As the year draws to a close, I am unfortunately injured again. But, I thought I would review the year and start the process of setting next years targets.
Last year, due to general frustration at the way my running was progressing, or should we say not progressing, I set my targets for 2013 early, during November 2012. They were:
- To climb Kilimanjaro
- To perform well in the Masters Cross country championships
- To break the M55 course record at the Yorkshire Wolds Half Marathon
- To do and complete 1 more marathon
- To run the length of Hadrian's Wall in 24 hours
And I also identified one A race - The Blaydon Race.
The year started well with some good mileage under the belt and in February, my first target of climbing Kilimanjaro was achieved.
The next target, Performing well at the Masters Cross Country Championships, proved to be less successful. Taking place at Sunderland, only a few weeks after my return from Tanzania and full of cold. I struggled around the course somewhere very close to the back of the field.
By now, I had found out that I had to go into hospital for an operation. Which took place in May. Initially I thought that this would prevent me from running my chosen A race, the 'Blaydon', on June 9th. However, with a few easy runs under the belt I decided to start well back in the field and jog around. As things turned out I felt better than I thought I would have and, although not performing as well as I had hoped prior to going into hospital, ended up completing the course in a faster time than in 2012 and picking up the 2nd M55 prize.
With regards to the next target, well that turned out to be a comedy of errors. Although still struggling a little I had got some good mileage in during June and early July. However, failure on my part to establish what the correct M55 course record was for the Yorkshire Wolds, meant I was chasing the wrong and a slower time. I suppose it was a case of that old saying 'fail to plan and you plan to fail'.
Next up was to once again complete a marathon. Having dropped out of the last marathon I had ran, 3 year go, I didn't want to finish running marathons with a DNF. I realised, for a change, that I was not going to get anywhere near the times I used to do for the marathon, so decided that the aim was just to finish.
The Town Moor marathon was the chosen race, which I finished in 3.27.36. Over an hour slower than my pb for the distance. But at least I had met my target.
Unfortunately, for the time being, running Hadrian's Wall has been put on hold.
Looking forward to next year. At the moment it is a little difficult planning set targets, as I already know that at sometime in the New Year I will be returning to hospital for further operations. However, once I get going again, the sort of things I am considering are for A races:
- The Dentdale run in March
- The Blaydon Race
- The Yorkshire Wolds Half Marathon - as they are changing the course this year the M55 course record wont be there to chase but at least I can aim at setting the record for the new course.
- Having completed the marathon again this year. I know I can run faster than 3.27, so am considering another marathon
- There is also the possibility of running my first Ultra-marathon (well its one way of getting a pb)
And of course, there is still a date with Hadrian's Wall to be kept.
So plenty to think about - Bring on 2014!
Last year, due to general frustration at the way my running was progressing, or should we say not progressing, I set my targets for 2013 early, during November 2012. They were:
- To climb Kilimanjaro
- To perform well in the Masters Cross country championships
- To break the M55 course record at the Yorkshire Wolds Half Marathon
- To do and complete 1 more marathon
- To run the length of Hadrian's Wall in 24 hours
And I also identified one A race - The Blaydon Race.
The year started well with some good mileage under the belt and in February, my first target of climbing Kilimanjaro was achieved.
 |
| Kilimanjaro viewed from Moshi |
 |
| View from the Summit |
By now, I had found out that I had to go into hospital for an operation. Which took place in May. Initially I thought that this would prevent me from running my chosen A race, the 'Blaydon', on June 9th. However, with a few easy runs under the belt I decided to start well back in the field and jog around. As things turned out I felt better than I thought I would have and, although not performing as well as I had hoped prior to going into hospital, ended up completing the course in a faster time than in 2012 and picking up the 2nd M55 prize.
 |
| Finish of Yorkshire Wolds |
With regards to the next target, well that turned out to be a comedy of errors. Although still struggling a little I had got some good mileage in during June and early July. However, failure on my part to establish what the correct M55 course record was for the Yorkshire Wolds, meant I was chasing the wrong and a slower time. I suppose it was a case of that old saying 'fail to plan and you plan to fail'.
Next up was to once again complete a marathon. Having dropped out of the last marathon I had ran, 3 year go, I didn't want to finish running marathons with a DNF. I realised, for a change, that I was not going to get anywhere near the times I used to do for the marathon, so decided that the aim was just to finish.
The Town Moor marathon was the chosen race, which I finished in 3.27.36. Over an hour slower than my pb for the distance. But at least I had met my target.
Unfortunately, for the time being, running Hadrian's Wall has been put on hold.
Looking forward to next year. At the moment it is a little difficult planning set targets, as I already know that at sometime in the New Year I will be returning to hospital for further operations. However, once I get going again, the sort of things I am considering are for A races:
- The Dentdale run in March
- The Blaydon Race
- The Yorkshire Wolds Half Marathon - as they are changing the course this year the M55 course record wont be there to chase but at least I can aim at setting the record for the new course.
- Having completed the marathon again this year. I know I can run faster than 3.27, so am considering another marathon
- There is also the possibility of running my first Ultra-marathon (well its one way of getting a pb)
And of course, there is still a date with Hadrian's Wall to be kept.
So plenty to think about - Bring on 2014!
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