Week 40: 28 September – 4 October

Run: 2h 10m (14.8 miles) | Cross Train: 0h 33m | Gym: 0h 00m

This was a cautious week of getting back into a regular routine. The running total was modest, but after a disrupted spell it was good simply to string some easy runs together again without feeling any need to chase the mileage.

The runs were all kept easy and deliberately low-key. Heart rate was still higher than it should normally be for the pace and effort, although that is probably to be expected while getting back to normal after illness and time away from running. For now, simply being able to run comfortably again feels more useful than turning every outing into a fitness test.

I also had my regular half an hour in the pool with my swim coach. Swimming at the moment is almost entirely technique-focused, so the clock is fairly irrelevant. The work is still about slowing the stroke down, improving the breathing and trying to make the whole thing feel a little less hurried.

Next week’s focus is on getting the legs moving normally again. I’ll introduce a little faster running or tempo work if everything continues to settle, but only in small doses. There is no fitness to be gained by suddenly trying to squeeze missed sessions into the final few days. With Chester Marathon now very close, arriving healthy matters rather more than trying to rescue the training block at the last minute.

Beyond Chester, I’m actually looking forward to taking the pressure off for a while. Autumn is probably my favourite time to run, so there should be a few weeks of easy running simply because I fancy going out, rather than because a training plan says I should. I’m particularly looking forward to a trip to the Lake District after the marathon — hopefully with no pace targets, no tempo miles and considerably more interest in the scenery.