29th August 2007

29th August 2007

Coxbench 8 Mile

Conditions: Mild, Overcast

Run Type: Easy

Notes: In terms of quality, effort and the sheer level of fun that I had, this was without doubt the best run I had done to date. This was my first semi long run that incorporated hills since I took a break from road running several weeks ago. The first time I did this route I was running well until I passed Horsley Golf Club where I blew up and felt awful for the remainder of the run. I did set a PR for the distance but at the end of it I felt dreadful and could not have run another mile, never mind another eighteen. After today’s run however I felt amazing and I have never felt so happy at the end of a training run.
Back to the start, and after my one mile warm up and the usual light stretching I was off towards Coxbench on a mild summers evening. It was perfect running conditions and I simply took it steady as I did not want a repeat of my last outing on this route at mile six.
The second and third miles take a steady descent down towards the Shit Farm and Coxbench and as always I did not get carried away, but simply enjoyed the run and concentrated on my breathing and form.
Once I got onto the main road into Coxbench I had really settled into my run and thus far had not had a single bad moment. I remember a Beastie Boys track about New York and I had visions of running in the marathon, and although I did not need it, this really lifted me.
Once I passed Coxbench and was on my way towards Horsley Golf Course (where I had a nightmare on my previous run) I really took my time and did not get excited or worried about what was coming up. The course in the end came and went and I passed the point where I blew up before and remember thinking that I had nothing to worry about.
At mile six I was approaching the hill up into Smalley that has taken so much out of me in the past. As I approached the hill I should have slowed right off for it, but I simply kept going into the hill, and up it, and over it and then some. It was the easiest climb of that hill I have ever done and it shows how far I have some through my hard work (despite injuries and set backs). Once at the top of the hill I even managed to drop in a sub eight thirty final mile. I crossed the finish line and remember thinking that this was the kind of run I need on race day. It was almost effortless but at the same time it was the Marathon pace I will be looking for come November 4th.
In closing, after today’s run I am very optimistic about my chances in New York. There is still along way to go but already I am getting on my way to surpassing the volume of miles I put in, in preparation for Edinburgh!

Run time: 1:13:09

Pace: 9:09 / mile

Days to New York Marathon: 66



“Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.”