2023 Reflecting

As we come towards the end of the year, I’ve been reflecting on this past year while out on my training runs. Yesterday Anna and I ran the Great Hale Santa run, we ran this last year and it was such fun we came back and did it again this year. This was gonna be for me a good training strong training run, it was a solo effort which finished in 38:20 for a 10k and 1st place, Anna came in 2nd lady, sadly on the day she was very poorly so she did well to get out and run.

So yeah with the now coming to an end, I’ve had a pretty good year, race Pb’s included

10k 36:53

10mile 61 ( not official, ran it in a Half marathon race

Half Marathon 82 minutes

Marathon 2:58

The Manchester Marathon, for me was the perfect race, you don’t have this very often but every thing just clicked right on the day and I nailed my race plan perfectly!

Marathon training does really get you fit I have to say, wasn’t the perfect build up in the Manchester block seeing as we had a house move towards the end of the block, then there was finding new routes to explore to, but really enjoyed running around my new area, Grantham and its surrounding villages are great to run around, ( hilly but great) we do have some beautiful places to explore, Belton House and its grounds

It’s been a great year, and sharing the year together with my beautiful other half has been amazing, 🥰

Training certainly challenges you which is good right ! And you certainly learn lessons from being out on your runs and I’ve learned a few myself, like be patient things generally don’t click into place straight away, I’ve learned not to beat myself up if I’m not hitting paces in training, just getting out and being consistent is the key ( well for me this has worked) and I’m one of those who doesn’t use heart rate I’m afraid, if I’m going out for an easy run, that’s what it is , and a easy run 90% of the time it’s run how I feel, could be 7:30 pace could be 9:30 pace but I’m doing it to feel on the day, anyway I’m rambling 😂.

Christmas has just finished now and it’s New Year’s Eve, we had an amazing Christmas time, busy but great ! 😌 We just got back from visiting family around Torquay / Paignton area, and yes managed to get a couple of runs done around there too

So 2023 is now at a close it’s been a fun and full year, full of highs and lows but manly highs 🥰 life is going by very quickly I think and it just goes to show you need to make the most of life before it passes you by, anyway here’s to a even better 2024, Happy New everyone, make it a good one……