Escape to Portugal: one month to go!

It's amazing how I go through so many ups and downs in one marathon training cycle. This one has seems to have been even more undulating than usual; I've had so many moments where I have thought my target seemed totally out of reach, only to later find myself thinking "ok, so this might actually be alright" not too long after. There are up and downs within the whole marathon training period, within a week cycle and even within a session. The training during my recent trip abroad for a spot of warm weather training was no different.

I've just returned from an amazing 12 days in Portugal with the fabulous Running with Us lot. It's remarkable how much easier it is to train hard when you're surrounded by the right people and the weather is good. I headed out feeling a bit anxious; Bath Half had felt terrible, the time wasn't what I'd hoped and marathon pace was feeling way faster than i'd have liked.

My first long run in the Algarve was a continuation on this theme...I felt unwelcome negative thoughts settle in as I completed one of three 5k blocks at marathon pace and felt like I was running near maximum pace towards the end. I tried to remain positive though (okay, a small temper tantrum may have occurred, sorry Nick...) and completed my longest run, 23 miles with 3 x 5k at marathon pace.

The next week included a couple of tough sessions interspersed with a good amount of easy running; I ran roughly 96 miles in the first week and 90 in the second. The first session we did was 12 x 800m, which seemed like a ridiculous number but actually went by pretty quickly with alternating threshold and 5k intensities. The second session included blocks of faster 400m reps followed by 2 miles at marathon pace. I actually felt decent in these two sessions; the extra sleep and relaxation (along with a talk with Nick) started to pay off and I could feel my spring returning.

Then...Saturday...another one of those lower points on the rollercoaster track; I struggled with the long run again; a progressive 20 miles where, i'll be honest, the 10s slower than marathon pace portion felt pretty close to maximum. Then...still riding the rollercoaster...by the last portion of the run I was actually feeling strong!

Another down came later on...After the long run, I developed a really annoying blister problem, which got a bit infected, making my last few days sore running. (Although, in hindsight my slightly hyperchondriac panic that I needed to go to hospital to avoid losing my feet was probably overdramatic...sorry, everyone ;) I don't think i'll ever be allowed to live that one down....Then, up again...I was really pleased with the final session I did on the Monday before I left; after a tough couple of weeks training, the combination of 1200m and 300m reps felt surprisingly good. 

Now back in the UK, I'm having a few days of easy running to recover from the camp and the infected blisters. Unsurprisingly, I was welcomed back with a lovely wet and windy run yesterday evening. Thankfully, I've got some Scottish countryside to look forward to as I'm heading there for a short break this weekend. A change is sometimes as good as a rest when it comes to running and different running locations is fabulous for breaking up the monotony of all the miles!