Oh, 2020. I had such high hopes for you. We all did.

I started the year off very positive. Kicking off with RED January, enjoying running everyday to ending the month with a strong run at Meltham 10k.

Then in February, I hit my Parkrun PB and somehow survived Huddersfield 10k!

March came, I was starting to taper ready for London Landmarks Half Marathon then… of course lockdown happened. It didn’t stop me running and I managed to run 1201 miles this year!!!

As for goals, I had three I aimed to achieve in 2020. I have achieved none…

• Hit a sub 25 min 5k at Parkrun
  • My best time is currently 25:42, but my PB time is 25:36. Parkrun is such a supportive environment and those who run around the same time as me had made it their aim to help me get that sub 25 minute goal.
  • The closest I got recently was in October at the Tatton Park 10. I got so excited to see so many people I set off at 5k race pace and hit 25:54.
• Hit a sub 2 hr Half Marathon at London Landmarks in May
  • I have run 2 half marathons this year, neither was close but Huddersfield is much hillier than that London!
• Beat my Abbey Dash 10k time in October
  • Ran a few 10k’s, but Abbey Dash is the flattest 10k around and has great support. I have been lucky to run a few 10k races, all under 1 hour thank goodness.

As you can probably tell by reading this, I’ve found it frustrating. I think the most frustrating thing is not being able to beat that 5k time. I was so close!

My pace has really suffered over the year. Early on I overtrained (nothing else to do in lockdown) which led to a calf niggle which has plagued me since. I should have rested a little longer. I have learned a lot but since then I just can’t get the pace back despite having a routine in place.

Do you think I’m going to accept it and move on? Nah, I’m a stubborn Yorkshire lass. I will keep running!

Enough moaning anyway… let me cover the positives of the year.

What I learned this year

• Strength training and yoga
  • I put my hands up, before lockdown I did strength work at the gym once a week, usually…
  • I now do it at least twice a week at home, using Aaptiv (an audio fitness app) classes to guide me rather than following a list of moves I’ve written down.
  • I have also started Yoga! I wasn’t sure at first but I’m so glad I stuck with it. I now do it at least once a week (more if I’m feeling like I need to ease off the strength and running)
  • This year I have been open to trying new things. Some I didn’t like such as Pilates and others that I now love like Barre! It’s great to be open minded to try different things.
• Foam rolling really does work
  • Again, I used to half arse foam rolling every week or so and it was OK. However, as I’ve been running more and more I’ve started to feel it.
  • I now foam roll nearly everyday (being honest here haha) and I am seeing the benefits. I recently had a sports massage and she was impressed with how much I had been taking care of my legs.
• Run/Walking is actually really beneficial
  • I have been a proud member of the ‘you have to keep running!’ club from the point I could run longer distances. In my eyes, walking during a run was a sign of failure.
  • Fun fact: It’s not at all. It’s a great way to get running back in after recovering from injury rather than trying to get back to running at the same pace as before and heading straight back into an injury.
  • It can also be the tipping point between finishing strong, or struggling on and feeling naff. Just last week I headed out on a long run and was immediately hit by snow and hail stones. At one point the wind was throwing everything at me as I was running up a hill and I decided to walk. After reaching the top I could then carry on and as the weather settled down briefly, I was strong enough to carry on.
  • Telling myself I can walk if I need to before a long run has been really helpful. I get quite anxious when it’s windy so having that ‘free pass’ really helps me get out there. It’s all about being kind to yourself and sometimes I don’t need to walk, it’s just there is I need it.
• The importance of running with those at a similar pace to you
  • This is something I’ve recently realised as to why my pace has suffered so much. Running with others who are at a similar pace can really help maintain pace and also improve it.
  • It doesn’t have to be a race, just out with others to challenge me. This is something I’m going to focus on next year to help push me until Parkrun and full on racing is back.

So it hasn’t all been bad! I still have the strength and endurance, I can now even touch my toes. My New year’s wish is for a safer and healthier world with races and Parkrun to return. Thank you 🙂