Keeping My Hand In

[Dodgylungs]

I ran this fairly modest 10K on the treadmill yesterday and have decided to concentrate on the distance for a bit in preparation for my London 10K run on July 10th (which is actually not far away at all). My plan is to focus on speed and endurance so to that end I’m doing some interval training and this coming week will have a go at running a fast 5K on Wednesday just to see how my speed is doing. Then the following week I’ll run a 12K outdoors for endurance. That will actually only leave one more week to the race and I’ll squeeze in another 10K at the beginning of the race week. That’s the plan anyway.

I think this was my most controlled run to date. My body felt good yesterday but as ever with distance running my mind is what I often need to work on. The 10K is a strange beast for me. I usually feel great up to 3K and then get an overwhelming desire to stop. Once I’ve conquered that feeling I then start feeling mentally fatigued around 6K and then battle to get to 8K. Often for the last 2K I then become physically tired and just ignore it telling myself I’m close to finishing and usually sprint the last 200 metres. At school I was a very fast 100 metre sprinter. So distance running has never suited my physique or mentality. However, every time I achieve my objective I feel exhilarated. I have another half marathon set for later this year and am seriously thinking about entering the London Marathon lottery for next year.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Your running seems to be going well. Go for the lottery. Most people don’t get in but on the other hand …. let fate decide 🤔

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes, a good ploy. I know quite a few people who made it in. I’ll be having hernia surgery at some point. I’m seeing the consultant next month so I’ll have to factor that in too.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

Oh yes! You definitely want to be at top fitness before you start training!

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It’s strange with the hernia as recently it hasn’t been hurting at all. Maybe it’s getting used to the running. Some people get terrible pain with it but I think I’ll have to have it repaired before attempting 26 miles. 13 miles is bad enough.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

Crikey, you’re still waiting! 🤨. I do hope you get it sorted soon. It’s gone on far too long.

Meanwhile keep running! Get outdoors! 🙂. Less challenging mentally as the time flies by. On the trails especially

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Seeing the consultant on July 26th. There was an earlier appointment in April which I had to change as I had booked to go to Lyon to watch West Ham play.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

Oh yeah! Needs must 😀⚽️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That's such a great attitude, well done!

[Oldfloss Administrator]

This all sounds really positive... so interesting too ! How different we all are. I get to 6K and feel like I could run for ever!I too was a fast sprinter many, many, many years ago I ran for my County, but as I have progressed through the runs since 2015 I find that I love the longer , see where I get to runs, best. ( Not racing though).

Your plan sounds like a good one and keeping something in the tank for the Finish Line will be so exhilarating and exciting!

As you say later in a reply, making sure you are physically on form for all your future goals is important too! Great stuff though, especially if you make it through to the London Marathon!

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

I used to run the 100 metres for the county too. Came up against some really fast runners. My head never lets up on me with long distance running. It’s always a bit of a mental battle for me. Doesn’t seem to matter how many times I run distances each run is a new battle.