Summary of 2010's running

As another year draws to a close, and I stick some more race numbers up on the wall in the study, I pause to think about how my training and running in general has gone this last year.

In what seems like only a few months ago, but was really more like twelve, I decided that 2010 was the year that I give up my fun runs and look after the body a little more. Of course, that didn't happen, and I competed in 5 different runs with no thoughts of giving up.

The Spring Into Shape series runs September, October, November each year and has a 4 and 8 km run. This year, they offered a 12km option as well. Having entered the 4 km runs previously, this was the year to up the pace a little, so I entered the 8 km option for the series.

To avoid lots of words any typing, this year, I experienced the following with my running:

• Ran in Spring Into Shape series (3 races, 8.5km each)
• Ran in Melbourne Marathon (5km race)
• Ran in Run Melbourne (5km race)
• Entered Olympic Dream, which got cancelled due to poor numbers (come on Melbourne!!)
• Brief recurrence of shin splints
• Numerous other tight bits after racing
• Winning a new pair of Mizuno runners at "Run Melbourne"
• Running the first race of Spring into Shape in the new runners and not being able to walk for three weeks afterwards (have since gone back to my trusty ASICS)
• Doing a run technique session with Liam from Vigor Health & Fitness
• Doing a regular stretch class the day after the race
• Being diligent with pre and post race stretching, compression and icing

My Spring Into Shape times were as follows:

Race 1 (September) 0:53:53.7
Race 2 (October)   0:56:04.4
Race 3 (November)  0:54:20.5

The common threads for each race, not just the series, were as follows:

• The first 300 meters are always the easiest 
• The rest is not so easy
• The key is to not stop running, just slow down instead
• The key is to also run at a consistent pace, my watch tracks pace which is invaluable
• The last 200 metres is always the easiest
• Always wear a watch that tracks distance because there's a difference between net time and gun time
• There are some inspiring people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities out there who are running
• There are some seriously fit and fast people out there
• Running tights really suit some people
• Running tights really do not suit some people
• A bit of technique can go a long way

While the thought of "maybe it's time to retire from running" has again crossed my mind, I am determined not to give up completely, and soon, the regular run group at Vigor may have another member. Just because I'm turning a number with a zero in a few weeks is no means to give up. In addition, it will become part of the necessary preparations prior to my UK trip in 2011.

My Personal Trainer should also note the cap that I wear in each race is a bit of advertising for him!

Run Melbourne result

Well did I do it? Yes I did!
Can we fix it? It seems we can!

I completed the 5 km run in a time of 00:31:04 which, for me, was great. I had planned to stick to a pace of 6 minutes per kilometer, but ran somewhere between 5.5 minutes and 6 minutes for most of it. Well that is apart from the 4 or so minutes where I walked across the bridge past the tennis centre and MCG (there was a hill!!).



That's me on the left!

I consider this result bordering on the amazing, if I may say so myself, given that I hadn't really trained for the month leading up to the run. Like many, training in winter is just such a drag!



The above graph is from my Polar Personal Trainer software that came with my Polar 625X heart rate monitor. It interprets the data on the monitor that includes heart rate as well as distance and pace from a foot pod. It also talks to my bike. For anyone wanting to run and make a difference, something similar which can track speed/pace is a must have!

The 2009 season of Spring into Shape is my next serious run, although a short course entry in Melbourne Marathon is also kicking around in my head!

Not feeling particularly motivated

In ten days time, I will be running in the 2009 Run Melbourne "fun" run. I have done very little training over the past several weeks and before that, I was lucky if I ran even 2-2Km at the gym on the weekends. It would appear that when the 28th comes around, it will be a case of a steady pace and putting one foot in front of the other for the 5Km. I used to go to the gym twice a week in addition to my Personal Trainer and in general, run on both of those days. Why I lost my motivation, I'm not sure.

I have an Orbea Tri Bike sitting here in my study that has been rode too few times. I had got it two years ago and started riding in preparation to do some duathlons (don't even talk to me about swimming; I'm one of these people who tries to swim and never moves from the same spot!), but that ambition also dried up.

The whole lack of motivation thing is kind of surprising to me, given the fact that I used to be an aerobic instructor back in the days before Les Mills, and would sometimes 3 classes a night several times a week. Perhaps it goes back to one of my earlier posts about t-shirts (I'm wearing one now despite a not-so-warm house) and that as we get older, our abilities, and in this case, motivation changes. It's not that I don't want to; I really want to be a good runner, good cyclist, and even learn to swim in any direction, but I just lack the self motivation these days. Maybe I need to join a group and train with them, but then I'm not the most social of people a lot of the time, but that's a whole other post!