18 laps of "loneliness"

I don’t want the title to put you off this blogpost but I thought it about time I updated you on my progress at track.

Despite being the slowest runner at the track in Doncaster (hence the title of this post), the support I receive on a weekly basis is amazing.

Let’s take last night for instance.

The main set was 1 rep of 1600m with 2 minutes rest, 6 reps of 800m with 90 seconds rest and 1 final rep of 1600m.

I set off with the slower runners and by half way round the first lap I was on my own. Now do you see where the loneliness comes from? I had 1400m of running to do on my own. The faster runners overtook me and muttered words of encouragement as they did. I soldiered on and completed the 1600m in 7 minutes and 50 seconds. I could have gone quicker but saved something for the rest of the workout as it was one of the longest workouts I have been to.

When I completed my 4 laps, I had about 30 seconds of recovery before the faster of the slow runners set off on their first rep of 800m. They set off and I stayed in place ensuring I had the prescribed rest of 2 minutes. After my two minutes were up I set off on my first rep of 800. Again on my own but being encouraged whenever I was overtaken or passed a resting group.

This continued through reps 2-6 and the further back I got the more encouragement I received. Some runners even appeared to extend their rests to encourage me on my way and for that I am eternally grateful. This is one of the reasons I love the group at the track. They are such a tight knit community and want their compatriots to succeed.

I missed one lap of 400m on reps 3 and 6 as I was starting to struggle. Holding sub 8 min mile pace after a day at work is something I find difficult. So in total I completed 18 of the prescribed 20 laps around the track and I bloody loved it.

Three months ago I could never have believed that I was capable of running sub 8 min mile pace consistently. Going to track has made me such a stronger runner and I urge people to go down to their local track to reap the rewards that are available through hard work.

Three months ago I struggled to do 12 lots of 400m which is 12 laps, in fact I only completed 7 of the prescribed 12 laps and most of those were half laps. So as you can see the fact I completed 90% of the set show how much improvement I have made.

Yes each week it is tough hanging on at the back but I am getting better and if I have the mental fortitude to slog out these tough sessions out then so do you. After all I’m a 15 stone ex smoker who has only been running for under 18 months.

So thanks to everyone at track last night, all 36 of you for helping me improve as a runner. Thanks for the encouragement. You have no idea how motivating it is to me. It keeps me going when I really start to struggle.

I even received my own personal grand stand finish as all 35 of the other runners where at the finish of my 18^th lap to encourage me home.

Thanks for reading,

Michael AKA Blogger

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