January

-

I’m aiming for 2019 to be my best year of running so far. Over the last seven years I have had good years and not so good years. 2015 was the most successful in terms of times with PBs achieved at every distance. However, 2018 has probably been the most enjoyable, exploring trails, running with my fellow Bald Monkey and entering some excellent events.

Injuries have been a part of my journey too and have interrupted my progress. From shin splints and runners knee to hip and iliotibial band strains. My diet has never been good and I have used exercise as an excuse to eat and drink whatever I want.

So, to this year and a determination to take my running to another level. A healthy diet, an injury prevention routine, hill and speed work and a marathon a month.

It would be hard to do this on my own so John and I are keeping one another accountable and so far, that has been a resounding success. Here are January’s achievements and February’s goals:

Achieved
  • 217 miles run
  • No alcohol
  • A balanced diet including fruit, seeds, vegetables and plenty of water
  • Weekly progressive hill sessions
  • Weekly 20+ long run
  • Sub 19:30 parkrun
  • Dymchurch New Year Marathon completed
  • Daily 2 minute plank, 10 press ups and yoga stretches
  • Good sleep
  • Started a C25K group at work

    Goals
  • 180+ miles
  • No alcohol
  • A balanced diet including fruit, seeds, vegetables and plenty of water
  • Weekly progressive hill sessions
  • Weekly 20+ long run
  • Sub 19:00 parkrun
  • Lenham Cross Winter Marathon
  • Daily 2 minute plank, 20 press ups and yoga stretches
  • Good sleep
  • Continue with C25K group

    Highlight
    My highlight for January has to be helping to pace John to a new PB of 19:48. It had been his goal to go under 20 minutes and seeing him achieve it gave me as much joy as getting my own PB.

    Best run
    No, not the marathon. It was nice to run on New Year’s Day but quite a chore going up and down the promenade. My best was actually last Saturday’s run to Summerhouse Hill, an off-road trek through woods, across hills and through mud. Towards the end John experienced severe pain in his knee but showed great determination by pushing on to the end.

    Lessons learned
  • Core strength is important and makes a big difference.
  • Fuelling during a long run is essential.
  • I like being tee-total.

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