I wasn’t slow when I first started running almost 5 years ago. I ran my first 10km race in 51 minutes and my first half marathon in 1:51:13. Not a bad pace.
The thing that niggled me a little though was that from then on for the next 3 years I pretty much ran at the same speed. I cut my race times by a couple of minutes but I felt that I had already reached my peak potential.

Leggings like that make you run faster. Fact.
Then I started Crossfit and (insert yet another Ode to Crossfit) I have not only not been injured at all, I have been speeding up!
For the past 6+ months I’ve been running with averages that used to be in the Utopia Zone for me. In fact my brain still can’t quite grasp the fact that they in fact are NOT in the Utopia Zone anymore. I’ve been running my lunchtime 5kms in 22-23 minutes and my lunchtime 10kms in sub-50 easy: last week I ran 10km in 47:01 and yesterday I ran 10km in 46:44.
Mind. Blown.
I did say I was running sub-50 minute 10kms “easy” but runners know that that means you don’t feel like dying but there is a chance that you do feel like throwing up. A good fast run for me is one where I don’t feel like throwing up until after 8kms 🙂

Boom! On my bum.
Anyway, there isn’t any other point to this post really other than to say that – I’m freaking excited to be running FAST! It just shows that speed WILL happen in time, you just have to give it time (like – years) AND you have to do some weight training. Seriously – muscles are what power you on.
And to keep my running training interesting and varied, I’m going to be doing some heart rate training again, inspired by Scallywags Sprints and some rhythmic breathing, inspired by an article on Runner’s World. The latter I’ve done already on my last two runs and it’s very addictive and zen to be counting your breaths.
What’s been making your running heart happy these days?
Leggings by: Viking Warrior Nutrition
Jacket by: Lululemon
16 Comments
Lauryn
February 14, 2015 at 1:47 pmWell done! And I absolutely love the running tights! 🙂
Raina
February 13, 2015 at 9:29 amSuperwoman’s time and superwoman’s leggings! Go, girl!
Becca Jones
February 12, 2015 at 10:20 amBecca Jones liked this on Facebook.
Cat
February 12, 2015 at 7:57 amI’m not a big runner myself (though you have made me think it is possible…) but I AM a leggings aficionado and those leggings… I need them in my life! Definitely go-faster stripe effect 😉
MrsB
February 12, 2015 at 9:54 amOf course running is possible! Just start out slow and alternate with walking if you need to 🙂
Becca Jones
February 12, 2015 at 7:31 amI NEED these leggings in my life!
Tess @ FitBits
February 11, 2015 at 1:39 pmTHOSE LEGGINGS. I NEED. IMMEDIATELY.
Yay for speed, totally agree with you on the need for weight training, my running’s improved no end since doing regular strength training.
MrsB
February 12, 2015 at 9:55 amIt’s great isn’t it – lifting weights? I think many years ago I wouldn’t even think about it because I feared that ‘bulking up’ would slow me down. Silly me 😀
Stephanie @ A Magpie in the Sky
February 11, 2015 at 1:34 pmWell done! You are right, strength is key. I love love love these leggings and the photography. But you didn’t tell us where they are from!
MrsB
February 11, 2015 at 7:00 pmI did 🙂 Link at the very end of the post.
amagpieinthesky
February 12, 2015 at 10:23 amAha Got it!
Marko Järvsoo
February 11, 2015 at 12:35 pmMarko Järvsoo liked this on Facebook.
Gubernatrix
February 11, 2015 at 12:02 pm@MrsB_LDN Congrats! I always had the opposite problem – had to run more to increase speed. Different fibre types maybe.
MrsB_LDN
February 11, 2015 at 12:15 pm@Gubernatrix I don’t run a lot in terms of weekly mileage right now but I guess the fact that I’m in general adding to my running years counts as ‘more’ and helps with speed as well.
thatfit_journey
February 11, 2015 at 11:58 amJust had a read of a great little #blog post by @MrsB_LDN …all about the #running! Have a look – http://t.co/AWtBppdp6n
#Hblogger #healthc
MrsB_LDN
February 11, 2015 at 12:15 pm@thatfit_journey Thanks for sharing!