2021 - My running and fitness goals

2021 – My running and fitness goal

Has 2020 been a complete right off? Absolutely not. It has been a year of new experiences, change, sadness, growth and one for letting things go – holding no grudges!

My injury and no-running for the past 4.5 weeks has given me plenty of time to reflect on my running goals and what I would like to work on when I am back on my feet.

Some of my goals from the beginning of this year included:

·        Completing 2 international races  X

·        Complete an ultra –marathon  X

·        Volunteer at, at least 2 events   X

As you can see the pattern of Xs, it hasn’t gone as planned but that was not because of a lack of trying, but 2020 already had plans of it’s own and just failed to inform me  ha-ha. Am I disappointed that not all those things have happened as planned out, no.

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” ― Alan Lakein, author

For me, setting goals is a great way to challenge your body, keep things interesting, and experience the satisfaction of accomplishing something new.  I think, as runners, we often find ourselves stuck in a rut, sometimes simply trying to run faster or further. I have definitely done this and feel like I am just continuously chasing numbers.

Without a clear purpose, many of us find ourselves falling into the trap of running aimlessly – regularly logging miles but failing to give these miles any sort of meaning.

I would say that lockdown 1.0 was a blessing in disguise – many probably disagree. I say this because it allowed me to carry on running and gave me the opportunity to sign up for virtual challenges that would never have happened if Covid-19 did not happen to us. I was also lucky enough to get free coaching from a Team GB Triathlete and that taught me a lot in terms of planning my running week including cross training and most importantly rest days. Yes, REST days, something as runners we feel cheated by! However, I have learned so much over the last 7 months that has made me a more confident and relaxed running.

What next?

I have started thinking about what I would like to work on when I return to running once I am declared fit to run. I start my physio sessions on 30^th November, so I am very hopeful that from the start of the New Year I will start building up the mileage slowly again. A few races that I had postponed from this year that hopefully will run in 2021. Nevertheless, I would like to start off the year by working on my fitness again as I know I would have regressed and will be almost ‘scared’ to run again. I plan to focus on short distances and working on mainly 5k and working up to 10k. I would definitely like to improve my 5k and 10k times and I think that I would like to work on the distances in between, 6k and 8k for variety. I found this cool training plan in runner’s world that I would like to implement https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/10km/a775732/10-best-training-sessions-for-5k-and-10k-races/

If you have any recommendations or training plans that you put together yourself, and would be kind enough to share, please do get in touch. Learning from ‘real people’ for me is even greater than taking something out of a magazine, as not 1 size fits all. I will adapt as needed but it is a good starting point as I have nothing at the moment. Seeing how I get on, I will most likely get back in touch with Jake Keast (Coach that I worked with during lockdown 1.0)

What are your goals for 2021? Do you still set goals or just go with the flow?

To be honest I am ‘one of those’ people that write continuously and I do mean write as I can hear my husband in the background just shouting, ‘what are you writing now?’ As a thought comes into my head, I have to just write them down. I have pens and notebooks in most rooms in the house except for the bathroom and toilet! Many people say, oh just make notes in your phone, I do, do that but I also love pen and paper. Maybe because I used to be a teacher?

One thing I have wanted to do for a while now is help others either start their road to being fitter or just motivate them to keep going. I am delighted to say that I have started my NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing course (REPs) - Register of Exercise Professionals endorsed and I should be qualified by the end of December. I am looking forward to helping and encouraging other people not only to run but also to do workouts that they enjoy. That's important, because if you are not enjoying it, you are not going to be motivated to do it.  Simple maths!

Thinking ahead to 2021:

·        Concentrate on 5k and 10k slowly building up endurance and speed again

·        Deliver coaching session with Our Parks https://www.ourparks.org.uk/ online and hopefully in London parks.

·        Complete cancelled races of 2020

·        Continue to empower and motivate others to be whatever it is they want to be.

Comment below and let me know what is next for you. 😊

Fitness products I love

Hats – I developed a love for wearing caps in 2019 and ever since have grown a lovely little collection. I am an ambassador for Team Vaga. VÅGA is a new, innovative company designing running caps with the runner in mind. Check them out @teamvaga or website. I also love the Fractel brand of caps. Fractel website was born in Queensland, Australia. I was part of their photoshoot back in the summer. It was a great experience learning more about the brand and meeting other people.

