New Year

A belated Happy New Year. I feel as though I should do a 'round up' of the last year.

So what did I do last year? I've asked myself this umpteen times during the last week since we entered 2012 and have struggled to find an answer. Usually, I'd be able to plot my year via the various races I've done - I tend to do the same ones every year - and have a set of results in which to measure my progress. However,  I only did 3 races and 2 of those were charity events and weren't really races as such, so you see my quandary.

In the past, like most runners I expect, I've been driven by statistics. Numbers on a page indicating how far, or how fast I've ran are all that I've needed, but since October 2010, I ditched the training diary, deliberately, in a bid to get myself back on track. For the last 15 months, I've kept no record of training, or races. This has been liberating, that is when I eventually got over my meltdown at having nothing concrete to compare my progress with. It's amazing how many of us runners are dictated to, and live by our version of the 'little black book'.

So, after establishing that I can't read back over my stats for the last year, I'll just have to do my 'round up' from the heart.

To be honest, there isn't much to say about the last year. My aim was to get myself healthy again and I'm pleased to say, I think I managed it. I ran 3-4 times a week with my Hubby for around 30-40mins and supplemented this with other stuff, mainly skipping (or jump rope for my US friends). I didn't set any records alight but could feel myself getting stronger. My motivation returned and I started looking forward to getting out there again and trying new things. I introduced some run/walk sessions and mixed up the ratio's a bit - sometimes I did 4:1, sometimes 9:1. I've tried this in the past and haven't got on with it but with time on my side, I persevered and it seems to be paying off.

Looking back, it seems as though I haven't made great progress but then I read a blog post from last January. I remember the featured run very well and I was really hanging on for dear life. I've just done the same run today, and although it wasn't easy, it was far easier than last years run and almost a minute quicker per mile.

I've started logging my training again and have entered a marathon in May but I'm determined not to get obsessed with training and miles, and times. That led to my downfall the last time and I don't want that to happen again. If I don't hit the required sessions for the marathon, then I'll have no hesitation in backing off.

I think the aim of this year will be more of the same....enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!