A time to glance back & to look forwards to what`s planned ahead.

 

Wow - 2013 was certainly an eventful year – an amazing year in terms of running performances & smashing those self-built walls of doubt & restrictions . I am absolutely sure that 2013 would have turned out completely different if I had not the support of my family & some amazing friends . Last night I read some of the comments left on my fb wall. I felt very humble reading them again – both in what they said & by whom. I am so grateful for the support.  Thank you.

Some highlights of 2013…. 

- January -

 

Stubbington Green 10Km – an unbelievable result. I didn`t look at the pace / time during the race. The song “Right here, right now” by Fat Boy Slim in my head pushed me further & faster around the course as I didn't want to waste this shot. Amazed to see a) snow forming on my arm warmers & b) the time on the finishing clock. Garmin time = 00:43:36    

(Monthly haul =  one mug & one PB)

- February -

 

Frimley Lodge parkrun – An incredible time. Garmin time = 00:21:06 Would I ever get here that time again??

 

Wokingham Half – A race where I kept my bin bag on for 12 miles due to the terrible weather conditions. Again didn`t bother to look at pace or time till the 12^th mile. Splits - 7:36, 7:42, 7:35, 7:42, 7:32, 7:34, 7:24, 7:31, 7:34, 7:35, 7:50, 7:10, 6:58, 0:12 (0.03@ 6:42). Garmin time = 01:38:00

 

Bramley 20 – A change from the pre-race plan but sometimes a change can work out better. Always going to a be a progressive run but ended not how ever could imagine. First 10 miles in 01:27:57, the second 10 miles I completed in 01:15:30. Splits - 8:47, 9:02, 8:49, 9:16, 8:56, 8:47, 8:56, 8:22, 8:38, 8:24, 7:49, 8:13, 7:36, 7:27, 7:23, 7:26, 7:36, 7:37, 7:18, 7:05 (two folks stuck out in this race – Heather & her running back down the course to tease me about her 10 mile PB time & getting beaten by Paula in a sprint finish at the end).

 

Moonlight Challenge – First Ultra of the year & first time I listened to an audio book – The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. “Everything is possible if you believe” – wow a new 32.75 mile PB in 05:44:11 – except for the water stops & bag drop I ran every step of the way. Splits - 9:46, 9:57, 10:14, 10:23, 10:24, 10:20, 15:22, 9:39, 9:48, 9:54, 9:30, 9:46, 10:14, 15:06, 9:19, 10:11, 9:19, 9:45, 9:52, 14:16, 9:28, 9:35, 10:13, 9:38, 10:07, 9:41, 15:00, 9:40, 9:52, 10:02, 9:58, 9:56 7:40 (0.92M @8:23). Six hour wait for a Cornish Pasty – thanks Mike.

(Monthly haul = Three medals & four PB`s)

“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of no-where….and sometimes in the middle of no-where you find yourself” – Jim Willett. 

- March -

New Forest 50Km – A birthday ultra and why not!

Fleet Half – Bit of a pacer (not that I needed to) but also in fancy dress – a Santa – huge amount of laughs from the other runners & the crowds were just brilliant.  Great to see friends having great races.

Basingstoke parkrun – An accidental PB of 00:21:05 – You can wish for things to happen but sometimes they happen when you don`t expect them.

(Monthly haul = Three medals, two PB`s & one T-shirt)

- April -

London Virgin Marathon – My first target race of the year. What a day - I have never felt so good in a race. A 12 second PB, a small negative split, `bumping` into a friend at 8 miles – what are the chances of that?? Chip time – 03:39:29 Splits - 9:00, 8:21, 8:08, 8:11, 8:13, 8:18, 8:13, 8:14, 8:07, 8:27, 8:27, 8:22, 8:07, 8:03, 8:06, 8:16, 8:09, 8:04, 9:27, 8:05, 8:25, 8:22, 8:13, 8:50, 7:12, 8:07, 3:50 (0.48M @8:05). What a race, what a day!.

