I am in the process of extending my distance and improve my endurance. I am up at the 10k mark - but not necessarily speedy or confident runs. I have done one race 1hr 19 mins and one 10k solo - 1hr 16mins. I want to get as close to an hour as possible and complete it comfortably. Hark at me - only started running in April!
So this last few weeks i have been putting in some speed sessions and trying to improve on my hill running to improve stamina. Speed is fine, but hill running I am easily defeated. So twice this week i went out on two hilly routes - not difficult in Devon. My approach was to be speedier and in terms of running up the hill - run until I ran out of steam and then jog on the spot to get my breath back and then onward up those hills. Tuesdays was fine - hills (inclines ) perfectly manageable. Today's much tougher long inclines- I used the same tactic and i managed to get up all the hills and ran my fastest 5k to boot. How does that work?? I have shifted from 7. 5mins per k to 6.45 min per k.....maybe all this running is paying off after all.
Anyway- I am jolly pleased it seems to take me twice as long as anyone else to improve - but improving I am. So good luck to all you runners out there - this programme has taken me this far and given the confidence to tackle other running challenges.
So I am raising the bar again - I have another 10k race sunday - I am aiming for at least 1 hour 15 mins - or better!