Back out there again today plodding away, wading actually is probably a better description, at the miles.  Since taking on Ronnie Staton as my coach my improvement is starting to reveal.  One of the main reasons I went to Ronnie for help was for consistency and structure.  Its quite interesting though as I feel quite under pressure to fit the runs in or the training, but now I'm clocking up the miles by getting some structure I feel like I'm going to have a chance and doing this thing.

Today I was scheduled to do 3-5 hours endurance Hike/run, it was actually for another day but I swapped the days round to fit me.  I'm trying to get into the routine of Thursdays being my long run day, I just need to get out a bit earlier as its not quite giving me enough time to get the extra distance or to do anything else at home.

Sarah as always is being great, although she looks at me a bit weird when I say what I've either got planned to do or say what I've done.  Her support is amazing and I really feel now that we get out on most Sundays for a joint run that we are both getting some good habits.  It is a strain sometimes as I see how hard she works and how difficult it sometimes is with the kids, then I say I'm just popping out for a run 'see you soon'!  Probably doesn't help...

Today I revisited my running route from last week, starting in Hutton-le-Hole and heading out to Bransdale from Gilamoor and across the top of the Moors before coming back via Church Houses and Low Mill.  Its now become my steady Thursday long run route, I've stolen it really from the Hardmoors race series.  This particular route I'm using is the Farndale half marathon which is about 16/17 miles and its fit for purpose really.  At the moment its a good distance for me to step up to and its hilly with some good lung busting climbs.  I'm hoping over the next few weeks to increase the distance by using some of the marathon route which I don't want to rush into as I feel I could end up over doing it then being injured.  I'm also thinking of using the Goathland route to mix it up a bit too which will be fun as I've not done any of this before.

Something that was interesting today and something that has been lacking in the past a bit was the repeating of my mantra.  "I can, I will!!"  and a new one which was very simple but to the point "Finish!!!" All I could think was  'just bloody finish it this time!' .  This made me realise how important this little constant reminders are as they push you harder and further, because they constantly motivate you as they matter to you.

Whats great or what I've been finding is even though I've been keeping my speed steady if not slow over these longer runs my legs are feeling strong and can cope with the distance fine.  I do feel I need to try and push myself on one of these longer runs to find out what I can actually do.  In my training he has me doing shorter runs but with a number of (sprints) or faster sections that I find quite hard but I'm reaping the rewards now I guess by feeling stronger and more capable.

My main concentration now is, weight, I want to start dropping some Kg's and keeping injury free while pushing myself in the shorter runs when required.  I really want to be in a good place ready for the Hardmoors 55 in March.  Its game time and I'm getting geared up for the battle!!!!

Consistency - and Structure that's the key!