Apologies for how long it has taken me to update the blog. It was originally due to the fact I was without internet for several months due to ‘speak/speak’ taking a ridiculous amount of time to transfer us to our new address and then secondly I am afraid well…. life got in the way.
So what’s happened this year? Well, in March I took part in the Henfield 9 Miler. It was an interesting race, a nice local course and I came, well basically last. Now, I know that someone has to come last, and why shouldn’t it be me? But unfortunately I really let it dent my confidence. I started to avoid all long runs on a Saturday and felt myself getting more and more frustrated at being at the back and feeling like every mile was a struggle.
But that’s what is so wonderful about being part of a club or team such as the Henfield Joggers… I eventually spoke to the lovely Mark about my running woes and after a suitable ‘get over yourself/think positive’ pep talk I realised that 50% of my problem was now mental. I thought I couldn’t get faster and couldn’t do better and it had become a self-fulfilling prophecy. So I decided to give myself a challenge…..The South Downs Relay 2015. This year, I wasn’t picked for the team quite rightly as I was and still am far too slow. But next year I am determined to be there. Fabian and I marshalled for them in June and it was such a great team atmosphere I really felt I wanted to be part of this relay team.
So since making that decision I have started adding in a lone run on Mondays. Before I joined the HJ’s I would always run on my own so I thought it may be worth adding in a run where I have no distractions and must push myself. These runs aren’t nearly so much fun as the runs I do with my fellow Joggers but I have chosen my own 3 mile route and have to date shaven 5 minutes off of my time. I have also tried, whilst out on HJ runs not to have such a defeatist attitude and really try to keep up with the front runners such as Hugh, Brian, Mark and Amanda. Slowly but surely I feel like my running is improving and thus so is my confidence. As I have mentioned before- I wasn’t built for running and it certainly doesn’t come naturally to me but I guess like anything you have to work hard at it. I am just so lucky to have found such a lovely group of runners to enjoy it all with.
So after only a year as a HJ member I am giving myself some challenges for 2015.
1. To take part in the South Down Relay
2. To run a Marathon… all 26 bloomin’ miles
3. To beat or at least match Fabian in a fun run (Yes, I am aware of how unrealistic this one is!)
4. To take part in the 3 Peaks Challenge with fellow Henfield Joggers (Not strictly running related but still for a great cause!)
So if you can bare reading my ramblings I will try to keep you updated on how the training goes for all of these challenges.
How bad can it be?!?!?! 😉
I have signed up for a Half Marathon in a months time. Starting the 2015 training early.
Well done you! I had no idea you would ever have been last or at the back of anything having seen you running with the HJ lot!! There’s hope for me yet then
Thanks Lorna for your lovely comment. X