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My body is very confused by my brain’s sudden lack of patience for long running and resultant switch to sprint training. It’s amazing how quickly one mindset can usurp another. If only the physiological were as instantly malleable as the psychological.
I was satisfied with a big PB in the Vitality Half despite the wind (1:21), but by the time I ran the Vicky Park 5 miler about a month later, the only thing I enjoyed was the sprint finish for a 28:52.
Between those two camps, my son and I entered our respective first 800m races, though grading meant the inevitable inter-generational showdown will have to wait. 800m, then. What a fucking cruel race that is. I went through 400 in 61s thinking, ‘well this is all a bit comfortable’, but then 100m later whatever energy system I’d been using shutdown and I was left to endure 300 of the most spasmodic metres I’ve ever run in my life, positive splitting like no-one’s business to finish in 2:10. Never have I felt so much like a 400m runner. My son nailed his pacing like a boss, the U13 cunt. (proud dad)
He’s all set for the London Mini Marathon next week. I’ve got to get my shit together for the Middlesex Champs 200 & 400 and then a 10k that counts towards some intra-club competition. I need to stop entering races 3 months in advance.
Well done/good luck to all spring marathoners!
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Well done to all the XC people at the Nationals. Tynan sort of enjoyed it, but twisted his ankle a bit on the downhill. Definitely didn't sound very XC-y conditions. Finished in the top half, and first London Heathsider. Plenty to build on for next year (if he wants) when he'll be top of the age group with a year's club training/competing in his legs.
I got another 7th place finish this week (1st V45) in the Thames Hare & Hounds 'Dash For The Splash' 10k. Really fun route with hills, twisty wooded singletrack, fallen trees to hurdle, a few boggy patches, and a brook to cross (ended up being about 10m wading, wet shorts 'n' all). Sticky toffee pudding instead of a medal. Delicious, but made my bag a bit heavy on the way home.
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I'm not running the Nationals, but my son is in the U13s. Don't know what name he's under. He joined the club too late to enter, but has a reserve place due to 'person x' dropping out. Should be a great experience for him. I won't be there to cheer on him and any of you lot though. Handing him over to the club officials at aaaaaargh o' clock on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile I got a 7th place finish in the Harrow Hill 10k carrying a soleus sprain. Missed the V40 top spot – outpaced by a 42-yr-old whippersnapper. Had a few days off. Achilles happier, soleus still vulnerable to damage from any kind of stretching. I have the most random collection of events to do over the next few weeks (road/trail/5 mile up to 15) and then, ankles permitting, I want to revisit my youth and do some sprint training. Plummeting mileage ahoy!
PS. Anyone wondering about New Balance Beacons and their Ground Contact Fresh Foam innovation, the longevity's fine. I retired my first pair at 825k due to some midsole compression. Probably would've pushed them further if I hadn't already had a spare pair waiting. The first lot are now a walking/casual shoe. Plenty more life in them for that. Blah.
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After a hefty stint of helping out at my home parkrun in '18 (volunteer of the year, no less), I've been asked to join the core team. Slightly concerned about being able to contribute fully now that I've dived into club athletics (along with my son), but so far there haven't been many Saturday morning clashes – I've managed to do some barcode scanning before rushing home to change and then jump on a train to XC, etc.
Have had a few assurances from old hands in a similar position. Will probably say yes. Seems like a natural progression. Still want the VM45-49 course record though (keep away @PhilPub !)
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Toes crossed for you.
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I think so. They told us to stick it on the diary. Maybe see you there.
It’s good to have a strong junior contingent. Hopefully the U20s will stay on board as seniors. I’ll try to keep one particular U13 involved (he wasn’t at Parliament Hill, but ran a 19:23 PB at Hove Prom parkrun!).
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@juanito @doubleodavey I was there. Legs/Achilles have felt like shit all week, but I thought I should do my bit for the club. Got round in 57something. Ks 3 to 5 were awful- legs abandoned me - but then I just thought ‘scenic long run’ and settled in. The black mud on the high ground fucking stank. I’d bought a balance board to help with rehab from previous ankle sprain and it seems to have helped; but my body’s gradually being possessed by an old man. It’s frightening, but it’s also licence to eat more butterscotch while the world projects inappropriacy.
Our (London Heathside’s) U20 men and senior women are inspiring.
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Belated HNY, running thread people.
2018 Highlights
- Sub-18 parkrun, and a few first-place finishes #notarace
- First few attempts at 10k & HM, with sub-37 and sub-1:27 achieved
- Joining a club in late-November and having my first go at XC races/track sessions
- Watching wife and son continue to stick with and enjoy running (including his 19:46 at Hove parkrun on NYD2019 - I'll lump that in with the 2018 stuff)
2019 Goals
- Sub-17 5k/parkrun
- Being a competitive V45 for the club in XC, track, and the club road competition
- Sub-35 10k? Hmm…
- Supporting my wife and son with their running goals (son having just joined the club and doing XC debut tomorrow at Wormwood Scrubs Met League U13s)
- Getting shot of this interminable achilles tendinopathy
- Continuing to keep abreast of this thread and all the inspiring stories therein
- Sub-18 parkrun, and a few first-place finishes #notarace
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Sorry to hear so many people are feeling poorly. I went out early on the crappy track at Regent's Park to get a version of tonight's club session done. The prospect of running to Finsbury Park in the rain, doing intervals in heavier rain, and then running home in heavy rain or sitting drenched on a bus didn't appeal; and I don't wish to invite poorliness with open arms/lungs. But it's a viral lottery…
I doing the writing.