Running blog: How was your weekend running?

Happy new year runners. How has it been for you so far? I started my year with the Knacker Cracker – a more than slightly insane race up and down (and up, and down, and up …) Box Hill. Everyone in fancy dress, and the National Anthem at the start. No, I’ve got no idea why either. The hills are absolute killers – the downhill on the slippery, uneven steps as bad as the ups – but the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant. Everyone chatting, exchanging encouragement, commenting on the costumes. Top mark to the pirate with whom I leapfrogged constantly – every group of kids or families we passed made the same pirate joke and he responded with the same level of enthusiasm each time. (In case you are wondering: “Why are pirates called pirates? Because they ARRRRRRRR!”) And to finish, a T-shirt, a mug, a medal, a cheese and pickle sandwich and a carrot. Nope, still no idea. Great way to start the year.

I’ve also been looking back on last year. On New Year’s Eve – after a 10.5 mile run – I realised that my mileage for the year was 2,494.59. Oh the temptation to go out and stagger around on my exhausted legs for another 5-and-a-bit miles just to get to the nice round number. I resisted – or rather, my legs just refused.

2014 was a good year for me after a bad start. This time last year I was just coming back from a calf tear – since then I’ve managed PBs in pretty much every distance and run my first two marathons. So my plans for this year are fairly simple: another two marathons, London in the spring and a yet-to-be-decided autumn one. And – with a hefty dose of luck, some hard training and no doubt some disappointment en route – to try and break three hours in that autumn race.

So, what are your big goals for the year? And what were your big achievements of last? As always, share your goals, motivations, frustrations and niggles below the line.

Source: Read Full Article