10k a day

Tomorrow sees the start of my winter challenge.  I am going to attempt to run 10k every day in December.

I have never run more than 6 consecutive days so its going to be a new experience.  I have concerns over my ability to avoid injury and without rest, my knee might slowly get worse but I will take that risk.  I also have concerns about fitting in the runs but I'll just have to make it work.

Its not starting in ideal circumstances.  When I imagined doing it a few months ago, my wife being away on business wasn't on my list of potential problems and neither was snow.  I have to try and fit in tomorrows run around work and looking after the kids and try not to slip on ice in the process.

It does seem a reasonably easy task on one level (6 miles is not a huge stretch) but every day is 43 miles a week for 4 weeks which seems really tough.

Anyway, it will be fun trying and others manage it and more.  I found out about a bloke who has run 10k a day, everyday since January this year.  Amazing.  10k Everyday on Facebook

A really positive running week

As I try and get my training into a more consistent state in order to build towards the Brighton Marathon next year, I aim to run a minimum for four times a week.  I need to remember what its like to make running a regular occurrence and a habit that its hard to escape.

In the past, I have pretty much done all my weekend long runs in a training schedule but often missed out mid week runs.  I think this has had a double impact; firstly I have not lost as much weight as I have wanted and most of my sessions have tended to be at a long slow run pace.

Two weeks into this training program and I have done my speed work sessions and my temp sessions which have been hard but good fun.  Lets see if I can keep it up now it is bloody cold.

This week's stats:
Distance: 28.2 miles
Time: 4 hours 2 minutes
Sessions: 5
Long Run x 1 - 7.5 miles
Tempo x 1 - 2 miles at 7:20 minute miles
Speed - 5 mile run with 10x2min reps

WildMan XC 15k Race

 Up at 6.30, breakfast (only could stomach toast at that time) and off to the station at 7am. It was cold but not too cold. My lack of tights was not a problem. Got on the train to Godalming with a large coffee to try to keep me awake. I had no book or ipod so I had plenty of time to think about the race; Its amazing what you can worry about. My socks are wrong as I brought new white ones for a very muddy race. I don't have proper waterproofs. I haven't eaten enough. I haven't done enough hill training....I HAVEN'T DONE ANY HILL TRAINING.

I got to Godalming and set about using my printed map to find the race. I must get a Garmin bike Satnav. The 7 mile cycle was ok if a little hard work on my battleaxe of a bike. I love my hybrid but is is heavy. I registered ok, stored my bag in the duatlon transition area and queued for the loo. This took 40 minutes - more loos needed.

The runners started first at 10am with the duathlon coming 15 mins later. The 1st few kilometers were hard going as I tried to find my rhythm and catch my breath. I got talking to a guy called Martin who was in training for the London marathon (dressed as a Gorilla) and that helped pass the time. We parted company at around 6k and I pushed on feeling pretty good, especially up the hills. The course did a 10k loop back to the start before a different and hillier 5k loop. As we got to the end of the 10k I was thinking how the advertised mud was pretty non-existent until we were herded through a knee deep freezing puddle. Nasty.

The 5k loop was tough especially with soaking feet. Whilst the 10k seemed to follow a natural route, the 5k was designed to catch all the hills with a couple of down and back-ups. There was also a wade through the edge of a pond. The end was mean; you ran down a hill towards the finish only to be force back up the hill and down into the finish. I managed to run up all hills apart from the last 20m on the last hill where i got stuck behind a couple of walking blokes. Never mind.

I really enjoy the race the was pleased with my form although I thought I'd finished higher up the field. The next one in the series is a 10k in 2 weeks. I can't wait.

Distance: 15k (9.3 miles)
Time: 1:27:56
Pace: 9:25 minute miles
Position: 100th out of 123

First Place: 1:01:29

Last Place: 1:44:31

I'm back

...not that anyone missed me but after a break from blogging, I missed it so I thought I'd start up again.

After starting work as a teacher, I have been exhausted, ill and with zero motivation to run.  The kick up the bum came from such an unexpected place.  My brother, who is an occasional runner, got 'perswaded' into running the Brighton marathon so I could not resist and have joined him in entering.  It will be brilliant to run with him on his first marathon and I can't wait for the big day.

Now, my brother and I and nothing if not competitive and whilst I have the experience of running many races, the mere thought of not running side-by-side all the way or worst still, Phil having to slow down for me, fills me with extreme dread so I have begun training and training hard.

I've entered 8 races, got a plan in place and started it eat better.  I'm really enjoying it and it might be the springboard to tackle something big or try and break some PBs but in the meantime, I'm just enjoying being back out there.