Pushing My Limits: Reflections on a Tough Threshold Run and World Book Day Celebrations

-

 Today, I tackled a threshold run that really put my endurance and willpower to the test. The run consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, followed by a 10-minute hard effort in heart rate zone 4, and then a 10-minute cool down. While this may not seem like a long run, the intensity of the workout made it feel like an eternity.

Maintaining the right zone for a full 10 minutes is no easy feat, and I found myself pushing my limits to stay within the required heart rate zone. As the minutes ticked by, I could feel my legs starting to turn to jelly, and my breathing became more laboured. However, I was determined to complete the run and managed to push through until the end.

Despite the challenging nature of the run, I was pleased with the results. Completing the threshold run served as an excellent test of my endurance and gave me a boost of confidence as I prepare to run a full half-marathon at race pace on Saturday. With each passing day, I am feeling more and more prepared for the upcoming marathon.

On a slightly different note, today was also World Book Day at my school, and as a teacher, I was tasked with decorating my classroom door with a book theme. Can you guess which theme I went with?!

Overall, it was a busy but productive day, and I am looking forward to the challenge of the half-marathon on Saturday. With just a handful of weeks left until the London Marathon, I am feeling confident and excited to take on the ultimate test of endurance. Thanks for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more updates soon!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 117: The Countdown Begins – With Bubbles, Cable Cars and Freeze-Dried Yoghurts

-
Image
An Alarming Rest Day The first of my rest days arrived with the cheery chirp of a 6am alarm, because apparently, my brain hasn’t received the memo about the whole “rest” part. Still, there was a strange satisfaction in rising early knowing I didn’t have to pound the pavements today. That satisfaction was slightly dampened—much like the weather—by a particularly excitable pollen count. Despite the persistent drizzle, the air was clearly full of microscopic mischief. The antihistamines made their valiant appearance and were taken with gratitude and a mild grumble. A Journey Worth the Cable Car This afternoon marked one of the most exciting rituals in the London Marathon build-up: collecting my race number. It involved a drive to the O2 followed by the delightfully surreal experience of sailing across the Thames in a cable car, which felt a little bit like commuting in a Bond film if Bond wore Asics and carried a protein bar. Upon landing on the other side, the Excel centre welcomed me...
Read more

London Marathon 2025: The Final Chapter

-
Image
Morning Light and Marathon Dreams Today was the day I had been building towards for months. Every cold morning, every soaked pair of socks, every long, lonely run came down to this — London Marathon day. The alarm clock chirped far too early, but I was already half-awake, running through the plan for the day in my head. After polishing off two cinnamon and raisin bagels (because clearly one was not going to be enough) and a strong coffee, I packed up my bag of gels, SaltStick chews, and hope and we set off. The drive up to Blackheath was filled with that strange, electric mix of excitement and anxiety. My parents did their best to drop me as close to the start as they could and I waved them off with a grin that hid the fluttering nerves underneath. I made my way to the starting area, ticking off the necessary pre-race rituals — most importantly, joining the epic pilgrimage to the toilets, where I was reminded once again that there are few places in life where dignity is checked at t...
Read more

Day 30: Canterbury 10-Mile Race - A Yardstick for Progress

-
Image
The Morning Rush Sunday races always mean an early start, and today was no exception. Arriving in Canterbury at 8 am, I was immediately thrust into the trifecta of pre-race rituals: parking, collecting my race number, and navigating the inevitable toilet queue—an experience that can feel like an endurance event of its own. It was a bitterly cold morning, hovering around 2 degrees. Dressing appropriately for a race in such conditions is always a gamble: the first few minutes will chill you to your core, but once you’re moving, layers can become an unnecessary burden. After a quick, if not particularly effective, warm-up, I bumped into a friend, Ben Holliday, whose detailed analysis of local cricket diverted my attention from my frozen fingertips. Perhaps distraction really is the greatest warmth. The Race With over 1,200 participants, the start line was a jostling crowd, all shuffling for position like biscuits in a tin. The initial bunching, while slightly frustrating, provided some re...
Read more