Like many of you will have experienced, most of our upcoming races and event have been cancelled. This is gut wrenching, particularly if you’ve spent months training for an event. But keep positive you can still put all that training effort to good use. Here are a few ways that you can re-set your goals:
1. Marcothon - to run or walk at least 5k or 25mins everyday for the month!
This is usually done in December as a way to keep fit through the cold run up to Christmas. This is a great way to keep your fitness ticking over with a clear daily goal that doesn’t require loads of time. It’s also incredibly satisfactory ticking off those dates!
2. Run your own race - continue with the training plan but when it comes to race day do your own route.
Unfortunately you won’t get the same atmosphere as a race or the medal at the end, but you will be able to choose the route and the start time (say goodbye to 5am alarms!).
Running the race distance by yourself might be difficult though, particularly if you’re doing something like a marathon. So we’d advise getting some running pals to join you en route (at a safe 2m + distance!). We’d also let people know that you are going to be attempting the distance so that it still feels like an occasion and that you get the same level of support.
3. Try something new.
As you no longer have races to taper for, this is the perfect opportunity to set yourself a personal training challenge that you haven’t been able to try because of other goals and racing priorities.
This might be something as simple as trying to run to the top of your local hill or hitting a certain amount of mileage. If you were training for a marathon that’s been postponed till Autumn, why not try to lower your 5k PB? If your triathlon has been delayed, why not put some more time into practicing your transition?
4. Explore somewhere new.
Alongside trying some new training methods, why not try some new routes or training in some completely new areas? Set yourself a goal of one or two ‘new places’ per week to go and explore. It really helps invigorate your training and stave away the madness of possible self isolation!
Let us know how you get on or if you have any other ideas for using your racing fitness!