I`ve received my race number for next month`s `Moonlight Challenge`. I thought it would be a fun event & somewhere different to put in a LSR for my London marathon training.
It`s a lapper - laps of 6.55M, so 5 laps for the full distance (32.75M), 4 laps for 26.2 and 3 laps for 19.65M.
I also managed to talk two running friends into entering too as their Goofy Challenge was sadly ruined by the snowy conditions early in the year.
Whilst they do the full distance, the plan for me is to do 3 laps - that distance makes a sensible training run.........good plan, right?......
....but it`s like playing with a wobbly tooth - you know you shouldn`t but sometimes you can find yourself doing it by accident...well running 26.2M (4 laps) in training for a 26.2M event is just daft but everyone has heard about over distance training..........
to be continued.....
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Just what the Doctor ordered....
What a great weekend`s running which to be honest I wasn`t really expecting.
I`ve recently, with a cancelled 10Km race and the snow & ice, been a bit concerned about the lack of speed sessions this year - lots of miles ran but no actual fast running this year, so on Saturday morning it was a real relief to go round Basingstoke`s parkrun in 22.56 - just 63 sec outside my PB. A little close time wise to running a half marathon the next day but it was a good boost.
I just hoped the `Road Work` Gods were with me, as almost straight after the parkrun I faced a minimum 4 hour trip up to York luckily enough they were. Literally I got there & was invited out to York for a bit of pre-race food with Kelly & her OH & her friends, which was very unexpected & was very pleasant, even managed an unplanned tour of the city too
Come race morning, I was up, showered, had breakfast at a very early time and left for racecourse (Race HQ) in plenty of time.....which, in fact was luckily as I managed another tour of the local & surrounding area - opps.
Arrived & found the cafe, where I saw and had a quick chat with Stringy, MrSJ (& family), Andy Sly, Rtg, lfc runner, Bunny Phobia & RichardB. Dropped bag off, and bumped into Princess Purple Bubbles who decided to show me her knickers :-O Must go to more races if that keeps happening. LOL only joking she was actually proving that they matched her Avatar picture. Then outside for a warm up and nearly fell over Shiesly & Kelly and made me way to the start area. Great to see so many people beforehand.
Now as early explained I really didn`t know what time I would aim for here - to prove this I wore two pace bands - 1.40 & 1.45 - one on each wrist. I`m sure that was a big enough window. So with this in mind I managed to squeeze into the starting area around the 1.45 marker. I did thou have a couple of aims for race - One being pace work / steady splits, so made an effort not to race off in the first mile and the other aim was to run more relaxed and with decent form and lastly to enjoy it.
Soon we were off - So mile one down & steady - tick. Mile 2, 3 & 4 were quicker but felt, and surprising ok. Saw Kelly up ahead, and gained on her quickly which was a surprise. I tried to get her to tag in behind me but without luck as that would have made a nice run. :-( Through Mile 5 in 37.xx mins - 5 minutes better than my official 5 mile PB (I so need to get a decent 5 mile PB time), even my 10Km split was close to my 10Km PB (maybe 44.30) - still felt relaxed. I kept thinking "swinging the legs to the rear", "shorten strides with mid foot landing" & "arm swings".
Sips of water at mile 6 and still felling quite relaxed. Mile 7 & 8 seemed to pass quickly enough - I think I called young man. Gel & water at mile 9 and into the homeward section. Passed a few runners going over the first of the bridges, which was encouraging. Round the corner, up & down the last bridge and seeing the finishing arch was a nice sight. Just about to pull into the finish straight and Rtg cycled passed me - which was a shock as she was meant to be a back sweeper!!! Gave a little sprint towards the end & heard shouts of "Come on Mr. K" from Shiesly from above the clock & through the finish. So pleased with the final time - smashed my PB by 4 mins 36 secs.
Went to meet up with Shielsy. Congratulated Andy with his time - I was pleased I managed to pass the 10 mile marker by the time he has finished his race ....just (1.15.xx v his time of 1.17.50) Missed a few finishers but did cheer a few in - always good to see!
Splits - 7.25, 7.19, 7.20, 7.18, 7.31, 7.39, 7.36, 7.28, 7.32, 7.46, 7.33,7.33, 7.25 & the last bit 0.54 (0.14m - 6.24/m)
Final time - 1.38.20
Missed seeing & thanking Jovi Runner but I can say from Saturday morning at the parkrun, to the meal with Kelly & her friends on Saturday night, meeting all those above, to running in this wonderful event I can say it`s one of my best running weekends I`ve had & defiantly worth spending 8 hrs + in the car for - thanks to all. It just goes to show you do not know what`s around the corner.
Same time next year then???
Next race - Bramley 20 on the 14th Feb, where I have been given a plan - 1st 5 miles @ MP + 45, then the 2nd 5 miles @ MP + 30, then 4 miles @ MP + 15, then 4 miles @ M, then the final 2 miles at whatever is left in the tank.
