I just wanted to share that today I ran a 7:38 mile. This isn't huge, this isn't a record. But for me it's the first sub 8 minute mile I have ran in about a decade and I feel fucking PUMPED.
Anyone who's out there struggling to meet what they used to be able to do easily, it's okay. We all feel that at one point or another. What matters is setting goals and working to get there no matter how long it takes.
That's so funny, I have a friend who used to run but hasn't in about a decade. He did a 4:45km last week!
Almost the same as yours and he was also super pumped about it!
Well done! Great way to end 2023 and on to better things in 2024!
This is a bit off topic, but do you have any suggestions for apps that train for speed. I was using the Nike Run app for awhile, but they just constantly upped the distance. I don't have a lot of time for those long runs, but would love a training plan app that could improve my 10k speed.
Unfortunately no, I am basically just making things up as I go haha. I don't use any apps and half the time I don't use my smart watch. Generally I've just been splitting my distance in half, making sure my time is fast enough to meet the half way mark, so example; If I am running 1 mile, by the .5 mark I SHOULD be at the very least, at 4 minutes. If I'm ahead, good. If I'm behind, I speed up. If I'm being serious for once I do the same check at .25 and .75 where I should be at 2 minutes and 6 minutes respectively. I try to push out of my head the notion of "oh I'm ahead I can relax now" and instead try to at the least maintain that speed instead of slowing down. At each check point my only two options I give myself are; maintain speed, or increase speed. This can be difficult due to lack of motivation on any given day of course, and I have tendonitis in both knees, but that is why I set obtainable goals.