It has been a while since I have written a MarathonMann blog so I thought I would make amends because things have been going rather well running-wise. Last year was my “Annus horribilis” blighted by injury and illness but thankfully this year, I have had a clear-run, free of problems and this is the first time I have been able to get fully-fit since my operation to fix my heart rhythm a few years ago.
I have been able to achieve most of my goals this year, to run 200 miles in a month (which I did in August), run a sub-48 minute 10K (which I did in Wakefield) and a sub-1:50 half, where in Leeds I not only achieved that but beat my course record. I have achieved my goal of running a 5K in under 23 minutes twice and my one last goal is to run 1,500 miles in the whole year, which is on course (today I stand at 1,346 with over 2 months to go). In addition to all of this, I was able to do a few unexpected things such as getting under 1:20 in the York 10 mile last week.
So what next? Running fairly long distances fast seems to take its toll and I do ache somewhat after the Yorkshire 10 mile (followed up by a fast parkrun the week after). I think I will back-off high mileage for the rest of the year in order to let my body recover. I do want to do 100 miles in every month this year but setting this as my goal for the remaining months does seem like ticking-over which brings home the strength and fitness I have achieved.
The final challenge I have set myself this year is to run the Abbey Dash 10K in under 46 minutes which would be an all-time PB. One part of me tells me that this is hopelessly unrealistic but I do find I can run the last halves of 10Ks very quickly (in Wakefield it was well under 23 minutes) because it catches me when I am properly warmed up and before fatigue sets in. I believe that the only way you can achieve challenging goals is to set them so I will give it my very best shot!
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Marathon Mann 