A change of focus and rethink of goals...... possibly a HM 😁

[pianoteacher]

Back in late summer I set my self a goal - to do a sub25 min parkrun by the end of the year. I was running really well on the track and in efforts sessions and it didn't seem unrealistic - my coach thought I could do it and so did I. Then I got injured - not badly but enough that I couldn't run for about 3 weeks 😢

During that time I think I had a bit of a running epiphany. I started to question why I was so obsessed with speed?!? Afterall even if I went sub 25 I would still be more than 6mins outside the record for my age category at Hastings parkrun. And running 5k full pelt is not something I would describe as enjoyable - I actually find it quite an unpleasant experience! 🤢

So off the back of all this I decided to completely change my goals - no more trying to keep up with the fastest runners in my group on club runs just the challenge of keeping going (non-stop whenever possible). I have to say I am absolutely loving it!

I've also changed how I approach my solo runs. Rather than distance goals I now set a time goal with the aim of running continuously until the alarm sounds. I cover my watch so I can't see my pace dropping uphill - you can't really avoid hills in Hastings unless you want to schlep up and down the same bit of seafront 🤣

I am now seriously considering Hastings Half in March and the Beachy Head Marathon in October. I would be very proud to just complete either (or both!) of these without setting myself a time goal as they are both very challenging!

roseabi s plan looks great and I think we're very lucky to have people who are so willingly to share their knowledge and experience. My HM training will need to be slightly different as I (nearly!) always do a 10k club run on a Wednesday, a 7-8k club run on a Friday, parkrun on a Saturday plus one solo run on a Monday. I am hoping to carry on slowly increasing the time duration of my solo run at an easy pace and see where that takes me distance wise.

I'm not going to give up on pace completely as I love absolutely the track (I can't make the sessions very often) but I want to enjoy the running I do week to week by continuing to take it slow and steady.

Happy Running everyone 🏃🏃‍♀️

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles]

Great post pianoteacher ! You’ve certainly been our graduation class speed queen and I’ve been super impressed. Funny how an injury makes us re think things.

I was thinking HM until I got my injury. Now I’m going to spend the winter season concentrating building strength and stamina with hill/speed work. I’ll be watching your progress with interest. 😊

Good luck with you new goal. You’re more than capable. 🏃🏻‍♀️💪🏼🙌🏼 Xx

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks Rip! That sounds like a very sensible way forward after injury - good luck with it 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I agree, chasing faster and faster times over a 5km distance is nauseous to say the least! Your suggestion to tackle a new distance sounds like an excellent goal.

.... please come and join Abi's plan right now (your own version of course that works for you) .... it would have the added benefit of there being 14 participants, not 13 and I would be much more comfortable

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Hi Linda I've just requested to join and will post up my (very loose 😂) plans in a bit xx

[GeorgiosA Marathon]

Sounds like a solid plan! You must be really fast if you ;re aiming for sub 25 - but going teh distance at a slower speed is so much more enjoyable (for me at least).

Best of luck with your HM and Marathon training - I hear Beachy Head is quite a tough one to chose as your first Marathon, so quite a goal to strive for!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to GeorgiosA]

Thanks! Beachy Head is really tough but that's what appeals to me. I feel that just completing it would be such an achievement that the time would be immaterial. One of my running club coaches puts on special training sessions for it as well which is a bonus xx

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

Hi pianoteacher, Good to read how things are going for you. Interestingly, for my long run today I just said 1 hour, so 30mins out and 30 mins back, so time rather than distance was my plan. Happy injury free running to you!😊🏃🏻‍♀️By the way I am reading on this forum for the amazing tales of lots of folk and such helpful insight and informtion, not because I have HM plans!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Interesting you've adopted time goals as well over61andstilltrying I think it's a very good very good way to take the pressure off and it's what we all did to complete couch25k. I had no way of knowing how far I was going back then as I didn't have a running watch and my phone was a Nokia brick 😂

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles in reply to pianoteacher]

Yes my usual plan is currently for time run goals, 2 at 30 minutes and 1 at an hour per week. Recently, I was working up to 10k on hilly routes (elevation gain sometimes 270m) so not at all possible for me in one hour for my longer run each week. I do, however, plan to go for a PB for only my second ever Parkrun this Saturday. I let the rain keep me away last Saturday. Happy injury free running to you! 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️😊

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

And I thought it was hilly here! Best of luck with your parkrun PB attempt xx

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon]

Hello pianoteacher, interesting to hear your change of direction - sounds like it makes sense, to aim for more enjoyment! Good luck with your plan, hope to see you at Hastings Half! 😊👍🏃

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Thanks Mutley! One thing's for certain - it will be hills, hills and more hills 😂🤣😂

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Ironically by slowing down and building your distance, you will also help to increase your capacity for speed when you come back to the shorter runs. Your pace will increase without you seeming to push yourself as the run will feel steady. It wil be a more pleasent run than pushing yourself each time.

Also, with your regular 10k jaunts, I think planning a HM at the back end of March 2019 is a nice, acheivable time period to increase and build your stamina gradually.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks Whatsapp! Hopefully that will be a nice secondary effect. I've definitely got faster in the time I've been running as the first time I ran a 30 min parkrun I felt like I was going to die 😂 and now I can run 28 mins comfortably. I was just a bit impatient and pushed it a bit far a bit too soon I think x

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

You can still join in with us by following the posts at least - I'm sure you could add in parts of the plan too if you like! No worries though 😊 Looking forward to hearing more about your progress anyway!

I have run the Beachy Head Marathon twice, and recommend it thoroughly! And I am doing the Hastings Half in March 😊😊😊 (first time for that one, I should add)

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi! Saw your Beachy Head on Strava - awesome 💪🏃‍♀️

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Hello pianoteacher, nice to hear from you. Happy running to your new plan. Being on the IC does make you think about why we started running in the first place. For me, to get fitter and reduce the risk of stroke and diabetes. I didn’t expect to enjoy it but I do, especially the Parkrun. I know your main purpose was to pass an entry test for the TA. I hope you achieve that and continue to enjoy Parkrun even if it’s not at 25 mins.

Go girl. 🏃‍♀️👏👏

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy! I did couch for very different reasons to most and I think that's partly where the pace obsession came from. I can do the Army time comfortably now - still waiting to hear about my medical waiver unfortunately ☹️

I enjoy parkrun so much more when I'm not pushing myself to the limit. My son's the same. He's quite fast at juniors with a PB sub 9 mins for 2k but he can't (or doesn't want to?) run anywhere near that for 5k. We both enjoy pootling round the most 😀

[Pete1w]

I couldn't agree more with your epiphany. During my final weeks of C25K I became obsessed with running as fast as possible. I think I managed 6K in just over 32 minutes. But now, like you, my goals have changed. I run SLOWER on my long runs. I'm training for the Sheffield HM and my aim is to finish. I have no time in mind whatsoever. I still do a quick session once a week and also a hill session. I don't compare myself to people on Strava. If you're faster than me that's great but if you run slower than me that great too. We are all runners with our own goals. Good luck with the training and keep enjoying what you are doing.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Pete1w]

That sounds so much like my experience Pete! Good luck with your HM x

[misswobble Marathon]

Long and slow is gorgeous. If you are training on hills you certainly get fitter. Your abs will get shredded for sure 😃

Good luck with it. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy it 😃👍🏃‍♀️

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble! I like the idea of shredded abs 💪😂

[Pete1w in reply to pianoteacher]

Shredded abs????? I'd just like to see mine. I think they're in there somewhere.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Pete1w]

😂🤣😂

[misswobble Marathon]

You have to shift some ballast before they'll show themselves 😁