Training, and life 😊

Well it’s been a while since I’ve posted, but not forgotten about updating my blog, more the case of finding time 😊

Where to start 🤔, well since I last posted I’ve trained in opposite ends of the weather spectrum, the beast from the east came and tried to bring me down, but failed 😉 it was so cold tho, got down to about -8 degrees ❄️ but with appropriate clothing you just get on with it, but I did get a lot of funny looks running in blizzard conditions 😆😆 but had to be done tho. Think one old dear actually called me crazy 😆. Temperatures did start to increase and this cold snap went within a couple of weeks or so. This was approaching me first 10k in over a year and my first distance come back race, I didn’t put pressure on myself and had the mine set of going out to enjoy it, and coach Gary always gives good advice pre race, and this time I listened 😂 . I choose to start the race mid pack, and away from the front, eased my way in the race and made sure I was picking people off each mile, picture above is the final 400m or so of the race. The course was very flat and pb potential, I knew I’m not in pb shape just yet, but that wasn’t my goal, my goal was to enjoy the race, race strong and a confidence booster, which I ticked off all those items ✅, think it was the most consistent 10k i ran ever , pacing was spot on to what I had pre planned, finished off with a time of 42min and position of 42nd out of 300ish.. above pictures, debut in Rotherham vest and with Ruth Jones Of Nene Valley, she is also coached by Gary Warhurst 👍🏻

The next day was holiday time, 2 weeks in the sunshine state of Pensacola Florida, on the beautiful coast of Mexico.

Visiting family over there and with the temperature most days at 26degress, wasn’t going to let the opportunity go for training runs 😊, it felt so nice to have the beautiful ☀️ on your back while running

Ran through some lovely sections of Pensacola, and trying to stay safe 😉 the people where very polite tho. Had to make sure I stayed in shape due to having the BMAF road relays the week after I got back home. The course I regularly took was quite undulating so that took me by surprise. Making sure I stayed hydrated was key, especially in that heat, don’t get me wrong we definitely enjoyed ourselves with tasting all kinds of foods, but trying to stay healthy as possible. Think what took me by surprise was that you rarely saw anyone walking 😳 and I mean never lol 😆 . The beaches where amazing tho, white sands and crystal clear water, which where sooooo warm this was definitely a highlight of the trip, having this quite time. Don’t think we had many days in the tourist parts 🤔 even the beach was so quiet. Kids definitely loved the beach days, 👍🏻Can’t wait to go back one day, loved it.

On the return home, got straight back into training, built slowly for the first week, having no niggles or problems with mileage is a nice bonus at the moment, steady increasing each week and making sure my body adjusts correctly.

But as a family Man I train when it fits round life, one weekend I needed to do so 1 min reps, so i found a quiet country lane, my boy wanted to come with me, so we took some snacks to keep him occupied 😆, then I warmed up and cracked on, but making sure I was running past the car all the time . Just one example of how I squeeze things in 😊😉

Anyways, the weekend was approaching and The Masters road relays was up next, I was on the 5th leg for team Rotherham, i jogged the course , which was pretty challenging ( the course was Sutton Park Birmingham) , my coach Gary and Sophie made a surprise visit to cheer me on, so grateful for this, makes a difference if you have some one cheering you on, making sure I warmed up correctly and seeing my partner come through the line was very important.

So I was off

The route was 5k, and I made sure I was working hard all the way round, importantly didn’t shoot off like a crazy fool at the start, cause in the first mile was a very steep hill, so making sure I had enough to push over it and continue through. Mid way round I got a pain in my right of the ribs, more of a tightening, but just trying to breath through it. Seeing the ice cream van I knew I was on the way back, and I was pretty much down hill. I got passed by 2 other individuals from other teams, but trying hard to work all way to the line. Hearing Sophie and Gary out on course really helped, thanks guys😊 knew I was close to finish seeing the club stands, rallying myself for one last push

(Above photos courtesy of Sophie Cowper)

I crossed the line and part was done, M35 men finished in 19th position, and I knew I gave it everything.

So back into training this time preparation for the county championship (5000)

I’ll let youknow how it goes 😊😊😊