Nerves run high ahead of 10km
Training sessions have taught Campbell to pace himself and run with technique, but, is he ready for race day?
THE Stella Athletics Club Couch to 10km Challenge has just about run its course with race day around the corner. Participants have been training twice a week to prepare for the Checkstar Verulam Falcons Challenge on May 22. Starting at the Amphitheatre on the Durban beachfront promenade, the race offers a 5km fun run, 10km run/walk and 21.1km road race. Berea Mail checked in with Couch to 10km runner, Judd Campbell to find out how he feels as race day looms.
Training sessions have taught Campbell to pace himself and run with technique.
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“Running slower improves my time and I’ve improved a lot. Listening to other runners is really informative, you learn running techniques – what to do with your arms, how to shorten your steps, hold your head up and how to breath. These seem like little things, but it improves your time. When you’re focused, time flies – the training session is over before you know it,” he said.
While he has improved in leaps and bounds, Campbell says he doesn’t feel ready for the 10km ahead. He will be sticking to a rigid training schedule as he heads to Cape Town this week on business. Last week he achieved his personal best during the 5km time trial, completing the run in 40 minutes.
“For serious runners, this is a slow time, but I am at the stage where improvement is measured in huge increments. After years of running, people try to shave off 30 seconds from their time. I am at the stage where I can still shave off minutes,” he said.
When Campbell joined the Stella Athletics Club walkers last year, he did not expect to find him self running a 10km.
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“I was battling to keep up with the walkers and found it was actually easier to run- especially at the pace the group walks. I started running on the downhills to catch up because I was out of breath the first time I joined. I thought I was being punked – that they were trying to see if the new guy could keep up. They were all talking while they walked and I had to tell them I could either walk or I could talk, I can’t do both- not at that speed,” joked Campbell.
Two weeks into the Couch to 10km Challenge, Campbell decided to make the switch to join the runners and he hasn’t looked back.
“If I miss a Tuesday or Thursday training I make it up on my own, otherwise I fall too far behind. Everyone’s running has gone from zero to hero. It’s been the best thing for me- I can feel it,” he said.
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