2014 has well and truly dawned and most of us, if not all, are
well into our new goals, endeavours and ambitions. For the first third of the
year my running drive has been heading towards Sunday the 13th of April. The
London Marathon. So with a reduction in working hours, a coach and a clear
target I've been off.
Winter training in the UK has been what I
expected it to be. Wet, dark and quite chilly. However, the miles have clocked
up and I've always made the most of the time I've been running. I feel it has
significantly helped to have clear direction, and I have to thanks Rob for
this. I feel in the past I've still been planning my sessions - especially
speed - in my head while putting my shoes on. I like the openness of this idea
but I now really understand it's far too scratchy.
Pre 2014 finished for me with a solid
little training block in Wales over the Christmas and NY period. I then worked
my way through a niggling lower back injury, which went away after only a few
days of rest. Always good to keep in mind, rest that is. Therefore once into
the swing of 2014 I've quickly established a solid routine and seem to be
seeing some of those benefits 5 weeks out from London.
Races to re-caps so far this year:
Watford HM: First race of the year - 6th
1.12.01
Weather turned on a stunning morning, if
on the slightly chilly side. I went into this race excited, as it was my first
hit out of what is going to be a busy year. I knew that I'd only put in 4 weeks
of consistent training so approached this race to be as fresh and strong at the
10 miles mark as the start. It wasn't quite the case, but not too far off. The
course has a couple of testing little climbs which took some of the pinch out
of the legs but it was a top race, perfect hit out for the first of the season.
Great Bentley Half Marathon - 2nd 1.11.26
Back out into Essex following the trip to
Watford. This day was windy. At times parts of the course felt like you were up
against a brick wall! Then running down wind wasn't bad, although you can never
make up the time lost going into it. This made what is normally a very flat and
fast course slightly slower. For the conditions I settled for my time but had
hoped for a little bit more.
Reading Half Marathon 26th 1.08.36
Last weekend was Reading. I knew I was in
good shape and was really up for having a decent go. The crowds where big
(16000), the weather held off and was a great temperature and I managed to get
into a great little position on the starting line. Albeit in a rather sneaky
fashion.
From the outset I felt relaxed and
confident. I found myself surrounded by fantastic runners and we worked really
well together sharing out some of the duties at the front and remaining to keep
a steady and active pace. The support on the course is fantastic and does make
a very big difference. A real credit to the town and area. With about 3 miles
to go we went down on the flat final section of the course to be greeted by a
stiff head wind. Fortunately we had managed to keep four of the group together
so worked hard to pull each other through. The stadium finish was a buzz and
full of excitement - really great finish line set up. Much better than the
empty void of the Olympic Stadium in Seoul!
So now the home stretch is on for London.
This weekend (Sunday the 9th) I'm running the Essex 20 mile road champs. This
will be another testing rural road run - a perfect measure of fitness.
Following this there's the Colchester Half Marathon (Sunday the 16th). Then
it'll be ticking off the days until London.
Here are a few photos of Frankfurt;
Touch base again soon - Run well!
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