I got up fairly late this morning and watched the Great Manchester run while eating my porridge. Some excellent performances in all the events, but for me the inspirational highlight was Haile Gebrselassie's beaming smile as he approached the tape, receiving what must have been the loudest and warmest cheer of the day.
Chris Thompson was the surprise of the race, probably for the winner too, as Sergiy Lebid and Craig Mottram were expected to be his only competition. Chris stayed on the Emperor's shoulder after Lebid and Mottram were shrugged off and a visibly perturbed Geb had to put in a second surge at around 8km. Coming under the bridge and in sight of the finish that familiar grin returned to the legend's face, and the crowd went wild.
It was great to see local lass Helen Clitheroe lead tape to gun in the women's event, too, especially at the ripe old age of 37!
Suitably inspired, I hit the road, on what was supposed to be a gentle jog. The first ½-mile was a bit quick, but that's pretty much the norm, and I figured I'd slow it down once I was off the road and onto the riverside trails. That's not quite how it went, though - I felt good, the weather was great, and the image in my mind of the Gebrselassie grin kept making me smile too. So, what the hell, I thought - I'm going to enjoy this. And I really did. 7½ miles of running bliss, mainly on leafy trails by the river and the mill pool, and it was a shame to get home! Boy, was I tired, though! I kept finding myself nodding off after lunch, so I eventually gave in and put my feet up for a snooze.
I got my mileage up to 32.6 for the week, increasing my average and bringing me closer to my 1,500 mile 2011 target. I'm not sure why I set this target, as it's a fairly random figure, and I knew even back then that my schedule would vary from week to week as the year progressed, depending on what races I elected to run along the way. Of course, once it was there in black and white (on Good Run Guide), it became something I would continually monitor and measure myself against, and I'm not entirely sure whether that's a good thing.
In other news...
I rediscovered Marathon Talk this afternoon, and listened to a couple of episodes of Martin Yelling and Tom Williams' podcasts. I was, of course, particularly interested in episode 21, the parkrun special, and was surprised to find that Tom is the Event Director at Leeds parkrun, who I spoke to when I first ran there back in October.
As I type, I'm listening to episode 22, which includes an interview with that woman Helen Clitheroe, talking about, among other things, how she'd like to do more 10ks as she starts doing less track stuff - this was back in June!
I've also continued reading Born to Run - I'm now up to chapter 17 (slow, I know, but I tend to have two or three books on the go at any time). It's still entertaining, but the Americanisms and the lapses into self-help-book writing style are a little off putting.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Time in Parks
I decided to volunteer this morning. I set off from home at about 8:15 and took the more-or-less direct route to Cannon Hill Park through Moseley, a route I've run several times now. It took me 28:26, averaging 7 minute 34 second pace, which got me there in plenty of time for the 9am start. My pal Derek was there, having also volunteered and been given the 'Numbers' job, which basically involves handing bar-coded finishing tokens to each runner as they come through the funnel. Telling Derek that I'd decided to volunteer I was overheard by Helen, Race Director and Timer for the day, who was also down as timer. Three seconds later I had the timer dongle hanging round my neck, as it took less than that for Helen to relinquish the timer role!
I've worked out that I've volunteered 18 times at Cannon Hill parkrun since we started on August 28th last year, and once at Brueton parkrun, marshaling at their first event on 24th July. That's two more time than I've actually run! I've run at Cannon Hill nine times, Brueton three, Leeds three and Coventry twice. I would have run 18 parkruns had I not got lost in Hull on the way to their 1st birthday event!
With 157 runners we were close to our record turnout of 163, on 23rd April, and had just one more than last week. The winner was a teenage lad who had never run a parkrun before, so was totally unfamiliar with the procedure and with the course, so he just followed the leader until the last lap then powered past to win by six seconds, clocking 16:56. Doesn't it make you sick!
After a cup of tea and a toasted teacake, chatting to Derek and other volunteers and runners in The Garden Tea Rooms, I set the Garmin and headed off on the ten miles home via the cycle route along the River Rea Valley, the Stratford-upon-Avon canal, Chinn Brook rec and up the River Cole valley. However... Got it wrong again!
