One of the reasons I started writing this blog was to record my thoughts and experiences about running my first ultra distance race when I finished the Race to the Stones in 2014.
This post is partially about Parkrun so its amazing to see how far I've come in the last three years and over 4,000 miles!
One of my major running goals this year was to put down some times on the road I feel happier with and having got personal bests at half and marathon earlier in the year, the past few weeks have been about maintaining consistent training but also squeezing in a 5k and 10k road race.
It might sound strange but I've never raced over these distances so any time would be a personal best but I still wanted to see where I am at and put down a marker for each distance before the year is out.
The 10k was at the Leeds Abbey Dash with my colleagues and some clients from BDB. It was a cool and wet morning perfect for running if a little cold. Bobby and Ben were also there hunting down a pb (and succesfully I might add).
From BDB there were some notable performances. Andrew nailed a sub 40 time after a long recovery from a horrific leg break (nice one fella) and Gill and Amy completed their first (and last Gill?) ever races. It was great to share the experience with so many friends and a mid morning beer afterwards! Awesome running by everyone
I had a good run if a shade too conservative at the start on reflection. I finished in 38.16 which was well inside my target of 39 minutes.
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| Sporting my red BDB shirt at the Leeds Abbey Dash |
Despite having a reputation for fast times, having reviewed mine and others Strava records it looks like the course measured a little long (maybe 100 metres?). So sub 38 minutes looks like a great target for the next 10k attempt.
I have been saying I want to do a Parkrun for ages but because i do my long runs on Saturday it has never quite happened. Yesterday I realised I was running out of time this year so I just fit York Parkrun into my long run and did the rest after (a grim 11 miles after charging around a 5k so I will not be making a habit of this!). Getting my excuses in like a proper amateur athlete, I have a rotten cold and made loads of mistakes. My time was 18.36 which felt ok all considering. 18 minutes looks like a worthy next step to aim for...
That completes the slam of road bests in 2016. It has certainly given me a confidence boost and a better feel for where I am with my running. Hours on the trails is the best fun but its difficult sometimes to see how you're progressing as no two runs are the same.
I'm not sure what opportunity I'll get to shoot for faster times next year. I have some major ultra plans which is about going long and not fast so its been great to get some quicker markers down for the future.
I am already into my training plan for the Hardmoors 110 in May 2017, with the next major target being a 50k on New Years Day at the Hardmoors 30. What better way to spend your birthday!?
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