Mo' Miles

Well, that icy wind has disappeared, thankfully, so I took advantage of quite a mild morning and enjoyed a reasonably brisk 10 miles. Basically the route I improvised on Monday, amended slightly to make it exactly 10, and run a little bit quicker - aiming for around 1:20 and finishing in 1:18:34, so averaging 7:51 per mile.

That brought my weekly mileage up to 35.3, and for the first time above my average weekly target for the year. I'm still below target overall, but that's as expected at this stage of the year. As the longer races approach my training miles will increase appropriately, or at least that's the plan!

Speaking of longer races, I'm still wary of doing any marathons this year, as my trapped nerve still gives me pain, more or less all the time while running, but increasing markedly when I get beyond 10 miles or so in a race. It was nagging me today, but as I wasn't pushing hard it was tolerable.

My pal wants me to do Chester with him, in October, and it looks like a nice course (Chester is lovely - I think of it as York with pink city walls). If there are still places available after I've run a half marathon (possibly Stafford, in March) I might consider it. The other problem is that I may not be available for Stafford due to work commitments.

Race Report – Cannon Hill parkrun Event 23 - PB!

Woo-hoo!

I finally broke the 20-minute barrier for a 5km today, and it was at my 'home' parkrun. I set off fast, as usual, but then found myself settled into quite a steady pace a little outside target, around 4:05. With ½km to go I was thinking I had a decent time in the bag, but no PB. Then, at 'Fergal's Corner', the man himself gave me a good shout which really spurred me on, and I managed to overhaul a young chap from Birmingham University, and once past, there was no way I was going to lose that place, so with all the muscles screaming I put in a good sprint, and when my watch said 19:53 I couldn't believe it! I had to wait for the official time before I could celebrate properly, but I knew really that I'd done it. So thanks to Fergal and to James, as well as all the volunteers of course. I felt great running home afterwards (those extra miles I promised myself).

I'm chuffed to bits, and yet I'm strangely deflated - I'm not sure what to aim for next. I suppose 19 minutes is the obvious one, but 5% is a lot to take off! I may just pick a nemesis to try to overhaul, or perhaps try to repeat the feat at other parkruns...

There are targets at other distances, of course, like a sub-70 10-miler.

Coventry parkrun next Saturday, followed by the Centurion GP 5-miler on Sunday (race 4), so no PB at Cov!

No Boy Racer Me

I just couldn't face going out on Thursday evening in that icey wind! I went for a short easy jog this evening to try to make up for it a little, but didn't want to do too much as I hope to do well in tomorrow's parkrun. I was also wrapped up warmer than a toasted warm thing in a Saharan July heat wave.

The highlight of the run was watching some idiot in a souped-up Impreza (or some such) screaming past but then screeching to a halt when the vehicle following behind suddenly morphed into a police car - OK, it was a plain car and they put their siren and flashing lights on. Aah, makes me smile!

I'll do a few extra miles on Sunday... maybe even after the race tomorrow.

By the way, I posted off entries today for the Action Heart 5-miler, British Masters National XC Championships and the Humber Bridge Half Marathon!

Ah Well

Our usual Wednesday route, clockwise this time. It was a comparatively mild evening, except for the brisk cold wind that hit us shortly after starting out and again up the big hill home. We managed a decent sort of time - perhaps in our efforts to keep warm!

The online entries for the Humber Bridge half marathon on 26th June haven't opened yet, while postal entries have been open since 1st September, so we've decided to get our cheques in the post before places run out! While we're at it we'll get entries in for the Action Heart 5-mile in Dudley.

Other than that it's a fairly quiet month, race-wise. Of course were I still a club member I'd be running in the Midland Cross-Country Championships, the Birmingham league race at Bournville and the Nationals at Alton Towers!

Ah well...

A Steady Ten

As I had today off, driving home this morning, I went out for a fairly long easy run this afternoon - just short of 10 miles at an average 8:08 mins/mile. Nice and comfortable, and getting my weekly mileage back up a bit.

I was thinking of heading north again for the Ferriby 10-mile this weekend, but I think I'll skip it and just do the Cannon Hill parkrun. I will of course be missing the Midland Cross-Country Championships at Newbold Comyn on Saturday, as I'm no longer a club member. I hope the guys and girls get good results.

