Crazy but enjoyable June training...

It's been a crazy June, my toughest training month to date, 291.48 miles of running, 1032.8 for the year so far... 

  This sums it up, apart from going to work, my house and garden have been totally neglected!!!

I have been happily surprised at how my body has adapted quite quickly to this level of training. Setting the alarm for 4:30am to get 10 miles in before work has been ok and I have just about got used to surviving on less sleep, ok there has been an evening or two where I have fallen asleep on the sofa about 8pm only to be woken by my daughter suggesting I may as well go to bed, but on the whole it's been ok. I have to admit I was a little daunted when I first got June's schedule from Lindley but I have completed every session on it and enjoyed it!

I have loved the back to back long runs at weekends and I can run on tired legs, not always quickly but I can keep plodding along. I have an array of drinks and snacks that I now know I can eat on long runs without upsetting my stomach, I struggle a bit to eat when it's hot but otherwise I think I've finally got this eating and running thing sorted! 

     Some photos from training runs in June 

So The Saffron Trail Ultra is only two weeks away and The Chiltern Way Ultra two months, have a look at Challenge Running's website for more information on these races. This months training has left me feeling very positive about both events. I have run a fair amount of the Saffron Trail and happy that navigation isn't going to be a big issue, though I guess things will look different in the dark! I am definitely fitter and stronger than I was at the beginning of the year and much more focused on my running. I guess some people will never understand my passion (obsession) with running but I am lucky that I have a good circle of running friends who do. 

The next two weeks are all about tapering and getting everything ready for Saffron, maybe I'll even mow the lawn!!! 

Have a good week and Happy running xxx 

Crazy mileage and Stour Valley Marathon...

Haven't posted for a couple of weeks, been just too busy actually running!!! Have to admit to being a bit worried when I received June's training schedule but it's all going ok, 68 miles last week and over 80 this week. My legs are tired but I'm not destroyed and I can't wait for my next ultras.

My alarm is set for 5am or slightly earlier every morning so that I can get most of my training in before work during the week, weekends are all about back to back long runs this month. Yesterday I ran 21 miles with Lindley on The Saffron Trail and today I ran the Stour Valley Marathon which was 27 miles so a tough weekend. Was really glad of meeting up with Cherie today early on in the race, was great to have some company and between us we didn't get lost and it was a great event. Definitely one to do again next year.

      Photo stop on the Stour Valley Marathon

This was a new event and was really well organised, a beautiful scenic trail run, great training as I wasn't racing hard today, the first fifteen miles were pretty good, but the final twelve were tough. Cherie was great company and it was good to see Lindley and Angela at the finish line. 

Managing to get these high mileage weeks done is great, I am thoroughly enjoying it and it never feels like a chore, every run is a step closer to achieving a good finish at The Saffron Trail, which is now less than a month away and then The Chiltern Way Ultra which I know is going to be tough but I do spend a lot of time thinking how great it's going to be to cross that particular finish line, tend not to dwell too much on the 133 miles to get there. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing but I'm feeling fitter and stronger than ever, and mentally it's good for me to think about finishing. Then in October it will be Stort 30 and all being well me finishing Challenge Running's Grand Slam. Such an exciting running time ahead over next few months! 

So it's still all going well, I'm discovering some stunning parts of the Essex countryside, have great support from my family and friends and I'm pushing myself harder than ever before. 

     Cherie and I with our well deserved 'horseshoe medals' 

Have a great week and happy running xx