Outrunning my Age
I’ve posted before about my little challenge of trying to run 10km in fewer minutes than my age in years. Honestly, it wasn’t ever much of an issue, not since I’ve been 40 anyway. Back then a 40-minute 10km run was actually relatively easy. As I progressed through my 40’s I could still run 10km in 40 minutes so if anything it was getting easier. Most fairly flat 10km runs on decent terrain would beat the age target and it wasn’t therefore too much of a challenge.
As an example, when I was 50, and not as fit as I had been, I ran the distance in 43:31. That was quite a way under the 50-minute target. However, since my heart attack that hasn’t quite been the case. A steady 10km jog is now nowhere near that sort of time and would probably be pushing up closer to the hour mark. Getting anywhere near my age in minutes would require quite an effort.
I did do one 10km run this time last year that was just under the 50-minute mark at 49:44. I was still 50 at the time so it just counted, and it was my post-heart attack PB. I’m now 51 but hadn’t yet beaten my age on a 10km run this year. I’ll be 52 soon so thought it was probably time that I gave it a go.
Running to Borth
Despite cycling and windsurfing on Saturday, I felt fairly fresh on Sunday morning so thought I might as well just try it out and see how I went. My target was obviously a sub 51 minute 10km, but I wanted to go sub-50 really. In fact it would be nice to beat my previous post-heart attack PB of 49:44. I worked it out and if I could hold an 8:00min/mile pace throughout the run that would bring me in at 49:43, 1 second faster. That was therefore my real target!
It was a horrible day, pouring rain and blowing a gale as I set off along the flat road to Borth. My first mile was perfectly timed at 8:00 on the spot. I felt comfortable with that as I wanted to ease into it and hoped I could pick it up.
The next mile wasn’t so good, it was hard work into the wind and rain and the mile took 8:16. I was now off the pace and would have some work to do. I wasn’t panicking though as the run back would be wind-assisted. Therefore, assuming I still had some gas in the tank, it should be faster. I ran into some shelter as I entered the village of Borth itself. The cliffs and houses kept the worst of the wind at bay. The stretch away from the sea was sheltered too. At the turnaround point, my overall pace was now at 8:01 mins/mile. I was pulling it back with mile three ticking off in 7:44 minutes.
Running Back
I was feeling it now though and would have to ease up the effort a little on the way back to prevent blowing up. Mile 4 took 7:43 as I made my way back through Borth. I should start feeling the benefit of the wind once I left the shelter of the houses behind. I did indeed and with the wind at my back my pace picked up. This was despite easing up the effort just a touch. Mile 5 took 7:39 and there wasn’t far to go now as I splashed through the puddles and squinted through the rain.
Mile 6 felt good in 7:36 and then there was just another 400 yards to go to make it 10km.
Considering the tough conditions that wasn’t too bad, and my pacing was pretty much perfect. (ignore the last mile as I had an easy cool down after the 10km was up as my heart requires it!). My heart rate stayed steady at around 133bpm throughout the run too.
A new PB
Needless to say it was nowhere near a real PB and the times aren’t at all impressive, but it was a new post-heart attack PB for me at 48:36. I had once again outrun my age! Let’s hope I can do it again next year when the target will be a sub 52 minute 10km. I might even try it not long after my birthday rather than leave it too late. Who knows. I might even be able to lower that time of 48:36. If it gets easier that would be nice too!
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It takes me almost that long to walk to the shop and back….and you know how close that is ! I guess I can still do ut under my age though lol
Well done