Good plan eh.....All I need to work out now is what my MP is now (based using the Brass Monkey time the predication is 3 hrs 24 mins - thud !!!) - any guesses???
I`ve recently, with a cancelled 10Km race and the snow & ice, been a bit concerned about the lack of speed sessions this year - lots of miles ran but no actual fast running this year, so on Saturday morning it was a real relief to go round Basingstoke`s parkrun in 22.56 - just 63 sec outside my PB. A little close time wise to running a half marathon the next day but it was a good boost.
I just hoped the `Road Work` Gods were with me, as almost straight after the parkrun I faced a minimum 4 hour trip up to York luckily enough they were. Literally I got there & was invited out to York for a bit of pre-race food with Kelly & her OH & her friends, which was very unexpected & was very pleasant, even managed an unplanned tour of the city too
Come race morning, I was up, showered, had breakfast at a very early time and left for racecourse (Race HQ) in plenty of time.....which, in fact was luckily as I managed another tour of the local & surrounding area - opps.
Arrived & found the cafe, where I saw and had a quick chat with Stringy, MrSJ (& family), Andy Sly, Rtg, lfc runner, Bunny Phobia & RichardB. Dropped bag off, and bumped into Princess Purple Bubbles who decided to show me her knickers :-O Must go to more races if that keeps happening. LOL only joking she was actually proving that they matched her Avatar picture. Then outside for a warm up and nearly fell over Shiesly & Kelly and made me way to the start area. Great to see so many people beforehand.
Now as early explained I really didn`t know what time I would aim for here - to prove this I wore two pace bands - 1.40 & 1.45 - one on each wrist. I`m sure that was a big enough window. So with this in mind I managed to squeeze into the starting area around the 1.45 marker. I did thou have a couple of aims for race - One being pace work / steady splits, so made an effort not to race off in the first mile and the other aim was to run more relaxed and with decent form and lastly to enjoy it.
Soon we were off - So mile one down & steady - tick. Mile 2, 3 & 4 were quicker but felt, and surprising ok. Saw Kelly up ahead, and gained on her quickly which was a surprise. I tried to get her to tag in behind me but without luck as that would have made a nice run. :-( Through Mile 5 in 37.xx mins - 5 minutes better than my official 5 mile PB (I so need to get a decent 5 mile PB time), even my 10Km split was close to my 10Km PB (maybe 44.30) - still felt relaxed. I kept thinking "swinging the legs to the rear", "shorten strides with mid foot landing" & "arm swings".
Sips of water at mile 6 and still felling quite relaxed. Mile 7 & 8 seemed to pass quickly enough - I think I called young man. Gel & water at mile 9 and into the homeward section. Passed a few runners going over the first of the bridges, which was encouraging. Round the corner, up & down the last bridge and seeing the finishing arch was a nice sight. Just about to pull into the finish straight and Rtg cycled passed me - which was a shock as she was meant to be a back sweeper!!! Gave a little sprint towards the end & heard shouts of "Come on Mr. K" from Shiesly from above the clock & through the finish. So pleased with the final time - smashed my PB by 4 mins 36 secs.
Went to meet up with Shielsy. Congratulated Andy with his time - I was pleased I managed to pass the 10 mile marker by the time he has finished his race ....just (1.15.xx v his time of 1.17.50) Missed a few finishers but did cheer a few in - always good to see!
Splits - 7.25, 7.19, 7.20, 7.18, 7.31, 7.39, 7.36, 7.28, 7.32, 7.46, 7.33,7.33, 7.25 & the last bit 0.54 (0.14m - 6.24/m)
Final time - 1.38.20
Missed seeing & thanking Jovi Runner but I can say from Saturday morning at the parkrun, to the meal with Kelly & her friends on Saturday night, meeting all those above, to running in this wonderful event I can say it`s one of my best running weekends I`ve had & defiantly worth spending 8 hrs + in the car for - thanks to all. It just goes to show you do not know what`s around the corner.
Same time next year then???
Next race - Bramley 20 on the 14th Feb, where I have been given a plan - 1st 5 miles @ MP + 45, then the 2nd 5 miles @ MP + 30, then 4 miles @ MP + 15, then 4 miles @ M, then the final 2 miles at whatever is left in the tank.
Good plan eh.....All I need to work out now is what my MP is now (based using the Brass Monkey time the predication is 3 hrs 24 mins - thud !!!) - any guesses???
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Red flag to a bull...
I want to enter this race but I do not have the 4.30 marathan qualiflying time - due to the fact I have not run a marathon - I have run 2 ultras (Midnight 30 = 6hrs 50mins & DotD = 5hrs 22mins). I sent them a carefully worded e-mail and this is their reply...names & events have been deleted..
"K,
I am sorry but your times in the walking event, caesars camp trail and the Doyen of the Downs 30 are not comparable at all with a marathon race.
The `Blankety Blank` is not a fun or walking event where competitors can take all the time they want.
