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Thanks, Run Norwich – I needed that.
I feel very tired physically and mentally since the Helsinki marathon and, in truth, I put a bit too much pressure on myself to recover quickly.
I was able to get back into training properly a week after the Berlin Marathon last year and I thought I would be able to do the same after Helsinki.
However, circumstances have been very different and I am guilty of neglecting other factors happening in my life and the impact they can have on running and energy levels in general.
So my energy bar has been low since the marathon and I’ve been trying to be patient with my body as it processes this whole experience.
Going into Run Norwich I was a little worried as a few races in the days leading up to it had been particularly tough. ‘Easy’ races that were just that, at the very least demonstrated that I wasn’t in a position to give Run Norwich a chance of full success.
I was a little worried on the start line about getting carried away with the moment with my Wymondham AC club mates, but thankfully I had the discipline to let them go and run my own race…with a big smile on my face.
I wanted to treat the race as a pace effort while giving myself permission to slow down completely if I simply couldn’t keep up that pace.
Luckily, I managed to get to a pace of around 4 minutes and 10 seconds per kilometer, which felt tough, but manageable.
It’s always a bit crowded at first, but by the time I was on St Stephens Street I felt somewhat relieved that my legs and lungs hadn’t completely forgotten how to run with some effort and without feeling completely at my limit.
Seeing my wife, Alison, and children Lara and Logan at Castle Meadow gave me a great boost and by the time we arrived at Carrow Road I couldn’t believe we were four kilometres into the race.
Mark Armstrong in action at Run Norwich last weekend (Photo: Alison Armstrong)
With the work I’ve done in the gym, I’ve learned to see the hills as an opportunity, so I walked Rose Lane and was rewarded with seeing my family once again looking like they were having fun (and behaving well for Alison!).
It’s always inspiring to see the front runners coming back the other way along Prince of Wales Road at that point. I shouted at a few of my WAC friends, and I knew I was obviously feeling good if I was able to let the outside world in like that.
I caught my breath a little along Prince of Wales Road and it was starting to get a little harder as we entered the Cathedral grounds, but I concentrated on maintaining an effort level of around seven out of ten.
The noise was incredible as we left the cathedral, almost making me want to go around as quickly as possible to end up at Tombland – the most difficult part of the route.
I still felt strong in the last kilometers but I told myself that I shouldn’t push myself too hard. I have a lot to do in the next few weeks and I had nothing to gain by speeding up.
I kept the pace as much as I could, but let’s be honest, it’s never an easy part of the course. I managed to cross the finish line with a feeling of euphoria, with a hint of relief, because it had been a positive experience.
My finish time was 42:52 – not my fastest time at Run Norwich – but certainly one of the most enjoyable.
It gave me a bit of confidence that my legs are coming back into play…and I need that ahead of my Round Norfolk Relay (RNR) leg this weekend.
I’m looking forward to my first RNR experience – and I hope I’ll be able to run hard while keeping in mind that I have another marathon in a few weeks in Berlin.
But whatever happens, Run Norwich reminded me that all these experiences are supposed to be enjoyable… and maybe I’ve been taking it all a little too seriously lately.
