Cross Country racing paying off, great training for road racing!!!

I was not going to enter the Barnsley 10k, I race every week so was going to have a rest weekend. 2 weeks ago Simon Wright mentioned he was doing it after we ran a good tempo run together so I thought I might as well have another go at a 10k this year, I know I am running well at the moment so I wanted to see what I could do. I like to use parkrun as a tool to see where my performance level is, its free and the results go on power of 10.

This year I ditched the previous advise I had been given and have been running my recovery runs much slower than before, 8 minute miles for 5 or 6 miles after every hard session, this means I am properly recovered for the next session, usually I run these with Darren Wood.  Another bonus of this is that I am not tired all the time like I use to be!  This is despite running my highest ever mileage for the year which will be about an average of just 35 miles a week.

Phil Peter suggested we do some tempo runs on Thursdays with the club and myself and Darren Wood have been leading club track sessions on Tuesdays. We have a great training group. Janet Kerry has been brilliant helping us out on Thursdays, I would not be able to fit in a club run without her support.

Anyway, I ran a 30 second PB finishing with a time of 35:25, really pleased to get a PB at the end of the year. Thanks to all at Doncaster AC and the people mentioned above. Prize for V40 man as well. Simon was first V50.

Photo from this link.

I used my HRM in this race, this is for post race analysis.  As I always race flat out its interesting to see how consistent my HR has been for the 3 Barnsley 10k races I have done despite the increase in speed, so 165 / 166 is obviously the maximum I can sustain for 10k races (taking in to account all the many things such as sleep, well being, diet, hydration……).

PS the new DAC racing kit was great!