PBPB – getting back on form
Well, I’m fully into the swing of marathon training now. I’m really enjoying it and have even achieved a PBPB!
On 16th, my buddy Pete managed to get me around 17.5 miles, which is the longest run I’ve done for a very long time. I had been nervous about doing the run after doing Buggy Mums, but that class was cancelled, so I went for a long slow walk with some of the others instead and saved my legs for the run.
Long run with Pete
Pete is really good at planning routes – we go somewhere completely different every week and I’m seeing parts of the city that I’ve never seen before as well as visiting locations that I’ve not seen for a few years.
Our long run took us through Riverside Park in the dark, which would have been fine, but the river was so high that the path was flooded. Pete and I thought we had found a way around, but in the end, we had to wade through freezing cold ankle-deep water. This part of the run was fairly near to home, but the last section of our run was all uphill. We were nearly there when I suggested a minor shortcut, which brought us out by my house. I was delighted, but Pete was less pleased as my house is at the bottom of a steep hill!
I was delighted that the baby slept really well that night… but I was so full of adrenaline that I just couldn’t get to sleep 🙁
Jogging parkrun
That weekend, I had my first jogging parkrun with baby M. We had to start at the back (like all buggy runners) and as Southampton is a very busy parkrun, that meant that the first km was tough going. I tried to go on the grass at one point, but that made it even harder, so I went back onto the path.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well the run went:
I’ve now got a benchmark for future buggy runs 🙂
Another long run with Pete
Last Tuesday, I had another long run with Pete. We covered 14.5 miles, which was tough, but not as tough as the previous week’s run. It was also a lot warmer, which was good. At one point, I thought we were heading towards home when Pete turned towards town. I had a moment of panic, but Pete said to trust him. He then stopped at a friend’s restaurant, where he was able to refill our water bottles 🙂
I had been told that Buggy Mums was cancelled for half term, which was incorrect but did give me a lazy week last week. Instead of doing Buggy Mums on Thursday, I went for a lovely long walk in the New Forest with my friend Ellie. It probably wasn’t our most cunning plan because of Storm Doris, but we got home safe and sound!
Turbo training with Teri
In the evening, Teri came around and we did a turbo session. I can’t say that either of us broke into a sweat, but it was good to be back on my bike… and also to have a catch-up.
The next day, my legs were fine, but I was glad I didn’t have to sit on a saddle again!
PBPB at parkrun
On Saturday, I got in some more gossiping with Teri, as we ran parkrun together. Well, we chatted for the first km, but after that our competitive urges kicked in. I was delighted to get a PBPB – post-baby personal best.
I was 344/829 runners, so in the top half. Placing 65/343 women, put me in the top 20%! I was 9/53 in my age category. I’m still 90 seconds away from my ‘real’ PB, but I’m finally making progress. It was also my 29th fastest parkrun (out of 208). I’ve only gone under 26 minutes 19 times, but I am absolutely determined to do it again this year (and to eventually beat my PB of 24:42). I’ve not run that quickly since January last year 🙂
I felt particularly pleased with my run as Teri and I were chatting at the start and the crowds meant that we had a slow start. Teri is still coming back from an injury, so it was also a comeback PB for her.
Sunday Runday
The following day was Sunday Runday. It was fairly tough as my legs were more tired than I expected after parkrun. However, the distance wasn’t a problem. Stu was pushing the baby, but he joined us in the 10-minute/mile group, which was nice.
New bike
Another exciting thing that has happened this week is that I finally ordered a replacement road bike. It’s currently being shipped and should be with me by the end of the week. I deliberated for a long time between a pretty bike and a better spec for the same price point… and eventually bought a pretty bike, with an even better spec at a higher price point – oops!
Decathlon 5k
Today, I booked Stuart and me onto Decathlon 5k in Southampton. It clashes with a local 10k race, but I’ve prioritised this as we’ll be able to run with the baby.
My full tri club membership kicks in again tomorrow, so I’ll be able to get back in the pool. I’ve found another baby friendly exercise class (kettlercise), so there’s lots to look forward to.
How’s your training going?
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Well done on the PBPB, and fair play on the new bike – it’s the only way to give the robbing bastards the two fingers!
Become a superhero is possible? Yes, without any need for metal armor or Marvel comics. Once you ve overcome the first difficulties that this hard specialty requires, learned the best racing techniques, swimming and cycling, where to start, types of races, training schemes, nutrition and focusing you have to work on the motivational aspects that here, more than elsewhere, are indispensable. Last but not least SHOES! You need proper ones.