I conducted a small experiment, trying what appeared on the satellite image as a through path, but actually came to a dead end at a fence and some bushes between the river and some back gardens. No bother, it only added ¼-mile to double back, but turning this over in my head I went into auto-pilot and carried on along the route I used on Thursday. I was half way through Highbury Park before I realised I should have been continuing south along the river. By then it was too big a detour to get back on track, so I settled into the more familiar route, meaning that overall I finished 4½ miles short. Never mind - I shall make it up tomorrow!
I've worked out that I've volunteered 18 times at Cannon Hill parkrun since we started on August 28th last year, and once at Brueton parkrun, marshaling at their first event on 24th July. That's two more time than I've actually run! I've run at Cannon Hill nine times, Brueton three, Leeds three and Coventry twice. I would have run 18 parkruns had I not got lost in Hull on the way to their 1st birthday event!
With 157 runners we were close to our record turnout of 163, on 23rd April, and had just one more than last week. The winner was a teenage lad who had never run a parkrun before, so was totally unfamiliar with the procedure and with the course, so he just followed the leader until the last lap then powered past to win by six seconds, clocking 16:56. Doesn't it make you sick!
After a cup of tea and a toasted teacake, chatting to Derek and other volunteers and runners in The Garden Tea Rooms, I set the Garmin and headed off on the ten miles home via the cycle route along the River Rea Valley, the Stratford-upon-Avon canal, Chinn Brook rec and up the River Cole valley. However... Got it wrong again!
I conducted a small experiment, trying what appeared on the satellite image as a through path, but actually came to a dead end at a fence and some bushes between the river and some back gardens. No bother, it only added ¼-mile to double back, but turning this over in my head I went into auto-pilot and carried on along the route I used on Thursday. I was half way through Highbury Park before I realised I should have been continuing south along the river. By then it was too big a detour to get back on track, so I settled into the more familiar route, meaning that overall I finished 4½ miles short. Never mind - I shall make it up tomorrow!
Friday, 13 May 2011
Running With a Legend
Another late post - I would have posted yesterday (honestly!) but unfortunately there was a problem with Blogger:
I looked out of the office window yesterday afternoon and it looked dull and still, perfect! I changed into my running gear and left both my shades and my cap in my bag, and set out on the 7.59 mile route I first checked out about four weeks ago passing through Calthorpe, Cannon Hill and Highbury Parks. Of course five minutes later the sun was bright in my eyes and the wind strong in my face, and it was like that for the next three miles or so.
I was surprised in Cannon hill Park to be bothered by Alan Shearer! A fairly large but friendly dog bounded over to me and skipped around clearly wanting to play, and I could hear his owner calling what I thought was She-ra (Princess of Power?) but then she added the first name and I had to laugh at the idea of a dog named after the footie pundit and England and Newcastle United legend.
Despite the conditions, which were somewhat similar to Sundays, less the rain, and a route nearly as hilly, I managed a pretty good pace, getting home in 58:42, ten seconds faster than last time. I set off slightly slower but finished more strongly.
I still haven't made my mind up about tomorrow. It would be good to race at Cannon Hill parkrun (in my new shoes!) but I'm leaning slightly towards volunteering so that I can run there and back, getting my weekly mileage up.
I looked out of the office window yesterday afternoon and it looked dull and still, perfect! I changed into my running gear and left both my shades and my cap in my bag, and set out on the 7.59 mile route I first checked out about four weeks ago passing through Calthorpe, Cannon Hill and Highbury Parks. Of course five minutes later the sun was bright in my eyes and the wind strong in my face, and it was like that for the next three miles or so.
I was surprised in Cannon hill Park to be bothered by Alan Shearer! A fairly large but friendly dog bounded over to me and skipped around clearly wanting to play, and I could hear his owner calling what I thought was She-ra (Princess of Power?) but then she added the first name and I had to laugh at the idea of a dog named after the footie pundit and England and Newcastle United legend.
