Hi all!
Herewith, finally, the results of the Winter Speed Challenge! Here is the usual messy graph 😊
and here is the link to the spreadsheet for further information:
docs.google.com/spreadsheet...
We have now had a Speed Challenge for each of the four seasons, so I’m sharing links to the results of the other three challenges at the bottom of this post, to help us reflect upon our progress throughout the year.
This Challenge was a bit different to the others in that the baseline pace was set in the first week, and Challengers then had up to four weeks after that to try and better their time.
As many of the participants were unable to post runs every week, I’ve been wondering whether people think it would be good to add an extra week onto the Challenge to make it 6 weeks in total, giving us all more time to have a go? Or would that be dragging it out too long? Please comment below 😊
Also new was the introduction of timed runs, although only two people, Maybe58 and roseabi, tried those.
I was pleased to see someone, Colinsmith, running a much shorter distance than has been tried previously - 1 mile is a great speed challenge! Aliboo70 also signed up for a 1 miler, but unfortunately life got in the way for her - hope to see you next time, Ali!
The majority, once again, chose to run 5k. There was just one 10k runner, Langley-Loper posting results this time.
As previously, and despite chilly weather and icy footing giving us a rather smaller turnout, there was a fabulous response to this challenge!
We had more ups and downs than last time, I’d say. For Decker, who tops the ‘Best Improvement’ list, it was just too snowy! Lordi had similar problems, Sqkr was snowed under in the figurative sense 😊 David_G and Tbae both had injury worries (hope you’re doing better chaps!); marco83 and misswobble both found that speed didn’t work with their training this time. Bluebirdrunner had a bit of a dip in Week 3, although overall gave another truly marvellous performance, well done, BB!
I even had a go myself this time, but didn’t quite cut the mustard 😄
Maybe58, hope you are doing OK - our thoughts are with you xxx
Other challengers got off to a bit of a slow start, but came through with really strong finishes!
DebJogsOn and Windoze - huge well done to you for sticking to your guns! Hope you will join us again 😊😊😊
These challenges are principally a bit of fun we can use to push our individual performances. But as previously I will comment on who I think has particularly shone in one way or another. This time I am going to give honourable mention to these three:
★ SkiMonday: You got off to a slow start, so could have easily felt discouraged - but you pulled something amazing out of the bag in the last two weeks!!
★ ColinSmith: With your 1 miler you’ve given us something new - such amazing paces!! Really well done, and what a huge leap in Week 5!!
★ Langley-Loper, you have been going from strength to strength with your 10k runs. You put in such a strong performance in this challenge, and have since topped it off with a PB in the recent (hilly! windy!) Heart of Kent Hospice 10k. Awesome!!
And my Challenge Superstar for the Winter Speed Challenge is...
★ Macmac! You consistently pushed your 5k pace faster week by week - absolutely wonderful, huge congratulations!!!
Thank you thank you to everyone who took part, and I hope you’ll join in again next time!
roseabi xx
Spring: healthunlocked.com/marathon...
Summer: healthunlocked.com/marathon...
Autumn: healthunlocked.com/marathon...
