The sun has been shining, there is blossom on the trees, the nights are getting lighter, the clocks changed this weekend... it really does feel like spring is finally here.
The change of season seems to have had a positive impact on my running this week... the aches and pains of a couple of weeks ago have eased (rest really is best) and I've been clocking up the miles this week; all the time remembering to take things steady and focusing on recovering well after each run.
Yesterday, with the sun shining brightly and conditions practically perfect for running, I set out with another of my running buddies Jane for a long-ish run. We were playing it by ear... ready for a long run but not exactly sure how far or where we would go! The goal was to relax, spend time on our feet and enjoy the miles.
We settled on a canal route and headed out of Hanley along the Canal towards Endon... I run this way regularly and it always brings back good memories - this stretch of the canal is where my running journey began. On a sunny day, it's a lovely place to run and definitely one of my happy places, an escape from the city.
It wasn't long before we were passing through Milton, then under Leek New Road and on to Stockton Brook. We stopped briefly to re-fuel then carried on to Endon... still enjoying the conditions and the fresh air. There were lots of other people on the tow-path - sunshine always brings out more people - and we got lots of encouragement from everyone we passed.
I don't usually get this far along the canal as the mile distance reached 7.5, we contemplated turning around. But we also knew that The Hollybush at Denford couldn't be much further. Tempted by the thought of a quick refreshement stop, we carried on and arrived with 8.25 miles on our watches - perfect distance for our long run part 1.
We took a short break - enjoying a chat, pot of tea and half a bag of mini cheddars later - long running doesn't always have to be about relentless miles. I love a good tea stop!
We didn't linger too long though before it was time to turn around and head back. The first three miles back went in a flash and we soon back in Stockton Brook, spotting a few interesting locations on the canal as we ran. The return leg was definitely tough but we walked when needed and just kept moving forward, ticking off the bridges and watching the mile markers on the canal towpath; we were getting closer to the end.
Ever since I heard a discussion on Marathon Talk whilst training for the London Marathon in 2014, I use the last mile of long runs to focus on the last mile of my target race instead of thinking about how much further I would have to run if this was race day. It makes me try and run the last mile as strongly as I can and finish with a positive sense of achievement (I can do this) rather than a negative (I'm not sure I could run any further - how will I manage on race day). It works for me.
With all this going around my head, the last mile was soon completed and I was hope again. Jane smashed out her longest training run and we were both very pleased with our efforts.
Pizza for a celebratory tea then up early this morning for another 4.5 miles
Spring is here and I'm moving forward with my training.
 |
| Spring hits Hanley Park |
The change of season seems to have had a positive impact on my running this week... the aches and pains of a couple of weeks ago have eased (rest really is best) and I've been clocking up the miles this week; all the time remembering to take things steady and focusing on recovering well after each run.
Yesterday, with the sun shining brightly and conditions practically perfect for running, I set out with another of my running buddies Jane for a long-ish run. We were playing it by ear... ready for a long run but not exactly sure how far or where we would go! The goal was to relax, spend time on our feet and enjoy the miles.
We settled on a canal route and headed out of Hanley along the Canal towards Endon... I run this way regularly and it always brings back good memories - this stretch of the canal is where my running journey began. On a sunny day, it's a lovely place to run and definitely one of my happy places, an escape from the city.
 |
| To The Hollybush and back |
It wasn't long before we were passing through Milton, then under Leek New Road and on to Stockton Brook. We stopped briefly to re-fuel then carried on to Endon... still enjoying the conditions and the fresh air. There were lots of other people on the tow-path - sunshine always brings out more people - and we got lots of encouragement from everyone we passed.
I don't usually get this far along the canal as the mile distance reached 7.5, we contemplated turning around. But we also knew that The Hollybush at Denford couldn't be much further. Tempted by the thought of a quick refreshement stop, we carried on and arrived with 8.25 miles on our watches - perfect distance for our long run part 1.
We took a short break - enjoying a chat, pot of tea and half a bag of mini cheddars later - long running doesn't always have to be about relentless miles. I love a good tea stop!
We didn't linger too long though before it was time to turn around and head back. The first three miles back went in a flash and we soon back in Stockton Brook, spotting a few interesting locations on the canal as we ran. The return leg was definitely tough but we walked when needed and just kept moving forward, ticking off the bridges and watching the mile markers on the canal towpath; we were getting closer to the end.
Ever since I heard a discussion on Marathon Talk whilst training for the London Marathon in 2014, I use the last mile of long runs to focus on the last mile of my target race instead of thinking about how much further I would have to run if this was race day. It makes me try and run the last mile as strongly as I can and finish with a positive sense of achievement (I can do this) rather than a negative (I'm not sure I could run any further - how will I manage on race day). It works for me.
With all this going around my head, the last mile was soon completed and I was hope again. Jane smashed out her longest training run and we were both very pleased with our efforts.
Pizza for a celebratory tea then up early this morning for another 4.5 miles
Spring is here and I'm moving forward with my training.
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