Giving some shape to the running year

It used to be so simple. For several years my running year had a clear shape. It was a tale of two cities. The Bath Half at Easter; the Bristol Half in September. Twin Peaks. Finish one Half and have a few weeks relatively easy running to recover. Then restart the process of building up for the next Half. A few shorter races sprinkled around helped to leaven the mix.

Then it all lost its shape, partly as a result of injury and partly because, if I’m honest, I decided I’d run Bath as many times as I wanted to.

Having trundled around Bristol last September, for the first time in three years, I took a while to recover. I’ve spent the last couple of months running quite a few miles and kept the long run at about 8 miles. But I’ve realised that it’s all gone a bit shapeless. It’s too late to enter Bath, even if I wanted to. So I’m on the look out for an alternative to give things a bit of focus.

Anyone like to suggest another local Half, taking place around Easter or a bit later, that’s worth checking out?

Comments

[Richard]

What about the Forest of Dean half? I think it's in early May.

[Mike]

End of March I believe. See the "races" section.

[Sandy K]

How about the Forest of Dean half on 28 March, beautiful course! Get there before the Forest gets sold off!!!

[Alex]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will definitely have a look, although end of march might be a bit soon. Cheers.

[Gab]

Hi I have to pull out of the bath half because of a hockey match. You could have my entry if you want, all you would have to do is change the names.

[Dave]

Hi Alex. Two half's coming up I've done and enjoyed before, Taunton Sunday 3rd April, I'll be there again, and Tewkesbury Sunday 22 May, when I'm running Edinburgh Marathon...Gab, if the offer still stands and is feasible(?) to swap no's, I would gladly pay for your Bath entry if it's too soon for Alex? I missed the deadline...

[Gab]

Yeah Dave. That would be good although having offered I'm not sure how feasible it would be: although I could change my address to yours, you would still have to run under my name which is a bit fishy so I'll ring the bath half office and ask if it is possible to swap.

[Gab]

Hey Dave, just rang up and it is not possible to transfer names or anything like that. Sorry!

[Dave]

No probs Gab, rules is rules, and we can't possibly condone breaking them here! Thanks all the same, and good luck in running where you can.

[Alex]

Thanks for the suggestions Dave. And thanks for the offer Gab, although I wouldn't be able to take you up on it.