Reached 20km last month

[Slowdude]

I have finally completed my 20Km distance(in over 2 1/2 hours) after almost a year of reaching my 11km. It has been an ordeal to manage my work life, family(all including parents) and yet move forward. The available time is the real factor and manage to run three days a week. Participated in two events (10KM) last year and did well too. My first half marathon event would be in April. Wish to do more races than last year ( in the half marathon category).

Still a LOOONG way to go for my goal - THE MARATHON.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate10]

Well done! Your perseverance is clearly paying off. I think that fitting in training amid the demands of family and work etc., is probably its hardest aspect, especially when long distance running is involved, and often demands a lot of sacrifices and difficult reorganization.

I suppose that it makes us more motivated though, if we have to battle to carve out the time.

You say that your goal of a marathon is a long way off, but I imagine running 20k would have seemed unthinkable not so long ago. I hope the rest of your training for the HM in April goes well.

[Slowdude Graduate10 in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Thank you for the encouragement.

[Madge50 Graduate10]

Nothing wrong with that time, that’s about my pace. I run twice a week, and yes, making the time for it is quite a challenge some times. I’ve got a HM in 3 weeks, did one 20k this last week, i’ll do 16k as my long run next week, then 20k the following week, then it’ll be taper time - no more than 8-10k in the week leading up to the HM...

You’re doing brilliantly, I don’t have any ambition to do a marathon, just not on my ‘want to’ list, plus the training required..........well, for me HM is hard and time consuming enough! I’ve tried to build to have 16k/10 miles as a ‘regular’ long run in my prep....

Good luck!

Mx

[Slowdude Graduate10 in reply to Madge50]

Thanks for the reply.

Moving forward the time factor is going to be the real challenge.

[Decker]

You seem to be on a really good track towards your training progress. Life balance can be hard and you are managing it as well as you can. I am only focusing on an HM in May and that is enough for now. 18 is my max so far. Still need to crack 20. Maybe tomorrow. All the best with your training for your race. You will smash it!

[mrrun Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

You are nearly there - I can see you passing that line, arms high, grinning, high fiving the by-standers, giving thumbs up to the cameras before answering CTV Toronto questions!

I'm doing all sorts of trickery, exercises and wizardry on my way to HM but the main secret is going much slower than my usual pace. Now that I run Tue-Wed-Thur (plus Sunday) and do cross training in-between, the program is asking me to go slower by up to 1.5min than my 'normal' steady groove at around 6ish mins.

Guess what? No strain, no fatigue, I go like an old limo. Try!

[Decker in reply to mrrun]

😁 Sounds like your plan is working great! I’ve been slowing down too, though not intentionally 🙂 No strain is definitely a good thing

[Slowdude Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Thanks and wish you all the best.

[mrrun Graduate10]

Don't say it that way. It's not ''LOOONG' it's simply half way through, and well done for getting there.

Every single marathon runner was at one stage in the position you're in now.

[Slowdude Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

I too will complete a marathon.

[O505k Graduate10]

Well done that’s a fantastic achievement that is some way off for many of us. I admire your ability to fit is all in. We live such hectic lives that there is little tome for us. Well done for showing us that is is possible.

[Slowdude Graduate10 in reply to O505k]

Its difficult but not impossible. I took time to balance things at home and work after each improvement.

[Mollydex]

Well done ! You don’t sound a long way of your goal to me . Once you can comfortably run a half it’s a matter of practicing staying up on your legs for the other half!

[Slowdude Graduate10 in reply to Mollydex]

Thank you

[Sandyscroll Graduate10]

You've done really well. If I could run 20k my time would be a little over 2 1/2 hours, but i have only got as far as 14-15k. I've no idea how others find the time to train for a marathon, but well done for reaching your HM goals. You've got this! 👍😎

[mistymtnhop333]

Hey, 20km is great! I just did my first 20km on Friday, little longer than your time, in prep for my first trail/mountain HM in a few weeks. Sometimes I think about how 'far' I am from my bigger goals - but it pays to look back and think that a few weeks/months/years ago where I was in my running, and actually I've come a long way! Put it in perspective of how far you've come - well done!