Speed and festive calories

The festive week has been a little disruptive but thanks to Marcothon I’ve at least maintained a reasonably sensible amount of running even the calorie count has rocketed.

After a fairly grim 18:01 at Christmas eve parkrun trying to keep a curry down from the night before and lugging around a few extra pounds, I think now Christmas day is out of the way it’s time to get serious.

My goals this year aren’t focused around ultras but shorter 5 and 10k races so the level of work is actually higher and more specific than just getting the miles done like I’ve done for the last few years. I need to take care of improving my diet and getting back to working on my core strength.

I don’t know why over the last couple of years I’ve known an improved diet and core would make me a better runner but I just can’t stick to it. It’s a total mental block. I have no problem going out in the worst weather and climbing punishing hills but when it comes to staying clear of sugar, takeaway and core work I’m an expert.

To remind me, these are 3 very important things to making a better runner:

  1. Running
  2. Good diet
  3. Core strength

DEAL WITH 2 & 3 JAMES. DEAL WITH IT!

I’m running under the guidance of Ally so I’ve started some more specific speed sessions now which I hope to see some improvements there in a few weeks. Getting down the Greenway and doing 10 – 12 x 400m sets at 5:10/mile is hard work but enjoyable.

We managed to get out with the club over Christmas on the annual bacon buttie run and it was a great pleasure and fun time doing our first family trail run with Felix who ran 3.3 miles along the canal with us.