Half Training – Week 6 – Cheshire 10 Miler

I am currently lying down in a dark room with a wet flannel over my forehead. It’s not the most flattering look but it is, by far and away, the most comfortable place right now. A little recompense for putting my body through an almost literal grilling.

The weather had suggested a little bit of cloud cover but when I got into Chester this morning, I couldn’t see anything in the sky other than a blue haze. Yesterday there had been a final call for the Arrowe Park five-mile race being held at the same time – to which a couple of my fellow Pensbys were going – the tag line for this late advert was that there would be ‘lots of shade’. The undulating country lanes of Cheshire didn’t offer much shade at all. On the few occasions that the trees cast a shadow, we all tried to tuck ourselves in for a little respite. 

As I was running double the mileage of Arrowe Park’s race, I had to think about how I would tackle it. One possible solution would be to wear as little as possible. I saw one guy without any top at all aside from one of those camelback water carriers. I just hope it didn’t chafe him.

I bumped into a running buddy, Lisa, (we both help with the Tortoise Running Group) who also had a camelback – luckily with a vest underneath, as did her friend Jacqui. It’s a good idea if you’re used to it but I have never been keen. I went for my short shorts and a long-sleeved white top (to reflect the sun better) instead of my club vest, and a buff around my neck that I soaked with cold water. I had a bottle of water tucked in my trail vest, which included a sachet of dioralyte to keep my salts up. I also had two gels in the front pocket along with my phone. It all weighed me down a little bit but as the aim was not to perform any heroics but to get the mileage in my legs safely, that was not a problem. At least my barbie pink old-model Hyperions were extremely lightweight and did feel very comfortable.

I went off too fast. It felt very nice in the first couple of miles because that was where most of the shade was and it was mainly downhill. At around mile five my legs had lost any bounce and my breathing, despite me slowing down hugely, felt like an effort. Perhaps I should have plumped for Arrowe Park instead. There were a lot more walking moments in the second half, my legs were okay, but I just couldn’t breathe very well. I used any hill as an excuse to walk and that allowed me to recover somewhat.

Heat was absolutely a big factor – it was energy sapping, but I am aware that I’ve not run anything in the double digits since June 1^st at my last half, so that ready well of stamina isn’t there yet. I had told myself before that I wouldn’t become despondent as this race is so early. The training is in my legs, and that will do. 

Week Six – no weights or speedwork this week as a mini taper

Mon	A gentle, very inside conversational pace, if I had had someone to converse with, five-miler
Tue
Wed	Our club Roy Fisher challenge – which nearly equates to nine miles with the run back to the start. Nice and steady with Cath but very hilly – I was able to converse this time without looking odd.
Thu
Fri	Another easy five-miler to try out a pair of Ebay Ghost 14s – £40 and hardly worn so I’m pleased with them – they can be my workhorses for the next six months at least.
Sat	Cycled to Parkrun – volunteered – cycled back – first time on the bike in yonks
Sun	A half mile warm up and then the Cheshire ten-mile race – 1:46:38. [Note to self: don’t wear short shorts for anything over this mileage as the thighs were getting to close and personal with each other – but the top and buff worked well]
	29.5 miles run total