Sunday, 9 June 2013

Kangundo Road - 29kms in 2:12 (2 New Personal Records!)


 



9th June, 2013: Set off early planning to do better than last Sunday’s 32kms in 2:27. The morning cold is really biting – put on a full length running tights, a new one too. The roads are well deserted for my speed runs – over indulge myself thereby replacing mileage with speed. My first kilometer is already on a high (4:34, followed by 4:39), 5kms in 22:05 speed up a notch and clock 7kms in 30:40!
Realize I gotta slow down and save energy for the Utawala uphill climb. Another fast 10 kilometers in 43:32 (new P.R.). I now know that I can have a new P.R. in 21 kilometers so let’s go! 
The Utawala climb cleans me out and my knees become weak. I did run on Thursday, a shambolic run which is now about to mess my game. But I will die trying. Inch by inch, I pile up the miles and pull a 13kms in 56:52! – miss out on 14kms within the the hour by 1:44! (14kms in 1:01:44) soon I will hit 14kms within the hour. Manage a 1:33:49 in 21 kilometers – another new P.R. Do 26 kilometers in 1:57:04, a slight improvement nonetheless. The plan is to keep pushing while I can before I hit a plateau. The rest of the run is a struggle but I give a good push. Realize I am hitting beyond 5 mins in a kilometer in the 28th kilometer, push harder in the 29th kilometer but nothing changes, I throw in the towel coz my legs have gone on a recess. This is how the race was - 29kms in 2:12:21 at an average pace of 4'34" - I will push it to 4'30" in my next run!
                                              
Kilometer Time Avg Pace
1 4:34 4'34"/km
2 9:03 4'29"/km
3 13:32 4'29"/km
4 17:51 4'19"/km
5 22:05 4'14"/km
6 26:17:00 4'12"/km
7 30:40:00 4'23"/km
*Fastest 34:46:00 4'06"/km
9 39:06:00 4'20"/km
10 43:32:00 4'26"/km
11 47:58:00 4'26"/km
12 52:24:00 4'26"/km
13 56:52:00 4'28"/km
14 1:01:44 4'52"/km
15 1:06:38 4'54"/km
16 1:11:08 4'30"/km
17 1:15:45 4'37"/km
18 1:20:20 4'35"/km
19 1:24:48 4'28"/km
20 1:29:19 4'31"/km
21 1:33:49 4'30"/km
22 1:38:27 4'38"/km
23 1:43:05 4'38"/km
24 1:47:49 4'44"/km
25 1:52:29 4'40"/km
26 1:57:04 4'35"/km
27 2:01:38 4'34"/km
28 2:07:05 5'27"/km
29 2:12:15 5'10"/km
I realize for me to have a proper long run, I need at least three days of rest. I will train only once during the week i.e. Tuesdays or Wednesdays and then rest till Sunday then go straight for long runs that encompasses both mileage and speed. I am now targeting 34kms next weekend after a good rest. Keep running!

5 comments:

Running Writer said...

This is simply unbelievable progress! But you laid a good base when you needed to. Now you are experiencing improved performance! You are closer and closer. Dont forget how you struggled with 2:15 for 27K (April?) and now you are blazing the distance like hell on a tougher route! So enjoy it, celebrate the new and stronger you and know that if you work harder and keep pushing yourself, you can experience even more unbelievable results. I am now beginning to feel we may be in a position to compete effectively with that guy soon. But first, those sub 21 5ks, sub 43 10ks and sub 1:33 21 Ks. Keep pushing and enjoy the journey. Good work!

Unknown said...

Yeah, the March 31st run - I was always on 5 mins per kilometer. Did 26kms in 70mins - a difference of 13mins in 3 months!The group run is what made me realize u can do both speed and distance concurrently regardless of terrain, it was a good experience. Once you conquer the likes of upper hill in a long run then u will gain the courage to push even harder.
I am now confident of a sub 90mins on the Stanchart terrain. I am hoping you will be able to give that much needed push during the next group run like before and also acquire new P.R.'s!

Running Writer said...

That is the plan. I am taking care of my weaknesses and its going on very well.

Running Writer said...

I just reviewed this. Amazing run. Amazing.

Unknown said...

You will get there way too soon bcoz you are persistent...and I cant wait! We should get a proper sub 100 mins in Ndakaini i.e. our records of Stanchart or thereabout - thats my goal at the moment and then focus of about 85 mins in Stanchart but if things go well I might go for a full marathon.