Going public!
JanThe events of the last few weeks have been difficult to deal with but I’m getting back on track, literally and metaphorically!
Darren helped me get four minutes off my time for the Reading Half this year by telling me to go for a specific time (2:24, a minute quicker than 2008) and I finished in 2:21. It showed me that my previous tactics, used in 20 half marathons, of “do it a bit quicker” could be improved by better focus even when training had been similar (and minimal!). I decided a couple of months ago that I would train for sub-2 hours at Reading 2010. It was fine until I calculated that I need to get a minute and a half off each mile. Quite a challenge!
My training is now a track session on Tuesdays, a club run on Thursdays with a faster group and a gentle, longer run at weekend. it will make a change from the long miles I’ve usually done, at any rate.
It took courage to tell people what I was planning and at first I only told those I knew would be supportive (or who knew me better than to tell me I was completely crazy). I’m gradually telling more people and it’s been interesting to see their reactions. These have ranged from the polite “You might want to think about extending the time-scale” to a delighted grin and “Go for it!” I have mentally filed the former under “ignore” and will use the latter when I need a bit of positive thinking.
I’m not sure I can get under 2 hours but if I finish in 2:10 I will know that I’ve done my best. If I train for 2:10 and finish in 2:10 I will wonder if I could have done more.
At the moment I can do one mile at race pace. Only 12.1 to go, then.
Reader Comments (2)
I've found that adding a weekly speed session made a big difference to my pace. Yes, I was out of my comfort zone, but I got the rewards. Running with a faster group of people has the same effect.
Make every run count and you'll be able to go back to the "ignore" people with your finish certificate and smile.
Happy running!