I had my best run for 6 months on Thursday at club when I ran out in 20 mins and ran back in 17.30 mins; technically I was aiming to arrive back in 18 but as I haven't managed to get back in under 19 recently, I'm not quibbling over 30 seconds!
I have to say, after being out of running for so many weeks, with my back, I'm enjoying being back now and as such, the times I'm getting are neither here nor there to me. In fact, with my garmin broken, I'm having to rely on other people to tell me what time I've run once we've finished anyway, which is quite refreshing! Running is purely pleasurable again and I think I've finally come to accept that I don't need to run fast: I am a tortoise, but I enjoy running so who cares if it's slow?!
That doesn't mean I've given up though, in fact quite to the contrary as in two weeks I have my first race since May coming up - Leeds Abbey Dash. This will be the second race on my Countyathon challenge (closely followed by Preston the week after) and will also be the first race on the club calendar for the 'new' year. Which leads me up to my very exciting second challenge I have set myself this year...
To run every race on the club calendar!
There are 25 races altogether ranging from 5k to 20 miles! This year, the club championship for the women was won, by Sara, with 25 points. Now, I had resigned myself to the idea that I would never have ANY chance of winning - I'm just not fast enough and to be quite honest have no interest in trying to be! No, as previously discussed, what I am is a plodder... But a plodder with determination! And a plodder who enjoys running... In fact, I love running races. In the past, I've missed races because I wasn't up to speed or thought I wouldn't do well in them; I've regretted that. However, in this plan, I only have to run. I don't have to run fast, I don't have to get a pb and I certainly don't have to win. All I need to do is turn up, run, and enjoy it!
And you never know, maybe the tortoise, with a little determination, could just well be holding the Ladies' championship trophy next year!
Oooh that sounds like a great idea! Make sure you put a list up on your blog so I can be your cheerleader - are there any further south than Coventry? I'd love to meet up with you at one and plod together.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your challenge, and I am very sure, you will be champion :)
ReplyDeleteI am a plodder too, and feel exactly the same as you! 'a plodder with determination! And a plodder who enjoys running... '
We are there to make the fast runners feel good, but at least we have fun doing it, as there is no pressure on us, all we have to do is have a good time and finish the race
Fortnightflo- that's a good idea... All the club races are in the north but I'm definitely going to do some further south in the year.. I'd love to do one in my home town of Letchworth!
ReplyDeletePlustenner- thank you! You're absolutely right... Running races is loads of fun and I like the idea of being there to make the others feel better lol :-)
And never forget the story of the tortoise and the hare! Enjoy running for fun - break you iPod next, I found I bizarrely enjoyed running without music.
ReplyDelete