Paul Petch

Running in 2010

I’m not one for the whole new years resolutions as I tend to set goals on the fly and just do it. Saying that, I do have some personal running/ fitness goals that I’d like to achieve.

2009 was mental!

With 2009 being the nuttiest year yet with regards to my physical challenges, I’m keen to roll with this into 2010. Oddly, training last year was a real eye opener and taught me a lot about “me” and in particular self restraint, my limits and that it’s about quality and quantity when it comes to running ultra distances.  More importantly, I discovered a love for running and that I’m actually quite “ok” at it too- with the endurance side of things coming together really well. To have run a 61.7KM distance at the Kepler Challenge for my first ever distance event is just bloody amazing!

Mixing stuff up in 2009 was fantastic and no doubt sparked some serious appreciation for multi sport- with running and cycling being a total blast. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that variety is indeed the spice of life and it is what I’m now “digging”. I’m still a keen mountain biker, commuter and love of all things bike- but running has become just as important to me.

2010 thoughts

I really felt that I could have given the Kepler Ultra a much bigger effort so this whole year will be a build up to run the Kepler again in 2010. (WoOt! I got goose bumps writing that!!). It’s not just about getting a better time (which would be great!), but I want to hit it 100% healthy without the Flu and try a different training plan and taper too. I learnt heaps this time around and want to try it all over again….hehe. I suppose you could say that I’m hooked….and now see why folk train for an event year in year out.

On that note, I had plans for a marathon trail run in March at the Motatapu or even the Avalanche Peak mountain run, but with broken ribs that is just not going to happen. Aside from that, I’ve only just felt like getting back on my feet after 6 weeks off which has not left enough quality time to train for either anyway. So I’m now looking at a marathon run in about May time. As for which one, I’m really not to sure. This week though I’e been back on my feet and I did a two hour tramp on the weekend and then two 45min sessions on the tread mill after work. Having broken ribs made the decision easy for me with regards to the gym, but after a break it was a good idea anyway to just “wake up” my legs :)

The “legs” have been “sweet as” funnily enough and even on a steep gradient the two runs have been more fun that suffering, so that has been a real relief. I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned it, but I get runners highs ALOT….and even on these shortish sessions I was buzzing like a loonie! I just love it. I’m not keen to run more than 10K on a tread mill (even though I’ve ran 25Km in the past!), but with an iPod and big head phones I’m not to fussed while I’m maintaining my “legs” and lungs.

I’m back at square one though with the distance running after such a long time off my feet, but I’m pretty much happy to say that the muscles that I built up during the ultra training are still all there and 7 weeks on the MTB since the Kepler has really helped to keep my fitness up too. While my ribs get better, I’m aiming to do 2 x 45 min runs a week, continue to commute daily and then either do a long road ride or tramp on the weekend with my Wife if she is keen. In about 4- 6 weeks I’ll then look at getting back off road and some weekly weight and core work outs and then plan some events for the year. Events wise, I’m keen on a mixture of 10KM, 20KM trail runs and hopefully a marathon too before the Kepler training comes around once more. The Kepler is nearly 12 months away an I’m already planning it! hah!

Tramping

In 2010 I really want to spend more time tramping too. It has been a dream of mine to do some long mountain walks and sleep in huts or my tent for sometime now so I’m really looking forward to getting out there. What’s even more exiting is that my Wife wants to try it too so that will be great! We already do a heap of stuff, but not much sport or outdoor activities so I’m looking forward to some of the easier tramps together. AND…..tramping as we know is great training for the Kepler ;) Haha!

Talking of the social aspect of the outdoors, I’m also keen to join a tramping and running club in 2010 to keep my interest up…and to meet some more like minded folk. You never know, I might have a training partner for the Kepler in 2010! (I’m obsessed right!!).

So come on 2010…lets get jiggy with it!! What are your goals or plans for 2010?

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Related posts:

1. Taking back control of my running
2. Coaching – running technique
3. Running is rather humbling….
4. Back in the Porthills….endurance training
5. Half marathon to ultra trail in 6 months

This entry was posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 4:23 pm and is filed under Ramblings and tagged with 2010, goals, kepler challenge, trail running, Training, ultra trail. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.