Training Post – The 5K’s of Christmas

So I have spent the last couple of months training for the 5K’s of Christmas. The event took place at Battersea Athletics track with a number of different running clubs participating. There were a lot of races scheduled and you get placed in a race based on your anticipated time. I was in the second slowest race and my number anticipated me coming last! Yikes! I was hoping to improve my PB.

I had done the 10 mile cabbage patch race in Twickenham in October and can honestly say at the time I felt the fittest I have ever been. It paid off and resulted in me achieving a time beyond my expectations.

Yes there is a ‘but’ coming…It’s amazing how quickly you can lose that fitness. A course of antibiotics didn’t help so I went into the 5K race feeling less confident.

Brrrrr it was a very chilly start on an icy track that felt banana skin slippery. My time was disappointing to say the least. I didn’t seem to be the only disappointed person there – it would seem the majority of us struggled and there was a lot of blame given to the icy track!! For me it was a combination of conditions, negative thoughts and lack of fitness.

The fast race was amazing to watch. The lead runners had been training in Kenya and it looked like that high altitude Kenyan air must have paid off as they whipped past lap after lap. A few of them were sporting some stylish Nike Kenyan jackets which made them look the part as they warmed up pre race. I was sporting the same said stylish jacket. One chap commented on my style (jacket not running form) and muddled me up with another blonde asking if I was the one who had come in first for my race. Not quite – I was the one who came in last (although I clearly remember the winner he was referring to overtaking me with 3 laps still to go). Jacket and speed clearly not connected! I had to explain that I grew up in Kenya hence my love for the jacket. Sadly none of that Kenyan running magic has rubbed off on me!

Now that the 5K is out of the way I have officially embarked on my marathon training this week. My training plan is in place thanks to coach Clivey! He suggests I start off with a long run of 10 miles. Hang on a second what is the rush to get my mileage up? So we agree to 8 miles which he reminds me is one loop (and a bit more) of Richmond Park which I do all the time.

So here is to the dreaded long runs, trying to get that October fitness back. As soon as mince pie and mulled wine season is out the way I really must knuckle down!