Perhaps my best long run

22M am long run at 6.45 (0-7), 5.57 (7-14), 5.35 (14-22)

This may have been the best long run I've done. It was a proper crescendo run. My fastest miles came from 20-22. They both came in under 5.30.

I definitely wouldn't have predicted how well it would go when I got up. Or as I headed out the door. Or after the first mile. Or after the first few miles at 6 min/M. Or after the first mile of 5.40min/M (which felt a push and only came in at 5.45min/M). My legs felt jaded at each of these stages. But they picked up once they found the next rhythm that was thrown at them.

All of that is worth remembering.

Some lessons. I guess.

Firstly, I'm dead chuffed, as this has been a hard week. Three really solid hard sessions and another fairly hard 15 miler. My legs have got used to the mileage.

Secondly, it takes a bit of time to get used to a change in pace.

Thirdly (and I think this is true, but even if it isn't I think it's important that I convince myself that it is), I'm getting faster.

But however well it went, the final push still hurt a lot. From the Queenstown Road hill (mile 20) was pretty bad. But it was good. And the mental battle was good for me too.

I treated it like a race in terms of preparation. Pasta last night. An earlyish night. I got up at 6 for a quick Yazoo and banana breakfast. Then had a pre-run coffee.

The top of my right foot is near normal - I can see the tendons again! No other niggles.

I'm looking forward to my last really high mileage week next week (and time off work to really make it click).