This week was a week full of training, and a step up in pace along all the boards of my runs. Usually I just have one run a week where I focus on intervals, pushing and holding the pace, but leading into my half marathon in less than two weeks Ray has added in pace into all three of my runs, making me focus on hitting the correct paces, but also holding and repeating them throughout what is on schedule.
I am very much a perfectionist when it comes to my training, the more I seem to be, the more I become, but also with so much happening outside of running this year I have clung to it being something that has consistently worked alongside me and kept me accountable through those harder times. Looking at the line up of this past week’s training I was nervous for both the change but also mainly trying to hit those intervals both correctly and the best possible.
Trying not to go out too hard and crash, but not too low and have lots left in the tank. Over analyzing my training is definitely something I do well, as I know if I do nail it, I will gain confidence in my ability to perform well on race day. Nonetheless, I pushed through this week and nailed my training, I have a similar training format this week and so I’m hoping to follow up with yet some more good results but also trying to get adequate rest and recovery as well as intaking enough fuel to boost me through my race.
One thing I am looking forward to is trying out my new race shoes, these are the top Asics super shoes with the carbon plated sole. In the past races I have run, I have used a non carbon plated shoe and still loved it, so comparing them and seeing the difference in comfort, fatigue and pace will be exciting, also taking into account my improvements through training too.
One more full week before the taper so lets go!
– Jessica Bray