Race Report – Leeds parkrun Event 170

Drove over to Leeds parkrun from my mum's in York, arriving in plenty of time for a good warm-up, a bit of stretching and a jog around the park before joining the other 243 runners on the start line. Hearing all the Yorkshire accents made me feel a little home-sick!

After the normal announcements, including presentation of 50-parkrun shirts and 100-parkrun jackets, we got off promptly and headed diagonally across the middle of the park and down to the far corner. From there it's more or less two-and-a-half laps anticlockwise.

I've only run this course once before, last October, when I recorded quite a poor time by my own standards, and I'd forgotten how hilly it is. Nothing out of the ordinary, but not as flat as Cannon Hill or Brueton parkruns, and so less conducive to PB performance. Nevertheless, I was not far off that pace up to the last kilometer. There I encountered a bit of crowding, but once through that I picked up the pace and managed to overtake a couple of guys in the last 200 metres or so, who both turned out to be in my age group. Hence I won the group, with them second and third! Chatting with the second-placed VM50-54 afterwards I discovered that like me he was an 'ex-pat' Yorkshireman visiting family.

I was again impressed with the organisation, and the field, huge compared to ours, was processed very efficiently. The results were on the web site, and emailed to finishers, before I got home. 24th of 244, and my third best 5km time. As ever, many thanks to all the volunteers. I shall be reporting back to the Cannon Hill team, and I shall be back!

My email to the club membership secretary elicited a nice response, and she tells me that she'll pass my comments on to the committee.

It's Still Winter!

The cold weather's back with a vengeance.

On Wednesday evening Joe and I ran the usual route - anticlockwise again! I think Joe is trying to stretch himself a bit and perhaps work on his clockwise phobia!

It was pretty cold, though not as bad as Tuesday, and we had a couple of interruptions, as well as having to go round some road works. 45 secs slower than last week, but finished in plenty of time to get down to the pub and watch Leeds v Arsenal...

Last night it was really cold. I wore hat and gloves but my fingers were still stiff with cold, and I also felt cold across my chest. I had a nine-miler planned, but chickened out and just did 4½.

This afternoon I drove up to York for the weekend, to see family and friends, and am going over to Leeds to do the parkrun at Hyde Park tomorrow morning. I'm on a mission from Cannon Hill parkrun to pick up tips. Leeds has been going since October 2007 and had over 250 runners last week, so as we've only recently passed the 100-runner mark we should be able to learn something from them!

Solidarity

Feeling rather better than last Tuesday, I was looking forward to going for a run this evening. I chose a similar route to last week's, but this time it never even crossed my mind to cut it short. 7¼ miles, at a fairly steady 8 minutes per mile. It was quite cold, and I wished I'd worn my gloves rather than my beanie - I suffer from poor circulation in my extremities and my fingers were numb and stiff with the cold by the time I got back. At least there was none of the wind we suffered on Sunday.

I saw a few runners out, and managed to get a nod, a wave, a word or a smile from most. I always think it's nice to show a little runner solidarity, and it costs nothing! It's something I picked up as a young lad on the back of my dad's motorbike. In those days bikers almost religiously acknowledged each other on the road, a little like, as the old man once told me, members displaying the badge of a fledgling RAC used to be saluted by passing RAC patrolmen.

It's funny I should think of 'runner solidarity', given that I emailed the running club membership secretary a little earlier to tell her that I won't be renewing my membership.

Race Report – Not The Roman Nine

I was a little disappointed with my time today. A PW by 5 seconds (although I've not exactly done many 12km races) and nearly a minute slower than last year when it was freezing.

Once again there were some familiar faces from Cannon Hill parkrun, including the Event Director, Mary, and some of the regular volunteers (all Birchfield Harriers, I think) as well as a few runners.

It's quite a trek from race HQ to the start and although it was beginning to look like quite a nice day, the wind was picking up and I felt quite chilly, but once there we weren't kept waiting too long and the race was underway just about on time.

There was a really strong headwind right from the start and up the hills over the first half of the race, which I suspect slowed a lot of people down.

Unlike one chap who I had the misfortune of observing in the roadside bushes with his shorts round his ankles, I at least had no 'intestinal issues'... This had actually been a concern for me. I had three beers yesterday afternoon, and for my last pint I decided to try a brew from my home town called 'Jorvik Blonde'. It tasted a little bit strange, but I put that down to the difference between it and the ale I'd been drinking previously. In the small hours of this morning, however, I had occasion to think perhaps it had been 'off'. Four occasions, actually.

