How did you feel running 13 miles? I think it's easy to see base numbers increase quite quickly and let dread kick in, but really once you're doing over 10 miles then anything up to around 20 is fairly achievable as long as you're sensible.
Immediately following it, I was tight in the calves but otherwise good. Although, I had to wait around 20 miles for my partner to turn up with some warm clothes. Over the next few days, my legs felt good, whereas years ago, I would have been in pieces following a 13-mile run. Last week was a lighter training load, with 3,4,7,10 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat) and other than the early start (05:30) on Friday for the 7 miles, I was happy with the week's plan.
I think the dread of completing the 15-mile run this weekend is due to my running mates running a 10-mile race in Londonderry. I elected not to do the race, as I'd have had to find another 5 miles to run, plus I'd have raced it rather than my average training pace. My partner is away at a dressage event all day, therefore I'll have no one around for company before, during or post-run. She hates running but at least be there afterwards for a coffee.
Below are details of the training plan (Hal Hidgon's Novice 1 Marathon) for the next eight weeks. Those numbers on Saturday are scary.
Week | Monday | Wednesday | Friday | Saturday | Mileage |
10 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 29 |
11 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 32 |
12 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 29 |
13 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 36 |
14 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 33 |
15 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 40 |
16 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 29 |
17 |
4 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 21 |
18 | 2 | 3 | | 4 (Race the next day) | 9 + 26.2 |