I think I may be a fair weather runner.... the rain, hail, sleet, snow and freezing temperatures over the last couple of weeks seem to have an major impact on my motivation. I've had to force myself into my trainers to get out there and run. Sometimes, like yesterday when the wind and rain didn't stop, I haven't even got out of the front door at all. My parkrun times in April have been getting slower not quicker, although running through driving rain does seem a good excuse for being a little bit off PB pace. Long runs have been non-existant for the last three weeks, although I did manage some speed work and hill reps last week - mainly thanks to Kirsten's encouragement.
Perhaps its just a natural lull after the excitement of achieving my half marathon goals in Stafford back in March. Or did I eat too much chocolate cheesecake in celebration? Maybe I just needed to let myself recover for a little bit longer, or I've reached a plateau. Perhaps I've been expecting a bit too much of myself - it's not that long since running at all was a big challenge for me - and I need to remember what I've achieved so far and enjoy my running.
Or maybe I need to get serious about my new goal!
Just before the bad weather set in, I signed up for the Potters 'Arf Marathon - its on Sunday June 10th and follows an up and down route through Hanley, Fenton, Longton, Bentilee, Bucknall, Milton, Baddeley Green, Sneyd Green and back to Hanley. It includes the notorious (and very steep) Anchor Road and just before the end, there is another steep incline up Milton Road a.k.a. Heartbreak Hill.
I've run parts of the route many times and actually ran the whole route earlier in April with the 6 Towns Runner as part of his 2012 challenge to run 12 half marathons in 12 days.
I'm hoping that my training for the Potters 'Arf is back on track after completing 9.5 miles yesterday. Admittedly, I waited for the sun to come out, but then I did get out there and run. It was still windy but so much warmer than it has been over the last few days and the rain stayed away completely. And it was enjoyable to be out there running again. Today doesn't look so good but I hope to be out and about with the Potters Trotters this evening to keep up my training. And to enjoy it too.
Now, I have just under 6 weeks to prepare for my next half marathon challenge - wish me luck!
Happy Running!
LizT
Perhaps its just a natural lull after the excitement of achieving my half marathon goals in Stafford back in March. Or did I eat too much chocolate cheesecake in celebration? Maybe I just needed to let myself recover for a little bit longer, or I've reached a plateau. Perhaps I've been expecting a bit too much of myself - it's not that long since running at all was a big challenge for me - and I need to remember what I've achieved so far and enjoy my running.
Or maybe I need to get serious about my new goal!
Just before the bad weather set in, I signed up for the Potters 'Arf Marathon - its on Sunday June 10th and follows an up and down route through Hanley, Fenton, Longton, Bentilee, Bucknall, Milton, Baddeley Green, Sneyd Green and back to Hanley. It includes the notorious (and very steep) Anchor Road and just before the end, there is another steep incline up Milton Road a.k.a. Heartbreak Hill.
I've run parts of the route many times and actually ran the whole route earlier in April with the 6 Towns Runner as part of his 2012 challenge to run 12 half marathons in 12 days.
I'm hoping that my training for the Potters 'Arf is back on track after completing 9.5 miles yesterday. Admittedly, I waited for the sun to come out, but then I did get out there and run. It was still windy but so much warmer than it has been over the last few days and the rain stayed away completely. And it was enjoyable to be out there running again. Today doesn't look so good but I hope to be out and about with the Potters Trotters this evening to keep up my training. And to enjoy it too.
Now, I have just under 6 weeks to prepare for my next half marathon challenge - wish me luck!
Happy Running!
LizT
Great post Liz, admittedly it is a struggle when the bad weather is upon us. But having the Potters arf' on the horizon is a great motivator, also knowing that the central heating is on a home also helps ;)
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