I think I was overly concerned with my pace over the first 6 kilometers, pushing too hard up the hills. I should have remembered that the last 6 km would be much easier, especially having turned away from the wind. Turning a sharp left corner I was alongside a chap from Peel Road Runners (I think) who made a comment about being glad that the hill was behind us. I heartily agreed, and added that it was also good to have the wind at our backs for a change.

There wasn't an enormous amount of support from the public, the route is quite rural after all, but there was a good-natured and vocal crowd outside a Loxley village pub who helped us all along.
It was nice to see Mick and Phil out supporting everyone (twice). Phil in particular looked full of beans.

They say you live and learn. Well, perhaps I've done a bit more living than learning! All in all I enjoyed the run, which, once again, was really well organised, with marshals both numerous and encouraging, and great facilities.

Race Report – Cannon Hill parkrun Event 21

Twenty-one today! And we celebrated with a new record turnout of 109! That figure includes quite a few newcomers, so I hope they all enjoyed themselves and had a good run. It seemed that way.
I'm calling this a race report even though I wasn't running. I was there though, operating the timer, and enjoyed watching everyone's efforts. There was a minor tweak to the new course, with the finish funnel more parallel to the path, removing the tight turn off the path at the end. I found this a little awkward, as it wasn't always evident whether a runner was on their last lap until they actually came into the funnel, but I think the runners will prefer it.

Time to sort my kit out for tomorrow's race and relax for the evening.

Mid-week Training

I’ve been a bit lax blog-wise the last couple of days, so here’s a summary of my training since the Centurion GP.

The more I mull it over, the more disappointed I am with Sunday’s race. I can’t understand how, when I felt so much better, I was much slower! It was only 21 seconds slower than in Coventry, but it felt like a PB performance!

Perhaps that was in the back of my mind when I hauled myself out on Tuesday evening. I really didn’t feel much like running, or being out for over an hour. Perhaps also, it was why I chose a run which meant two loops of a ‘lollipop’ shaped route. Was I subconsciously leaving myself an escape route? I opted to go through a park rather than go round it on the roads – no difference in distance, but a nicer environment and the hill is spread out a bit. Trouble was it hadn’t occurred to me that it would be pitch black! I fell off the path a couple of times and nearly ran into a dog walker. A little while later I took a wrong turn which lopped half a mile off my first lap. Surely this at least was a pure mistake, but I wasn’t too upset about it. By the time I got to the start of the ‘lollipop head’ though I’d had enough, so headed back down the ‘lollipop stick’ home. Seven miles had become 3.8!

I was feeling better on Wednesday when my running buddy Joe called round for our regular Wednesday run. We’ve been doing the same route every almost week for quite some time, and we usually go clockwise as Joe has a small psychological problem with doing it anti-clockwise. There’s a hill toward the end when we go clockwise, but anticlockwise the hill is right in the middle. Joe says he doesn’t like the feeling of having done the hardest part but still having half the run still to go. I’ve tried to tell him to try and turn it around and think of it as having got the hard part out of the way so he can enjoy the rest. It doesn’t work! Still, we went anticlockwise this time, and after the hill I noticed that Joe was breathing quite heavily. I then realised, checking my watch, that I’d unintentionally been dragging him along at a higher pace than usual early on, so we were both sweating and panting by the end. I imagine my subconscious was at work again, trying to make up for Tuesdays poor performance. We agreed it was a good session though, especially as it was our fastest anticlockwise run in several months, if not ever!

Today my mind was playing a different game. All day long at work I kept thinking about how I was behind on training miles this week and needed to put in a longer run this evening, so that I could then rest Friday and Saturday to be ready for ‘Not the Roman IX’ on Sunday. All day long I was rather dreading it! I cleared my desk a bit early though, and headed home determined to hit the road. I tried not to think about what I was doing, just got changed and got out of the door and started running. I had at least decided on an eight mile route that gave me no escape option! Once I was running though, I felt great. I was taking it easy but the miles seemed to flow by effortlessly. I averaged about 7:45 to 7:50 minutes per mile and it felt really comfortable.

