Since my last blog post in May I've grown in confidence and have been
enjoying my running. I feel like I'm moving well and with that, becoming
faster. I agree with Pete Magill when he says "If you want to
become a better runner, begin by running better." I don't agree
with the oft-expressed philosophy that running is a simple thing that
we all learn to do naturally as children and to run faster you just move
your legs faster. When we observe runners in a race it's easy to pick
out the runners with good form and those with bad form. Sometimes those
with 'bad form' are faster than those who look good — some
people say 'it doesn't matter what you look like if you're running fast,
your form is natural to your own physiology and shouldn't be changed.' I
believe all runners can make adjustments to their form which will help
them to run better and faster. Having said that, don't make wholesale
changes and expect problem-free running. Change gradually, just as you
would gradually increase your mileage or the amount of speedwork in your
training.
My weekly mileage is now averaging 78 kilometres. In that mileage
there's some 'vert chasing' on a couple of days. Last week I climbed
1,666 metres according to Strava. The reason for this change is to build
leg strength and resilience. I'll look for the steepest hills I can
find, hiking strongly the 'ups' then running cross country on a gentler
descent for balance and speed. It's fun! My 5k race time is down to
24:46, run at the YCRC Half Marathon Eve 5k on 26 May. I enjoyed the
race, running with Brian early as we chased Jim. I couldn't close the
100m or so gap to the group of Christine, Miriam and Richard as we ran towards the turn. They ran 22:59, 24:03 and 24:07 which is where I'd like to
be in another six weeks. Last Sunday I ran in a 2.5k cross country race
and had a fun 'win' over Dave, who left his finishing sprint way too
late!
View of Mt Tennent from the lower slopes of Mt Rob Roy