There will still be places left for the `Blank`, probably, after the London marathon so if you achieve the qualifying time of under 4:30, I can accept your entry.
We have to have all competitors off the moors by the cut-off time of 1600 hours which is why we have a qualifying time. Your times, at the moment, are not good enough to achieve this.
Regards
`Blankety Blank`
______________
Saucy fellar - I am not terrible happy with this but will use this to motivate me so I have decided to write out a cheque & entry form (Dated the 25th April 2010) and I really hope there are places left so I can post off said cheque & entry form on the afternoon of the 25th April using the nearest postbox to the finish line of the VLM and in the meantime it will be stuck to my wall just above my London Marathon Plan.
"K,
I am sorry but your times in the walking event, caesars camp trail and the Doyen of the Downs 30 are not comparable at all with a marathon race.
The `Blankety Blank` is not a fun or walking event where competitors can take all the time they want.
There will still be places left for the `Blank`, probably, after the London marathon so if you achieve the qualifying time of under 4:30, I can accept your entry.
We have to have all competitors off the moors by the cut-off time of 1600 hours which is why we have a qualifying time. Your times, at the moment, are not good enough to achieve this.
Regards
`Blankety Blank`
______________
Saucy fellar - I am not terrible happy with this but will use this to motivate me so I have decided to write out a cheque & entry form (Dated the 25th April 2010) and I really hope there are places left so I can post off said cheque & entry form on the afternoon of the 25th April using the nearest postbox to the finish line of the VLM and in the meantime it will be stuck to my wall just above my London Marathon Plan.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Tomorrow is a planned rest day
The year so far plus Tadworth 10 race report
Bright and busy start to the year – 3rd day & clocked up 3 races – I know too many but it`s sooo great to be outside & running.
Two of these races were parkruns (both Basingstoke) – 23.39 on New Year`s Day & 23.05 yesterday, which maybe a little on the faster side than I wanted but happy enough as today`s race was never going to be a PB attempt, more of a leg stretcher – a training run at a faster than normal pace. I didn`t even look up last year`s time.
Last night I kept checking the website just in case it was cancelled as there is a road section that`s pretty fast downhill & then turns 90 degrees left that might be of concerned but no dreaded note being posted up. Arrived there in plenty of time as I wanted to see the conditions – yep COLD. After fluffing around with shoes & gloves (felt like a right tart) – went with the Mizuno Wave Harrier II. A mile warm up – basically that`s how far the start is away from the car park we formed into the starting area. One of the funniest starts I think I`ve seen – the starter, after sounding the hooter begging not to be knocked off the small steps he was standing on as the runners went either side of him.
After a slow start we made our way down off the racecourse, just inside the path I saw Mr Itch sitting down holding his ankle – never a good sight to see a runner of that calibre down & out. A few metres up another runner out. Mile one marker came up – mmm too slow really. Pushed on, up the muddy track which had a nasty rise to it but happily passing runners. Due to the icy conditions I made sure I shorten my stride & kept my feet under me otherwise one Bambi`s older brother impression coming right up. Mile two quicker. Mile three & four quicker still – getting back to the time I ideally wanted (1.20 – 8m/m), then came mile five beep – opps but it was uphill along Ebbisham Lane but my quick calculation ok-ish. Unto lap two, down the hill & up the muddy narrow path – I`m sure it wasn`t this steep earlier. Mile Seven beep came up - 9 mins 23 seconds /mile – what happened there – drifter into ultra pace – not good!! Only three miles to regain any time. Down the step road section and into the connecting woods & up along the lane again and through the finish.
A bit disappointed with time as ended with 1.22.52 but all in all an excellent training run. (Just for info - Last year`s time 1.24.03 but I know I didn`t race the two days before & it wasn`t so icy.)
Splits 8:50, 8:36, 7:44, 7:42, 8:13, 7:58, 9:33, 8:11, 7:49, 8:17
A good early year testing event with friendly & encouraging Marshalls – the brass band at the start & finish was an added nice touch (as was a thermos of hot coffee waiting for me back in the car – must be getting old..)
Back in time for an extra long soak in the gym `s Jacuzzi.
Other News;
Virgin London Marathon plan is drawn up. Main areas of concerns – keeping the runs as scheduled (miles & pace) but fitting around in my general weekly plans. Ohhh and keeping those races in check but generally (ish) they fit with maybe the exception of Maidenhead 10 on Good Friday. Also disappointed to see that during wk 8 it does not say “30 mile – easy” as my planned Moonlight 32 ultra would have fitted in nicely....maybe one race for next year then. J
Next Race – Next Sunday Stubbington Green 10Km.
Bright and busy start to the year – 3rd day & clocked up 3 races – I know too many but it`s sooo great to be outside & running.
Two of these races were parkruns (both Basingstoke) – 23.39 on New Year`s Day & 23.05 yesterday, which maybe a little on the faster side than I wanted but happy enough as today`s race was never going to be a PB attempt, more of a leg stretcher – a training run at a faster than normal pace. I didn`t even look up last year`s time.
