Jan2320105:47 p.m.
Tempting fate
Clearly a lot can happen in a month. I know, having done the Royal Parks Half in early October, three weeks later when I should have been doing the GSR, I could barely stand. However, in my own rather slow way, things are generally moving in the right direction.
I was out this morning for another longish run. Risking the weather I was in shorts but compromised on a long sleeve top (the RonHill Hi-Viz one that is a luminous yellow and visible across most of the south of England and probably from space too.) My intention was to continue from last weeks longish run and just go slightly further. 11 miles this week, 12 next and then 13 then maintain for the Wokingham race on 21st Feb.
There were no cars on roundabouts today – in fact no cars at all for most of the run. Leaving the house at 7:15 ish, I was running in a sort of half light. I have a 10k route which is a circle- so I ran that and then continued for a second lap, got just about half way round the second lap and turned back for home with a slight detour thrown in to get to the 11 miles.
I even met a couple of runners – coming the other way and passed a few dog walkers this morning on the second lap. Clearly the village I live is doesn’t get up too early! I seem to have more success than Alaistair when it comes to dogs but always when coming up behind dog walkers, the dogs hear you first and are often straining at the lead behind their walker – I then move to the other side of the road to pass them, and then there is a look of surprise/horror as a yellow sweaty body trudges past. Don’t these walkers ever wonder what their dog has been sniffing for the past few minutes, straining at the lead?
Result: 11 miles, 7 minutes faster than the equivalent point in the Royal Parks. 7 minutes!! I may not be quick compared to the likes of Sean, Alaistair or Matt but I am trudging slightly faster than 3 months ago. I also hesitate to mention hills – but I bet I did more today than there are at Wokingham which by all accounts (Thanks WTS) is flat.
So, fingers crossed for a PB four weeks tomorrow.
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Comments (11)
emmteeyess '7 minutes! that's a big chunk to knock off an 11miler - well done. At least your dog walkers were using leads - they ALL seem to allow their dogs to run free round here - most annoying! Cheers, MTS' added 23rd Jan 2010
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squa25 'Glad I generally don't seem to have a problem with dogs. I just have everything else. Knocking off 7 mins is fantastic, keep up the great work!! ' added 23rd Jan 2010
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shazzoah 'wow massive improvement..........pb is most defo on the cards!' added 23rd Jan 2010
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Alaistair 'Looking good Malcolm but please don't be tempting fate! Just go with the flow & see what happens.....' added 23rd Jan 2010
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SeanG 'Many thanks. Impressive training run. Sounds like all the effort and hard work is paying off. Just keep it ticking along and it will all come together on race day!' added 23rd Jan 2010
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Muffs 'I would put money on you getting a PB in four weeks. You've made some big improvements since October. Good luck. Welldone with the11 miles. You've got to be happy with that.' added 23rd Jan 2010
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Way_Too_Slow 'A 7 minute improvement is brilliant, well done. I've never managed to run Wokingham (injured once and it was cancelled cos of the snow last year then I couldn't run it when it was rearranged), but I had done a route check to make sure it was flat! Just BE CAREFUL between now and then!!!' added 23rd Jan 2010
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jcslater1964 'Brilliant stuff Malcolm. Just keep doing what you're doing and you should get the PB in Wokingham no bother. The good thing about PB's is that every time you get one you have to raise the standard again to get another PB. Keep going Malcolm' added 24th Jan 2010
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Skye_Trekker 'Well done on taking 7 minutes off your time. That will give you the confidence to go for a PB in a few weeks.' added 24th Jan 2010
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Account_closed 'I always try and pull my dogs to one side for runners (and sometimes I even get a thank you !!). Liked the description of being visible from space.' added 24th Jan 2010
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michael_h 'I think it's just a case of "steady as she goes" for the next 4 weeks. Don't over do it pace-wise and remember to taper and I think you'll do really well. You must be really pleased that your hard work is paying off. Well done!' added 24th Jan 2010
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