn't work very well for running. We planned to run the first half of the run at a slower pace along the river and faster miles on the way back along the road.

It didn't go exactly to plan.. my slower miles were supposed to be around 11:00min/mi with the last half of my run being at least 10:30.. closer to 10min/mi.

The first 5 were 10:38, 11:05, 10:33, 10:56 and 10:25. I find it SO hard to run slower than my usual pace.. if I wasn't paying attention to my watch.. which I don't most of the time, I just settle into my usual pace which appears to be around 10:30.

I did manage to speed up for the last half, despite my legs feeling a little ropey(most likely from the turbo session). Last 5 mile splits were 10:06, 10:07, 10:11, 10:23 and 10:25(the last two miles I could have sworn were slower than 11 as I was struggling! but alas, they were still under 10:30!).

A photo posted by Laura Dryden (@laura_fat2fit) on Feb 12, 2017 at 9:20am PST

So I finished up with 10:13 miles in 1:45:58 with an average pace of 10:13min/mi. I was so glad to be done with the run. I got a little emotional after finishing(you may see on a sneaky training vlog I filmed whilst I was out ;) ).

I've been getting quite overwhelmed with my running lately. I've been running so much better than I thought I would!

I worked out with Phillip that I would get a PB in a half marathon if i maintained my pace for the last 3 miles of the long run I completed. So it's looking positive. I just don't want to get my hopes up too much incase something goes wrong on the day. Im just gonna keep going with training and we will see what happens in 3 weeks!

---

Im linking up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC again to share training diaries with other runners! So check out the linkup on her blog! :) Also, if you want to catch up on my other training diaries, you can find them all HERE.

Question: Do you prefer shorter or longer runs/races? How do you cross train to compliment running?

Coming at you slightly late for an update on my training plan going into week two of training, I lost track of days and didn't realise it was Thursday! Oops! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Unfortunately, as was to be expected, training hasn't gone to plan this week due to Christmas holidays and also due to me getting sick! Everything was severely lacking this week and I was feeling horribly under the weather, so I'm off track!

Lets have a look at what happened this week anyway!

Monday
Swim Lesson - Had my last swimming lesson of the year - and it was the time to practice anything we think we needed to work on. I ended up doing quite alot of drills with a float to focus on breathing as I said that I felt like I was gasping for air when holding my breath between strokes.

It seemed to go OK but after some advice, I may try just breathing on one side every 2 strokes - I currently breathe bilaterally every 2 strokes and feel like I'm bursting for air before the 3rd stroke, so i will see what that is like, it may end up being worse! I do need to try and get into the pool sometime before my next swimming lesson on the 9th though, otherwise it will be at least 3 weeks without swimming!

Tuesday
4 Mile Run - Went for 4 miles with the dog and Jane. I kept it nice and easy and didn't push the pace too much as the dog can't run very far and it was quite an enjoyable run.
Wednesday 
Turbo - I finally(!) got back on the turbo after weeks and weeks of not going on it! and boy was it tough! I only did a 6.5 mile course and I was DONE! I was exhausted and definitely need to make sure I get on it more often!
Thursday
REST - I could feel the beginnings of a cold coming on.. I probably should have ran but ended up sitting it out. I wish I hadn't as I didn't know I wouldn't run again in a while!

Friday
REST - Cold got worse

Saturday
Walking and Pulling Suitcase.. aka REST - I was travelling that day and didn't bother running in the morning as I definitely wasn't feeling up to it!

Sunday
Christmas Day - REST - It's typically tradition with Phillip and Jane to run on Christmas Day before indulging on food.. I wasn't at home for Christmas, I was at my parents.. so I couldn't run with them.. but I was also feeling very ropey with my cold so there was no chance!

SO Adorable <3

I did spend most of the afternoon and evening running around after my adorable little niece, so I suppose that counts slightly!

She is growing up so so fast! She's nearly two! TWO!

---

So, as far as this week is concerned, I'm back to normal running wise, I have been running twice already this week now that the cold is easing up - I did miss a long run last week which I wasn't massively happy about so I definitely need to make sure I get one done this weekend.

Swimming I know is a no go for this week as I'm not at home and the weekend is out but may be able to fit in a turbo session and home workout to make up for the lack of activity last week.

I'll update you at the beginning of next week with how training has gone for this week.

Question: Anyone training for events? How has your training gone over the Christmas Period?

Like this post?

Follow me on Bloglovin' OR Subscribe for Email Updates

Other places to find me:

** Twitter ** Instagram ** Pinterest ** Facebook ** Google+ ** Youtube **

Like this post?

Follow me on Bloglovin' OR Subscribe for Email Updates

Other places to find me:

** Twitter ** Instagram ** Pinterest ** Facebook ** Google+ ** Youtube **

---

---