Running Reflections

Aside from the pandemic and its associated lockdowns, there were also significant changes & challenges at Church. One of the things which suffered was my running. Initially I didn’t find the time, then for a while I couldn’t (or wouldn’t) make the time. By the end of the year my running stats were woeful. In 2020 I ran a total of 63km.

But it’s no good looking back and simply lamenting – however real the challenges and however understandable the reasons, I was the only person who could ensure the same didn’t happen this year.

So in January 2021 I decided to set myself a personal challenge to run a total of a marathon across the whole month – that’s 42km. That would require 2 runs per week of at least 5k. After a year with very little running, and very little exercise of any meaningful kind, that would be a tall order – and it felt like I had a mountain to climb.

I shared my target with a few people who would not only encourage me, but keep me accountable. I set the target in RunKeeper, my running app, and I put on my trainers on 1st January.

It wasn’t entirely straightforward though. I am prone to niggly calf injuries and just over half way through the month I pulled up at the end of a run with a slight calf strain. But I decided it wasn’t going to beat me. I rested from one run, then set out again. At the end of the month that left me a little short on distance with no extra time, so I had to add extra distance to my final run.

And I did it. I really did!

As I was completing my final run on 31st January and broke through my target I started to reflect on the process. Here are the things I learned along the way:

1. Target + Plan

   • Setting a target isn’t enough. If I’d simply set my target I’d have failed. I needed to also plan for how to accomplish it. I felt that 5k was an achievable distance for each run even after so little running the year before. So given the amount of time available and my likely recovery time after each run, I needed to run 5k twice a week (8 runs through the month).

2. Overcoming Obstacles

   • I’m a strong believer that language is really important. So I choose to use the language of obstacles, because obstacles are not an end to a matter, but are instead something to be overcome. They may stand in the way and hinder progress, but many obstacles can be removed, and those which are immovable we can go around in some way. It often just takes a change of perspective or a change to our thinking.

   • I expected my main obstacles to be lack of time and lack of motivation. I could overcome the first by deciding to run on my days off (one mid-week and one at the weekend). The second would be a matter of willpower combined with encouragement from family & friends. I was surprised by how much of a motivator the target was too!

   • I hadn’t anticipated the injuries, even though they’ve been an occasional issue in the past. It would’ve been too easy to decide that the challenge was over. But I decided to rest, then get up and go again. It required a longer run to make up for the rest, but even that obstacle could be overcome.

3. Pace is Important

   • This is true in two senses. Firstly, although I like to run fast, it usually causes more injuries. I can run further and more comfortably when I run at a more manageable pace.

   • Secondly, although I achieved my target, the way I did so was foolish. There’s a reason that athletes train – to improve performance & stamina. Before a runner completes a marathon there are countless hours of pounding the roads – conditioning the whole body (and preparing the mind). My decision to jump straight into an intensive month of running (by my standards) was a mistake and is what probably led to my injuries.

During my final run I had a ‘niggle’ in both calf muscles, so I decided to change my pace and run on. I nursed my way through to the end. But it took it’s toll. I rested for a week before running again, but only made it 1k before having to stop. Since then I’ve had an enforced rest because of the snow. But I’m looking forward to getting back out there and pounding the streets again. Even more, I’m looking forward to spring coming and being able to run through the woods without needing to wear wellies or waders.