26.2 Ways to Run

Last Sunday I ran the Great Ireland Run in Phoenix Park. It was the first time I've raced so close after a marathon so I wasn't too sure how the legs would be. The original plan was to run it as an easy race and enjoy the experience... yeah right! The closer it got to the day the more I started thinking maybe aim to run it under 55 minutes, maybe a bit faster but definitely not faster than 50. Anyway, race day arrived and once I was in Phoenix Park I decided sod it! Run it like a proper race  and see what it feels like. Go hard or go home! I started relatively slow but by the time I was passing the 6km mark I was still feeling strong so sped up to full tilt. In the end I ran just 12 seconds outside my PB of 46:06 but I have to say, I'm quite pleased with it. I just need to find another 10km race to finish that business...

Right so, where to begin? I ran the Rotterdam Marathon last Sunday in a decent 4 hour time (decent for me)... and I should be happy... well, I am... sort of... The thing is... I was hoping to do better! You see, for the last 2 years the 4 hour barrier had been my target, but reaching that target was like climbing Mount Everest on a treadmill. The peak is there in the distance but no matter what you do, you still don't get close. Finally, last November I did it! At the Amsterdam Marathon I finished in 3:59:09. 51 seconds are still 51 seconds on the right side if the barrier. So this time I fine tuned my training programme, worked more on strength, looked better at my nutrition, the works... But it wasn't to be... I'll think of the learnings and post once I figure them out.