Sunday 6th January 2019 @9am
~ Kitty Hung ~
Just 5 days after our Hyde Park Serpentine New Year’s Day 10K, John, my sister Fidelia and I lined up on the start line again to run the Regent’s Park 10K #4 of the Winter 6 series. It was a very cold morning but fortunately it was dry and not snowing or raining. My sister did not register online beforehand as she was not sure whether she wanted to do this event only 5 days after the NYD 10k. On that morning she decided to do it and registered on the day. We were all shocked they now charge a staggering £25 for the registration on the day. This is £7 more expensive than online registration !!! Although the entire route is open to public and any members of the public can run the 3 laps exactly like we do for free, my sister still preferred to pay the £25 registration fee to support the organiser Mornington Chasers Running Club.
I had a good start of 2019 finishing the Hyde Park NYD 10k in 57’04” which was little faster than 2018 so I was hoping to do a faster time in the Regent’s Park 10k this month than last month. I wouldn’t expect my time in Regent’s Park faster than Hyde Park as the Hyde Park course is a lot flatter and wider and with less laps and less twists and turns. I finished in 57’05” which is one second slower than Hyde Park. I also breathed a sigh of relief that I was 1 minute 47 seconds faster than my December time when I only finished in 58’52”. My sister finished in 59’30” and John finished in 1:06’57”. For full results, please visit:
http://racetecresults.com/Results.aspx?CId=16586&RId=338
I had a disappointing 2018 with personal worst for both the London and Milton Keynes Marathons due to the unseasonal hot weather on both days plus my insufficient training hence lack of stamina. My overall performance in other races in 2018 was also slower than 2017. I have signed up to do the Milton Keynes Marathon in May so I know long distance running is absolutely necessary for the preparation. My plan is to do 20 miles per week in January, 30 miles per week in February, 40 miles per week in March and 50 miles per week in April if I want to get a sub 5 hours’ time in the Marathon. My next race is the Fred Hughes 10 miler in 2 weeks’ time. Last year it was snowing. I hope the weather is nicer this year. Between now and 20th January, I am doing a mixture of running and hiking to alter the usage of my leg muscles.