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One of the challenges I set myself at the beginning of the year was to run a half marathon distance at some point in 2019. I will, I am sure, join an organised half marathon race at some point and have my eye on the Manchester one in October this year. That said I think I am not far off being able to run the distance under my own steam when out on one of my long runs.
Like anything, much of the challenge to this is psychological and I know that I can do it, but gearing myself up and fuelling myself correctly is key. The longest distance I have managed so far is just under 10 miles / 15.5KM so I know that I am not too far away from that 13.1 / 21KM target. I find running to be really good for my mind and I sleep much better since I’ve been running. I have also found that the work I have done in the gym has helped enormously with my stamina and general fitness. I do miss some of the challenges on the gym since I have been spending my time running, but I am know that as the weather deteriorates in the winter the gym will take priority again.
My parents also set about on a similar challenge in the new year – to walk 1200 miles across the year, so an average of 100 miles a month. My mum is doing really well and will no doubt surpass her 1200 mile target and my Dad is doing well too, although a recent set back with a nasty knee injury has meant that not much walking has taken place over the last few weeks and he has another month at least off from walking. He had a shoulder operation this year so that added with the unexpcted knee problems have meant an enforced period of rest. I’ve told him we might need to think about a riser recliner chair if he continues to get himself injured!
What my Dad’s unexpected injury however has taught me is that it really is a gift to be fit and able and getting up and out with relative ease is something that we all too often take for granted. I can ache, especially after long runs, but that’s easy enough to overcome with some stretching and use of Arnica (I really like the Neal’s Yard one). I try to look after myself and keep myself as injury fr
This month I set a target of 75 miles to run and, with three days to go, I am almost at my target with just 7 miles left to run which I will complete easily. I’ve noticed big improvements in my speed and fitness since doing my monthly challenges and I am confident that, in the next 5-6 weeks (if not sooner) I’ll have ticked off my half marathon distance and can set myself a new target.
