Day 49: Threshold Training Troubles and a Glimmer of Rest

A Slightly More Civilised Start

Another day, another threshold run, and while I’m not sure I’ll ever enjoy them, today’s session at least had a minor variation: a slightly later start. Thanks to staff training, I wasn’t dragged into the predawn darkness at quite my usual hour, and rising at 5:30am almost felt luxurious. Almost.

The plan was simple on paper—three six-minute efforts, keeping my heart rate between 165-170 bpm. A straightforward task, surely? But, as with so many things in life, what looks manageable from a distance has an entirely different character up close.

The Heart Rate Hokey Cokey

The first interval started smoothly enough, but very quickly, I was reminded why threshold runs occupy a special place in my personal hall of suffering. The battle to keep my heart rate within the required range was relentless. Too slow, and my Garmin let out a disapproving beep; too fast, and I risked tipping over into anaerobic madness. It was less of a run and more of an ongoing negotiation—like trying to keep a cat exactly where you want it to sit.

By the second effort, I was deep in the struggle. My legs insisted they had already done their fair share of the workload, my lungs strongly agreed, and my heart rate remained infuriatingly resistant to my best efforts at control. By the third and final effort, I had achieved a sort of grudging acceptance: this was just how things were going to be. My Garmin and I would have to agree to disagree.

A Cool Down and a Blur

Once the intervals were done, I was conveniently close to work, allowing for a gentle cool down before heading in. From that point on, the day passed in a blur of responsibilities and routine, my threshold struggles already fading into the background. But the real reward was on the horizon—a week off work.

There will be no rest or recovery, just more miles, more training, and more pushing forward. The marathon isn’t going to run itself, and while a week off work might seem like a great opportunity to ease up, I know better. The next block of training looms large, and every run counts. Time to lace up and keep moving.