The Power of Consistency
As you might know, I’m a fairly enthusiastic runner and last week I ended the running calendar year on a high by beating my 5k PB.
I ran 17:28 at Battersea Park on Wednesday night, toppling the previous PB I set in July by 31 seconds.
This race was the perfect way to end the year on a high.
Across 2024 I ran PBs in the mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon & marathon distances, which is pretty crazy to think back on now.
It’s also worth mentioning that for every PB I’ve run I’ve been wearing a Kata t-shirt, but that’s a story for another time.
While waiting at Clapham Junction for my train home post race on Wednesday, I allowed myself a rare moment to take in the achievement.
I also considered the reasoning behind the success of the year. PBs are rare, but to get them in all distances is pretty nuts.
Perhaps I’m training harder than ever? Maybe I’m at my athletic peak?
To be honest, both might be true. However, one thing that stands out to me about this year has been the consistency of my training.
Every week, I’ll turn up for the Kata Run Club on a Tuesday and a track session on a Thursday. These two evening sessions are staples of my week and I very rarely miss them.
In the context of running, being a part of the Kata Run Club holds me accountable to others. Running at the track allows me to train with runners who are better than me, so I can spend time with and learn from people who are closer to my goals than I.
Even if it’s dark, cold and chucking it down (more often than not, at the moment) I’ll be there, ticking off a box.
This level of consistency throughout the year is what I believe is behind the success. Without it, I’d have got nowhere near some of those PBs.
I’ve also realised this year that not every session has to be my best session. There have been plenty of days when I haven’t felt at the races. But showing up and getting something done is the key.
So, on the back of a good year, the one piece of I’d give is to identify your goals, work out how they can be achieved, then keep showing up so you can make those goals happen!
Caolan.
