And she huffed and she puffed...

And then she huffed and puffed and huffed some more, because it was windy and she wasn't as fit as she used to be.

Seriously, there was a lot of puffing.  It has been a tad blowy this week.  That combined with a serious lack of sleep in the middle of the week have left me a lot more tired than I should have been.   I have, however, stuck to the plan.  All the plan.  I have not been a plonker. 

The week was actually pretty uneventful, just hard work because of the wind.  The wind on the harder runs doesn't really matter in a way, because I'll just put the same effort in and be a bit slower.  The wind on the easy runs is a different matter.  Tuesday was meant to be a very easy 13 miles.  The problem though; it's almost impossible to run easy in 40 mph winds.  Even when I picked up the tail wind I was still having to brace against it and that was hard work too.  It was the only time I had when I could run so I just had to suck it up and do my best to do my worst. 

When Wednesday's interval session hit I was really tired, it was still too windy.  In addition someone had written me a total and utter git of a session.  I would love to blame someone else for writing me a total git of a session, but as I wheezed round the park on failing legs I had to admit I wrote and planned it myself.  30 minutes of effort, the sort of thing that's good for the soul, and fitness, and stamina, and strength, and rather daunting when starting it pretty damn knackered.  I nearly ditched it four reps in when I staggered sloppily into the wind and managed an interval that wasn't even at my current 5k pace.  Then I had a word with myself and got on with it.  It was horrible to work as hard as I did to run as slowly as I did, but I did put the effort in on very tired legs and there's no denying I worked hard which I figure has to count for something.  I followed it up with my heaviest strength session of the week and shuffled through the next couple of days grumbling about the pain in my arse.  Shuffling was kind of the plan those days so that was fine.

The week continued in a too busy sleep deprived blur and I rocked up for parkrun on Saturday feeling somewhat like a member of the undead.  I had planned a parkrun followed by some 90s efforts.  I didn't think I'd manage the parkrun, again in high wind, at anything like the planned pace.  Actually, after a day's rest my legs felt better.  Not great, but better.  It was still a lot of effort for a 21:30 parkrun even taking into account the less than ideal conditions, but it was much better than I'd expected and I did manage some 60s efforts afterwards.  As there were still lots of parkrunners around I felt obliged to pretend I could run a decent pace without it almost killing me.  I think I fooled some of them, maybe one of them.  Perhaps.  "Stand up straight and try not to look like you need someone to call an ambulance," I repeated to myself again and again.  Phew, think I managed it.  Just.

That left only the long run, 16 miles this week to take me up to a weekly total of 55.  I did a few miles solo first and put in a cheeky quick segment.  I cannot resist the club "segment of the week" challenge.  I don't know why, but I need to have a go.  It's completely meaningless, I am aware of this, but I just can't help myself.  After a mostly easy four miles I picked up a friend, Paul, and we set off to do the rest.  The pace was "very easy" which I was determined to run on feel not pace.  I guessed I'd average around 9:15 minute miles although it did end up a bit quicker which is probably a good sign.  It also ended up a bit longer, because I got us lost.  I am very good indeed at getting myself and others lost.  Paul politely didn't make a huge issue of this, despite me turning it into his longest run by a considerable distance for a considerable time, and treating him to some unexpected hills which he's not a big fan of.  He even offered afterwards to do another long run with me at some point, although he was noticeably vague on the when of this run.  

Next week we've more of the same, lots of slow miles, some quicker ones, and trying to resist the urge to drown myself in festive spirits.  I suspect this week I may falter somewhat on the latter.  Well, the odd glass of wine really, I mean, it's Christmas yes?