Today marked the end of my 2014 racing season of 22 events at the Fleet 10k with Debs and 4 other Sherfield Park Runners club members. A nice, undulating two-lap triangular course (used for one lap as part of the Fleet half marathon each March) that had great PB potential...except that I have been unable to shift a sore throat and head cold for a week and a half. Debs was VERY keen that I didn't run today, but I did with the promise that "I won't run too fast". In the end I managed a reasonable, for me, half marathon style pace and landed a 51:15 at an average of 8:16 mins per mile. Not shabby, but not what I wanted....a PB better than my 49:07. Wasn't to be, but I did it, enjoyed it and got another "gong". A good day, especially with Debs getting her mojo back and really enjoying parkrun and this 10k this weekend.
Which gets me thinking. What was I trying to do this year in my targets? Actually, when I step back I am pleased with the way the year has gone. In psychometric tests with work over the years a consistent trait is that I achieve with drive, bloody mindedness and a belief that I will achieve. The problem, as such, is I don't celebrate success when it comes because I expect to do well. So, please excuse me stopping for a second and being chuffed at how my three targets have turned out...5 mile, 10k and Half Marathon:
5 mile: To get below 40 mins. Down to 39:24 by 3:10 from 42:34
10k: To get below 50 mins. Down by 2:20 to 49:07 by way of an interesting 50:00!
Half-M: To get below 1:50:00. Down by 3:20 to 1:48:31 at Edinburgh HM
So, I am happy at 2014 in an overall mix of pace, style, learnings and results.
So, what of 2015? A mix of evolution and new challenges awaits after a winter of club cross country events and much training laying down my base. I am still running every day and stand at 107 on this streak having got to 179 on my previous one in June before illness knock running on the head for 2-3 very frustrating weeks. My new training plan has a weird concept of "rest days" as I build towards my big double act of running firsts:
April: Virgin Money London Marathon 2015 (my first marathon)
June: Endure 24 SOLO (my first ultra over 24 hours of 5 mile trail loops)
On the way there will still be 5k, 10k and Half Marathon races but with more specific selection to get quality over quantity...am already in 4 HMs at Reading, Edinburgh, Bristol and Basingstoke. Note: I ALWAYS enter races early so I don't miss out, unlike some local runners who wait till the last minute and find races closed! Targets are still developing for the new challenges but a couple that I am clear about already are 10k at sub 45 and Half-M at sub 1:45
All this training and the races and ambitions mean changes and sacrifices in 2015 to give time for the right amount of quality training, especially with the mileages I plan to do. Since I was 15 I have almost continuously raced either radio controlled model cars or karts, racing karts with a great organisation called Club100 for the last 11 years. I have hardly raced this year and really can't see me doing much at all next year which has come a quite a shock but what I must do to dedicate myself on my 2015 plans.
A time of change. Really pleased with this year's progress now to lay down the hard yards/ miles to be ready for 2015's challenges. Meanwhile, bring on the mud of cross country races! ttfn, mark
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