Last night I kept checking the website just in case it was cancelled as there is a road section that`s pretty fast downhill & then turns 90 degrees left that might be of concerned but no dreaded note being posted up. Arrived there in plenty of time as I wanted to see the conditions – yep COLD. After fluffing around with shoes & gloves (felt like a right tart) – went with the Mizuno Wave Harrier II. A mile warm up – basically that`s how far the start is away from the car park we formed into the starting area. One of the funniest starts I think I`ve seen – the starter, after sounding the hooter begging not to be knocked off the small steps he was standing on as the runners went either side of him.
After a slow start we made our way down off the racecourse, just inside the path I saw Mr Itch sitting down holding his ankle – never a good sight to see a runner of that calibre down & out. A few metres up another runner out. Mile one marker came up – mmm too slow really. Pushed on, up the muddy track which had a nasty rise to it but happily passing runners. Due to the icy conditions I made sure I shorten my stride & kept my feet under me otherwise one Bambi`s older brother impression coming right up. Mile two quicker. Mile three & four quicker still – getting back to the time I ideally wanted (1.20 – 8m/m), then came mile five beep – opps but it was uphill along Ebbisham Lane but my quick calculation ok-ish. Unto lap two, down the hill & up the muddy narrow path – I`m sure it wasn`t this steep earlier. Mile Seven beep came up - 9 mins 23 seconds /mile – what happened there – drifter into ultra pace – not good!! Only three miles to regain any time. Down the step road section and into the connecting woods & up along the lane again and through the finish.
A bit disappointed with time as ended with 1.22.52 but all in all an excellent training run. (Just for info - Last year`s time 1.24.03 but I know I didn`t race the two days before & it wasn`t so icy.)
Splits 8:50, 8:36, 7:44, 7:42, 8:13, 7:58, 9:33, 8:11, 7:49, 8:17
A good early year testing event with friendly & encouraging Marshalls – the brass band at the start & finish was an added nice touch (as was a thermos of hot coffee waiting for me back in the car – must be getting old..)
Back in time for an extra long soak in the gym `s Jacuzzi.
Other News;
Virgin London Marathon plan is drawn up. Main areas of concerns – keeping the runs as scheduled (miles & pace) but fitting around in my general weekly plans. Ohhh and keeping those races in check but generally (ish) they fit with maybe the exception of Maidenhead 10 on Good Friday. Also disappointed to see that during wk 8 it does not say “30 mile – easy” as my planned Moonlight 32 ultra would have fitted in nicely....maybe one race for next year then. J
Next Race – Next Sunday Stubbington Green 10Km.
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
The year that was 2009....I know one day left.
Review for 2009
Well where do I start - it`s been a cracking year but briefly;
March - Moved into the V40 age grading. I couldn`t let that drift through so what about “4 for 40”....nah. So a plan was hatched - 5 half marathons in 5 weekends.
8th March 2009 MicknPhil Half 1.44.55
15th March 2009 Fleet Half 1.46.44
22nd March 2009 Hogweed Hilly V Half 1.53.37
29th March 2009 Reading Half 1.44.16
4th April 2009 Bolt Around the Holt (21Km) 1.49.58
May – A fun month. A PB at Bracknell Half (1.42.56) & a run round London dressed as a Nun (BUPA London 10,000) complete with trail shoes.
June – My first taste of pain on the track – Fetch mile – 6.28.
Also my big event of the year – Midsummer`s Munro Half – Box Hill Doking. I knew it wasn`t going to be my day when I went through my PB whilst running through mile 9. Finished in 2.33.30. Around this time I learnt a valuable lesion – REST – as a week later (& two races later) I strained my ligaments in my shin – 3 weeks off.
August – Got lost around Salisbury – 30Km in 3.34.56 – Enjoyable company thou. My longest run to date.
September – Dared not to get lost around Dunstable – Dunstable Downs 20 – 3.10.35. Starting to enjoy this long distance running.
Running to South Shields from Newcastle in an Obelix`s outfit – first half marathon in fancy dress. A fantastic weekend of running & being with friends.
October – Caesars Camp Midnight 30. The course is within miles of home so it would be rude not too. My 1st Ultra. So many good memories difficult where to start or to explain...the quietness of running at 3.00am with no-one around, running through my first 26.2 miles run in the pitch black, arms held high at 5.30am with no-one around, seeing the morning sun first break through the night clouds...going through the finish line......going to a local 10Km in the morning and being quizzed why I wasn`t running. (Finish time 6.50.24)
Getting into London Marathon via the ballot – yeah, another race to run.
Also attending a Chi Running course – so much to learn about running lark.
December – Doyens of the Downs - My 2nd 30 mile Ultra which did prove you can run faster in daylight – finish time 5.22.36. There is something about these ultra`s - the feeling of togetherness is amazing (plus the views tend to be pretty good too)...might do some more of these..
