Happily Ever After

Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running

Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.

Assessing Priorities

by Russell Turner - 15:41 on 04 May 2021

26.2 miles is a long way to go without other runners around you and crowds to spur you on. My first virtual marathon was an achievement; motivation to complete a second is fading. Without the razzmatazz that goes with marathon day, even if I were to set a new PB the work involved increasingly seems more effort than it’s worth.

So my marathon training schedule is on pause for a week, possibly two. I’ll decide whether to continue it after that. An end to rubbish weather might play a part too.

This doesn’t mean I’ve given up running: I was out today, despite a cold wind, to complete an easy-paced 5k. There’ll be more short, easy runs in the days ahead to keep me ticking over. Also, virtual runs have not been rejected for good: the London 10,000 takes place in a few weeks – last year it provided my 10k PB – and the half marathon is still an acceptable solo distance.

Looking forward, the Yorkshire Marathon is likely to go ahead in October, when I’ll discover if my virtual speed will survive in the real world. I’ve got high hopes. Maybe by then I’ll have found a decent hydration backpack.

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