I have set myself a goal to run 10km in under 40 minutes.  I expect this will be my main running goal for the year.  I haven't noticed any half marathons or full marathons in Hong Kong which I would like to enter.  While there may be some events in other countries which are appealing, it is too difficult with our current family and financial position to travel to these.

I have never run 10km in under 40 minutes.  I had a look through my running spreadsheet and I noticed that my best time was 43 minutes and 15 seconds, at a Run Ponsonby night, back in November 2006.  Almost 10 years ago.  I can claim that this run involved running up College Hill (a steep road entering Ponsonby) and I might have been delayed at the lights when crossing a road near the finish.  I will admit that even if the run were flat and I had no traffic-related delays, then I wouldn't have broken the 40-minute barrier.

So, it seems a bit too ambitious to be aiming to break 40 minutes for a 10km run now.  Now, when I am 37 years old.  38 years old in late September.  I think the term for this is an 'inspirational' goal.  While I might not achieve the goal, I may end up getting a personal best time on the way.

I will build up to it slowly, assess progress and be sensible about my training.

I went for a trial run today at the Kowloon Tsai track.  25 laps.  I was reasonably happy with the outcome: 46 minutes and 31 seconds.  This is a similar pace to what I do when I run on the same track for half an hour.  My pace was steady for the whole run, except for the last lap when I kicked on.

My left ankle was feeling a bit tender for the last 5 laps, but I kept running.  I was satisfied that my technique was correct - my body was straight, my arms were moving well and I didn't feel overexerted.