I’m starting to wonder if sub 10 is a slightly too conservative target for SDW50, based on how I’m training at the moment. That felt great, which I’m very happy about, as I’ve done some miles over the last 5 days! Had a nice kick left in the legs at the end. Finished slightly differently to my usual route, as I turned off of the SDW where we will turn off on race day, and finished at the track. I really don’t think I’ve ever trained any better than I have done over these last few weeks and a lot of that is down to you, with this really good plan you’ve got me on, so thank you for that
The best trail race I have done to date was when I didn’t once look at my watch. I just kept my effort down and ran to feel. Came in 10 mins quicker than I had predicted at the Rye Ancient Trails 30k. I think setting targets is almost detrimental to some degree in a race like the SDW50. What does it really matter what time you come in. If you start setting deadlines you might put pressure on yourself to quickly get through the aid stations, you might not stop for 20 seconds to take in the views at Ditchling Beacon or watch a couple getting married on Alfriston lawn. There might come a time in a year or so you want to nail down every split to the minute, but whatever you run here, someone is going to finish one place ahead of you, and another one place behind. For me I want you to go out there and live the trail, feel strong and enjoy it. If you do that, whatever the clock says you’ve hit your goal. And I think if you adopt that approach, the relaxed mindset that comes with it, will see you run quicker than if you are stressing about a time. Great work today, love the feedback and so pleased you feel this good approaching race day. Of course if you completely disagree with everything I’ve said here, happy to discuss target times 😂
Coach Simon 🍊
