2018 targets

Overall I did ok last year I think, I covered 800 miles, set PB's at 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon and at 35 (years not stone) competed in Gwent League for the first time.

Didn't I look good...

I didn't do great though.

So, time to set some targets for 2018!! Yes this is the most bog standard blog post possible (along with the previous year review, which is coming) but... tough! I could make it more of a cliché and add some kind of inspirational quote here. That's too much even for me. so...

Distance 2017 803 miles 2018 1,000 miles

Step up from 650 too 800  this year, trying for 10000 (with training etc) next!

5km

Current PB 21:05 - Target 20:00

I'm off form, can't deny that, should have done better at Nos Galan last night but I didn't (21:17, 13th in fun run) so no point dwelling on it. Form will come and I am faster than the PB on a good course. If I work I want to get down to around 20, then next year, Nos Galan Elite! Better to come last in a great race than first in a bad one.

I think strength is the key here... must work harder in speed sessions.

10km

Current PB 44:15 - Target 43:00

Extension of the above really, probably came down further this year than I expected. But still more there. The 5k work will probably feed down the line and give me a bit more over 10k. Not so bothered about this distance this year really as there's longer things to worry about.

8 Mile

Current PB 1:03:?? - Target 1:00:00

Only do the one 8 mile but I feel an hour is achievable as even running like a bum I'm faster / fitter than this time last year. This will also be the one I get first swing at (except parkruns) as Lliswerry 8 is the day after my 36th birthday!

Half Marathon

Current 99:59 - Target 98:00

Wasn't expecting to go that fast last year... still can make some improvements I think, but not expecting much really.

Marathon

Current 4:09:?? - Target 4:00:00

I was awful over marathon last year, didn't really prepare well and paid the price. I do want to run a 4 hour marathon though and Come April I have a chance at my PB holding course (Manchester). Feeling confident and this time the work will go in.

Ultra (50km)

Current Not sure how much of a good idea this is - Target Finish

Follows on from Marathon and it's a whole new challenge, should be interesting.

Fair targets I think, if I'm honest the ones I really want are 5k and Marathon (two extremes!)

Bad two weeks, back on the horse

In some respects anyway! I did actually post here which is a positive, but as a negative, I didn't run.

First there was a bit of a sickness bug...

Then there was the snow...

Then there was the ice...

I have a full on list of excuses, none of them help really.

Monday saw me break the two week streak of relative inactivity with a quick run after work. Two weeks is a long time not to run it turns out. I was awful, had heartburn from about a mile in and am still confused about how I didn't end up blowing chunks into the side of the road.



Not exactly my finest moment.. But on I press, same as I always do, into last nights club session. Never easy these and I don't feel I was running well at all but I think it'll get me back onto some kind of track.

The session consisted of 16 x 45 second efforts with a 1 min between. After 8 we also had a 1/2 mile lap... rest.

I felt slower than I should be and I kind of tired during the session, but it got done and there are only benefits to that. Been really enjoying running with Aberdare this year and I'm clearly fitter than I was, so it's been a positive experience all round!

Come Saturday I'll be hitting up Penallta parkrun to have a swing at a decent 5k time. Not expecting a PB, even though it is a faster course than Merthyr, just want to get ready to have a good run at Nos Galan on New Years Eve.

Hoping to try a few new parkruns over the next couple of months, as my association with Merthyr parkrun came to a unceremonious end last week, freeing me up to try. I plan on hitting Ponty at some point, I'm told Swansea Bay is fast too...

I'm just past 10 miles for the week, plus I'll probably run Thursday, much better stuff. Feeling quietly confident about 2018 at the moment, new challenges (the Ultra!) await.

I had an Ultra good idea!

I shared my idea to upgrade my long distance races from Marathon to Ultra in my last post. It was an idea, quite possibly a bad one, but an idea regardless.

Well it is an idea no longer, it is a thing, a thing that is happening... on May 6th in the lovely surroundings of Pembrey I will be running the 50km version of...

For the record I didn't pay £28...

I went to St Illtyds school, this is St Illtyds race, it's written in the stars!!

I should be building up to it quite nicely, Jan will see me peak (in races) at 8 miles (Lliswerry), Up to a half marathon in March (Merthyr), Full in April (Manchester) then May comes around!

I'm a bit sparse for Feb...

I've had a quiet week n a half as I've had a unwell belly and then the snow and ice came and I'm not fancying breaking a leg. I have an Ultra coming up you know.

In other news I'm RD for parkrun this week, so if anyone wants to come and swell Merthyr's frankly poor numbers you're very welcome. We're also short of volunteers... hit me up!