Week 8 : Session 1 : 8 x 500m repeats, terrifying sub 5 discussion

Last night at training was tough but also really good.

I was hurting before we even got started after a fair whack of strength work at yoga on Tuesday.

I tried a gel for my pre workout nutrition.. It was interesting, not too unpleasant to taste, very sticky (I don't know how you'd get it out without getting it on your hands), quite a lot to suck down - hard to imagine sucking it down on the run at this stage. It didn't cause me any tummy upset which was the main test, passed with flying colours.

We did our warm up and then 8 500m repeats with 500m slow jog in between. With each repeat we aimed to start out at just faster than 5k pace and then speed it up for the second half.

I wasn't sure what that meant for me pacing wise as last week I ran 6m ks on my 5k but really struggled and ended with my heart rate higher than I've seen it for a long time and was very uncomfortable, so I focused on finding a pace that was challenging but I thought I could get through the session with (that's still 8km after all!)

By the fourth repeat I was making promises with myself to just do one more, but I managed to get all 8 done. They were pretty close in time to each other, will post numbers plus heart rate stats later on as I'm finding it useful to start analysing those, four intervals just under 3 mins and four intervals just over (I think the last repeat was one of the fastest as is our goal).

So I did the repeats at 6k per minute pace which was my 5k pace of last week, perhaps slightly disappointing, but I did them with a lot more control which is more critical to progressing in future and avoiding injury.

The thing i disliked most about the repeats is that a lot of it is in the dark, the lighting around Albert Park lake leaves a lot to be desired and with a slightly uneven surface that you are landing on I experience a sense of fear and hesitation with my footfalls when I can't see the surface.

All in all, it was a huge effort, very demanding, was very happy with myself when I completed it. I think I definitely need to keep training with a group when the marathon is over, to keep me turning up and to keep me trying different things.

Speaking of different things, having a chart at home to record my daily achievements in nutrition, sleep, and core work is proving helpful and motivating so far.

Today is my last free Thursday before circus class begins - I'm augmenting my yoga with a acrobatics and tumbling class to keep the core work going and keep things fun. I've done about half the extra runs and cross training as suggested in our program and it's important I try to improve that - having lunch with a friend today so will fit something in tonight after work and have an early night, really feel that I'm needing the rest.

At the end of training I was presented with a certificate and new cantoo hat and shoelaces as part of achieving the $2000 milestone, that felt really great. We had a chat about how I'd gone with my fundraising so far, and I mentioned how most people don't really know what it means that I'll be running a Marathon, and I tell them I'll be running for at least 5 hours. Well mentor Dave and coach Brian both said they think I'll be able to do it sub 5. Sub 5 is a little bit of a dream that I've been avoiding turning into a concrete goal as I don't want to overcomplicate things, or demand too much of myself when I'm already pushing so far and it's most important that I don't injure myself or start to hate this process. So, I'm just putting it out there, we had the discussion, sub 5. If they think I am going to be able to do it now, and they should know, then if I keep training with intent and control and continue to put my attention on the areas I've been struggling with, rest and nutrition, then I should be able to do it hey?

By way of comparison readers, Oprah did her marathon in 4:29 and a book I was flicking through on the weekend about an overweight female radio host in her 40s who trained for a marathon did it sub 4:30 as well. They both ran with trainers the whole time.

However, This is a long term journey for me, as an adult onset athlete and runner, and this is hopefully not my only marathon and respecting my body has to be number one. Much to think about, but I can keep it simple now and just focus on training, rest & nutrition!