Once I tried to to run fast(ish) and far in a month, now it is a bonus to just run.
What makes a good running month?
First , I guess is being able to race since your wife is away and the kids are grown up and are self sufficient.
Second, managing injuries sufficiently well(ish) to risk starting and then finishing races even if you are a tad slow.
Third, is embrassing the fact I while could barely walk after each race and slept restlessly, my burning knees and legs might get through a short midweek run and they didn’t hurt when swimming.
The “Challenge” – My 4 consecutive over-half marathon plan made a good challenge avoiding too much tarmac slapping, which I deplore, and all were done without pacers, v formations, any great athletic ability, a big dose of stubbornness and sufficient knee pain to put normal folk off running for good. The 3 PWs were only made slightly better by one PB, but that was on a relay leg that I hadn’t done before so was a small consolation.
Training strategy – A few slow handicaps plus the Alternative Carnethy 5 week preceded by the hilly L3 of the Comrie relays. This was not sufficient for speed but given the knee pains I didn’t want to overdo it and trough to early! I tried rubbing myself against the likes of Mr Whitlie, Flanagan, Reid again when I could and tried seeking the secret to eternal speedy youth from Mr Spencely, Hogg and Maass but they don’t give up their secrets easily.
My 4 x >1/2M Races in 4 weeks –
1. Ring of Steall – 26km, 2700m ascent, 7hrs 15mins, big PW.
2. Two Breweries – 27km, 1500m ascent, 5hrs 15mins, Medium PW
3. Fife Long Coastal Relays L5 – 25km, 560m ascent, 2hrs 40mins, PB
4. Pentland Skyline – 26km, 1900m ascent, 4hrs 35mins, PW. Bah humbug.
Results – I got through them, just, and got a beer sometimes, oh and a medal. Making the cutoffs on a few of them was a special prize avoiding the dreaded DNF, otherwise I usually finished to see others on the podium, or the podium being packed up. But hey, worrying about your position is so Trumpian.
Lesson – It is important psychologically to not be fussed by the realisation that these days, to quickly find a photo of you in race pictures or in the results list, it is better to start at the end and work towards the front. This way you find your position or mugshot a third quicker!
WHY? Why not.
Mark Hartree