PAR. 7 weeks to go.

So I lied to myself. If I recall correctly, 3 weeks ago, I said… I will have to decline this entry as I am not in training mode and I should really pass exams first. Now, that was razor-sharp exam mode Monica talking.

Post-exams, here came bored, ‘what do I do now?’ Mon. David says… ‘just sit down and chill.’

I said… I think I’m going to do it, I am going to run Paris. I have a place and I am not going to waste it. Otherwise, it will be another race I can’t/won’t run. Welcome to the party erratic Mon!

I emailed Cancer Research UK back to let them know that I will run with them. Now as previously, I am not the best at fundraising as I don’t have Facebook or Instagram or Strava or other social media, it will be good old talking to people about it and directly messaging them.

I figured I need 50-100 friends and family to donate £10-£20 to come up with £1000. My fundraising page is on Mon Runs Paris.

Well what about training?

So training is not exactly timely and UK weather has not exactly been friendly. Whilst still in revision mode, I have done most of my running on a treadmill at the gym. Once a week, I have been doing a 90-minute Rolling Hills workout on the treadmill. I think this has boosted my fitness because on days when I am running outside, I am able to hold a good pace. Bottom line, I think this Rolling Hills workout is here to stay, especially living in flat coastal Portsmouth.

I then thought, starting late, I have to aim for more mileage a week than what I am used to. I normally do a 20-25 miles/week. So I’m aiming for an ambitious 30 miles/week.

Last night (no rain… finally!), I managed to run 11 miles (very surprisingly)! It was also the first time since the Great South Run that I’ve run 10+ miles. The first half (westward) was very windy and I was running against the wind but when faced with this challenge, my mind focuses that when I have to turn back, the wind will be on my back and will help me with the second half. “May the wind be forever at your back.”

Surprisingly, I ran all 11 miles faster than when I ran the GSR 10 miles. Hopeful. However, my neurotic self was disappointed because after completing my run, walking into the house and sitting on the carpet, I checked weekly miles and found that I ran 29.7 miles! Not quite 30 miles. C’est dommage!