One of the useful effects of recording my thoughts in this blog is that it enables me to crystalise ideas as well as proving a reference point for me to look back upon and that is the primary motivation for this particular entry; it will be useful to remind myself in the future about what was behind certain decisions. The past two to three months have been a bit of a write-off in running terms as injury and illness have taken toll. Looking back on my running log there is a bit of a pattern in that I do seem to suffer these problems after the clock goes back in the autumn, usually managing to plough on for a few weeks until the inevitable break-down. As a result I have decided that I will not book any races in 'the dark months' of November, December and January, cut down on mileage and take things easy, perhaps concentrating on the cross-country fixtures with my running club instead. Hopefully this will see me refreshed and ready for my nine month 'running season'.
My main focus for 2015 will be to reach 100 marathons and I know this will mean sacrificing better race times in order to get through the numbers required, which is fine. I have the majority of races necessary to reach the milestone already booked up and the others penciled in so I just need to keep myself fit and healthy between the start of the year and the end of October. My first event of the year will be the Berkshire Cross Country Championship and given that the effects of a nasty virus currently have me unable to comfortably complete a 5K that could well mean a very lonely run at the back of the field, but that's no problem, I just enjoy being involved in these things.
Since my previous blog I have managed to complete one marathon and strangely finished feeling quite good. With just over a mile to go I realised that I had a chance of sneaking under five hours if I put in some effort and was able to produce my quickest pace of the entire race from somewhere and felt fine at the finish. Since then even the shortest of jogs have been sapping all my energy and so I have had to forgo a couple of races but recovery is more important at this stage than clocking up numbers.
30th November 2014 Saxon Shore 4:59:29 #51
7th December 2014 Dymchurch dns
21st December 2014 Portsmouth Coastal dns
27th December 2014 Sunrise to Sunset dns
I find your blogs very inspiring, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna, I do appreciate you taking the time to comment on them :-) How is your own running going, I haven't seen any blogs for a while or am I just missing them?
ReplyDeleteHi Gary, I deleted my blogs and haven't been running since the end of December. Every year, I seem to have a severe form of seasonal depression, but it's almost March, so I am hopeful! I have a goal marathon registered for on September 13th. Our finances are in a horrible state, so that is my only planned race for the year, but hope to get back to daily jogging soon!
DeleteI am sorry to hear that Anna, I do understand what you are going through and sympathise, hopefully things will improve for you all round as the year gets lighter. Hang in there, things do get better and easier.
DeleteAfter exactly two months off, I finally got out there today for a 24 minutes of continuous effort and enjoyed every second of it! Hopefully, I can stay on the wagon and keep to my routine...
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