12th August 2007

12th August 2007

Shipley Park-Ilkeston 14 Mile

Conditions: Hot, Sunny

Run Type: Long

Notes: Having slept in I did my first long run in over three weeks at 3:30pm when the sun was still out in full force. As I have said in previous posts however, if I train in the heat then my races in the cool morning air will seem far easier.
I set out along Allsops and really took my time as I knew it was going to be a long afternoon with the heat. The first mile or so was easy as I was running through Shipley Park in the shade. This however changed as I left the Venture grounds and headed out towards Ilkeston, where there was no protection from the sun. It was very warm and I run in a thin jacket so I sweat more and come race day I will feel far cooler. As I have mentioned before running is as much a mental sport as a physical one.
I enjoyed the run down into Ilkeston, however, although I knew that due to me running down into Ilkeston that I would have the subsequent run back up to Shipley Park, I never expected the hill I chose to run back up to bee so steep. I had planned the course online and everything online is 2D. I did not want to risk further in jury so I simply took my time and soon enough I was up the hill and feeling fantastic, be it a little warm!!
Once back on the main road I made a quick drink stop before turning off down towards Shipley Park at mile seven. I was looking forward to this part of the run as I did it for the first time last Sunday and got a huge amount of enjoyment out of the course. It is a steady climb up into Nutbrook, however the country paths are so quiet and peaceful and it makes the run so different to my usual main road running.
Once at Nutbrook the course leads down towards Mapperley Reservoir and it was here that I realised that I was running my miles a little too quick, as my legs started to tire. It was at this point that I invented an ultra (50 miles) race in my head which of course I was leading. For the next three miles I put myself in that racing mindset and I got mentally lost and just kept running, I just kept running in that race and imagined all the people watching me and the commentators saying amazing things about me. I have found this technique very successful in the past and it worked again.
It wasn’t until mile eleven that I came back round to reality and realised how sore my legs were getting, especially my knees which I know is down to my runners. As soon as payday comes I will be purchasing a couple of new pairs. As I ran down past Bell Lane I decided to start heading home as it was still over two miles and one grueling hill before I got there.
I really took my time going up towards Smalley and once at the top although my breathing was ok my legs were very tired and how easily I could have stopped. Instead I did the opposite and switched on my mental power once more, and I upped my pace and dropped in my fastest mile of the day. I was pleased with this and it proves that even when tired you can do far more than you ever imagined. All it takes is a little ‘Positive Mental Attitude’.

Run time: 2:10:54

Pace: 9:21 / mile

Days to New York Marathon: 83



“Nothing of any importance can be taught. It can only be learned with blood and sweat.”