By Jorjia March
Week 1
It’s nearly the end of the cross-country season which means it’s time for all the big championships. I was really pleased with my run at The National where I came sixth in the mud bath of Parliament Hill. Our team got silver too which was amazing. My legs were very tired for a few days after but I managed some good training in the week and a tough session of hill sprints on Sunday. I also played in a football match for my school which was good cross training!
This week was meant to be all about building up to the Inter Counties on Saturday; I did a good session of 800m and 400m runs at the track on Tuesday and played football for the school on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I came down with a flu-like virus later in the week and had to pull out of the race, which was really disappointing, especially as I love the course at Wollaton Hall. I’m hoping to be fit again next week after missing a few days of training…. these things always happen at the wrong time!
Week 2
This week was really hard for me. Having missed the Inter Counties I was really looking forward to representing Middlesex at the English Schools Cross Country Championships. However, having just about recovered from the virus last week, the whole family were struck down with norovirus!
This wiped out any hopes I had of being fit for the race which was so disappointing. I was also unable to manage any training other than a couple of easy runs once the sickness had passed. Now that cross-country season is over, I can focus on the Mini London Marathon and track season. I’m looking forward to doing some speed training and shorter reps!
Sarah Astin with Jorjia March (left) and Emily Lowery (right) (Graham Smith)
Week 3
The weather has been so much better this week and I’ve enjoyed getting out and running in shorts and a t-shirt. On Wednesday I received notification that I have qualified for the Mini London Marathon, representing Enfield, which gave me a boost! I have competed in the event on three occasions now and the atmosphere is always unreal.
Fortunately, I am feeling much better and have had a good week of training. This has included track reps, road running, hills and a trail run. I’ve also had a heavy week of PE at school which I count as cross-training. Now that cross-country has finished, training distances are shorter – I like that!
This week I also was lucky to receive a brand-new pair of Vaporflys which I can’t wait to race in. I always save super shoes for racing as I don’t like using them for training, I just use my Pegasus. I once read the Keely Hodgkinson does that same.
Week 4
I’ve had a good week of training this week. I have started doing some strength and conditioning work at home and I managed this on Monday and Wednesday. I also began some proper speed work on the track.
On Saturday I went over to Chelmsford to train with my club. I don’t get the chance to go very often as it’s a fair distance away, so it was great to meet up with them for their first proper training session of the track season. We are going away to Portugal for a training camp next week which is so exciting! Hoping the weather will be sunny.
I’ve had lots of exams this week and some more next week so can’t wait for the Easter break now. Sometimes I don’t find it that easy balancing school work with running as the amount of homework can vary from week to week. I’m going to have to get organised next year when I take my GCSEs! Also looking forward to my first track race of the season at Watford on Wednesday.
Jorjia March training (Jorjia March)
Week 5
This has been a really exciting week. I had a couple of lighter days on Monday and Tuesday before opening my track season at Watford on Wednesday. I just wanted to get a solid race in and I did! It was a chilly evening and I tucked in the pack before stretching out over the last 250m. It’s the fastest season opener I have had and I’m happy to break 4:30 [4:29.94 over 1500m].
I did some shorter sprint work at the local park on Thursday with my training group before flying to Portugal on Friday with Chelmsford AC. The weather has been great so far. We are staying just outside Vilamoura and have access to the track and cross-country course. We are also a two minute walk to the beach!
We began with a really tough track session on Saturday morning with four sets of 400/300/200m. We also ran to and from the track which was 2.5km each way. On Sunday we did a 12km long run which finished with a tough section along the beach! Luckily the food in the hotel is amazing and so we have been fuelling well, as well as relaxing by the pool. We rounded off the evening by watching some really bad karaoke!
Week 6
Still in Portugal! On Monday we did a 5 x 5 minute tempo session on the cross-country course, which was also used for the European Cross Country Championships in 2010 [Albufeira] – a challenging 2km loop on another warm day. On Tuesday we were back on the track, this time for a more speed-oriented session.
Finishing with some fast 150m runs had us all flat on our backs gasping for air! I spent the afternoon chilling out by the pool before we all headed down for a fun evening rounders match on the beach. It was time to head home on Wednesday but not before an early run out to Vilamoura and back.
The training camp had been a fantastic experience; excellent facilities and a great group of athletes, parents and coaches. I really hope we can go next year! I took it easy for a couple of days before returning to session work at Trent Park on Saturday and then pacing my younger sister to a junior parkrun personal best on Sunday.
Jorjia March on beach (Jorjia March)
Final Week
It’s the last week of the Easter holidays for me and another busy week. I spent Monday to Thursday at the Junior2Senior camp at Radley College, which was run by Matt Seddon and Dan Studley. This is the second year I have been and I really enjoyed it.
The main highlight for me was meeting Ben Pattison on Monday evening. He gave a talk about life as an elite athlete and covered what injuries and illnesses he has had to overcome recently. We also did lots of workshops including nutrition, hydration, careers in running and got the chance to try out some On Running shoes. Obviously, we did some tough training too! My favourite session was the last one where we did a run and then some fast short hills. I also enjoyed the strength and conditioning sessions we did there and the bounding and drills.
Unfortunately, my team did badly in the quiz! I was pretty tired when I got home so had a restful couple of days and met up with school friends and starting to get ready for my DofE bronze which I start next week. I did a short, fast session on the road in Trent Park on Saturday and finally a long slow run of 10km on Sunday with my dad. I’m now looking forward to the Mini London Marathon which is less than a week away!
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