Training Log: 13 weeks out

Trying a new format - welcome to my digital training journal.

I’ve shared how hard I’ve found winter training, and when I’ve sat down to reflect on the weeks I’ve had a real negativity bias, so I’m trying something a little different for this week’s post - using this platform as a live training journal. I’m going to jot down the thoughts I have pre and post each workout, as they come up… this will read a little like a stream-of-consciousness as this page will be kept open like I would have a journal. It’ll be raw, open and honest.

Before I share a day by day, thought by thought account, here’s how training looked for me this week, as I continue to build my mileage.

Running: 40.39km, 353m of elevation (no where near enough “up” but that’s for another week)

Hiking: 33km, 340m of elevation - this is based on my morning work from home to the park each day - I decided to log it and move at a more intentional pace, mimicking what a “death march” could be if I get to that stage in an ultra - it’s good to know my walking pace, so that I can adjust plans & calculate cut off margins accordingly. I’m going to continue to do this each week, hoping to improve that pace slightly.

Yoga: 1hr 45mins (5 short sessions across the week)

Weights / S&C / Prehab: 45mins (1 good session)

Monday.

Monday is usually a rest day, but with a much lighter week last week the plan included an easy 30min run. For a brief moment there was actual blue skies and sunshine, so I laced up and happily trotted around the local park at an easy ish pace (it felt harder than I’d like) and I ended with a smile, grateful to have got outside, before my working day started, feeling like I’ve started the week in a good mindset. Work was busy - I barely left my seat all day, so closed the day with 30mins yin yoga under red light. Tomorrow I run for an hour with a 25 threshold benchmark - I hope I sleep well.

Tuesday.

I feel like I slept well, data from the watch suggests otherwise. Trusting feeling over algorithm until it shows up as a regular thing. The morning walk with coffee was divine - so cold, but so clear at 6.30am - it’s lighter, and that makes me feel lighter. Pumped to run again today.

The run went well - I paid attention to the RPE efforts beeping on the watch, and felt strong, if a little tired in the legs for the threshold element. Getting it done before work felt good. Post run bath and protein shake was quick but effective before the laptop opened.

I’ve been hungry all day, and a little out of energy. Rough day at work with a few stressful interactions. They happen, but when I’m tired, they seem to feel a little deeper than usual. Telling myself it’s just one of those days today.

Wednesday.

It’s a rest day. Body feels surprisingly good after yesterday’s strong effort. I’m pleased. Apparently I didn’t sleep well again according to the data, and after a few hours I can confirm that I feel a little flat. Work stress is adding to the physical strain of training, so I’m definitely grateful for a day of very little activity. I’ll eat well and hopefully recover stronger.

Thursday.

Oooof. Yesterday felt draining, so I’m glad I didn’t have training stress to add to it. Another night not sleeping well - but today I feel exactly as the data says today - drained, with low resources. There is a run on the plan. I’m not sure it’ll get done.

Update - the run won’t happen today. I don’t feel like I have the energy to even try. I opted for some strength as I know moving my body will help improve how I feel, even just mentally. It’s cold out, I feel cold in my body too so I think that’s it for training today. Hopefully an early night and good rest to reset.

Friday.

What a difference a day makes. Early to bed yesterday, and nearly 9hrs of sleep later I feel better. I’m going to get that easy run done today.

Update: Got the run done, felt great. Was meant to be 30mins, went for 45. Glad I moved, glad I didn’t force it yesterday. Yoga would feel good later, must find time for it.

Saturday.

I found time for yoga and some meditation with red light last night - I felt good waking up (data still in the “red” though).

I’m working this morning, so I’ve prepped a run-home pack with enough water and fuel as it’s a decent 12miles home, albeit on roads. I’ve also packed for the gym/sauna in case motivation/energy levels are low.

I’m up and out early to get in my usual morning walk and coffee - this is a daily routine whatever the weather and the schedule. Body feels good. I will run some distance today for sure.

End of day update: I took myself on an adventure. I was working in the depths of East / North East London today, and on the journey in I realised that I was super close to Epping Forest. I’ve only run there once, in the height of the summer, and I have fond memories. It’d take less than 20mins to get there after my work commitments, and decided to go for it. I don’t know the routes well at all, but I had one that could be adapted so that I had a neat 12km loop. I’m so glad I did it - it was refreshing to run somewhere unfamiliar, the conditions were 8/10 (still some decent squelch under foot), and I needed the solo headspace. I ran strong, albeit with slightly rationed water supplies, and had a lovely session. Mud stains on the trousers, shoes slightly damp, smile nice and wide on the way home. I’m glad I committed to travelling in the opposite direction - it would have been far easier to just run home, but far less fun. After a warm bath, a carb lunch and a little reset with some youtube content I managed some yoga, and am prepping for an early night.

Sunday.

A solid 8hrs sleep. Feeling a little tired this morning, but want to move for sure. There’s yet another cloudy day ahead of me - I am LONGING for the sunshine to reappear, but that’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy whatever the day will bring. Walk & coffee to wake up and see where the body is at, and then I’ll work out what to do.

After getting up and out for my walk my stomach was a little unsettled. I wasn’t feeling unwell, so opted down from the 15km I was planned today to a 7-10km effort dependent on energy levels. Sometimes the run helps settle the stomach, and I’d hoped this would be the case today. Alas no. I managed just over 4km before needing an emergency stop (I’d planned my route in case this would happen) - and then got another 3km done, including some stair repeats, by gritting my teeth and hoping for the best. Whilst I appreciate not it was not wise to even go out on the run, what I did get was a crash course in how to cope with “stomach problems” on the run - what I need to do before I can get to an “aid station” and avoid disaster mid run. This could well happen on an ultra, and, well, you should practise everything before race day I guess.

What I learned this week:

All this data - the low HRV, the higher sleeping heart rate, and now the unsettled stomach - tells me I’m probably fighting something. I’m closing the week with a big week of training, some key lessons learned, and the need for a couple of rest days to reset and let my system calm down.

I need to get serious about elevation - I’m not getting nearly enough in, and need to correct that immediately.

Onwards.

Epping Forest was like a sepia dream.