There has been some `down` moments too but an amazing year and quite unsure how I will equal this but if I do I know I will be lucky. Once of the things I`ve learnt is about myself and how much we can do when we take ourselves out of our self imposed comfort zones - you can do all sorts of amazing things just believe in yourself.
I have been also luckily enough to make so many new friends throughout the year (parkrun, races, club) and seen them do some amazing things – Lee, Elaine, Colin, so many I could list – I do thank you.
I am going to sign off this year now on 45 races* completed and 1,395 miles ran...I know I could easily do another 5.5 miles but I know I can sleep happy tonight plus I have a training (& racing) plan to put together for next year...plus I`m a wee bit tired...and I do have two parkruns & a 10 miler before the 4th Jan.
Have a happy & injury free 2010
K.
*Not including parkruns.
Well where do I start - it`s been a cracking year but briefly;
March - Moved into the V40 age grading. I couldn`t let that drift through so what about “4 for 40”....nah. So a plan was hatched - 5 half marathons in 5 weekends.
8th March 2009 MicknPhil Half 1.44.55
15th March 2009 Fleet Half 1.46.44
22nd March 2009 Hogweed Hilly V Half 1.53.37
29th March 2009 Reading Half 1.44.16
4th April 2009 Bolt Around the Holt (21Km) 1.49.58
May – A fun month. A PB at Bracknell Half (1.42.56) & a run round London dressed as a Nun (BUPA London 10,000) complete with trail shoes.
June – My first taste of pain on the track – Fetch mile – 6.28.
Also my big event of the year – Midsummer`s Munro Half – Box Hill Doking. I knew it wasn`t going to be my day when I went through my PB whilst running through mile 9. Finished in 2.33.30. Around this time I learnt a valuable lesion – REST – as a week later (& two races later) I strained my ligaments in my shin – 3 weeks off.
August – Got lost around Salisbury – 30Km in 3.34.56 – Enjoyable company thou. My longest run to date.
September – Dared not to get lost around Dunstable – Dunstable Downs 20 – 3.10.35. Starting to enjoy this long distance running.
Running to South Shields from Newcastle in an Obelix`s outfit – first half marathon in fancy dress. A fantastic weekend of running & being with friends.
October – Caesars Camp Midnight 30. The course is within miles of home so it would be rude not too. My 1st Ultra. So many good memories difficult where to start or to explain...the quietness of running at 3.00am with no-one around, running through my first 26.2 miles run in the pitch black, arms held high at 5.30am with no-one around, seeing the morning sun first break through the night clouds...going through the finish line......going to a local 10Km in the morning and being quizzed why I wasn`t running. (Finish time 6.50.24)
Getting into London Marathon via the ballot – yeah, another race to run.
Also attending a Chi Running course – so much to learn about running lark.
December – Doyens of the Downs - My 2nd 30 mile Ultra which did prove you can run faster in daylight – finish time 5.22.36. There is something about these ultra`s - the feeling of togetherness is amazing (plus the views tend to be pretty good too)...might do some more of these..
There has been some `down` moments too but an amazing year and quite unsure how I will equal this but if I do I know I will be lucky. Once of the things I`ve learnt is about myself and how much we can do when we take ourselves out of our self imposed comfort zones - you can do all sorts of amazing things just believe in yourself.
I have been also luckily enough to make so many new friends throughout the year (parkrun, races, club) and seen them do some amazing things – Lee, Elaine, Colin, so many I could list – I do thank you.
I am going to sign off this year now on 45 races* completed and 1,395 miles ran...I know I could easily do another 5.5 miles but I know I can sleep happy tonight plus I have a training (& racing) plan to put together for next year...plus I`m a wee bit tired...and I do have two parkruns & a 10 miler before the 4th Jan.
Have a happy & injury free 2010
K.
*Not including parkruns.
Monday, 14 December 2009
Hog`s Back 8
After running last`s year race with a heavy cold I was pretty I could manage to set a new PB today (target was 1.07.36). I was aiming for 1.02 which, if worked out correctly is 7.45m/m, however the course would not be kind to work this out.
Rough course - start to 1.5 mile flat, 1.5 m to 3.25 m a ruddy great hill (but nice veiws from the top). 3.25m to 5.5m downhill, 5.5m - 6.75 mile along a flat main road (single file but still undertook runners !!!). 6.75 into head wind with a gradual climb till 7.25 m. Then all the way along the grounds driveway till the finish.
Odd start as caught off guard - not paying attention - chatting and started in wrong place in the pack. Seemed to spend the whole race moving through runners in front.
Splits - 8:25(8:25/m), 8:16(8:16/m), 8:21(8:21/m), 7:11(7:11/m), 7:21(7:21/m), 7:30(7:30/m), 7:29(7:29/m), 6:43(8:00/m) - measured at 7.84 miles (last year 7.87 miles) - Final time - 1.01.16
Pleased with outcome esp after last weekend`s running.
