Week 3 Day 4 – Hill reps

Being the first week of phase 2 (conditioning), we were keen to reduce recovery periods within this session. We began with 6 sprints on a moderate climb to get the heart rate up and activate the main drivers, then took the session to a wonderful set of steps in Meanwood Valley.

Here we put 8 continuous climbs of the hill in without any recovery or rest which, if you’re a sadist, was a good session. For those who aren’t this way inclined, it was one of those sessions where you experience a new type of breathing.

Week 3 Day 5 – Endurance

Continuing the really good start we made with the endurance circuits, we kept the PR zone to 12 minutes and stepped up the work rate. Most of the exercises were completely body weight although we inserted some functional lunge patterns using exercise tubing to add a little resistance.

Week 3 Day 6 – Long steady

Just a steady run through Roundhay and unveiled some new areas to ourselves delving into the valley area where the paths dissect into the golf course. Quite a magical little area that vaguely resembles Narnia.

Week 4 Day 1 – Training Run

Although slightly uncertain of the benefits, we decided to boldly go and recce part of the route of the big race, and drove up to the wonderful Wharfedale area. We parked next to the most quaint little cafe called The Hedgerow Florist in Grassington, which, once we’d completed our run, discovered the greatness of their mug sizes and warm scones.

It worked incredibly as a training run, as we took the Dales Way up to Kettlewell and then picked the main B6160 back. This stretch includes the first 7/8 miles of the marathon.

It seemed almost uncanny that although on arrival, blue clear skies were proudly in essence; about ½ mile in to the run, the clouds gathered – high speed winds combined with torrential rain and hailstone decided to take over the beautiful location.

Our training run truly became one.

15 miles later, completely rinsed through, we returned to the van in the instance that blue skies fought back through once again. Thankfully,  although looking like drowned rats, and dripping all over the floor, the owner of the cafe offered a towel and hot oven to warm Jenny’s frozen hands.