Saturday 2nd May, '09
Time To Knuckle Down.
I haven't really done anything so far this year but it's not a great surprise to me really. After a month off in November having had enough of training hard and not getting anything for it I then stared back with a 15.45 5k and was flat out! Things weren't helped when a really bad virus caught me which wrote off December really and start of January (ran 32minute 10k with a virus which showed I was suffering badly). So by March I hadn't got a lot under the belt or in the Bank training wise. March racing then was a bit hit and miss...pulled a muscle in the warm up for one 10k, ran a half decent 10k in Atlantic College, and then bombed in Reading Half Marathon with a bad stomach.
April masked things really with two relay wins but the 10k in Germany showed me I'm a bit of the pace, not a lot but the hard miles haven't been put in like mile reps, 10minute efforts and so on so getting a 14.28 and 30.26 on a hilly course wasn't a bad effort really in the circumstances its just that guys like Nicholls, Draper and Wicks are moving well at the moment so low 30's is a load of rubbish to be honest.
I am looking forward to the summer/autumn races and the training in between while also cranking up the miles. Nicholls touched briefly on 'training smart' which I have to do really having pretty much run myself in to the ground a few times in the previous 2 years but I think its good to know your braking point, I remember once I ran just under 100miles and every run hard, so either sessions or 5.30 milling and within 2 weeks I was in bed for 2 days sick and legs were finished which took weeks to get back! Training is defiantly an art and knowing your body's limits to get the maximum out you can without going over that 'razors edge' is worth its weight in gold and something which I have yet to learn.... but think I am getting close.
Congratulations to James Thie on his new job and being back in the Welsh setup I am sure our paths will cross more frequent.
Simx
Comments On "Saturday 2nd May, '09"
Thanks Ian,
simx Posted on May 5th, 2009Cheers for the support.
Simx
Understanding!
Can understand your obvious disallusion and disappointment with your past years performances. After all your a full time athlete with no committments who still has to make the elite grade and mark on the Uk/international running scene. You have analysed the possible reasons and now need to look forward and make some serious plans and decisions about your future in this tough challenging sport. Be realistic about your SMART running targets/aims and hopefully you will begin to slowly reap the benefits. You need a good pep talk with yourself and start taking your training up a few notches if you want the successes that hard work and dedication can bring!
Ian thompson Posted on May 4th, 2009Good luck and you have a lot of supporters on this site so listen to them and take action!
Cheers 'xccoach' I lost the will to be honest after last year and coming back from morocco running crap, I spent a lot of money last year and put in a lot of effort but got nothing but heavy legs!! haha.
Simx Posted on May 3rd, 2009It was only at the National Relays I got the love back again and remembered why I got into the sport. Its hard to train when every run feels like a chore. I have been through it before and knew it would come back at some point and was important to just ride it out.
I read all the guys blogs and its very interesting to see what they are all doing.
Was good to be back on the 2mile reps Friday!!
Cheers
Simx
Your future!
Simon - a good honest reflection - sad but true afraid!
xccoach Posted on May 3rd, 2009Learn from the past and move on with renewed motivation.
Planning is vital and try and use tips from the other runnerslife team and copy their training etc.
Perhaps you need a new coach also to revitalise your running career!
Work hard work smart- start the careful planning now and learn from others as you really need to move your running on from now!Its all in your hands(and feet!) so be more structured and start the mental psychological training to get your running stimulated.
Good luck and hope you remain injury free!