Easy week next week - treadmill stuff, maybe a bit of swimming & plently of reading
Rough course - start to 1.5 mile flat, 1.5 m to 3.25 m a ruddy great hill (but nice veiws from the top). 3.25m to 5.5m downhill, 5.5m - 6.75 mile along a flat main road (single file but still undertook runners !!!). 6.75 into head wind with a gradual climb till 7.25 m. Then all the way along the grounds driveway till the finish.
Odd start as caught off guard - not paying attention - chatting and started in wrong place in the pack. Seemed to spend the whole race moving through runners in front.
Splits - 8:25(8:25/m), 8:16(8:16/m), 8:21(8:21/m), 7:11(7:11/m), 7:21(7:21/m), 7:30(7:30/m), 7:29(7:29/m), 6:43(8:00/m) - measured at 7.84 miles (last year 7.87 miles) - Final time - 1.01.16
Pleased with outcome esp after last weekend`s running.
Easy week next week - treadmill stuff, maybe a bit of swimming & plently of reading
Monday, 7 December 2009
The words of the day, and meant in a nice way was `Stiles, Mud & Ar$e`
Since getting a place into next year`s VLM, which I want to do as my first (26.2 mile) marathon I hadn`t really planned to do another ultra beforehand (& one that was so close to October`s Midnight 30) but I suppose temptation got the better of me. Hopefully I could just top up my `distance work` by doing a few longer runs for this one. In the end I did a 12.5 miles, 19.0 miles & a 17.5 miles training runs along with one 10 mile race. I wouldn`t minded another one or two long runs but time wasn`t really on my side as it happens my mileage for November was 132 so `fairly` happy with that.
(I did glance at Draycote Water 35 before they pulled the plug )
I hadn`t really looked at the small print for this one, as this one started at 8.00am and seeing as Arundel (which has a castle) was about 1hr 20 mins away meant an early start or finding a place to stay. I didn`t sleep that well - race nerves I guess. It wasn`t the alarm clock that woke me up it was the rain battering on the window. Quick shower & a bit of breakfast later I was out the door loading the car with all the running gear I own.
It was chucking it down, actually felt sorry for the runners doing Grim & Luton, hopefully we will be alright being nearer to the coast and all that. Got there, and found the castle with about 50 mins to go, after checking in & a quick look around to see if I knew anyone - nope but then I saw my stalker - gymfreak. which was nice as it`s been a while since I turned up at a race not knowing anyone. After a quick hello I fluffed around a bit..another change of footwear, more vaseline over my feet - I finally decided on my Mudclaws 330`s - a risk but I think I was going to need to extra grip, also going with the belt pack rather than my camelpak. Good news the rain had actually stopped and soon we were in the starting area.
Chatted to gymfreak & soon enough we were off, and with that gymfreak starts going off completely in the wrong way - which was really funny. Out onto the road, round the corner and over the first of many, many, many stiles & into the mud. Correct choice on footwear and within half mile of the start it had started to rain - good choice of smock too.
After clearing the river bank I soon found a nice rhythm, with the rain hitting against my head who needs an ipod Came down a chalkie track and found a new way of passing runners - yep I used my ar$e - slid nicely but at least no damage done. Passed 5 mile in about 52 mins - near enough to plan. Miles till the 2nd checkpoint (10 miles) ticked away nicely - a bit of a break and a chat at this one. Through at approx 53 mins. Shortly after the 13 mile stage the sun had come out. Carried on at a nice steady pace, chatting to runners nearby. One thing I had noticed they all seemed to be chatting about this 45 miler, that 50 miler there, 100`s, mountains marathon, doubles here - I stayed a bit quiet as didn`t really want to tell them that I`d only done one marathon before.
Got to the 3rd stop (15 mile) in about 51 mins & had a bit more of a break - chatted to helly d & ran with streamer stroller (who was in practice for the Grand Union Canal Race - 145 mile - next year). Next stretch took a bit of time as the conditions were really bad. Had to walk across (& up) a field which was just solid thick clay / mud. Chatted to the runner in front who was wearing 12mm XC spikes - he did admit great over the soft ground but painful on the roads.
Checkpoint 4 was up this hill - arrived in about 60 mins, still within the rough plan I had. As I was fluffing around at the checkpoint, one of the marshals (Monster Feet) asked me if I ran Reading Half this year (my Mr. K. Fetch vest giving me away) I said yes, she then asked if I wore a fake bum. The cheek of it, I said yes, she then thanked me for pacing her to a PB. Bizarre conversation 2/3rds the way through an ultra but my ar$e is famous
Up the hill (but great views) at mile 20 & seem to fly down the other side, and `speed` carried on till the next checkpoint. An interesting debate during this fast section & which might be linked - which would be better at mile 22 during an ultra `Bacon Butties or Sausage sarnie?` I opted for sausage but I think I`m being too choosey. Through the next five miles in about 51 mins. Bizarre thing happened here - the garmin didn’t lap correctly I had a double mile.
