We never know where life is going to take us or what challenges it brings. In January 2010 I was happy, so happy I wanted to stay that way for as long as I could. I realised that if Ali and I wanted a long and healthy life together, we had to change. I was clinically obese, had a bad back and my knees were feeling the strain. I had various health problems and I was ageing faster than my years. I looked ahead to a life I did not want. It was time to change. By the end of the year I had lost 4 stone - 56lbs. My confidence rocketed - I had taken control and it had worked. I was exercising, enjoying buying clothes, speaking up for myself.

I began to believe in myself again, I began to dream. For years I had watched marathons with admiration and a lump in my throat. In April 2013, I ran my first marathon.

This blog is about living life as a slim person, staying slim and fulfilling my dreams. Come and join me, support me, advise me!



Take care, Sue

Sunday, 11 December 2011

Preparing to Succeed: Week 3: Speed Freak


Week 3 done and I've had a big learning point and a shock revelation. This week has been about speed; I am a speed freak.

First the learning point: you run better times if you keep a consistent pace. You wouldn't think that was critical, but the stats show it. I always, but always, start quick and end slow (and knackered!). I have negative splits, they need attention. 

I tried running more slowly and I was amazed. I felt much better and I could run longer. At the end of my long run, I felt I could do another mile or so, usually I just collapse at the front door. What a revelation! I still am running too fast, I need to run slower and longer, but I can see where it fits in my preparation. 

Now for the shock bit. This has made me think about pacing, what 'steady' and 'tempo' mean for me. Then I twigged (or twug??) - I have to nail my colours to the mast and set a target finish time. I now have to admit to myself and you that I want to do more than just finish. There, I said it!  Of course I want to finish, that's the point and no mean achievement. But I have to commit to a time. It's scary. I need to be brave and bold.

I'm afraid I'm going to be a bit coy now and not reveal the magic number; partly because I haven't decided, but if I'm honest, because I don't want to fail.  But if I don't set myself a challenging target, how do I know what I can truly achieve? I have to go for it. 

Not trying hard enough is a pretty good strategy. If you do well, you're a star; if you fail, well you didn't really give it your best.  But I could not hold my head up in front of my twitter chums if I didn't give this run my best shot. Look at the athletes I follow on Twitter and you'll see how shameful it would be not to try as hard as I can. 

So, dear reader, I am going to set myself a goal, one that I might well fail to make.  A goal that will stretch me in training and preparation and on the day. I have to do this or I will have failed at the first hurdle.  But I hope you don't mind if I keep it to myself. It feels a bit too brave to tell you what I aspire to. You'll just have to trust me, at least for now.....

Here's the stats for this week:
  • Monday tempo 3.1miles. 29.56mins
  • Tuesday - 45 mins of spin
  • Wednesday - Hill running and sprint finish 2.92 miles 30 mins
  • Thursday - Treadmill steady 10k plus sprint finish 6.2 miles, 58.00 mns
  • Saturday - long steady 13.2 miles; 2hr 14 mins 58 secs.
  • Sunday - active rest 8.5 mile walk

So, 25.4 miles run, 4.2 hours running, about the same as the week before but with a spin class and active rest day. Feeling good. 

With Christmas coming and Mum (I hope) coming out of hospital soon, my goal next week is to run as much as I can. My main run next week needs to be a very long and slow run, to see just how far can I go - I'm quite excited about it!

Thank you to everyone who's sent me comments, advice and support, I really appreciate it - thank you!

Take care

Sue



2 comments:

  1. Hi Sue--I have the opposite problem! I'm way too slow and I plod along! I think I need to make sure my slow is not too slow. Can you give me some of your speed, please?

    Oh, and I've been debating about a marathon target time, too. I've never done one before so my goal was initially to just finish. But then, I've been running a while so shouldn't I have a goal?

    I can't decide! So until then I'll look forward to the day you reveal your aspirations! :)

    Keep going, you're doing great!

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  2. Hi Dim Run, thank you! I found that doing the speed sessions and speed intervals really got my little legs moving and gradually my speed has crept up almost without me noticing. I used the Women's Running mag ones. As for a goal, we're all different! I may well decide that just getting round in 1 piece is my goal, but....... Keep on going, so glad you're enjoying your running! :-)

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