Head said no!

This morning I lay in bed and just the thought of another bloody XL run made me want to stay where I was! I could say I was ill, I thought, and then with great disgust at myself for even thinking of "pulling a sickie" (something I would never even do for work!), I got up and did all my pre-run prep.

Yesterday, life had got in the way, and I missed my first ever session on this training programme (30 minutes bike) and I was feeling really guilty for not fitting it in somewhere. I had to sort myself out and do something good today, I thought.

So, within 1.5 miles of the run, I had resorted to a walk (the first 4.5 miles on todays route is mostly up and quite tiring). I seriously considered turning around and going home. Then I thought about 4 weeks ago, when I had walked from 7 miles and switched my Garmin off... I had felt rubbish. I didn't feel rubbish today... time to get my head on board with what I have to do and stop procrastinating!!!

I started to run, and very quickly felt pretty good. My legs felt strong today, much stronger than they have done before on XL runs and I was starting to enjoy the scenery. The only walking was very brief (long enough for a drink etc) and then I was off again. The running parts were nearly always 9.15-9.40mm which really is very fast for me. I felt quite comfortable, and for the first time the XL vest didn't feel like the weight of a suit of armour!
The time was quickly ticking down, and as I'd had that 3 or 4 minute walk earlier, I was running the risk of not getting close to 5.5 miles by the 1 hour mark. I now have it in my head that a 2 hour run is at least 11 miles, so I stepped up the pace and reached 5.5 miles in 1 hour and 30 seconds. I then turned around and had a couple of minutes walk so I could have a drink/haribos (my gels still hadn't arrived before I'd set off for the run) and blow my nose!

I expected that dreaded "knackered" feeling I get around 4-5 miles of an XL run, but today I didn't feel it until around 8 or 9 miles. It also wasn't as bad as normal, and I was able to keep going with only very occasional walks (enough time to take a drink)... much better than I've done previously.

I got home and had done 11 miles 5.5 minutes quicker than last week. I was over the moon. However, let's not get carried away... today the weather was great for running, I'd had a good carb meal last night and pretty much all conditions were perfect.

Next week, I'm going to attempt 11.5 miles. I'm not sure what William and Shaun have in store for me by way of a taper for Fleetwood, but if it's 3 weeks, then next week will be the last "big" effort.
I remember reading once that Ronan Keating was attempting the London Marathon after doing his longest run of 13 miles. I distinctly remember thinking "What a fucking idiot" (excuse the french!), and now, here I am attempting a marathon on the back of an 11 mile run! Deary me!