Determined to push those miles today I set alarm for fueling for an early start.
Normally my breakfast consists of Porridge but decided to give bagel, laughing cow light, scrambled egg and smoked salmon a go followed half an hour prior to run with banna.
Whilst breakfast settled I packed up my running bag. After having done some reading I decided to pack up more fuel to use along the way than in past long runs.
So in went 3 gels, a review and one for before starting, dextrose tablets and 3 water tablets in bladder with 2L of water.
Off I went it was a frosty morning and you could see the ice underfoot 🙄 a little worrying at first but I fell into pace and soon felt confident underfoot despite seeing the frozen puddles (which I ran round) I headed off down the trail towards poolsbrook my aim for the day was to at least run their and back but if feeling strong enough add in a run around Poolsbrook for the extra milage.
Although it was frosty the sun light was coming through the trees on the trail and overall it was really good weather for being out. I’d told myself from the start I wasn’t going to rush but fall into a pace that felt comfortable without pushing it which is exactly what I did. I didn’t even look at my watch so had no idea of pace till I returned home.
I’d not so long since passed the bridge at Renishaw when a young gent pulled up beside me and began chatting to me asking me if I was training for a marathon.
It was nice to chat and his words of motivation that I was beating everyone on the couch really spurred me on leaving me feel confident.
It was only later on I discovered he was a friend of a friend and part of my running club.
I continued a bit further to around the 4 mile mark and decided to take on an energy gel rather than leaving it till later, in the past I’d only taken one about 10 mile mark for fear they would upset my stomach but realised I needed to fuel more and the best way to prepare was to get used to doing it in training runs.
I don’t know if it was the gel or all in my head but about 10 minutes later I felt a surge of energy in my legs like they had gone lighter.
I continued along the trail and on to Pools rook, feeling motivated decided whilst I was here I might as well take a trip around the lake. Once around as I reached the hilly part back out to the trail I used the hill as an opportunity to take on another gel whilst I walked up before carrying on back down the trail the same way I’d come in.
When I reached the bridge at renishaw I knew I was homeward bound and took on board the last gel. Admitidly I did walk the hill but up Walford road once off the trail home don’t think the legs were up to being pushed running up that bit but used it as a cool down.
As I walked through the gate my first thoughts to my self were Manchester I’m comming to get you, feeling so much more confident that I will finish in April regardless of time now that I’ve done a decent distant.