back to usual..

6m at approx 6:45. only know approximately, because we had some stops for crossings and i didn't pay enough attention to my watch. went out with my main running partner from work for a steady run around Hyde Park. he was testing his knee after giving it a break for a week or so.. don't think it went perfectly, as it was still tight throughout the run, but we still did ok and he's keen to run again tomorrow, so can't be too bad! weather is still cold in comparison to what it should be - it's down near 12C, when average for this time of the year is 16+C. still a very enjoyable run - and we had lots to talk about as we've not been out together for a few days.

have been contemplating joining my local club - Kent AC - who practice Tuesday nights at the local track, which is only a few streets away from where i live. i could alternate that and football (Wednesday nights). thinking that it would be a shortcut to learning some of the more intricate elements to the skill of running competitively. would also give me another group of people against whom i can measure myself. would be a good training session for sure, and - hey - they might even be a nice bunch of people too!

had a good chat about whether i should enter one of the Serpie 5ks. they are pretty good for us, as we can make it up to the start - just - from our office in decent time. i'm not confident that i'm any good over such a short distance, but would still like to give it a go. i mentioned that it might hit my confidence if i couldn't perform so well at this shorter distance in comparison to how i do at halfs and full marathons. [note to self here: i've actually only run two full marathons, so not a lot to go on.. but i did do ok, i'd say..] what came out of our chat is that, no matter what the distance, you have to set yourself an optimistic goal.. then you have to train and work at it.. then you run the race and see how you do. if it all goes to plan you get a realistic time - even a PB - to work from as your best, to be bettered. however, if there are complications and you get injured in training or the race even or something else untoward happens, you can gauge your time against these detractions. that way you can always stay optimistic and objective about your expectations vs reality. hopefully that'll work.. maybe i'll try the July 5k..