London Marathon Training Week 7 of 14
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
You may not believe me, but I used to be a selfish prick. Especially when it came to my running. Egotistical. Stubborn. Arrogant.
‘Not much different to now then.’
Shuddup.
I won’t say it came naturally, but I thought it was the way you needed to be to succeed in this sport. When I looked around at the best runners in the UK and US, they mostly reinforced this stereotype (this has changed a bit. Actually think social media has helped with this).
It was not until I first went to Kenya and saw how the elite athletes trained and behaved there that I realised, not only can you succeed without being a dick, actually caring about the people around you could also help make you a better runner (read amazing post on this here).
When I first set up Track Tuesday Treborth, it was very much with the aim of helping myself. I needed training partners to help me lift the intensity in my sessions.
Seven years later, it has grown to mean much more than that. The joy I get in sharing the journey with other runners, as they improve and succeed, in spite of all their own set backs and life issues, is more than I ever felt for myself. You know what they say;
Make it alone, and you are still alone
They don’t say that but they should.
It feels great to be part of something that is growing and positive. Everyone is welcome, everyone deserves to be there, and everyone supports everyone. These are the philosophies that create cultures that thrive. I have personally learnt so much from my own involvement in the squad. Not always smooth and easy, definitely hurdles along the way (wish the groundsmen would stop leaving them out), but always immensely worthwhile.
If you don’t have a coach or mentor get one. Find some run buddies, and if there’s anyone you know who you think could do with a bit of guidance, offer it. Build a community around you, and then the highs are higher and the lows are less.
Trafford 10k
Firstly, just have to say a massive thank you and congrats to RunNorthWest in what they’ve done with this race. This is my 5th appearance here. The organisers have tweaked and streamlined things every year. They have done a brill job, fixing potholes, eliminating tight bends etc. The race has been so fast these past two years some have called it short. I did not run a fast time, so have no reason to defend it, but myself and the athletes in my group all measured it slightly long, which probably means it’s bang on.
Put loads of fast runners together on a fast course, and you get super fast times (when the weather allows). Great for the sport and road running scene to have an asset like this.
For my own part;
in Wrexham Half Marathon a month ago (post here), I went through 10k in 32:36. I was obviously expecting much better than this at Trafford. However I ran 34:27.
After the race another runner said to me, ‘Oh dear what went wrong! Actually don’t tell me I’m sure you’ll put all your excuses on your blog!’
Firstly, quite funny, cheeky fucker.
But also, I’ve checked back on my last 3 races, they didn’t go great, no excuses anywhere. So I’m in a huff now and will not be listing any of the illuminating, yet somehow informative, excuses I had lined up for this one. That will show him.
In the last km of this race I was overtaken by Kirsty Longley.
We first met when we were on the On team 5 years ago. When I wrote my last post, I was talking about joy (very good, you should read it here), When I think about the joy of running, Kirsty has always been one of the first people coming to mind. Always so friendly and genuine, running incredibly well, and whatever else is going on in her life, she always makes time for me and everyone else around.
So I thought I would try and help her out in the last km with some encouragement and pacing. I felt like I did a pretty good job and even got her to lift her pace at the end to get past me. On the 2hr drive home, I got a thought worm in my head. Maybe I had got it wrong, she didn’t say much to me after the race after all. Maybe I had actually really annoyed her and got in the way. When I arrived home I thought I’d better check. DMd her on Insta. her response?
‘How long were you running next to me? Never even realised’
Train hard. Run fast. Ignore distractions. Brilliant!
Keep on inspiring Kirsty and good luck in Cardiff Bay 10k.
There were 7 runners from our squad other than me at Trafford. They all ran a PB except me. It was really nice on the warm down hearing how their races went and all the thrills and spills. I totally got wrapped up in it and forgot about my own shocker.
So many sparkling results from so many friends would take forever to list them all now. Have to say a massive congrats to clubmate John Gilbert, who was ill last week and had a nasty fall this race, where someone was using him as a windbreaker then tripped him up. Still got up and smashed 30min though cos that’s what he does. Also excellent run from Chris Evergreenwood still finding a way to fly. Doesn’t bother with boring mediocre.
Thanks for the Soar vest Chris and everyone at Kent AC. But, if you gave me the vest to wear before the race started, I would totally have kicked your ass.
Later in the day, at home on a Sunday afternoon. It suddenly hit me that I had just run my slowest 10k of all time. I had to go and lie down. How do I get out of this hole? Is it even worth it? Is this the end?
A coach should never be tied down to one or two catchphrases.
You should have book loads of sayings, metaphors and anecdotes which you can adapt and modify as a vessel to simplify and explain coaching philosophies.
But, if I had a gun to my head and had to pick my favourites, they would be:
Before enlightenment, chop wood carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water.
and:
Nobody gives a fuck. Train harder.
That was all I needed. Was out the door 6am the next morning.
Read more about what those lines mean, the way I interpret them, below:
Podcast I Listened To This Week
‘I strongly, agree with Marcus’ emphasis in trying to cultivate one’s own virtues. There’s a current fashion for cynically dismissing all these attempts at virtue cultivation as merely virtue signalling, but I personally find that a really lazy response and I think we could do with a bit more virtue amongst us.’
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Slowest 10k ever? You need to re-read Charlie Spedding’s book as clearly you’re getting lined up for a big A-race!