Training Log Archive: Becks

Blue course at Storthes Hall. Runnable woodland, ran hard the whole way as evidenced by heart rate! Left thumb compass at home and took old baseplate but wasn't settling so pretty much ran without, meant I wasn't 100% confident on a couple of the legs to point features. Still, 13 seconds down on Jenny (4 mins or so at same event last year) and legs were feeling great even after some really tough training. Rest now! Mmmm...

Start of two week's "rest." Aside from slightly long middle race at Storthes tomorrow 2 weeks of low impact, short easy sessions. Exhausted myself by the racing season last year so this is a move to stop this happening this year. Back into full volume training then on GG's training camp.

Busy day today so had to sneak in some early hills - went to Sainsburys with Mum and Dad and then ran back - did 10 x one min up then one min walk down up the big hill in Long Lee at interval pace, then slowed down to do the next big hill continuously and then ran back over the moor running in the heather for the last 20 mins. Legs feeling pretty dead now, but it's two week rest time! Amazing! I deserve it, it's been a tough few weeks. Despite feeling tired though am feeling strong and although there's no speedy edge, think I'm building up a really good base. Awesome.

C • Have a Happy Christmas Becky! 1

Had loads to do before I left Edinburgh for Christmas so ran to Marchmont to wake Drew up, To Rose's to drop off her make up and have a quick gossip, then to the bank on Hanover Street then across to Russell Road to pick up Jen's Christmas present, (thank goodness, talk about last minute timing!) and back home. Feeling really good when running despite the heavy legs and aching core from yesterday when I woke up, shame I can't hang around for a terrain session. Must have something to do with the glorious sunshine and huge number of people wandering around looking excited clutching packages. Time to go home!

Ran to gym where attempted strength session but was totally knackered so did various core circuity type stuff for 70 mins instead, including some ball work and boxing things, then ran to work. Carrying a big heavy ruck sac and feeling rather dead legged after a tough week so far.

Usual to work and back.

Kitch's Christmas Parlauf. 10 x 400 m handing over the partner and jogging 200m back to start so very little rest. Hard work, haven't run that hard in ages! Felt good though, form felt good. 33 mins warm up, 1.21 (1.22), 1.24 (1.20), 1.26 (1.20), 1.21 (1.20) 1.23 (1.18) 1.23 (1.19) 1.22 (1.18) 1.21 (1.18) 1.23 (1.21) 1.17. Claire W was my partner and was a little faster but racing Jase on them all. Was dead pleased with my form and the last lap was damned hard work but a lot faster. Nice long 30 odd minute warm down jog gossiping with Oleg then home for a nice warm bath. Great session, especially considering was really bloated when I start and felt like some kind of whale.

Hopefully put an end to the factor causing me to fall apart quite regularly over the last six months. Looking forward to easing off over the New Year then getting back in to some real focussed training starting with GG's training camp in Jan. Feeling a lot more positive than I have for a long time, though very empty at the same time. Confusion!

C • I'm looking forward to seeing ... 2

Just the usual work and back.

Strength session, my first hard set! Upped all my weights, same reps as usual, as follows: Back squat 30kg all the way to the ground, bench press 25kg, CGSLDL 35kg, Dumbbell row 10kg, weighted ab curls 10kg, Side plank 3 x 30 secs each side. Really tough, last couple a real effort in all sets, but much less wobbly on things like the bench press and back squat. So good!

Slightly faster recovery run then usual as Kitch joined me. Legs feeling much better by the end but more worth it for a good natter about next season, my aims and how to go about achieving them. Will write a bit of stuff sometime this week and then it's there to keep me going through the hard bits.