The year of the target by kizzi10000

Boy, did I not fancy going out tonight! How cold?! Not helped by not being able to find my running gloves. But out I went, cos I wouldn't have been happy with myself if I'd not gone to club,. and it was the last run of the month too, so it HAD to be done.

Wrapped up in top, fleece and high viz, with fleece gloves I managed to find, and cycled down there thinking I should have dug the hat out too! But I knew I would soon warm up.

Hilly loops said the plan, and hilly loops they were lol. Found out tonight that S doens't mean 'slow' group, it means 'steady' group. Not that there's much difference lol. It consisted of a grand total of 2 of us tonight. Not that there's usually many in it anyway I've noticed. But being the *steady* grup, means we get certain concessions. Like we only had to do one of the long 1m loops that the others were doing, and then 2 shorter 0.65m ones. Still just as hilly though lol.

After a few drills we set off, straight up lol. Went a little fast for teh first one, but still felt strong going up. Recovered a bit coming down before the next steep up, then another down, before a short flat stretch and a minutes recovery. Not quite sure if there is a certain etiquette to these things, but I left the other steady member behind as we went up!

We were joined by another woman for the next 2, and spent a little longer than the requisite 1min recovery chatting. But I was getting cold and wanted to get going again. Second loop was a little slower, but I still left them behind. Didn't stop for as long this time, and I pushed on for the last loop. Was quite surprised when I got back to find I'd done the 0.65m at 9:01 pace! and it felt fine! An effort, yes, but not an all out effort. So the speed and hill training I've done indoors has obviously made an difference. I even had a comment about how strong Iw as on the hills :).

Had a gently jog back to base for 6.2m in total. Didn't quite get the garmin mastered (bloody buttons in the dark!) so missed off the first loop :(. Would have been interesting to see how fast Idid that in, but never mind. There will be plenty more in the next couple of weeks lol.

Chatting to the other lady on the way back I let on about the marathon running, so when we all congregated at the finish they tried roping me in for the Bramley 20 as it's a legue race, and there was a place going sare. Would love to - if I was about 5m ahead in my long runs. I'd already looked into doing the 10 again, but money and transport wasn't on my side :(.

I have decided I must be getting fitter as now I'm home, had a cuppa, and finished off the leftover pasta I had before I went out, I don't actually feel as though I've been out running at all! I might even do my own hill session tomorrow on the mill as planned. I was contemplating easing off on the hill training depending on what club hills involved, but Ididn't feel it was actually that arduous. So as I need plenty f them for the south Downs marathon, I will see how I feel tomorrow.

Adding up my miles, I've done 119.57 this month. Had I known I would have run round the block when I got home to make it the 120 lol. Still, it's over double my previous best month, so I can't really complain. Only problemm with doing this sort of mileage is wearing out the trainers. Won't be long before I need some new ones! Shame I've used up all my birthday presents already in race entry lol. Better get a job soon as I've no money to buy any yet. Certainly don't want to get injured when things are going so well!

Right, off for a shower now as I'm flippin' cold!