We have seen better days

In the spirit of the times I’m undertaking a Comprehensive Running Review over the full term of my two London marathon runs, past and future. Recent results show there is a record deficit between my actual race times and the performances required to bring me home at London Marathon 2011 in my target time of 3 hours and 15 minutes.

The review will be guided by the principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility. It will include my coalition partner Liz and will be a clear indication that we’re in this together. This wide ranging review will consider deficiencies of the previous administration – overeating, undertraining, running when injured etc) as well as providing a blueprint for future behaviour.

Deficit
5k deficit between best and current 1 minute and 30 seconds
10k deficit between best and current 5 minutes
10 miles deficit between best and currnet 10 minutes
Half Marathon deficit between best and current 15 minutes
Marathon deficit between best and current estimate 30 minutes
Chart 1A

Chart 1A shows a widening gap between current performances and times for races in late 2009/early 2010. As I was way off target at VLM 2010, I need to find about 45 minutes from where I am now to where I want to be in April 2011.

Tackling a deficit of this scale requires urgent action. The reason for the downturn in my running fortunes is, I believe, injury based. For the next six weeks I will not attempt to train when injured (I’ll still be racing, obviously, as I’m committed to protecting frontline activities). This will be the first step on a long road towards restoring good management of the running body. Mileage will be reduced in real terms with the intention to limit as far as possible the impact of running on the most vulnerable parts of my body (dodgy hamstring).

I won’t be able to achieve a step change in performance until I have fully rested the hamstring. From Abbey Dash until Chevin Chase I will be just jogging at selected events – namely the Saturday parkruns and the second PECO cross country race. This should provide me with a platform to consider new and radical approaches to increasing mileage in the New Year. From then, the bulk of the deficit reduction will be achieved through increased, focused training combined with improvements in healthy eating and in stringent portion control.

Christmas and the New Year will be particularly challenging with some tightening of belts as we fight inflation. In the New Year we will need to put austerity measures in place but I’m viewing this one week period as a winter recess.

The support of Liz will be vital to build our collective understanding of the issues, ensuring support for the overall principles and approach and discussing cross-cutting issues. We will need to work holistically together across traditional boundaries. We’ll test and challenge our plans and ensure that they respond to external engagement. These deliberations will be informed and supplemented by detailed conversations with our marathon running coalition colleagues.

I remain confident that we can build the foundations for strong and sustained growth. It will be a hard road that will lead to a better future.

Target Event Date
5k Target of 00:18:59 at Lancaster in summer 2011
10k Target of 00:39:59 at Dewsbury in Feb 2011
Half Marathon Target of 01:27:00 at Brass Monkey in Jan 2011
Marathon Target of 03:14:59 at London on 17th April 2011
Chart 1B

Chart 1B shows my PB target races for 2011. By undertaking a programme of key reforms I believe I can deliver this vision.

I can confirm that our plans have not been audited by the OBR (Office for Blogging Responsibility).