Sweating the small stuff - 11/12/2016

"If I can get better, why not?"- Emil Zatopek
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.  

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!?

   

Yorkshire Marathon 11/10/2015

'It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.' - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Exactly two years ago I had a harsh lesson delivered to me in the form of a painful and ultimately disappointing introduction to marathon running at the inaugural Yorkshire marathon here in York. 

 I followed my training plan and thought everything was in place to get me round in my target  time of three and a half hours.  In the end though I paced it badly, I hit the wall, cramped up and hobbled home painfully and disappointed 6 minutes outside my time.  

I know now that I was seriously underprepared.  

I found it tough to take but what happened to me in that race essentially kickstarted two years of incredible trail running adventures as I resolved to train harder, run further and be stronger so that I never have to feel that way again.  I am a different runner now, much stronger and I've certainly learned how to suffer better...!

Fast forward two years and my home marathon was looming again and I had got myself a number thinking I'd be in great shape to run a time I'd be happy with.  In reality though its been a tricky few months with injury curtailing my training and then a tough day out dragging myself round the Hardmoors 60 only a few weeks ago with the sprained ankle.

In my mind I had decided to withdraw from the marathon soon after finishing the Hardmoors.  The ankle has improved a lot but I knew a super quick time (for me) was out of the question.  In the few days before the race though, my decision not to run had started to nag at me.  I slowly started to realise that the desire to chase a time had blinded me to what an incredible experience and privilege it is to run a marathon and even better when its on your doorstep.

In the end the fear of missing out won.  I decided to run on the day before and immediately regretted overindulging at a function the previous Tuesday evening!

But what would my tactic be?  I didn't want to just trot round and treat it like a training run,  but I also knew that my recent prep would preclude a super quick time.

I decided to try to run the race I wanted to two years ago.

I ran comfortably with the pack surrounding the 3h 30 pacer telling myself that if my ankle started to hurt at any stage I would withdraw.  The weather conditions were perfect, the Minster looked glorious and the good people of York lined the route in their thousands cheering, clapping and keeping everyone supplied with jelly babies, musical entertainment and lots of love.

The ankle discomfort never materialised and I got stronger as the race unfolded.  The wall never came, the cramp never appeared and I ran a negative split coming home in 3h 25mins.

It was immensely cathartic to finally put those 2013 demons to rest.  To comfortably deliver the race I hoped to back then with no specific preparation shows how far I've come.  I'm so glad I didn't listen to my stupid ego telling me that its all about the time.  I know I can go faster but that's not the point.

Top photobombing.  I wondered what happened to my free yoghurt!

When I jump off this ultra treadmill for long enough I'd like to see how big a hole I can put into my marathon time.  For now though its good just to have one in the bank that doesn't have such a painful memory.

As the nights draw in, the call of the sofa and the duvet gets stronger.  To all of you braving the elements this winter and pounding the pavements and trails over the next few months extra respect. Good luck to you whatever your challenge.  Its certainly harder this time of year but way more rewarding.  You have my permission to feel that extra little bit smug!  See you out there...