10 seconds away

Tonight, Matthew, I decided to run faster.

I wasn’t sure how fast, that was determined once I got underway, but since I hadn’t any intention of going too far (3.29 miles was the final range), speed seemed the way to make the legs know they’d been out.

Having missed last night’s planned run, I felt guilty too. I don’t want the half marathon distance fitness to disappear before marathon training kills me again, you see. But can’t raise myself to long runs again yet. So maybe the possibility exists to do longer runs in less time. That’s my theory. I know my speed will suffer for London gains but after it, I fancy getting proper speedy. I don’t know what I can achieve but not trying won’t find that out, so try I will.

I see Hauling My Carcass is going to join a club for his goals. I’ve discussed similar wih JogBlog. My plan is to move to Ashford then join their club (maybe…if I can stand the “induction” trauma!) and see if a bit of competition can draw something out of me, even if age is against me now. For now, my hills will help – might even do some hill repeats soon. But my curiosity is that if I can improve from 8.15 to 7.45 average on all distance runs in 6 months, then pick that up to 7.26 average over a half marathon with most forced pace runs averaging 7.16 over another 6 months (that’s where I am now), what can I do in another year? With a structured training and a bit of pushing and inspiration from other runners who’re much quicker than me again, i’d like a 10k at sub 7 minute average pace. Is it possible? Or is more than that achievable? Or have I peaked?

I want to find out.

Anyhow, after a quick first mile, I had a hill or two slow me in the second, plus a stop to tuck my lace back in (why is a flapping lace so annoying I stop to secure it even though it’s still well tied when i’m on a pace challenge? Daft) and a stop to let a car around a junction. Which resulted in a 7.03 average pace. The two hills were taken a bit slowly, really, with the turnaround used as a recovery pace for a couple of hundred yards, so i’m not disappointed at all. Next time I challenge myself, i’ll set the virtual partner to 7 minutes dead and nail it, i’m confident. But that will be just before I start marathon training, I think, so can wait a while.

Until then, it’s just great to be running pain, injury and aggro free with the temperature perfect for a long sleeved top and pair of shorts. Very relaxing.