This picture sums up my runs this week. I took this picture during my run on Thursday.
This week I wanted to focus on getting back to reality, keep the pace going, don't overdo it and getting used to running outside again. However the image above sums up the circumstances I had to deal with. It's full-on spring over here and I have slight symptoms of hayfever, however the weather has been very variable last week. I've had colder, gray runs and I've also had a nice warm afternoon run. These were all factors impacting my runs last week.
To top it all off, today was mothers'day and for me that's another commercialised event, we should cherish the people in out lives every day, not just think of them on a set day a year. For my Sister-in-Law (SiL), it's an event she chooses to celebrate every year. She does this by hosting a brunch at their home. However we'd also invited guests for coffee in the afternoon, so I had to figure a convenient run to keep the pace with the fact in mind that the weather would turn for the worst, come evening.
So I decided to run back from their home, which is 9,5 kilometers and then find a way to add another 4,5 kilometers to my planned 14 kilometers for today. The normal way is pretty straightforward, there's a huge climb in there, but otherwise without any detours, but as it was quite chilly I opted during my run to find some protection of the forrest. I took a wrong turn at some point and ended up in a completely new part of a forrest I was not familiar with in the first place. I followed my instincts and I even met some people under way, however at some point I felt I just got myself more and more lost as I just kept climbing and I was hoping I wasn't going round in circles. When particular path really gave me the creeps, I made a 180 degree turn and went back the way I came.
Left, the height differences and terrain and right a satellite image of the terrain
I recognised some parts on the opposite side of the stream, but there was no way for me to cross the stream and get to that path, but I figured I must aim to keep that side in sight as it was probably my best hope in finding a way back to a familiar path. By then I was about 9 kilometers into my run when I found a spot where I could cross the stream. Luckily there was also someone there with her dog, so to ease my mind I asked her whether I was on the right way and she gave me some excellent directions. About 1,5 kilometers further I found myself on familiar territory and I also knew what path to take to ensure I'd do the 14 kilometers and nothing more. Especially as I had to get home for our visitors, help my wife with the preparations and most importantly have a shower and shave.
The best thing was the feeling of being lost and then having to wade through a creek to get back into the 'familiar' world. It felt like a true wildlife adventure, whilst having to keep the pace, which you can read about below.
Here is a little run-down of each of my runs since my last running post:
Tick the box today, I had a job interview in the afternoon, so I opted for an early morning run. Lots of traffic on the way, but I just wanted to 'tick the box' and keep the pace.
For the first time in a long time I did this course alone again. Funny enough it was also one of the only times when I had to do just the course as the plan said 10km for today. It was a bank holiday in Switzerland so many people were off today. However neither of my neighboors was available to come for a run with me, so I had to do this run on my own.
As I was alone I decided to go for a bit of pace and push myself a bit. I did alright in the beginning, but then I found that I started too strong and had to take a few smaller breaks to catch my breath. However the overall time one this course is a combined second place overall, so I'm very happy with this result. I also had the fastest 1st kilometer on this course, which is a huge climb, so that makes this run even more special.
The third run in as many days, I did not intend to push it after my run from the day before, but once I saw I had a good first kilometer I tried to maintain the pace, which I did! I had a lot of walkers on the way and BLOCKING my way, but I'm very satisfied with the result and I feel that I can keep routine going until the day of the marathon ... if I remain without any major injuries.
The fact that this run does not show a 5,0 Training Effect surprises me. Today I felt I was just climbing and I had to slow my pace to walking quite a few times. The rest of my story you can read in the introduction, quite an eventful one today and I'm very happy about this one, despite the climbs I'm still happy with the time and overall performance.
Here are my best long runs in comparison with one another:
Conclusion
I am happy with the performances this week, next week I have to add another 2 kilometers on the Sunday, so I feel I have a good base level.
Below is the schedule that I'm aiming to stick to:
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