Me
I am now back to blogging each Sunday as promised. This week I have really enjoyed training again despite the foggy and misty conditions that South-west London has been throwing at me. I doubled up for the first time in several months this week (i.e. I did two runs in one day) and while it was tiring I absolutely loved it and took the morning run very easy.
I raced in a Mob match yesterday, which is where two clubs get as many runners out to race over a cross country course and see who gets the best overall finish places. I treated the race as a training session with a kick for the finish 2 miles from the finish line on a course which was around 8 miles in length. Overall it was a good session and it is always pleasing to contribute in a small way to my club winning the match.
I am now entering an easy week in training to recharge my body and legs ahead of my 16 week marathon programme starting next Sunday. I am so excited to be so close to starting marathon training as it has been 11 months since my last marathon. This was always the plan; I just hope that all the hard work dropping down to shorter distances and doing some strength work in the gym will pay off come Sunday 13th April 2014…The London Marathon!
Nick’s tip of the week
With the colder days really starting to set in as we enter winter it is crucial that we all warm up properly and carefully. We all need to ensure that our muscles are properly warmed up before starting fast interval sessions…although it is important to warm up for every run.
Warming up is not only down to a slow jog and a few stretches (dynamic and/or static), it is important to consider appropriate clothing. Wearing running leggings/ tights will ensure that more energy can be put into your muscles for running as opposed to being used trying to stay warm.
Everyone is different and so I am not going to suggest a warm up routine, as there is not a one size fits all warm up. I recommend developing a warm up routine over time which works for you…this can often evolve as you encounter areas and muscles which need more warming up than others.
Races around the globe
On races that happened recently…
The Pisa Marathon (Italy) was won today by Massimo Leonardi of Italy in 2.20.39…I know unbelievably not a Kenyan or Ethiopian. Even better still the women’s race was won in a time of 2.41.52 by Holly Rush of England. Wow a European clean sweep for the podium top spots.
Quote of the Week
This week’s quote comes from a man who I am privileged to have met when traveling to the Antarctica Marathon back in 2009…John Bingham nicknamed “The Penguin” is best known for the promotion of walking long distance race courses encouraging participation in races over the speed in which they are completed.
“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no licence to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” (John Bingham)
Until next week…remember that the only run you regret is the one which you don’t start.