Mark Armstrong: Run Norwich - a reminder that running should be fun 

I’ve been feeling so tired both physically and mentally since the Helsinki Marathon and, in truth, I had been putting a bit too much pressure on myself to recover quickly. 

I was able to get back to training properly within a week after the Berlin Marathon last year and I assumed I’d be able to do the same after Helsinki. 

However, circumstances have been very different, and I’m guilty of disregarding other factors going on in my life and the impact they can have on running and energy levels in general. 

So, my energy bar has been running low since the marathon and I’ve tried to be patient with my body as it processes that whole experience. 

Going into Run Norwich I was a little apprehensive as a couple of runs in the days leading up to it had been particularly difficult. ‘Easy’ runs that were anything but, at least demonstrated that I wasn’t in a position to give Run Norwich a full send. 

I was a little concerned on the start line that I would get caught up in the moment with my fellow Wymondham AC club-mates but fortunately, I had the discipline to let them go and run my own race... with a big smile on my face. 

I wanted to treat the race as a tempo effort whilst also giving myself permission to completely ease off if I just couldn’t go with that pace. 

Fortunately, I settled into a pace of around 4:10-minute kilometres, which felt hard, but manageable. 

It’s always a little congested at the start but by the time I was on St Stephens Street I felt somewhat relieved that my legs and lungs hadn’t completely forgotten how to run with a bit of effort and not feeling utterly on my limit. 

Seeing my wife, Alison, and my children Lara and Logan on Castle Meadow gave me a nice boost and by the time we had got to Carrow Road I couldn’t believe we were four kilometres into the race. 

Mark Armstrong in action at Run Norwich last weekend (Image: Alison Armstrong)

With the work that I’ve been doing in the gym I’ve learned to see hills as a bit of an opportunity so I cruised up Rose Lane and I was rewarded at seeing my family once again looking like they were enjoying themselves (and behaving for Alison!). 

It’s always inspiring to see the leading runners coming back down the other way along Prince of Wales Road as well at this point. I hollered after a few of my WAC friends, and I knew I was obviously feeling okay if I was able to let the outside world in like this. 

I regained my breath a little along Prince of Wales Road myself and it was starting to get a little harder as we came into the cathedral grounds, but I focused on maintaining an effort level of around seven out of 10. 

The noise was incredible as we left the cathedral, almost making me want to loop around as quickly as possible to get stuck into Tombland – the most difficult part of the route. 

I still felt strong during the last couple of kilometres but was telling myself not to push too hard. I’ve got a lot coming up over the next few weeks and there was nothing to be gained in picking up the pace. 

I kept it as steady as I could, but let’s face it, it’s never an easy part of the course. I was able to cross the finish line feeling pretty exhilarated, with a hint of relief, that it had been a positive experience. 

My finish time was 42:52 – not my quickest Run Norwich – but certainly one of the most enjoyable. 

It has given me a little bit of confidence that my legs are coming back into play... and I need them to ahead of my Round Norfolk Relay (RNR) leg this weekend. 

I can’t wait for my first RNR experience – and hopefully I’ll be in a position to run strong whilst keeping in mind that I have another marathon in a couple of weeks in Berlin. 

But whatever happens, Run Norwich reminded me that all these experiences are supposed to be enjoyable... and perhaps I’ve been taking it all a bit too seriously lately.