RUNLAB
FOUR KEY MOVES
In edition 47 – we looked at run training “the right way” and
how you could improve your running to make it a real weapon in your chosen pursuit. This edition we are going to look at
what else you really need to do to run well. Specifically, how
do you become stronger, more aware, and less prone to injury and over time an even more efficient runner?
Firstly though, a brief update on my own recent running experiences. Sadly no updates to my PB list here. In April I competed
in the London Marathon, this was a relatively quick decision
due to my disappointing Tokyo Marathon and my last chance
to make the Olympics in Rio.
Here is an extract from my race report “Between here and 21
kilometres the wind was ferocious – It was definitely the worst
running conditions I’d been in for a major race. We were unlucky and fact is that hour was the worst hour of weather in
my entire 10 days in London day or night! Even an hour later
it had improved and when walking home watching the l atter
stages of the run it was actually ideal running weather. As I
neared London Bridge I was confident I was still on schedule
and after the very tough running in that first 20 kilometres I was
happy enough with that, I was now again in a pack and we
crossed the bridge, about 10 of us, all seemingly in relative
control. Once we made the right turn for quite a long out and
back section including Canary Wharf we hit the halfway point
and it was here I found out that I was in fact about a minute
behind where I wanted to be.
Now that’s really not much, but everything fell apart right there and then. I knew because of how
hard I’d worked a negative split was impossible and it was still very gusty and cold. An immense disappointment attacked me from every possible direction, some point soon after, a few tears likely,
the reality was, I would not make a time good enough to make the Olympics.
The last 15 kilometres of this race was a flood of emotions, vivid flashes of parts of my last 12 months
came in and out of my thoughts and I just ran. I ran only for me and with a sense of dogged determination and in that last few kilometres still a sense of pride and achievement too. I had managed
to start to gain strength too running a 3:06/ kilometres in the last few kilometres but I didn’t care for
the time at all, just to finish.
So that’s that! I was on a flight that night back home to my beautiful wife and two furbabies. I landed
in Sydney the day after Anzac day, driving a further 3 hours to my home in Newcastle. Dealing with
the disappointment was difficult enough – I really felt that in those last two races I wasn’t able to
achieve what I’m capable of and what I had. The fire still burns though and after a number of weeks
of less training, a bit of a break and some time to catch up on other aspects of my daily life, I’m back
doing some great training with the goal still firmly set on the World Athletics Championships in London
in 2017.
My focus too is expanded and over the next 12 months I’m really excited about not only taking part
in some major road running events but also some large off-road running events.
Amongst all of that, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of the team that has created the upcoming iTrail Run Glenrock, in October whilst with Runlab we are continuing to evolve and provide
the leading training to our running groups. Next edition I’ll be sharing the key training tips required for
running to your potential off-road and how you train to be your best for this. But now let’s focus on
the strength and awareness tips that will help any runner.