Last run of the year

I thought I'd contribute and take a plate (or a shoe box!)

So on 31st December a group of 18 set off for the run together. Each one of us have had our running ups and downs throughout 2010 and most of us have made plans for 2011. January was established as the first month of the year by the Roman Calendar. It was named after the god Janus (Latin word for door). Janus has two faces which allowed him to look both backwards into the old year and forwards into the new one at the same time. He was the 'spirit of the opening'. As we ran together we reflected on what went before and what is to come and some interesting topics emerged: Mega mileage v training 3 days a week, post marathon blues, ultrarunning and, of course no run would be complete without a comparing current injuries within the group!

On top of Big Stone

A couple of the members of the group had a competition going as to who would run the most miles in 2010. I can announce the winner of that title as Lee Wilkinson. By running from his house to Sean's, completing the run and then running home he covered 27 miles for the day that took his total to 3410 miles for the year! An incredible total that averages 9 - 10 miles per day!

Lee 3401 down - 9 to go!

Lee has had an amazing 2010. He has run PBs for marathon (2:42:15) and half marathon (78:15) and has a runbritain handicap score of 4.2. James Scott-Buccleuch has recorded faster times over marathon and half marathon and has a runbritain handicap score of 0.1 but couldn't match Lee's mileage in 2010.

Lee is looking to bring his times down further in 2011 and to go under 2:40 for the marathon at London. Interestingly his New Year's Resolution is to run LESS miles! Well - he's certainly got the background now and so could benefit from bringing the volume down and the intensity up so that he can hit that target pace of 6 mins per mile easily. There have been runners in our group who have run very good marathons off 3 day a week training. Their diet has included one long run per week, one interval session and one threshold run. The trick is to work out what suits you best!

There was also some discussion about post-marathon blues. A number of the group went over to New York in November to run the marathon. After a summer of really good training and happy racing they fulfilled an ambition to run the marathon in the Big Apple as well as to see the sights and enjoy the running scene in Central Park. They had us all very jealous with the photos and blogs they posted back to us. However, on the run a couple of them did a great Austin Powers impression when complaining that they have lost their mo-jo a little since running in New York. Steve has always impressed us with his capacity for churning out enough high mileage to rival Lee, but lamented that a mere 30 - 35 miles per week is as much as he can muster at the moment. His aim for 2011 is to enjoy his running but perhaps a more specific target would help him find that mo-jo again?

Steve - perhaps some soup will restore my mo-jo!

There are plans on the horizon for an ultra event in Germany that several of the group have put in their diaries. That should ensure that plenty more long, sociable runs are planned for the weekends for the rest of the winter and into the spring. My New Year's Resolution is to make a regular habit of joining the group for these runs but first I'd better sort this niggle I have in my knee!.....