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Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone else was feeling a little unfit and inadequate after reading this article in this months magazine?

I would consider myself a fairly good runner with a 5k PB of under 25min and I am generally fit and healthy, however a couple of the tests show me up in a very poor light!

The first one is the speed test.  To be judged to be of 'fair fitness' you have to be able to run 400m in 70s.  Does that not equate to an approx 5min mile?  I usually run my 400m repeat intervals in around 110s so this seems to be extremely fast to me.  It seems that to be judged as 'good fitness' you need to be able to run close to a 4min mile!!

The other is the endurance test. In this test you must warm up for 10min and then time yourself for a 30min tempo run, which should be run at a pace just slower than 10k pace.  My 10k PB is just under 55min so I would be aiming for approx 9min/mi...so about 3.3mi in 30min.  Again, accordig to this test you need to be able to run 4.2mi to be judged as fair, 5.1mi to be judged good and >5.1 miles to be great,  So, this equates to somewhere between 6-8min miles for a 30in duration.

Is it not a little unfair to judge fitness based on speed alone?? 

I couldn't run 30min at 6min/mi if my life depended upon it but that doesn't mean I am not fit does it?

Rick Mayall.......

......in 'Bottom'  

Good evening all!

Didn't manage to make it on RW last night after having an impromtu house sorting and cleaning session.  My kids playroom has been a tip for months so I finally got in there and blitzed it.  That then led to me sorting out the front room and hubbie even got the vax out and cleaned the carpet!!  Not sure what on earth led to that little bout of madness!!

2.5 quick miles on the schedule for me tonight.  I think I overcompensated for the cold wind and felt too warm after the first few minutes and ended looking like a very sweaty beetroot!  Enjoyed the run but felt a little under-fuelled as I haven't eaten well today.  Note had been firmly made to myself!

Off to have a read back now and then a nice hot bubbly bath now the boys are fast asleep.  Hubby out tonight so enjoying the peace and quiet.  Can't stop thinking I should make a start on the kitchen.....

Sounds awesome Phil.  Will check it out and get hubbie on the job!

On a plus side, I was very conscious of not tensing up to much on this weekends run and had a can of full-fat coke after my shower and no headaches or achey shoulders this week!!