Now I’m really looking forward to Sunday, although I know I’ll enjoy Saturday morning at Cannon Hill parkun.

Race Report - Centurion Grand Prix 5-Miler Series - Race 3

It was a chilly but bright sunny day in 'North Solihull' today. We arrived early, Joe, Gillan, Jim and I, so we had time to chat to familiar friendly faces before girding our loins and heading down to Babbs Mill Recreation Ground and the start area.

Having washed my ears out this morning, I was just about able to hear the pre-race instructions, including the little joke about MP3-wearers not being able to hear the instruction not to wear MP3 players... (well, I did say 'little').

I started just slightly further forward than usual in these races, and found that I had more space and fewer elbows in my ribs, and slotted in among runners of a similar pace, so I guess I got it about right for once.

I managed my pacing quite well, and the race went pretty much to plan, but I just didn't have the strength in my legs (or perhaps in my mind) to push on in the last couple of miles, and lost a few places. I did manage to pick it up after the car park, with about two thirds of a mile to go, but then got blocked shortly before the mill. A couple of young girls were struggling to control their dogs on long leads. The chap in front of me came off worse than me, and must have said something unsavoury either to them or to their father, as he was chastised (quite rightly) for swearing in front of the kids. Runners sometimes need reminding that just because we're in a race we don't have right of way.

I finished 34th of 130, in 34:50, fourth MV50. That's 1:03 outside my PB, and strangely, 21 seconds slower than last week, yet I'm sure I performed much better. My guts certainly did!

I've volunteered to do the timing at Cannon Hill parkrun next weekend, and was asked today if I'd like to learn how to use the parkrun results system. I think I may be being 'groomed' as a potential Race Director, ready for when Phil moves on to start Sutton parkrun. We'll have to see about that!

The plan for the week ahead includes 20 training miles, including some hills, plus the 12km 'Not The Roman IX' race next Sunday near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Race Report – Cannon Hill parkrun Event 20

My first parkrun of the year, but I had decided that I wouldn’t be going for that 20-minute barrier, as I have another race tomorrow. I set off fairly briskly, slightly uphill on the newly revised course, but managed to slow myself down to around 4:15 per kilometre (6:50 per mile). There was an excellent turnout, breaking 100 for the first time. We had 29 first-timers, of whom 27 had chosen Cannon Hill for their first ever parkrun. Numbers were no doubt bolstered by those beginning their spring marathon training, as well as those resolved to get fit this year or simply trying to off-set the Christmas excesses!

Congratulations to the team and welcome to all the new parkrunners! Let’s hope they become regulars and spread the word.

I was slightly confused at the end of the race, as I thought a marshal had told me to go round a tree for the funnel, but when I got there the funnel went off the path just before a tree. There was no way my volunteer friends at the finish were going to let me go wrong, though! I realised later that the instruction had been to go round a tree STUMP, which I hadn’t even noticed! My apologies therefore go to that marshal, Kevin.  I’ll wash my ears out before future races.

I clocked 21 minutes dead, finishing 17^th of 107, third in the VM50-54 category.

I sent that email yesterday morning, telling Barry that I was thinking of leaving, and in it I also mentioned how I was upset not to be joining in the cross-country races. When I got home from work I found an email from another club mate inviting me to run in the Masters National Cross Country Championships at Perry Park! I had a look at the BMAF website and found that I can enter as an unaffiliated individual, so I’m now tempted to do that, instead of the Fradley 10km a day later.

 I also spoke to another club mate after today’s race about leaving the club, so it’ll be interesting to see how quickly word gets round and what response I get and from whom.

Must make sure I keep up the hills and speed work.

Wednesday Routine

My running buddy Joe is back from his Mediterranean Christmas cruise, so we did our usual 4.3 mile Wednesday evening run, followed by our usual couple of beers down the local, where we ignored Arsenal v Man City and had a think about upcoming races.
Joe was convinced that it would be a slow run due to the difficulties of training on board and the food and booze consumed, but our time was actually quite favourably comparable with recent performances on the same route. Consequently, I think we're both feeling optimistic about racing this weekend, enough to consider two races on consecutive days!