Found the next (& last) section much harder - unsure if this is `normal`, or the terrain (muddy river banks complete with at least 10 stiles & single gates) & thinking I had more to go than I did - probably a combination of all those. Due to the garmin recording a double mile it did mean I celebrated my 2nd marathon a mile too late - even saved a small packet of jelly babies as a treat...`Ar$e !!!`
Rough calculation I was looking at 5.35 / 5.38 - `AR$E !!!` so wanted a sub 5hrs 30 mins - the terrain did`nt get any easier. Saw the castle which didn`t seem to get any closer, gained on a few runners, round the corner, over another stile & through the finish.
1) - 1m - 11:52(11:52/m) - 125cal
2) - 1m - 10:14(10:14/m) - 128cal
3) - 1m - 10:35(10:35/m) - 126cal
4) - 1m - 9:43(9:43/m) - 134cal
5) - 1m - 9:26(9:26/m) - 132cal
6) - 1m - 10:40(10:40/m) - 126cal
7) - 1m - 10:21(10:21/m) - 130cal
8) - 1m - 11:08(11:08/m) - 125cal
9) - 1m - 9:02(9:02/m) - 130cal
10) - 1m - 12:30(12:30/m) - 126cal
11) - 1m - 9:26(9:26/m) - 130cal
12) - 1m - 10:35(10:35/m) - 127cal
13) - 1m - 10:32(10:32/m) - 126cal
14) - 1m - 10:47(10:47/m) - 121cal
15) - 1m - 9:43(9:43/m) - 130cal
16) - 1m - 16:05(16:05/m) - 125cal
17) - 1m - 9:16(9:16/m) - 133cal
18) - 1m - 9:06(9:06/m) - 131cal
19) - 1m - 12:04(12:04/m) - 122cal
20) - 1m - 12:36(12:36/m) - 114cal
21) - 1m - 21:27(21:27/m) - 98cal
22) - 1m - 12:12(12:12/m) - 115cal
23) - 1m - 9:14(9:14/m) - 131cal
24) - 1m - 9:04(9:04/m) - 130cal
25) - 1m - 11:44(11:44/m) - 130cal
26) - 1m - 11:39(11:39/m) - 125cal
27) - 1m - 11:20(11:20/m) - 119cal
28) - 1m - 10:27(10:27/m) - 128cal
29) - 0.89m - 9:47(10:59/m) - 112cal
Time – 5.22.36 (73th from 170 finishers) - A new PB of approx 1 hour & 27 minutes - Yeah
(I had thought I went through 26.2 miles in approx 4.54 but adjusting back it was approx 4.40)
A quick chat with helly d and saw Gymfreak, Foxy Davy & ogee finish. Got showered & off to the pub to demolish a bowlful of chips watching the sun come down over the Castle*
Next race - Hog`s Back next Sunday (not a race as such but seeing as I`m having a week off running a good reason to put the trainers on again) then a week in Egypt.
Then in the new year I have the Tadworth 10, the Brass Monkey & the London plan and then...........
* If you didn`t know but Arundel has a castle. I did know this but when I told anyone where I was going they carried on telling me this (well known) fact regardless. I ended up saying "Oh really, I didn`t know that"
(I did glance at Draycote Water 35 before they pulled the plug )
I hadn`t really looked at the small print for this one, as this one started at 8.00am and seeing as Arundel (which has a castle) was about 1hr 20 mins away meant an early start or finding a place to stay. I didn`t sleep that well - race nerves I guess. It wasn`t the alarm clock that woke me up it was the rain battering on the window. Quick shower & a bit of breakfast later I was out the door loading the car with all the running gear I own.
It was chucking it down, actually felt sorry for the runners doing Grim & Luton, hopefully we will be alright being nearer to the coast and all that. Got there, and found the castle with about 50 mins to go, after checking in & a quick look around to see if I knew anyone - nope but then I saw my stalker - gymfreak. which was nice as it`s been a while since I turned up at a race not knowing anyone. After a quick hello I fluffed around a bit..another change of footwear, more vaseline over my feet - I finally decided on my Mudclaws 330`s - a risk but I think I was going to need to extra grip, also going with the belt pack rather than my camelpak. Good news the rain had actually stopped and soon we were in the starting area.
Chatted to gymfreak & soon enough we were off, and with that gymfreak starts going off completely in the wrong way - which was really funny. Out onto the road, round the corner and over the first of many, many, many stiles & into the mud. Correct choice on footwear and within half mile of the start it had started to rain - good choice of smock too.
