Blog

Like many runners when lockdown began, I was heading into the final few weeks of marathon training with the intention of running the Newport Marathon in mid-April. Having completed my longest run, things had gone well and I was feeling pleased with my fitness. It was almost time to start tapering. So, the question mid-March when lockdown arrived was, where do I go from here? Within a couple of weeks, it became obvious that not only were Spring races cancelled but all events full stop were postponed indefinitely. I knew I needed a plan for my training as I couldn’t just keep increasing distance and tempo with nowhere to go. Physically and mentally a runner needs a plan and ideally an end goal of some sort too. And so, lockdown training began. Although not quite sure of the outcome, I wanted to do something a bit different and enjoy it. Firstly, with more time available at home I committed to doing circuits and strength exercises at least once, but mostly twice per week. It’s not my favourite part of training but this was a chance to devote a bit more time and without races to ease down for, I had little excuse. Very, very gradually I increased on every exercise. The dining room, although a bit squashed became our gym and having my husband doing exercises at the same time kept us both quite motivated. Next, I decided that I would build a base of steady running, running as I felt, running off road and away from everyone else. I took to the trails, footpaths and hilly terrain right on my doorstep and discovered some wonderful paths I’d never run on before. It’s so easy to run the same tried and tested routes but I ran on new paths and for the first 7 or 8 weeks hardly saw anyone let alone a runner. There were always a few walkers and families on bikes in the first mile but then it was just me, on new territory, no care for pace, taking time to notice nature and no need for social distance dancing. It reminded me why I run. For the first few weeks it was easy ‘pace free’ running with a long run at the weekend with my husband. Starting at 15 miles, which was a good bit less than what I’d been doing for my marathon training, every week I added a mile. Then a few weeks ago we decided to reccie sections of an off-road route which circles Horsham. Designed by Horsham Joggers to run their very successful Bank Holiday 7-stage relay race on, the ‘Horsham Round’ is 29 miles and takes in vantage points around Horsham, such as looking down on Christs Hospital School, that I’d never seen before. Quite soon we had reccied the whole route in sections and so last Saturday we both embarked on the full Horsham Round. Despite scorching temperatures on the days before, on the day it was raining persistently and cool. My husband set off an hour before me and the plan was to catch him by the end. From the get go, no thought went to pace as my concerns were more about not getting lost and because of the rain, keeping warm. The time and distance flew by. Of slight irritation were the gates and stiles, over 40 of them, but in an apt way they gave pause for thought and appreciation of where I actually was – someone’s farm, entering a forest, a churchyard or a golf course. I was delighted with how I coped with my longest run ever. It was a fitting challenge to end the lockdown and 15 weeks ago I wouldn’t have guessed I’d accomplish it so easily and enjoy it so much. I learned from my lockdown training that doing things differently and by feel can be beneficial. Sometimes running can be a bit too time, distance and pace orientated. And of course, of great importance is having a plan to follow, knowing roughly what you will be doing next. It’s very different for each individual and that's why advice from an experienced coach can help. This is why I am in the business of helping runners plan and put into practice what is best for them – I want them to enjoy it as much as I do. If you'd like help, whatever your experience or level, do contact me.