Week 4 - It was this big! - Day 24 of 112



 "Irn Bru Trout" caught by Jimmy on the canal

Up this morning to do what was classed as an easy 8 miler. There was nothing easy about this let me tell you. Yes the pace may have been an easy 8 minute mile pace but the effort needed to complete was almost beyond the 7X1K effort of the previous evening. There is no way that avg HR should be anywhere near 153 for that kind of run. I was knackered by the time that I had finished. The last three miles were reminiscent of the last three miles of the marathon. Nothing left in the legs, heart rate climbing and the achilles giving me some pain. After I had stopped I doubled over to catch my breath. Done in - where's my breakfast? Not enjoyable by any means but probably quite good to go to the Well of Pain now and again just to remind myself of what lies in store over the last 6 miles are of the 26.2 mile race.



Sitting at work as I type, I still feel tired. A completely different feeling to that of last night where having finished the run at 10.45 I could not get to sleep until after midnight. The lack of recovery and the lack of sleep almost certainly put paid to a good session this morning. I am taking the view that it is better to concentrate on getting good speed sessions in at the expense of quality easy sessions which as far as I can tell are only in the schedule to bulk up the mileage.

No fishing on the canal this morning which is unusual. I have to say that I do not see what the attraction is. Standing about in freezing temperatures waiting for a fish. Are there any fish in the canal? I have been running up and down the canal for years and I have never seen anyone landing anything. Next time I see someone I am going to ask them if they have ever caught anything. They are a hardy breed though. I have seen them there at the dead of night and first thing in the morning. You wouldn't catch me doing that - I'd much rather be slogging my guts out running 50 + miles a week than sitting on my arse supping beer. On second thoughts.......

Numbers 8 miles - 1.16hrs - 8.25 mile pace - 153 avg bpm - cadence avg 80.7 - max HR 167