10 for 2015

-

Well the year has ended much the same way that it began, slowly. It has been an amazing year with the peak coming in the summer but it has started and finished with illness and injury. January and February were lost due to a knee problem but I recovered from this with four months of good, strong running; half marathons, marathons and ultra marathons in March, April, May and June.

My body was pretty knackered after the 35 mile Shires and Spires and 70 mile Round the Isle of Wight so I eased off over the summer to facilitate recovery. I had treatment for shin pain and rested.

By September I was desperate to get back on it and the next couple of months I managed to achieve my aim of PB’s in the 5km Parkrun and Half Marathon. By November I was running faster and better than at any time before. Then flu hit and I was out of action for three weeks.

The illness is still lingering now and all I have managed since the beginning of November are a few steady 5k distances. I’m beginning to regain my strength though and will be ready to return in the New year.


I’ve already written about my highlights of the year. However I’m now looking forward to what is to come. This is what I’m eagerly anticipating:
  1. Parkrun – I was over the moon when I managed to get a new PB after almost a year of trying. Next year my aim is to finally break the 19 minute barrier.
  2. Parklands Jog and Run – These sessions are a great way to instil the discipline of strength and speed work while having fun with a great group of people. I look forward to more regular attendance in the New Year.
  3. Running for fun – In 2015 I’ll be entering less races. Partly due to the spiralling costs (£40 for a half!) but also to enjoy running for pure unadulterated enjoyment again. Long, steady cross country runs and a chance to explore more of the local area.
  4. Brighton Half Marathon – My first Half of the year which I missed in 2014 due to injury. With a good few weeks of preparation I’m hopeful of a shot at a sub 1:30.
  5. Manchester Marathon – Another deferred race from last year. This is widely recommended as one of the fastest and friendliest marathons in the UK. It will also help me to cope with the disappointment of not getting a place at London. Will I break 3:30?
  6. OCR – Having decided to retire from winter OCR events I will focus on competing in warmer weather. I’d like to try a new one and go for a win.

Popular posts from this blog

Human v Horse

-
Image
The trail is ankle deep in mud. There are large U shaped holes in the ground. My brain is working overtime to relay information from my eyes to my legs to avoid breaking an ankle. I'm descending at speed through pine forest with shouts of 'Horse!' echoing behind me.  Moments later I hear the heavy breathing of a quadruped moving at speed. The drumbeat of hooves on turf are replaced with the splashing and squelching of the sodden earth. I feel a warmth on the back of my neck, almost imperceptible, likely imagined. Turning my head I risk a fall, but I need to see my foe. I glimpse the auburn mount bearing down on me, helmeted rider perched atop. I dive to the side of the trail just in time. The speeding steed is past in a moment. I watch as horse and rider gallop on and vanish into the shadows.  This isn't a recurring nightmare - that's the one about leading parkrun and then getting lost - nor is it my experience of participating in an anti-hunting protest. This was h...
Read more

A bridge too far?

-
Image
A post on Facebook caught my attention. This is how many of my running adventures begin. Bex Band, founder of the women's adventure community Love Her Wild had walked across all the bridges in Greater London. Obviously this meant the Thames River. Less obviously there are 33 bridges in total starting at Hampton Court and ending at Tower Bridge. Of these, 26 have pedestrian access and she had crossed them all. 'Hmm, that would make a good run' was my first thought. Seed planted. A couple of months later on a mild, bright January day I travelled to Richmond. My first run was Richmond parkrun with my friend Vicki and her pal Nicola. 3.1 miles, no dear and a warming coffee later, I ran the nine miles to Hampton Court. Twelve miles done and I was ready to start my run! My goal was to cross each bridge when I came to it. That meant crossing Hampton Bridge and a sign denoting entrance to Surrey before turning and re-crossing it to begin. Yes, I am a pedant. Hampton Court Bridge I ...
Read more

Great Lakeland 3 Day

-
Image
We had been descending for close to a mile. It was a steady descent, more than runnable. A chance to stretch out the legs. At the bottom we stopped at the checkpoint to refill out water bottles from the fast flowing stream when cramp struck.  I watched as my friend Matt grimaced in agony and beads of sweat fell from his brow. The muscles of his inner thighs had completely spasmed. He was unable to move. We were nine miles into day two of our three day Lakeland adventure with fifteen miles and numerous summits still to go. It was a relief when after a few minutes he was able to take a few hesitant steps. Disaster seemed to have been averted. We continued along a flat road before beginning our next ascent. Suddenly, Matt let out a cry and fell to the floor writhing in pain. The cramps were back. The day seemed to be over and we began to discuss how to get back to the campsite. ----------------- Matt, his wife Kelly and I had booked onto the Scarpa Great Lakeland 3 Day that is held in...
Read more