10k training week 2

This hasn't gone as well as it should have done.

First run was 5k, which I had no problems doing at all. Second and third runs of 3 & 5k were much harder. Probably not helped by going away on Tuesday, coming back Wednesday and running on Thursday morning.

On a slightly happier note, I looked at my stats from last week. This week, I ran an extra 1.8k in 2 minutes less. I am getting there slowly.

10k training: week one review

So, the first week of training is over. I have discovered that running without eating beforehand doesn't work and just makes my legs feel heavy and I go slower than usual.

The first week was 2 x 2 mile runs and a 15 minute run. None were that easy. (the 15 minute run was done without eating)

Tomorrow, week 2 starts with a 3 mile run. I am hoping this run is easier than yesterday's attempt at a 2 mile run. Deciding to chuck a few hills in there (I have no idea why I did this) was not a good idea.

10k training

The last time I ran a 10k was in November at Plymouth. I am now training for the London 10,000 and am desperate to get my time down. Hoping to get the time down to at least 1:10.

10k training has started. The plan is to do it by time and not distance. Although, looking at yesterday's stats, it's tempting to switch to distance.

New running club

I finally decided that I needed to join a new running club; as I had a few problems with my previous running club.

So, off I went and saw the coach pull up and I asked where we go. (I knew it was in the hospital somewhere)

After I got there, he introduced me and showed me around. He said that we usually do 4-5k each Monday. This was ok for me.

So off we went. We walked some of it and it before I knew it, we were nearly back to club. I then asked if I could go home; as I live nearby and there was no point me running back to club and then running / walking back home.

Unlike my first time at Sweatshop Running Community, (SRC) they haven't scared me off. We had a gentle jog / walk. It was lovely.

Getting there, slowly

Not having had anything to say, has meant this is my first post of the year.

So, I took a break in December for a few weeks due to lack of motivation and struggling to get out and to run. There was no point dragging myself out there because I felt as though I had to run.

Anyway, I've not done as much running as I was hoping. I had my first race on Wednesday and now have a PB for that race - 3k in 21:58. It would have been quicker if some idiot hadn't decided to block me from running at the end.

I have a race entered for May - the London 10,000. Let's hope I can run it this time. My current target is to be able to run this one. My training sessions (not club) will see me working towards this. 3 and a half months to go. I really want to get around in under 1:10. My current PB was set in Plymouth in November - 1:13:28.

End of year review and next years' goal

Well, this has certainly been a mixed year:
- 12 races
- 3 PBs
- too many injuries to count!

This year saw me do 12 races in 2012. I was hoping to do a half marathon this year; but things didn't quite go to plan; so I ended up doing some 3k, 5k and 10k races. I received PBs in all of them.

One goal was a sub 1:15 10k. I got a 1:13:28. Before then, my best was 1:18:38. A huge improvement of over 5 minutes!

Next years goals:
- a 10 miler
- a half marathon
- stay injury free
- a sub 1:10 10k
- a sub 29 5k
- a sub 35 5k race
- a sub 17 3k
- a sub 21 3k in the 3k winter series - I also plan to take part in all 6 of these

Unsure about which other races I want to do next year. Will be helping to marshal the Plymouth half marathon; so will receive a free Plymouth 10k place. I will be looking at a summer (June / July / August) half marathon; but need to be able to run 10 miles comfortably before even looking at half marathons.

Taking a break for a bit

On Wednesday, I completed my 12th and final race of the year. (and no, I hadn't intended to complete 12 in 12 on 12/12/12!)

During the 3k race, my ankle started playing up. Not wanting another DNF, (did not finish) I carried on to the end. To my shock, I had knocked 7 seconds off last months' PB.

Having looked back at the first time I did this race, (March) I have knocked 4 minutes of my PB and have done better each time.

Talk about ending on a high note!

I have now made the decision to take a break for a few weeks, or maybe a month. Since my Great West Run in May, I've had various injury issues and think the most sensible thing to do is to take a break.

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