My sixth week was my hardest yet on several levels. I started with my favourite part. The long run in the heart rate zone 1. It was my longest run in this preparation so far and my longest for quite a while. But I still managed it well and it was fun. It was almost 19km. Of course, you could now assume that the 2km to the half marathon is just a small thing, but it's not. It's exactly those last kilometres that are the worst. At least for me. But that's what I'm training for. To finish these 2km as well. But what was also interesting for me was the time I needed for the 19 km. That was the time I had set as my goal for the half marathon. So now I can estimate even more precisely what I still have ahead of me. 2km more, but in the same time. Very simple.
I also had to deal with stress, little time and poor sleep this week. When training takes up such a big part of your life, other things have to wait. Or you need good time management. Although you can't cover everything with that either. What I missed this week was time to take a deep breath. Especially after stressful days at work, I could have used that. But unfortunately there was no time for that this week. I had to train because there was no other way. So the training was my time to take a deep breath. In the truest sense of the word. But it helped. I was able to end the stressful, frustrating days with the training and even recharge my batteries and motivation for the next ones.
I knew that the balancing act between training, free time and work could be difficult. And maybe that's why it took until week six for it to get to me. Until now, I've always been very careful to take breaks, get enough sleep and still have free time. From now on, I will pay attention to that again.