Making a return - at last

Well, after a long period of inactivity - 6 months - I have finally managed to get back out on the roads running. Admittedly the first run was only half a mile, but it was a start and I have been able to capitalise on that with a further 4 x 1 mile runs. So everything is going well. My startegy is to build up slowly and be running 3 miles by the end of March and then progress to 6 x miles by June. We will see how things work out

A Stupendous Feat of Running

News today of a Belgian guy who has just completed 365 marathons in 365 days !!!! This is some feat of endurance especially when as a child he had asthma and was told he should not take part in sports. Makes you think doesn't it. If you are in training for a race then this kinda puts things in perspective. Yes, you can do it, it is only one race. This 49yr old guy woke up every morning and completed a marathon every day for a year. The mind boggles...... Wonder how many pairs of trainers he went through ???

Slow Runners

As I drive around I see a lot of runners out on the streets and I wonder why do they seem to run so slowly. I mean these folks are not going fairly slow, they are going really slow. My first reaction is ''why bother'' then the more I thought about it the more reasons dropped into my mind. Maybe they have went through life threatening surgery and are out there giving it their best to try and get ready for their chosen race in which they can raise sponsorship for their particular charity. Maybe they are on a phased running schedule which means that for this particular run they are just ticking over slowly, a recovery run perhaps. It may be that they have just returned from injury and are gingerly making their way back to some sort of running pace. Of course maybe they are just so slow at running that perhaps this might be their last run. I came to the conclusion that there are many reasons for people running slow and although it may not look so good, for each individual it is part of their running journey, whatever that may be.

Tips from the Top Runners

Enjoyed watching the Cross Country Races in Edinburgh last weekend. It was good to see how the top performers started their new year debuts. When watching the main race, two things became evident that resulted in a good win for Mo Farah. Firstly, he paced himself really well, he sat in the pack near the front runners and then gradually worked himself into position so that when the really hilly part of the course came up he was ready to make his move to the front. Secondly, when tackling the steep hill - they did it three times in the race - he really attacked it and also kept going really strong over it. This gave him a great advantage and he went on to win the race easily. As runners, these 2 points are very important - Pace yourself correctly and attack hills both up and over them.

It's Christmas...

We are at time of year again. Most people are very busy running about trying to get everything ready for the big day. It will come and go and we will have indulged ourselves once more in a feast of goodies and generally will have had a good time. This does not always augur well for the serious runner. Too much food and drink can have a slowing effect on your system and it can often take a considerable amount of discipline to get back on track with your training. Still, it is the time for all the festivities and most people get through it and live to fight another day. As the year nears an end it generally is time to reflect on what you have done this year and what you will try and do next year. This is good and can often act as a great motivator for future achievements. I would say ''Go for it'' and most importantly ''Keep on Running''
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Housebound by the weather

Well, what a couple of weeks we have had in the UK and especially here in Scotland. Snow, snow and more snow with temps. at up to -20 c has not been great for trying to maintain any training schedule. I should have been looking forward to the BUPA Great Winter Run in Edinburgh on the 8th Jan. but now will only be an onlooker. This is where a trip to the local sports centre is necessary to get any training done. That is providing you can get out from home and make it to any nearby. I have never liked treadmill running, but it is better that not doing any running. Hopefully a great thaw will come and melt everything away, although with outside temp right now of about -8 c that does not look likely.

Is Training a Chore

Its got to be done. You will never achieve anything if you do not put in the work necessary. Training involves getting out and getting the miles in. How you do this will depend on many factors and the most important will be what your goal or target is. If it is to be a fun runner and complete the odd race then a relaxed schedule of running will do fine up to a point. If you want to be competitive then a more strenuous, targeted approach will be necessary. This will involve training up to 5 or 6 times per week and cover various elements of running ie. short runs, long runs, speed work, hill work etc.
No matter what level you are at you should try and look on it as an enjoyable experience - it will not always seem that way, but if you remain focused and keep to the programme then you will get the results you want and the satisfaction of achieving something worthwhile. The main thing is - stick with it......