2009 Progress Entrant - Anna MacConnell

Contents:- -Intro- Report -1 & 2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -13- -14- -15- -16- -17- -Final-

Report 16 - Week beginning 20/04/09

Have you stuck to the training programme? If not any reasons why?

Just doing the distances without the faster repeats.

Have you done more or less than expected? Explain.

As expected, and trying not to aggravate the knee.

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

The weather and bright evenings make such a difference.

Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?

The distance, no problem, but get into trouble if there's any hills an slow down, stop for breathers etc.

Where are you walking/running; gym, beach, roads, forests?

Checked out Bowside road in Strathy - it was good, plenty distance, hardly any traffic, no hills, but bit of dodging round the potholes. Made a nice change.

Are you training alone/with someone else/mixture? How does this affect your training?

The dog has dropped out. She was having trouble with her paws on the longer distances so reluctantly she has been staying at home for the longer runs.

Any injuries?

Long, long ago, deep in the shires of leafy England, I shared a flat with a fairly successful long distance runner. He ran an annual sequence of marathons - London, Jersey, etc and I used to marvel (and feel a bit queasy) when he would sit in the living room popping blisters on his feet with a needle, dabble his toes for a bit in a basin of salty water before smothering them in a healing embrocation. This ritual was generally carried out while watching football on telly, variously shouting encouragement or abuse at the players. Although I never got close enough to verify, apparently impact induced bubbles would appear under his toenails, of which he rarely seemed to have a full set. My feet are not at quite that stage but I wish I knew now what the mysterious ointment was.

Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?

Really feeling much fitter and apart from a few aches and pains, much healthier.

Are you doing any other forms of exercise; swimming, cycling, yoga, pilates?

Trying to do extra wee runs when possible.

Any other observations?

The Mey 10k is creeping ever closer.