My race schedule now looks like this:
Sat 8th Jan: Cannon Hill parkrun #19 I was thinking of marshalling, to save myself for Sunday, but we're going to have a go at this as well as:
Sun 9th Jan: Centurion GP 5 - Race 3.
Sun16th Jan: Not the Roman IX.
Sat 22nd Jan: Leeds parkrun #171 (depending on family duties).
Sat 5th Feb: Coventry parkrun #52 and/or:
Sun 6th Feb Centurion GP 5 - Race 4.
Sun 27th Feb: Action Heart RC 5 Miles (Dudley).
Sun 6th Mar: Centurion GP 5 - Race 5.
Sun 13th Mar: Fradley 10km.

I had another email from one of my club mates, and drafted a response in which I admitted that I'm considering leaving. I haven't sent it yet!

Just Putting in the Miles

It took me a while yesterday, but eventually I managed to talk myself into heading out for a run. By this time it was getting dark, so I restricted myself to local roads. Not the most aesthetic route, in fact it probably benefitted from the poor lighting! At least the weather was OK - dry, and quite mild by recent standards.

I quickly settled into a nice steady pace, which only gradually decreased over the eight miles, and finished in just over an hour. Not my most enjoyable run, but those miles won’t do themselves!

I’m taking tonight off, rather than joining my ‘club mates’ on the usual weekly hill session. I saw a couple of them at Sunday’s race, and was asked why I wasn’t wearing my club vest. I muttered something about not having paid my subs, but shied away from admitting that I was considering leaving! Cowardly, I know. Chatting to them there made me think about how much I would miss the camaraderie of club membership.

Race Report - Coventry Godiva New Year 5

I cut it a bit fine getting to the event this morning, so had no time to prepare properly. I think I was actually last to the start line, with no warm-up and no recce, but hey, it's only five miles!

There were several familiar faces as usual, including a few Cannon Hill parkrunners.

The facilities, provided by Warwick University as Godiva await construction of their new clubhouse, were excellent, as were the conditions, with the tiny exception of a small patch of mud on one corner where someone slipped and nearly went over in front of me. There were plenty of marshals, doing a great job, and lots of support.

We were advised against wearing MP3 players as it is 'discourteous to the marshals'. I've never heard it put that way before - it's usually about being able to hear other runners, traffic and marshals' instructions. I never run wired for sound myself, for those very reasons. It had never occurred to me when marshalling that runners were being discourteous (I shan't share my thoughts here - maybe another day).

As for my performance, well as usual I went off a bit fast, more like 5 km pace, and passed Sian, but by half way I was beginning to feel the effects of the large Christmas dinner I'd had on New Years Day (including drinks several and various). My legs started to feel heavy pretty soon after, so my pace dropped significantly, and Sian overtook me.

At the finish I forgot to stop my watch again, so was unsure of my time until the results were published on the Godiva site, very promptly, at around 4pm. I was sure of no PB, though, expecting about 34½ minutes, which proved to be quite accurate - officially 59th of 147 in 34:29 (third of twelve M50s, but by quite a long way). That's five seconds slower than in the Godiva Autumnal 5 in 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(Posted a day late as had no access to my laptop)

Well, I have to apologise to all at Cannon Hill's New Year's Day parkrun - I'm afraid they were one volunteer short, as I overslept. One or two (h'hmmm...) drinks over the midnight hour may have contributed somewhat to my tardiness. Anyway, I hope the 37 finishers enjoyed themselves and had a good run, and that the team coped without me!
There were ten Cannon Hill 'first-timers', of whom six were running their very first parkrun, which is very encouraging. Congratulations to Ed on another win, and I'll see you all next week!

I'm disappointed that I never managed my sub-20-minute target for 5 km last year (closest was 20:01 at Tipton), but am determined to rectify that soon. I also want to get under 70 minutes for ten miles.
Other targets are basically to achieve PBs at each distance I race, together with more 'woolly' goals like to continue to enjoy my running, revisit some good races and find a few good new ones.

At the start of 2011 my PBs read as follows:
5km 20:01
5M 33:53
10 km 41:46
7 M 49:06
12 km 51:59
1/3 mara 1:01:43
9 M 1:04:17
10 M 1:10:35
1/2 Marathon 1:36:04
Kilomathon 2:24:54 (!)
Marathon 3:43:59.

It's The Godiva 5-miler tomorrow, on the Warwick University campus - a course I haven't run before.