It has been a long, long time since I have wrote on here. It's a good job I have been a lot more dedicated to the running bit more than the writing bit! It's a year to the week since I started writing this so time for a big update and to show my progress.
Since I last wrote on here I have ran 3 half marathons, 4 10ks, The Sodbury Slog and 2 5ks and ran 6 PBs.
Two of the races was Bitton 5K series. Both of them were on hot summer evenings and I guess I found them both quite tough. I ran the first in a PB of 25m 19s and the second one in a PB of 24m 43s. Although it is a flat out and back course it can be quite tough on the legs as the path has a sideways slope on it.
I ran the Bristol 10K in 55m 31s which I was pleased with at the time as it showed I could run the distance in a relatively decent time compared to my weight and training amount. It was also good to beat my mate Moyle by seconds.
I then ran the Bradley Stoke 10k in a time of 52m 50s which I was ecstatic with as it wasn't that long after the Bristol 10k and was a hot day again. It's also an uneven course with roads and some x-country and there is traffic on the roads. I enjoyed it though and I will definitely do it again.
I then ran the Frome half marathon in a time of 2hr 03m 49s which although I was pleased to run the (very hilly) distance I was a bit disappointed with my time as at one point I was on to break my half marathon PB of 1hr 54m 45s but it wasn't to be as I completely fell apart in the last 3 miles. My legs went on a descent and I had nothing left to give on the last couple of ascents.
I had a break from racing in August and September but came back with a vengeance in October. I ran the Portishead half marathon and I ran it bloody well. I put a lot of preparation into this race including a decent amount of training, a good diet and a planned taper. I also took the time to study the course including the large hill which was included in the race twice. I know that I am not a great hill runner so I knew I had to attack the downhills. I was aiming for an average pace through out the race of 8m 20s miles. I ran an average of 8m 21s which gave me a PB of 1hr 48m 44s. I ran and punched the air when I finished as I was so happy. To go sub 1hr 50m was the aim and to do it with so much time to spare was great. My parents were there to see it and it was a proud moment for me. One of the best things about the race was that I ran a 5k PB during it in a time of 23m 56s. So I knew I had plenty more to give in other races.
My next race was the Sodbury Slog. I just wasn't feeling racing it on the day and was already nervous about it due to risk of injury, the cold, the water and the mud. Instead I just decided to take it easy and 'run' around with other Bitton Road Runners. I had a great time dive bombing the river, klinsmanning the muddy fields and have a fair few mud fights. It was loads of fun and a great was to get to know some of the other club members. Unfortunately I still picked up an injury during it which I have been running on for the last 2 weeks. It has meant I have had a pretty sore foot and calf and it is definitely slowing me down.
to be continued.....
