if I can do it, so can you (maybe)
I learnt a lot from my race here last year. And it has been working. Through my marathon block this time, I ran my fastest 10k in 10yrs, as well as my fastest ever parkrun. The marathon sessions have all been faster than ever, and feeling better than ever too.
This week I set myself the challenge of nailing my long run. When you’re training for the marathon, the long run is the most important session of the week. Zooming round the track or parkrun is fine, but if you are too tired to get in a solid long run, your training is not as relevant as it could be. I got out of the habit of prioritising the long run the last few months. I needed to get back on it.
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Then, the final race of the day was called, the Dads Race. I had totally forgot this was a thing. I was called over by some of the other dads. My kids started chanting for me to race. I did the bravest thing I could do in that situation.
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Snowdon Twilight is an uphill only race on Snowdon. It starts on a Friday night to avoid the crowds. When I arrived, more than a few people talked to me like I had already won. I wasn’t so sure. Gavin Roberts was on the start line, he has been running very well recently and is a member of the current Welsh team. I knew he would be my main competition.
I was not feeling confident in my mountain ascent. It is a tricky skill to get the hang of, where the line between fine and f**ked is very thin. I let Gavin lead the way with the game plan of kicking on when we entered the final km…
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The focus of this week was Trail Half Marathon Wales, a great event that takes place in the gorgeous Coed Y Brenin. I knew Max Nichols was going to be in my race. He has been running exceptionally well lately and has recently made the GB Mountain Running squad. Nonetheless, I decided to have a really good crack at beating him here. I recced the course three times in the week, and had my action plan fixed in my head.
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The world is distracted, and becoming increasingly more so. It is hard to decipher real news from fake. Find a measure that is never going to lie to you. Don’t measure by Strava or GPS, measure on something real. Testing yourself frequently in this way keeps you humble and hungry. That hurt. I have weaknesses. How could I do better?
That is what I want for my kids. For them to be in a position to have as many choices and opportunities as possible. Being fit and strong helps. Running a bit, every day, is the best single way of achieving that.
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