As always, I hope that whoever takes the time to read my latest blogging masterpiece had an amazing weekend. If you didn’t, I hope that next weekend is a little more positive. I can’t believe it’s Monday again, at least I’m not in the office as I’m heading up to Leeds later.

My weekend highlights included drinks in Birmingham after work on Friday evening, an actual run around Kingsbury Water parkrun, and an entertaining but challenging quiz. I don’t think I’ll be invited to take part in any more quiz nights again, I was rubbish.

Week seven of my Couch to Half Marathon training plan looked like this.

Thanks to meetings in different offices, after work drink sessions and my never-ending cold the reality was a little different.

So, how did I find the seventh week of my Couch to Half marathon training plan? Did I actually feel well enough to run? Did I actually use my exercise bike? Was I the world’s laziest running blogger for the third week in a row?

Monday – 30 mins cross training

The working week didn’t get off to best of starts when I walked into my office at 7:10am and discovered that there was nowhere for me to sit. Awesome! I decided to head back home and two hours after leaving my house I stepped back through my front door. Although I didn’t feel great I managed to have a productive day working from home.

Work completed, I decided to see if I’d recovered from the lurgy enough to attempt a short training run. 30 minutes and 12.88km on my exercise bike left me feeling shattered and shaky, not a great combination. I decided to delay risking a run until I got back from Wallingford.

Tuesday – Rest

I had an early start as I had a training workshop in the Reading office and I didn’t want to risk arriving late. I came away from the workshop feeling like I’d learnt loads so the early start was definitely worthwhile. Once the workshop was complete, a few of us headed to the pub for a quick pint. It was so warm we were able to sit outside, slightly unusual for October.

Drinks completed, I said my goodbyes to the majority of my old team and headed back to Wallingford with Emma. We headed to the OPO and ordered some more drinks and some bar snacks. We still felt hungry after the bar snacks so decided to eat a ‘proper’ meal in the restaurant. I felt a lot better after working my way through the Chicken Milanese burger I’d ordered.

I think it’s safe to say I didn’t even attempt to complete my 30 minute interval session.

Wednesday – Rest

Although I felt slightly ‘fragile’ when I woke up, I felt much better after the 30 minute walk to my old office. I had a productive and peaceful day as I was literally the only person in the office, such a contrast to my new office. I left the office, spent a bit of time watching the River Thames flow past me and then walked into the centre of Wallingford. At 3:30pm I found myself back inside the OPO ordering a couple of drinks. I did a spot of bus and train research while I waited for Emma and worked out I had a couple of hours for drinks and food.

As I’d enjoyed it so much the previous evening, I ordered a Chicken Milanese burger and was a little surprised when a totally different meal arrived. I have no idea what I’d eaten the previous evening but it apparently wasn’t a Chicken Milanese burger! I said a slightly reluctant ‘good-bye’ to Emma and Wallingford, got on the bus and realised my train to Birmingham had been cancelled and the next train was 30 minutes later. This meant I didn’t get back to Four Oaks until a lot later than planned and headed straight to bed.

Thursday – 30 mins cross training

I’m aware that this weekly update is turning into an essay so I’ll keep my Thursday update brief. I worked from home and struggled to complete a 30 minutes on my exercise bike. As I didn’t want to end up collapsed in a heap somewhere in Four Oaks, I decided not to attempt a 30 minute interval session.

Friday – Rest

After Monday’s desk fiasco, I had a quick chat with someone from another team and found myself somewhere to sit. This area of the office was quiet so I knew I’d be able to have a productive morning and I did. I forgot to eat any lunch, a decision which I’d regret later on. After a reasonably productive afternoon, I left the office with a colleague and we headed to the location of some leaving drinks, a pub in the centre of Birmingham. After three pints of slightly dubious lager my stomach reminded me that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. I didn’t want to start the weekend feeling terrible so I decided to call it a night and to head back home. I don’t want to over share but drinking three pints on an empty stomach resulted a slightly uncomfortable evening and two Imodium the evening before parkrun.

Saturday – Kingsbury Water parkrun

Sutton Park parkrun was cancelled because a new event – the Birmingham Running Festival – was taking place in Sutton Park. I could have had a sneaky lie-in but Core Team member and local running legend Rob asked me if I’d like a lift to Kingsbury Water parkrun. Rob picked me up, we met up with parkrun regulars Jez and Daniel, and Jez kindly drove us to Kingsbury Water Park.

I’d love to be able to say that I found the flat and fast course around Kingsbury Water Park easy but my lack of fitness showed and I struggled during the final mile. I’ve said it before but the camera doesn’t lie. At least I wasn’t taking a sneaky walking break!

[Photo: Titan Triathlon Club]

I finished the 5k course in 33:33, a best time for this year but what I consider to be an embarrassingly slow time for such an easy course. The post parkrun bacon sandwich and running chat made me feel a little more human.

After a slightly hectic afternoon featuring a trip to Birmingham and a somewhat disappointing football match, I met up with the Sutton Park parkrun Event Director Gary and his family. I’d agreed to take part in a Quiz night organised by a member of the Sutton Park parkrun Core Team.

I’ve taken part in a few quiz nights but this was by far the hardest quiz I’ve ever encountered. It started off with a tricky picture round and got harder. The music round was a low point, I think we only managed 3/20, one team got 1/20.

[Photo: Lisa Wilson]

Challenging questions aside, I had a great evening and had a lot of laughs. It’s amazing how many friends I’ve made as a result of volunteering at parkrun. Having said that, I’m not sure I’ll be invited back to the next quiz as I demonstrated that a PhD means nothing when it comes to general knowledge.

Sunday – Rest

Although my alarm was set for 6:30am, I must have somehow switched it off in my sleep as I didn’t wake up until 9:30am. I clearly needed my sleep. My stomach issues made an unwelcome reappearance so I didn’t attempt my interval session. The rest of the day was write-off as I didn’t want to risk being any sort of distance from a toilet. At least I remembered to order mums birthday present and flowers.

I like to remain positive at all times so I’ve just had a look at week eight of my Couch to Half Marathon training plan. The Tuesday and Thursday interval sessions look achievable. I just need to work out how to rearrange my training sessions as I’ll be in Leeds on Tuesday and Wednesday. After my reality check at parkrun, I’m not sure I’m fit or well enough to complete a six mile interval session on Sunday. I’ll have to see how I feel towards the end of the week.

Training totals

• Runs: 11
• Time: 6 hr 9 mins
• Distance: 30.88 miles

Niggleometer

• Right knee: 2/10
• Right foot: 2/10

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