Stability Through Motion

First, a photograph of my favourite oak tree, taken this morning on the 19 mile running route round Oxford through Noke, Beckley, Holton and Shotover.

Before I look forward in time, here’s a highlight of running experiences in 2008, mostly running related.

1. High Peak 40 - my first ultra, pretty hard to top this experience, although I could have eaten the marmite sandwich slightly earlier. Stunning countryside, friendly competitors and marshalls, and fabulous support including F running part of it with me.

2. Sub 3:15 marathon – a strange target time, but it’s the one I set myself at the start of the year, and achieved in April at the first attempt in Antwerp. The marathon itself was NOT fun, and for the first time in racing I actually felt awful and wanted to stop. Achieving my target time was a great sensation, but comparison with High Peak demonstrates once again what I already knew – I prefer process to result. This applies to most things in my life, which must make me a very successful Buddhist. I don’t enjoy not enjoying running. On the other hand, a successful marathon campaign needn’t involve suffering, so perhaps I just have to organise my training better.

3. No injuries – I’d been niggled at by, well, there’s no better word than niggles, all through 2006 and 2007, nothing serious but annoying. 2008 was niggle free despite my highest mileage yet and longer races. I put this down to BUTT EXERCISES. Worth capitalising that. If, like me, you have a sedentary job and largely inactive lifestyle, get up, get down and do some squats, lunges and other leg strengthening exercises. Honestly, it protects you from the constant battering that running in a straight line on a flat surface subjects you to. I’m sure if you zig zag around all the time you’ll be alright (as in football).

4. Swaledale marathon – really my first experience of an off-road event. A memory that will last forever, despite or perhaps because of its simplicity – sitting outside the pub drinking Black Sheep ale, watching runners and walkers finish the race in the blissful knowledge that I’d finished the 24 mile hill race. It’s a race in a beautiful location, with friendly marshalls and supporters, with cherry cake at the check points and stunning views.

Well, my last big race of the year is over, so it’s time to reflect and to plan.

Plans for 2008, in order of priority, were as follows:

1. Sub 3:15 marathon
2. Sub 1:30 half marathon
3. Sub 40 minute 10k
4. 40 mile race for 40th birthday
5. 3:20 at Snowdonia Marathon
6. No injuries
   

So everything bar number 5 achieved – and the 3:20 plan was actually only decided fairly last minute. I’d targetted 3:30 originally, which I did achieve, and I did PB for the course, so I should be happy (but of course I’m not, grrr, argghhh, grrr).

I’ll have run 2,000 miles this year – my highest mileage yet, completed two road marathons, two 24 mile off-road races and a 40 mile ultra – my busiest race year to date.

Here’s a lovely chart – showing weekly mileage this year (and revealing also why Snowdonia didn’t go so well – comparatively low mileage in the weeks before).

Looking ahead to 2009 the major plan is to shoot for a sub 3 hour marathon. I’ll keep up long runs on the trails and fells as much as I can – but the plan will require more dedicated road miles and harder work. The spring marathon, wherever it ends up being, will be the prime target, but to be honest, I’d be happy to be closer to 3:05 there, then shoot for sub 3 in an autumn attempt.

Where to go in the spring? I didn’t get a ballot place at FLM, and need another sub 3:15 to guarantee entry for 2010. There’s the call of Antwerp, Paris, Rome or . . . Stratford on Avon! Then I’ve been recommended Luxembourg, so that’s a possibility.

So much for goals, targets and so on – I somehow want to combine that with the sheer easy-going fun of running along hill ridges, or down wooded slopes in the countryside.