Maria's Running Blog

Today was a disaster. I was supposed to run my last 20 mile run before the taper, but I didn't realize that UK moved the clock one hour forward last night!!! I only noticed it after midday on my laptop, and it took me a while to realize that nothing's wrong with it, it's really a change in time. Because of this, I didn't have time for a 3 hour run anymore - other obligations kicked in, so I had to do a regular easy run. Time 52:18 (8:34 pace). Not happy about this, but will try to do the long run tomorrow.

Finally got out for the first time. This week has been crazy - after months of generally unsuccessful job hunting, I finally got a good contract offer, and at the same time, another company took interest in me. When it rains, it pours. This other company went to great lenghts to persuade me to join them, and I went there 3 days in a row this week for various interviews. They made me an offer too (but for a full time position, not contract), and I had to think really hard, because even though the work isn't very interesting, the location and working culture are great. It would be good for my running, probably, as they hardly have any overtime, it would be 20 min. commute and low stress overall. In the end, however, I chose the contract - it is with great company, the work is more challenging and more in line of where I want to go in my career, and there is potential to get involved in their other projects. But location is on the outskirts of London and it'll take me 1:20 to get there (one way). Not to mention the very possible overtime as is often the case with contracting. With all this I was pretty stressed out, and running went into background. But I'm excited that my "bum" days are over and I'm getting back to work. I have to start next Monday. I do worry how it'll affect my running, having gotten used to running in the middle of the day, sleeping late, etc.

So, today I tried to salvage the week a little by doing marathon tempo. I didn't really feel any effects of 3 missed days, and ran 6.3mi in 50:00 (7:56 pace). Also did 4x100m strides afterwards. I'm concerned that I missed my last long run before the taper, and I was hoping to do it on Monday, but due to the above mentioned developments it never happened. It's too late now, so I'll just run 16-17 miles this weekend and hope I didn't lose much endurance.

It was gloomy and raining, but I had to go running, because this week has been already screwed up enough. As usual, I wasn't bothered by the rain once I started. Time: 48:39 (8:50 pace).

I'm really enjoying longer days since we moved the clock forward. Went out at 6:30PM, and it was still daylight! I didn't take Garmin since it's been acting up so much with low cloud cover and what not. So I wore regular watch and didn't worry about the pace. It was very windy again, but I felt great today, and whenever I would cross check my watch at familiar spots on the course, I could tell I'm running decent pace. Ended up with 52:45 (8:30 pace).