This marked the formal start of my second year on running races (ever) so it was always going to be a challenge to see how I performed against last year. I have been struggling the past few weeks with a strained achilles tendon (gained through the only swimming session in ages!).
In fact since the race I can hardly walk due to the my ankle being swollen and sore but hey.. funny thing is I can run with it but can't walk!!! Go figure!!
So in training I have been going v slow and had to cut intervals so I wasn't sure what to expect.
But what a great day - it was wet and windy but that made no difference. I went out and didn't get carried away like last year - held a steady pace, even dropped in behind some slower runners to hold me back in the early stages. I felt strong and in control - compared to last year when I went off hard and by mile 10 I was blowing out my behind and ended in v poor shape.
Should also note a fairly brutal gym session on Saturday meant I couldn't lift my arms on Sunday so no salute at the end.... !
So I was 3 minutes faster than last time but was steady throughout - could have gone faster at the end but held back and even ran pace for a guy who was struggling a bit in the last half mile. So a few people went by me in the first mile but I moved through them over the next 12 so wasn't passed nearly as much as before.
Other indicators of improvement - could hold a telephone conversation with Selina at about mile 9 - trying to meet up - that even surprised her that I could even talk!!!
I also made changes on the technology front - so I ran with only one ear piece plugged in. This was I get music and pace checks whilst also being able to judge my effort levels compared to others (the heavy breathing test as it will now be known as! good news was that other were working harder than I was)
My last note was on the mental side of the run (yes I agree I must be mad anyway!) I had listened an interview with the World Ironman Kona champ Chris McCormack in the week before (http://www.imtalk.com/ - end of year review) and I have to say it was inspring - just the way he thinks through races, assessing how he is doing, what is going on around him and most important looking for the positives to help rather than slow him. Now clearly I am not drawing parrallels with what must be the fitness guy in the worldest hardest sport but just to take some strength from some of his techniques really worked. So I thank him for that....
So now back to training - hopefully now the swelling is down I will be back to plan, got a 20 mile LSD (long slow distance) to knock over on Sunday.
It's three weeks to Silverstone Half for the next test, with the Grindleford Gallop the week after .... 8 weeks till London. I hope I can maintain momentum.
In fact since the race I can hardly walk due to the my ankle being swollen and sore but hey.. funny thing is I can run with it but can't walk!!! Go figure!!
So in training I have been going v slow and had to cut intervals so I wasn't sure what to expect.
But what a great day - it was wet and windy but that made no difference. I went out and didn't get carried away like last year - held a steady pace, even dropped in behind some slower runners to hold me back in the early stages. I felt strong and in control - compared to last year when I went off hard and by mile 10 I was blowing out my behind and ended in v poor shape.
Should also note a fairly brutal gym session on Saturday meant I couldn't lift my arms on Sunday so no salute at the end.... !
So I was 3 minutes faster than last time but was steady throughout - could have gone faster at the end but held back and even ran pace for a guy who was struggling a bit in the last half mile. So a few people went by me in the first mile but I moved through them over the next 12 so wasn't passed nearly as much as before.
Other indicators of improvement - could hold a telephone conversation with Selina at about mile 9 - trying to meet up - that even surprised her that I could even talk!!!
I also made changes on the technology front - so I ran with only one ear piece plugged in. This was I get music and pace checks whilst also being able to judge my effort levels compared to others (the heavy breathing test as it will now be known as! good news was that other were working harder than I was)
My last note was on the mental side of the run (yes I agree I must be mad anyway!) I had listened an interview with the World Ironman Kona champ Chris McCormack in the week before (http://www.imtalk.com/ - end of year review) and I have to say it was inspring - just the way he thinks through races, assessing how he is doing, what is going on around him and most important looking for the positives to help rather than slow him. Now clearly I am not drawing parrallels with what must be the fitness guy in the worldest hardest sport but just to take some strength from some of his techniques really worked. So I thank him for that....
So now back to training - hopefully now the swelling is down I will be back to plan, got a 20 mile LSD (long slow distance) to knock over on Sunday.
It's three weeks to Silverstone Half for the next test, with the Grindleford Gallop the week after .... 8 weeks till London. I hope I can maintain momentum.
