Jan20201010:38 p.m.
Head down, press on…
Monday’s usual run didn’t happen as when I got home form work supper was ready so I ate before heading to my son’s piano practice – and rather than run I sat in the car and did some work related reading.
Tuesday however I took advantage of a slightly early finish to do some miles around the town with the benefit of street lights. I was actually doing really well – 1st mile up hill in 9:37 and despite the time of day and the early start (I start at 7:30 on Tuesdays – thanks to Mr Brown) I felt full of energy and running. However, at one of the roundabouts on the ring road I came across a car stuck in the middle – clearly broken down, so I offered them a push – which while it might have been the correct thing to have done to a fellow human being, but it ruined my rhythm spoilt an otherwise excellent time for the second mile. A loop round an industrial estate failed to reignite the tempo so I drifted back towards work and the car not sure whether to try and push the speed or just keep it sensible. Ran passed a donut van and if I had had any loose change I’d have stopped and also ran past the back of Sainsburys – with the smell of their bakery wafting over me – these things just make life hard!
Either way it was another 6.5 miles done in just over the hour.
Tonight was back in the gym and this time I committed myself to some intervals. 4 minutes at 9kph then 4 minutes at 12.2, for 5 miles. Somewhat moist and red in the face after that.
Thank you for all your kind words about being last at Wokingham, but the summer before last I did enter a small 5 mile run in my home town and I was the running man home, by quite some way! I put my time down at 2 hours 20 on the Wokingham application (which would be a pb) so you see why I am worried that only 50 people reckon they will be slower than me. It is clearly a very serious race and I hope I won't seem too out of place there.
Another longish run planned for Saturday, fingers crossed.
20 days into the year I am now a mere 9 miles behind target.
Take care on these dark nights and mornings.
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Comments (11)
Skye_Trekker 'I think finishing last in a race is an irrational fear a lot of runners have... I always check previous years results and if my expected finish time is too close to comfort to the last finishing times then I don't enter... Hope the weekend LSR goes well - you'll soon make up those 9 miles.' added 20th Jan 2010
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Muffs 'I'm sure you'll get a PB. I'm having the same worry about coming last at the moment for a few races. The tri because I'm so bad at swimming and the SDW race where only 50 people are doing it.' added 20th Jan 2010
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roddymacp 'You will know that you are up to distance when it is my Donut van that you run past.' added 21st Jan 2010
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shazzoah 'good job they dont put pockets big enough for wallets in running trousers!...... good luck with the long run on the weekend. ' added 21st Jan 2010
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Hola 'It's definitely a fear I share and I'm constantly annoyed with myself for letting myself worry about it too. I want to be more like my son who recently volunteered for a swimming race through the school (knowing that swimming is NOT his sport). Sure enough, he came last in his heat but when I asked why he had volunteered he just said, 'They asked us who wanted to do it and I wanted to.'' added 21st Jan 2010
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jcslater1964 'To be honest Malcolm you are worrying over nothing. You will be fine. You seem to be training well and you are fit and healthy so be positive and go and smash your personal best. I know what you mean about food establishments. On my runs to Morecambe and back I pass a chinese, indian and 2 chippys. It's murder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' added 21st Jan 2010
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eclipse 'If it helps just remember you are not as slow as me, on my first 5k fun run I did it in 49mins and was clearly last so I am sure you will do well and if it doesn't go your way, at least you gave it a go. ' added 21st Jan 2010
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klebe 'Running and pushing cars along the way? - Are you secretly training for Worlds Strongest Man? Can't wait for you to tell us about the Lorry pull at mile 8!! Your training and dedication will see you through OK, I'm guessing a lot of those quicker entry times are because people want to be seeded near to the front at the start!' added 21st Jan 2010
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Account_closed 'I've been last in a couple of races. Both times I was keeping someone company, and had more of a laugh than if I'd have pushed it.' added 21st Jan 2010
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Way_Too_Slow 'Apart from 2 little motorway bridges I believe Wokingham is dead flat, so you shouldn't have any problems, and I'll bet you anything that you aren't last!! Even if by some chance you ARE last, you will still have beaten me and all the lazy sods who couldn't get their @rses off the sofa, cos I didn't enter. Well done for being a Good Samaritan, even if it did ruin your rhythm!' added 21st Jan 2010
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michael_h '6.5 miles in just over 60 minutes is good pace. 10 minute miles for the 1/2 marathon will get you round in 2:10 or thereabouts. If your training continues to go well, I'm confident you can beat your pb. Nice to hear you stopped to help someone. I occasionally get stopped by lorries when I'm out on a run, usually looking for directions. It's a pain having to stop and it breaks your rhythm but to me it's all part of being a good citizen.' added 23rd Jan 2010
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