After clearing the river bank I soon found a nice rhythm, with the rain hitting against my head who needs an ipod Came down a chalkie track and found a new way of passing runners - yep I used my ar$e - slid nicely but at least no damage done. Passed 5 mile in about 52 mins - near enough to plan. Miles till the 2nd checkpoint (10 miles) ticked away nicely - a bit of a break and a chat at this one. Through at approx 53 mins. Shortly after the 13 mile stage the sun had come out. Carried on at a nice steady pace, chatting to runners nearby. One thing I had noticed they all seemed to be chatting about this 45 miler, that 50 miler there, 100`s, mountains marathon, doubles here - I stayed a bit quiet as didn`t really want to tell them that I`d only done one marathon before.
Got to the 3rd stop (15 mile) in about 51 mins & had a bit more of a break - chatted to helly d & ran with streamer stroller (who was in practice for the Grand Union Canal Race - 145 mile - next year). Next stretch took a bit of time as the conditions were really bad. Had to walk across (& up) a field which was just solid thick clay / mud. Chatted to the runner in front who was wearing 12mm XC spikes - he did admit great over the soft ground but painful on the roads.
Checkpoint 4 was up this hill - arrived in about 60 mins, still within the rough plan I had. As I was fluffing around at the checkpoint, one of the marshals (Monster Feet) asked me if I ran Reading Half this year (my Mr. K. Fetch vest giving me away) I said yes, she then asked if I wore a fake bum. The cheek of it, I said yes, she then thanked me for pacing her to a PB. Bizarre conversation 2/3rds the way through an ultra but my ar$e is famous
Up the hill (but great views) at mile 20 & seem to fly down the other side, and `speed` carried on till the next checkpoint. An interesting debate during this fast section & which might be linked - which would be better at mile 22 during an ultra `Bacon Butties or Sausage sarnie?` I opted for sausage but I think I`m being too choosey. Through the next five miles in about 51 mins. Bizarre thing happened here - the garmin didn’t lap correctly I had a double mile.
Found the next (& last) section much harder - unsure if this is `normal`, or the terrain (muddy river banks complete with at least 10 stiles & single gates) & thinking I had more to go than I did - probably a combination of all those. Due to the garmin recording a double mile it did mean I celebrated my 2nd marathon a mile too late - even saved a small packet of jelly babies as a treat...`Ar$e !!!`
Rough calculation I was looking at 5.35 / 5.38 - `AR$E !!!` so wanted a sub 5hrs 30 mins - the terrain did`nt get any easier. Saw the castle which didn`t seem to get any closer, gained on a few runners, round the corner, over another stile & through the finish.
1) - 1m - 11:52(11:52/m) - 125cal
2) - 1m - 10:14(10:14/m) - 128cal
3) - 1m - 10:35(10:35/m) - 126cal
4) - 1m - 9:43(9:43/m) - 134cal
5) - 1m - 9:26(9:26/m) - 132cal
6) - 1m - 10:40(10:40/m) - 126cal
7) - 1m - 10:21(10:21/m) - 130cal
8) - 1m - 11:08(11:08/m) - 125cal
9) - 1m - 9:02(9:02/m) - 130cal
10) - 1m - 12:30(12:30/m) - 126cal
11) - 1m - 9:26(9:26/m) - 130cal
12) - 1m - 10:35(10:35/m) - 127cal
13) - 1m - 10:32(10:32/m) - 126cal
14) - 1m - 10:47(10:47/m) - 121cal
15) - 1m - 9:43(9:43/m) - 130cal
16) - 1m - 16:05(16:05/m) - 125cal
17) - 1m - 9:16(9:16/m) - 133cal
18) - 1m - 9:06(9:06/m) - 131cal
19) - 1m - 12:04(12:04/m) - 122cal
20) - 1m - 12:36(12:36/m) - 114cal
21) - 1m - 21:27(21:27/m) - 98cal
22) - 1m - 12:12(12:12/m) - 115cal
23) - 1m - 9:14(9:14/m) - 131cal
24) - 1m - 9:04(9:04/m) - 130cal
25) - 1m - 11:44(11:44/m) - 130cal
26) - 1m - 11:39(11:39/m) - 125cal
27) - 1m - 11:20(11:20/m) - 119cal
28) - 1m - 10:27(10:27/m) - 128cal
29) - 0.89m - 9:47(10:59/m) - 112cal
Time – 5.22.36 (73th from 170 finishers) - A new PB of approx 1 hour & 27 minutes - Yeah
(I had thought I went through 26.2 miles in approx 4.54 but adjusting back it was approx 4.40)
A quick chat with helly d and saw Gymfreak, Foxy Davy & ogee finish. Got showered & off to the pub to demolish a bowlful of chips watching the sun come down over the Castle*
Next race - Hog`s Back next Sunday (not a race as such but seeing as I`m having a week off running a good reason to put the trainers on again) then a week in Egypt.
Then in the new year I have the Tadworth 10, the Brass Monkey & the London plan and then...........
* If you didn`t know but Arundel has a castle. I did know this but when I told anyone where I was going they carried on telling me this (well known) fact regardless. I ended up saying "Oh really, I didn`t know that"
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