(Monthly haul – Three medals, two PB`s & two T-Shirts)

- May -

Neolithic & Milton Keynes Marathon – My first back to back marathon. A brilliant experience going into the unknown. Neolithic = 04:33:24 & Milton Keynes = 04:22:48 & legs intact = result.

BUPA Westminster Mile – AKA `Fish out of Water` race – a time I still cannot believe – 00:06:05 – My poor legs & lungs!

BUPA 10,000 – A brilliant day out with the club. I always smile at this photo & think of this song. I always thought the film could have done with a Mr Purple!!

(Monthly haul = Five medals, one T-Shirt & one PB)

 - June - 

Endure24 – Gulp - The target race of 2013 - I entered this 24 hour race as a solo but I could not have done this alone – my friends who sent me messages, who came down were simply amazing – I cannot fully express & thank them on how much they helped. 18 laps of 5 miles (90 miles in 24:31:09) = an awesome day.

 
(Monthly haul = Two medals, one T-Shirt & one PB)

- July -

Elstead `Marathon` - an brilliant race & a great social occasion afterwards.

A couple of new events inc. Olympic Anniversary 5, Try-A-Tri &  Gibbet Hill 10Km – what goes up must come down. One of the few times I`ve `outrun` a dog !!, A `Try-A-Tri` - I know which displace I like.

Thunder Run 24 – A massive highlight for the year – great to catch up with folks & do a bit of running.. An awesome event & this year didn`t disappoint - One word – Mudfest.  6 Laps (37.2M) in 06:05:01 – Will I ever do 7 laps???

(Monthly haul = Eight medals, three T-Shirts & two PB`s)

- August - 

A relative quiet month but did include my 200^th parkrun – parkrun `millionaire`

(Monthly haul = Two medals)

- September -

JW Ultra – So close to getting a PB, unsure what hitting the wall actually is but I guess I hit it (you know you are going slow when Swans swim past!) – 30M in 05:00:51

(Monthly haul – Three Medals & an awesome `JW Ultra` luggage label & keyring)

- October -

Bournemouth Marathon – An unbelievable hot day – who gets sun burnt in October in Britain?? Garmin Time - 04:15:19

Caesars Camp 50 – The last target race of the year and sadly the last Caesars Camp event ever. My goal was to finish the 50 miles within 12 hours & see the `Midnight 30` runners off.. again I wouldn`t have done this without the help of my friends – thanks. I got back in 11:51:55 (8 mins 5 sec to spare). This ended my long runs for the year – 5 marathons & 5 Ultras (total 29 which includes 14 ultras).

(Monthly haul = Two T-Shirts, one Medal & one watch)

- November -

Always in the plan to ease back & try some new things, like Cross Country….I do blame TR24 for that.

Two Cross Country meetings with 2^nd claim club – Windle Valley. Looks like I`ll be repeating this fun next Winter. Great fun & always good to chase down folks you know & two new events – Loseley Park 10Km & Bushy Park 10Km.

(Monthly haul = One Medal & One T-Shirt)

- December -

Still easing back & running new events – this month I tried out Tadley Christmas XC & Gut Buster 10M – both well worth doing. Also the Boxing Day Run (3.7M) where I just missed out on the `Beer Mile` PB but did manage a course PB….I really must try to balance out the training for next year!!

(Monthly haul = Two medals & One PB)

- 2014 Plans -

I`ve already changed my `A race` of 2014 – now being The North Downs Way 100 (August). In the build-up, as per normal I have entered some great events – doing some from my `Bucket` list (Pilgrims Challenge, Pony Express, Alexandra The Great Marathon & Marathon de la Liberte) & some old & new favourites (Fleet Half, Reading Half, BUPA 10000, Endure24 & TR24) & some new events (Surrey Half, Water Of Life Half & Combe Gibet).

Shall we have another mad year???

Thanks you to all my family, friends & readers – have a fabulous 2014.

Do what makes you happy.