“I run because if I didn’t, I’d be sluggish and glum and spend too much time on the couch. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore. I run to escape the ordinary. I run…to savor the trip along the way. Life becomes a little more vibrant, a little more intense. I like that.”
― Dean Karnazes
2022 follows a big year for me. 2021 took me to a few milestone events I had been looking forward to. I did my first Centurion event (Wendover Woods 50) and I achieved a goal I NEVER anticipated when I started running – I ran a 100 mile race (Robin Hood 100).
So how can 2022 top that. Well maybe it doesn’t need to. 2021 I really focused on the distance. I followed my training plan as closely as I could and I tried my best to hit those weekly miles. The one thing I didn’t work on with any consistency was running form and strength. I did alright in 2021, but with a bit of attention on building more strength and a better base, I could do better. I think!
So 2022 I am not looking to smash any new distance goals, but I am looking to focus on additional strength, core and condition exercises. This I hope will build a stronger foundation to my running, help to keep injuries away as I get older, and give me the ability to look at new goals for the coming years.
My non-running program
- 50 abdominal crunches after each run
- Planks of 4 minutes plus 3 or more times a week
- at least 1 weekly yoga session (base don the ‘Yoga for runners‘ book) focussing on strength, stretches and balance
- twice a day 2 minutes of heel raises (Done whilst brushing my teeth!)
- 2-3 mile walks on non-running rest days
- Addition of kettle bell work 2 or 3 times a week after other sessions (runs or yoga as the mood takes me 😁 )
- determination!
So that’s me for 2022, and my goals beyond that … well I think there might just be a few long races in my mind to try and tackle.
I’ve done 100 miles, what next ??
“Running allows me to set my mind free. Nothing seems impossible. Nothing unattainable.”
— Kara Goucher
Ridgeway Runner 