I changed into my running gear before I left work on Friday with the intention of running before I went home. I didn't.

2 good bike rides yesterday, though!

Hope you pull up alright Robbie. Nice time and some sweet pace on those downhills!

Glad you got some good rides Ceci.

Good work Ceci!

Tonight's session was ZR5K W2D2, where the storyline screwed with the planned intervals (ya to the mind feck) I'm happy with my run though, held all intervals below 3:40 (I think) Including the one where I had to slow down for the first 5-10 seconds due to traffic and then the rest was fecking well uphill. The next was also only after 30 seconds recovery, not the 'scheduled' 60 and the last 'interval' was 48 seconds, well that's as long as I ran it for. If I had waited for the story line it would have been closer to 2 minutes! O.o. My 10min freeform run was an interval session too, legs were just shot but didn't want to slow down to a sustainable pace, so that was a mix of walk/run. Still a good session, niggle seems to be retreating!

Cheers

Ceci, well done on overcoming the fatigue in the legs. Taeliesyn, nice going on the Zombie Run and I am glad that your niggle is receding.

Been out for a recovery run tonight, not worried about the pace and cut off a corner of the deer park. It was a nice shake out, both calves and quads are sore from the pounding yesterday and I walked a bit funny this morning. Otherwise all is ok.

Below is the profile and pace guides. Guess where and when I walked. Looking back at it, there was very little flat it was either up or down. Have fun everyone.

Hi everyone, it looks like you've been busy... and I have many, many pages to catch up on!

Robbie - congrats on the H.M. Those hills..!

@MeanderingMammal - hope the knee is feeling better.

I think I finally found the replacements for my very worn out Ghost 6's! It took some doing: 3 visits to the shop, countless brands/styles/sizes tried on, 1 return & 1 order later, I'm now the happy owner of a pair of Saucony Triumph ISO. I did a test 5k around my neighbourbood yesterday - nice and smooth on the pavement. My knees and ankles enjoyed the extra cushioning. (I hadn't truly noticed how worn my old shoes were until I started testing new ones. ) I'm not sure about the width they recommended, while I understand the reasoning behind it, I think it's going to take some time before I adjust to having so much room in a pair of shoes. I *thought* the Ghosts gave me lots of room around the toes and these are a size up. The true test will come when I head out for a longer run along my trail (crushed rock, nothing too crazy) - that's where the Brooks Glycerin's lost me due to chafing along the Achilles. I'm hoping to get that one in tonight, tomorrow at the latest. The store was the true find of this whole experience! With that staff and their fit guarantee, they have truly earned their reputation as leaders in customer service. I'm so used to going into stores and feeling like the elephant in the room, side long glances from staff and clients who seemed to be wondering if I was lost or shopping for someone else. At this one I felt exactly as I should - like a runner in need of shoes. Priceless.

I was tired this morning and did not get out, had a bad day at work and then had an evening at the school and so finished it off with beer and pizza. Guess running is out of the question tonight.

Although Sunday was hilly it was enjoyable, great views and volunteers. I finally got the finishing time, which had a gun time just 6 secs slower than the pancake Silverstone half marathon chip time, so really pleased. Umming and aarghing about doing a local HM in 3 weeks time on another pancake flat course ahead of the Humber Bridge on 28 June. I am getting addicted, so sad!!

Skye, glad you found a store with the right customer care, I appear to be lucky on not having problems with shoes or perhaps I am so bad it makes no difference. Great personal care is worth the extra cost over the internet bargains.

Taeliesyn, nice going mate, nice to see the niggle appears to be disappearing, even if it did take a beating last night. If it helps red shirts over here have been missing for a while, June is the latest date promised, but hey I am a year away from that anyway.

Have fun

Taeliesyn, nice work! Sounds like you're leaving the old niggle behind you.

Robbie, I may be putting their customer service to the test! A different issue this time...

MM, Glad to hear the knee and ankle held up on the treadmill. Hopefully the weather will clear up so you can get outside for tomorrow's run.

I went out for a 5k on my trail with the local running group and came home with a near PR and a blister on the inside of my right foot (along the side/ball). I'm not sure if I had that shoe laced incorrectly, or if it's shade too big, or what. My husband suggest that they might just need some time to get 'broken in'. Is that still a thing? I thought the purpose of getting fitted for shoes was to get the best kind for the shape of your foot so you don't have to break them in. For the price of these shoes, that doesn't feel like too much to ask!

This was also my first group run. The two men I was running with decided to set a "nice, easy pace" and I'm so glad they did because I would have been eating their dust otherwise! I was happy that I held my own and walked away with my fastest 5k time since last fall.

Robbie, it had its moments. Pretty sophisticated machine that gave me a series of gentle inclines up to 7% after telling it the distance I wanted. The screen showed a track, although for some reason divided by time rather than 400m intervals.

Focussing on form helped to avoid concentrating on the numbers, keeping my eyeline high up on a neutral wall. The worst was manually changing speed, and every time the slope reduced I went into downhill mode and bumped into the frame.

Anyway, Skye, you're correct. Running shoes shouldn't need broken in, but I had a similar issue with new Hurricanes. A blister about an inch across on my right instep. Play with the lacing a bit, although call the shop to validate that.

Lots been happening!
Well done on your HM Robbie, it looks like a horrendous course!
MM, good luck this weekend, hope your knee doesn't give you any trouble.
Ceci, I know what you mean about getting old, I was talking about that with my friends at the weekend, we were having a laugh about how when we get up off the couch we are halfway to the door before we can straighten up!
Glad you are on the mend taeliesyn.

I am trying to get back on track after my weekend away. We went kayaking on Saturday and I managed a 4.5km run on Sunday morning followed by a 7km walk with my friends. I'm not saying there was a lot of alcohol drunk but on Friday night we started drinking at 5pm and had to stop at 7pm.... the upside was that there was no hangover the next day. Didn't run Monday or Tuesday but heading out tonight with my dog, should manage 5km unless my dog starts messing around.

Robbie, in reply to your question about my running plan, it is just really monotonous. All the runs so far have either been 6km or 8km and I've been doing that for 6 weeks now. Friday I get to run 10km for the first time. I have been doing my own thing a lot (like tonight!) because I need more variety.

I've used Fitzgeralds 80/20, again plenty of variation with an emphasis on easy running, with the odd challenger in there. There is no need for it to be monotonous. There is enough in his book for you to understand how to vary the programmes as well and still fulfill his training philosophy. Hope you find something you enjoy.