Running ambition

I know that over the past years, I have been getting faster. I also know that there is inevitably an end to that. I thought it would be cool if I would manage to have my peak as late as in my 50s. I suppose most people peak a lot earlier. But it should be doable! Most of my personal best are from the last year or two, so already in my late 40s. If I push it a bit, surely I can tighten some of these PBs next year?

Thinking about this a bit I decided to set myself an official goal. In fact, I compete in five distances: 5k, 5m, 10k, 10m, half marathon. And I want to set at least three of my personal bests beyond my 50th birthday. If I manage that then I think I can argue I have indeed reached my peak then.

I supposed the difficult one to beat will be the 10k, given that I run that distance so often (13 times since I started racing again after lockdown), and have been actively chasing podium positions in it. My current personal record is set at the Bangor 10k. 

I'm not sure about the 5m. That's Borders League distance, and I surprised myself by running a lot faster than expected in these races. But I have only done two, and if that type of race just inspires me to be fast, than maybe next year it's still well, and I can beat these times that are already quite fast for me?

The 10 mile should be doable. I only did one since lockdown. There are not many of these around. The next time I run that distance is quite possibly going to be the next Colwyn Bay 10m, and that is in spring, after my birthday.

The 5k should also be doable! Yes I ran myself quite empty in Bethel, where I set my current record, but this is a distance that is fairly easy to train on. It doesn't take a lot of time to practice a 5k! 

The half marathon should also be doable: my current record was set in a race where halfway, I had to stop and put knee supports on. I ran the second half of it like a scarecrow. But I have another flat half marathon in the diary (the same one) before my birthday. It is quite possible that that will yield the time I will have to beat next year. 

I will have to see how it goes! And what if I manage? Well you can always get new ambitions. Maybe try to nab a course record in my age category for some race. Or just increase my collection of finisher medals. I’m sure I will still enjoy it even if I don’t improve anymore!

More strained expressions expected with these ambitions