I’m so glad it’s 2012 and Xmas and New Year partying are done. I do enjoy it, but this year I was keen to get going again.
In week one I got confirmation of my number for the London marathon, 512 and on the Championship Start. I see this as something to relish and enjoy because who knows how long I can continue to reach the sub 3:15, sub 1:30 cut off point?
I had been feeling a little less motivated than usual as the year came to a close, but with January and the 22nd April looming I refocussed. I’m entered into three half marathons (Watford, Brighton, Reading) and a 20 mile race (Worthing) – which should help to keep me fit and keen to improve – and I’m also going to be making as many trips to my new local parkrun in Eastbourne as I can (ideally every week, but no doubt life and of course races will mean it’s more like once a month)…
I’ve also signed up to the Brighton University Marathon Support Unit Programme, and just written about this for Running Free magazine (coming out in February). Nine weeks ago I had my first tests, which were a V02 max and Lactate threshold test. At the time I was in good shape, but unusually for me training wasn’t quite as good as I’d planned up to Christmas, so when I go back next week I’m hoping I’ve improved – not got worse!
However, when I wrote my article for Running Free and totted up my training, I realised it wasn’t all bad. I’ve run four parkruns, a 10k and half marathon and I’ve done regular speed work, long runs and threshold running. What was missing was extra mileage for marathon base building and circuit training for strength. But hey, you can’t have everything…
As for circuit training… I went back to Mike’s 6am class this week – having pretended to be asleep before Xmas when he went out the door. But feeling less than toned and a bit one dimensional in my training, I knew I couldn’t avoid it and it’s New Year etc… But my god… Do I ache today. The moral of the story, don’t stop once you start!
In my role as roving running reporter for www.therunningbug.co.uk and Running Free magazine, I had the pleasure of trying out TRX this week. Great fun, and again I’ve written more about it for my forthcoming column… A summary, fantastic exercises, versatile, works the core and the whole body – but ultimately it’s a very expensive belt. However, I notice on their website it’s on offer this month (£121 as opposed to £181) and if you think you could commit to following the programme, or you a PT looking for new ideas, it might be worth the investment.
Running Bug Content Editor, Dan, and I are doing virtual competitive training this month, as we’ve both got Watford looming. He’s a dark horse that Dan… okay he’s not run a half before, but 19:15 for his first 5k and pipped me at the post in Brighton… and he’s comfortably running 16 miles and doing lots of boxing right now! So… bets on ; )
