January 2013

[glaconman]

We're only into the second week of January and already the running calender seems to have been action packed.

2012 feels like it was a disappointing year of stop and start with few highlights. But when I think about it that's not true. I ran the Bradford 10k in March as a come-back race and managed 22nd with a creditable 37:16.Then there's March and April where I ran in both the Northern and National 12-stage road relays at Liverpool and Birmingham respectively. I can't remember exact times and distances but I think the long leg I ran at Liverpool was the fasted I've ever run over a 10kish distance.

More injury problems followed; but I did manage a handful of fell races over the summer and picked up a couple of first V40 prizes along the way. Then this Winter has seen me get stuck into some cross-country races and come up smiling.

So, back to New Year's Day. It's only 11:30 on the first day of the year and I'm already celebrating a RACE WIN. Things can't be bad. Or would it all be downhill from here?

It was certainly DOWNHILL to the finish and my hamstrings were tender all week.

Then onto Saturday and the YORKSHIRE XC. Looking at the majority of the runners at this event (here are the WINNERS) it becomes plain-as-daylight what kind of body shape you need to do really well at running. And I guess that's one aim for this year. To give myself more of a fighting chance by not carrying so much excess. I'm not doing too badly. But there's substantial room for IMPROVEMENT.

I probably did set-off alittle too fast; but it wasn't a badly timed effort and I was pleased to finish as a 4th counter for my club. It's difficult not to get caught up in it all. The top lads ate up the course in phenomenal fashion.

As usual a New Year brings new hope and a new resolve. But to be honest I'm more interested in seeing if I can go the whole year without serious injury. My motto this year is definitely 'Stay in the game at all costs'.

To that end things like evening tempo sessions on the road will be replaced by lunchtime jaunts through the woods.

Next stop: The Physio. From there it could be The Hebden (LDWA) or back on the bike.