This week welcomed the start of speed work into the programme, which means the distance reduces and so does the time.
Tuesday’s session on a very cold wet and dark track, comprised 1 set of 3 runs over 100m, 150m and 200m at 90% race speed with 3 minute recovery between runs.
Managed to hit the times with ease albeit the increase in speed seemed to aggravate the rib injury on the bends and the knees were protesting a little after cooling down. The good news was both were feeling much better the next day.
Thursdays Session was an indoor meeting at Gateshead College Athletics Academy and I have to say it was great to get a rest bite from training in the horrible outdoor winter conditions. This isn’t a meeting where you race for anything, it’s more a great opportunity to go through the normal warm up, drills, strides and practice starts, and a timed 60m without wearing 6 layers of clothing.
The races are mixed ages and are seeded on projected times. There were probably only 6 or so masters athletes from a field of around 100 athletes, and in the video below I’m up against four 17 year olds. After a sluggish start I finished strongly for 3rd place, and if the race had been 70m I would have won it. How many times have I said that!!!
The race was okay as a training exercise, but it’s not what you would class as sprinting, which I wasn’t at all disappointed with or surprised by having only just started speed work.
Finally
Who knew … Today, as well as being Friday 13th, is #QuittersDay – the day you’re most likely to give up your new years resolution!
Don’t do it … keep fighting 
Until next time …
Stuart Lynn - Masters Athlete 