Ringer

Had a good run yesterday evening, just off the bike from college & straight into it. 6.7km loop in 28:05, a new pb for the course. hit wrong button on watch intending to stop it at a junction so I hadn't my usual markers to indicate how well I was doing.

I'm one of those runners who can't do anything (when I'm on my own & not running regularly) mentally when running (trying to add, in this case 7:05 onto the time I see upon glancing down at the watch periodically to track progress - forget it!).

There is literally just a void in my head for the duration of the exercise - same with cycling, my brain 100% switches everything else off & I'm focusing entirely on the job at hand. Some people use exercise as their "thinking time" etc, to them I say that they're not trying hard enough!

was struggling for pace initially & got my second wind very quickly (normally it takes 7-10 minutes I was there in under 5 today...) but felt really good nonetheless. Got faster as the session went on, not feeling amazing but that zing was there having ran on friday too (on the grass in dangan - 4 laps 13:25 & struggling big time, decided I wasn't enjoying it at all along with only planning the run an hour before hand with no race in sight for at least 2 months & work early the following day, I said I'd forgive myself for cutting it short, be happy I gave it a go & forget about it!)

would've easily broke 28 if I could do basic arithmetic, adding the 7 mins was clearly too much for me! Heck I reckon I could've done 27:30 easily if I'd known where I was, I was slowing down at seapoint just cruising & took the last km far too leisurely, having fun... just glad to be out running, never taking the sport for granted. Always still slightly amazed that I can run this "fast", its amazing really, maybe that's why I'll never crack the big times because I'm too much in awe of it, I don't know...

I certainly have the raw ability to do it though. a 35 minute 10km is not out of the question from me, I just can't quite believe I can do it yet. But I know theoretically I could do it, no problem. 34 minutes, yes thats unknown but sub 35 mins for a 10km, absolutely, I know I can. (granted I don't get injured & get the opportunity to train at that level once my job allows me the free time etc, & that I really commit to it & I make that my goal for a couple of years of my life & am on 50-60 miles a week (or cycling a lot!!!)

I'm in Ok shape these days, there or there abouts for a 33:30 8km (6:45 min/mile pace all the time) all year really. Not bad considering I'm not even running 15 miles a week, last year I was running 35 miles a week (or running at least 3 times a week anyway) & only managing to be 1 minute faster, so I'm certainly improving (thanks to cycling). All I'm lacking now is some longer runs - 8-14 mile tempo runs with some hard 10-12 km runs too & some 2 hour cycles also...
I won't be running in the streets this year as I'd be struggling for a sub 33 & wish to put my focus on my studies alongside the fact that I really would prefer not running that race again until I'm in sub 30 minute shape. I respect the race too much...

Running for the next month now will be maintenance stuff, some sprints (6.7km loop) & maybe the odd 10km here & there coming up to the exams...

Once college is done in septemner, I'm gonna make it my business to focus for the 10km on st stephens day & be in under 40, at the very least. with plenty of cycling (& running 3 times a week minimum) - I can't wait!!!

Goodluck with your running & I hope your training is going well to anybody who might be reading...