Test and Challenge Blog 2

26 Aug Test and Challenge Blog 2

At the age of 62, I’ve agreed to run a half-marathon for charity in early September. I haven’t run one in 35 years (but ran many before then), I haven’t been running regularly for a few years so how do I go about it?

My plan is to run the 13.1 half marathon in two hours – so scheduled increments of 40 mins per month – is sort of on-track. Then I hit a snag.

One thing none of us can predict is the British weather. Early July saw record-breaking high temperatures of 30 degrees or 10 consecutive days. Only having time to do a longer weekend run meant either putting in a decent run but maybe failing and flailing in the energy and potentially morale-sapping heat or abandoning running completely for the more appealing safety of the sun lounger.

Discretion is the better part of valour. I struck a compromise. Instead of running, I walked the full half-marathon distance instead, setting off nice and early on a Sunday morning with my backpack containing a banana, energy bar and bottle of chilled water.

With my iPod, I walked for nearly three exhausting hours which left me wobbly-legged and tired in the sweltering heat. The main aim was to ‘get’ the distance into my legs at a brisk walking pace of roughly 12-14 miles an hour. Come the race day, if all else fails…

I also had chance to listen to some favourite music and absorb the scenery along the canal and River Severn – things that can be harder to enjoy when you’re running.

The following weekend, the heavens opened. Once again, rather than get unduly drenched, I adapted by going on my static bike for a fast-paced, heads down power pedal. Nothing to scare Mark Cavendish about or the same experience as running but it put more power into my thighs. It hurt, but that’s fine.

By now, my midweek runs of 30 minutes seemed a breeze and at weekends I pushed on past the one-hour mark before suffering an upset tummy on the weekend of the opening of the Olympic Games in late July. By now, I had progressed to running for 70 minutes by the final weekend of the month. A little behind schedule but not by much.

August was to be a key month – and is the subject of my next blog.

This Test & Challenge blog is part of my Blokey Blog series. Check out the next blog in this series and find out more about Blokey Blog.

For details of why I am taking part in the Worcester City Runs as part of the Worcestershire Ambassadors team to support mental health projects across the region and to make a donation visit my Just Giving page.

Chris Green