Another week down to my big race of the season – The Great North Run. With less than 2 weeks to go I’m now starting to worry a little. My worries are fuelled by an injury which I’m still overcoming as it only occurred a matter of a few weeks ago. I have an over-rotation on the right hand side of my back, with the compounding effect of pain in my right knee. As mentioned in my previous post, I’ve sought advice from a sport therapist and after a little rest I’m now back into training although not quite into the full swing of things.
Last week’s training was hampered by both the injury and a couple of issues in my personal life – to name a few; organising moving house and finding a new job being at the forefront of my mind. This meant that last week’s training session, although just over 30 road miles, did not have the intensity I would have hoped for. I’m lacking the pace I had earlier in the season, the zip is just not there. This pace which I had earlier in the season carried me to two new personal bests in 10k races which is an important aspect to achieving my target race time and without that pace my confidence is a little shaken.
The problem with last week’s training session was although I was able to reach my target speed in each session I was unable to maintain this pace for the time I would’ve expect. Each session I ended up plodding the latter miles.
There is no short cut when it comes to training for distance races (you only have to look at Paula Radcliff pulling out of the World Championship), other than hard work and old fashioned training. The objective of training is to peak at just the right point, I want to be at my fastest and freshest come race day. This is important for confidence and achieving targets.
The problem with this year’s Great North Run is it’s going to come a week or two too early. Within this in mind I will set two targets for this year’s Great North Run: my A target and my B target. My A target will be to get close to my original target time (minus a bit due to injury) and my B target will be more realistic and achievable on the day, with 5 minutes difference from the A target. Like the other 52,000 runners of this year’s Great North Run the most important aspect is enjoying the day and soaking up the incredible atmosphere, oh and the beer at the end of the 13.1miles!
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Other Recommended Reading
- Great North Run build up – part one
- Great North Run – Here I Come!
- GREAT NORTH RUN – THE FINAL FRONTIER!
- How to stay focused?
- Count Down To London: The Tortoise And The Hare
About the author
Name: Kirk Dodds
Age: 27
Lives: Norwich
Occupation: Marketing
Years running: 7 years
Favourite running shoes: Mizuno Wave Creation 8, they are the daddy.
Pet hate: Bananas before a race - they make me feel sick when running!
Greatest achievement: Great North Run 2008 in 1 hour and 30 mins, knocking 13 ½ minutes off my previous pb and last year’s time.
My running career started slowly, about 7 years ago, when I realised my general fitness was poor plus, if I’m honest, I was carrying more than a few extra pounds. My weight suffered from fluctuations - mostly related to the football season.
So I did the usual thing; off to the gym where I realised I wasn’t too bad on the old treadmill. But I also realised running on a treadmill is no fun, and in my book, it’s cheating, so I opted for the great outdoors. I started off with small, slow runs and gradually built them up. I was enjoying running and my secret was out. It was time for a challenge – and my first half marathon. I entered the Great North Run and some family rivalry surfaced as my old man regaled me with stories from his good old running days and the pb time he set in the Great North Run of 1hour 58 mins - when Hi-Tec Silver Shadow were top of the range running shoes! My training increased, and for the first time became more structured, and come race day I am pleased to say I managed a time of 1 hour 56 mins. Two minutes makes a world of difference when it comes to family rivalry.
I liked the first challenge and wanted more, and so my passion (some say obsession) for running was born. I’ve now taken part in numerous races ranging from 10ks to full marathons. The challenges still exist, the times maybe a little quicker, but the family rivalry continues, only now it’s my brother that I step up to the start line with.
This season has been successful with my first marathon; the act of finishing was an achievement in itself (4 hours 4 minutes), as well as a much improved 10k time of 41 mins and 11 secs ( 4mins off last season) and finally a half marathon time of 1 hour 30mins and 56 secs (13 ½ mins off last season).
I look forward to next season in which I will set myself new challenges; dipping under the 40 minutes mark for the 10k and 1 ½ hour mark for the half will be the biggest.
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Tags: 20th September 2009, build up to the great north, GNR, great north, Great North Run, half marathon, half marathon training, Newcastle, race peaking