 Leggings - My favourite leggings are Sundried, New Balance, Under Armour and Adidas. I love them all for the fit around the waist, no need to keep pulling them up whilst running. The New Balance ones have the drawstring in the waist band, but it fits so nicely that I do not always need to tie them. The Under-Armour ones, are sleek, have a shimmer look and make my legs look long and toned 😊 The sundried ones have pockets too as well as being a great fit. You can get 50% off any of their products through their Sundried website. Just use the code: DAWKINS

 Aftershoz – I have tried so many different headsets from wired ones to wireless. My all-time favourites have to be the Aftershokz. I might as well throw away the others (but I won’t do that as they still work). Perfect for running and general use. Listen to music on the move without blocking your ears thanks to the AFTERSHOKZ Trekz Titanium Wireless Bluetooth Headphones bone conducting technology. They send vibrations through your cheekbones which sends soundwaves directly to your inner ear. This way your ears stay uncovered giving you better awareness of the world around you, useful when you're cycling or going for a run.

 ROAD iD – Probably the most important product (not necessarily fitness) that I take out with me on every run. Also, ideal especially for races, when they ask you to complete the back of your race number, if I have this on my wrist, I don’t usually complete this. Road iD is the premier line of safety identification tags and bracelets for runner id, cyclist id, medical id, bicycling id, and emergency medical id. 

Taken from ROAD iD website

Top 10 reasons to own one: 

 • If you can't speak for yourself, ROAD iD will speak for you. 

• ROAD iD enables First Responders to immediately contact family members and friends. 

• ROAD iD enables family members to provide additional details about your health or give consent for potentially lifesaving procedures. 

 • ROAD iD enables hospital staff to locate vital medical records.

 • ROAD iD can communicate medical conditions or allergy information to medical staff.

 • ROAD iD can prevent serious delays in treatment by saving crucial time during the "golden hour" of medical treatment.

 • It's far better to have Road ID and not need it than to need ROAD iD and not have it. It's not just a piece of gear, it's peace of mind. 

• Accidents happen far more than you think they do. Each year approximately 450,000 of us are taken to hospitals unconscious and without identification. 

• ROAD iD looks good on and makes a statement about your athletic lifestyle – not to mention that studies would probably prove that people that wear Road ID are considerably smarter than those that don't. 

• ROAD iD can save your Life. Period.

 There are many other fitness products which I really like but the above are the ones I really cannot do without on my runs. If you run or enjoy working out, then you know exactly what I mean.

Joining a running community and meeting fitness pals

Run Higher Collective - Battersea Park

The running community continues to amaze me. I have always been someone that has been into fitness from school days but as it happens, you can fall out of it as you begin to have other interests or as in my case; went to University and spent my weekends shopping and partying 😊 

Big Half Marathon - March 2020

Three years ago, along with my friend Gosia, we joined the Adidas Running Community running with the women from their Brick Lane studio in the evenings. As we became more confident in running with groups, we joined their Monday evening runs which consisted mainly of male runners but extremely welcoming; following on from that as we felt more comfortable running in groups and longer distances, we joined the Saturday long runs which was anything over 10km up to training for marathon distances. Everyone that we came across in all the groups were friendly and supportive, which is what I have found in all the other running groups I run with (Tenzing – Thursday evenings, Advent Running – Track on Tuesdays at Mile End, Runners Needs, Asics and many others). Running groups are a great way to find support when you first start running. 

Adidas Runners 

As a new runner, it is easy to feel alone. But on the other hand, some people prefer to run alone and hate the idea of running in a group. For me over the last few years I have benefitted so much from group running in terms of fitness, confidence in running races and running further than ever before. This year, having the confidence to apply for my first Ultra 50km, which has now been postponed till June 2021, which is GREAT as I am injured now 😊. Win Win!! 

Another great reason to be part of a running community is it helps if you plan on running races. Often the people that are part of the clubs also enter races and you can train together, which is always a great help. 

Adidas Runners Saturday Long runs

Joining a running club is one of the best things that I did to progress my running over the past few years.

 Benefits of joining a running club

 • By joining a running community, you surround yourself with like minded people, enthusiastic and experienced people who will support one another on those difficult long runs especially.

 • You can see what others who started off like you, can do now. 

• The clubs will encourage you to vary your training (e.g. long runs, interval training, tempo runs, trail running). Training by yourself can sometimes mean that you do the same things day in day out, same ol’ pace and routes! Don’t worry we’ve all been there; but with a club you get to try a variety experience with support and advice.

• Develop new friendships with people who share the same passion for exercise, running and maybe other things too. 

Advent Running- Track Tuesdays at Mile End

I then joined the infamous Instagram 17th June 2018 where I have since made many running friends, many that I have never met in person, but we communicate as though we have known each other for years. I think the most important thing not just online but also in person is to be open, supportive, and kind. My mum always used to say, if you have nothing nice to say, do not say anything at all. This is so true!

Until next time 🤘🏿😊