Despite the conditions, which were somewhat similar to Sundays, less the rain, and a route nearly as hilly, I managed a pretty good pace, getting home in 58:42, ten seconds faster than last time. I set off slightly slower but finished more strongly.
I still haven't made my mind up about tomorrow. It would be good to race at Cannon Hill parkrun (in my new shoes!) but I'm leaning slightly towards volunteering so that I can run there and back, getting my weekly mileage up.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Recovery
Joe came round this evening for our weekly run, and we both felt that we were far from recovered. I had difficulty dragging myself out of bed this morning and was tired all day at work. Joe displayed the physical signs of a virus which he felt, probably rightly, had been the cause of his poor (in his own eyes) performance on Sunday.
Well, that's the excuses out of the way early. The run started slowly but actually went pretty well, and we ended up sprinting to try to finish inside 34 minutes, failing by just three seconds.
I'll take my running kit to work tomorrow, but whether I run home, and what route I take, will depend on how I feel through the day. I'm also unsure whether on Saturday I'll run to and from parkrun and volunteering as timer, marshal or whatever, or race and perhaps run home afterwards.
Well, that's the excuses out of the way early. The run started slowly but actually went pretty well, and we ended up sprinting to try to finish inside 34 minutes, failing by just three seconds.
I'll take my running kit to work tomorrow, but whether I run home, and what route I take, will depend on how I feel through the day. I'm also unsure whether on Saturday I'll run to and from parkrun and volunteering as timer, marshal or whatever, or race and perhaps run home afterwards.
A Recovery Run Becomes a Road Test for Shoes and Feet
Joe's extra-curricular work activities have come to a close, so our weekly run returns to Wednesday evenings. Tonight (actually last night now) I wasn't sure what I should do. My schedule said it should be a hill session, but my leg muscles said otherwise - they didn't feel sufficiently recovered from Sunday. I definitely wanted to run, if only to try out my new shoes! I settled on the same undulating route I ran last Wednesday, about 4½ miles.
I set off conscious that my legs felt heavy and almost immediately it seemed that my gait was changed. It may have been my imagination, triggered by the knowledge that my new shoes are much flatter than I usually go for, or it may simply have been down to tight, tired muscles. I even wondered if it could possibly have anything to do with the new compression socks I was wearing, also for the first time! There were too many variables to be sure, so I tried to put it out of my mind, but couldn't help feeling that I was striking more with the mid-foot rather than the heel. This is, after all, a hoped for effect of my shoe choice. Hopefully it will help to improve my posture and running style and reduce the risk of injury. Who knows, perhaps even make me faster!
Despite the tired legs I kept up a decent pace, half convinced that the lighter, flatter shoes made me feel lighter on my feet!
At about 2¼ miles my head was so full of thoughts of shoes, gait, mid- and fore-foot striking, posture, pronation and so on, I forgot to turn left! Rather than turn back, which would only have added a couple of hundred yards, I decided to take the next turn, which I knew would bring me back on course in less than a quarter of a mile but shorten the run by about twice that.
So in the end I ran 4.05 miles in 29:35, that's 7:18 pace, or somewhere in between what I'd planned to run in Sunday's half marathon and what I actually ran. Also substantially faster than I've previously run the unabridged version of this route.
Hopefully I'll get some good miles in during the week, and on Saturday I'll probably run at Cannon Hill parkrun again. If I don't run I'll volunteer, and perhaps run there and back. My pal Derek will be there marshaling, though Joe is away this weekend. Some of the regulars ran at Stratford on Sunday, some in the half and at least one in the full marathon, so it'll be good to compare notes.
I've just started reading Christopher McDougal's 'Born to Run'. I'm not sure it's the 'bible for the barefoot running community' that Ben Fogle describes it as, but it's certainly entertaining, and hey - I'm only four chapters in.
The Hinckley results are still provisional...
I set off conscious that my legs felt heavy and almost immediately it seemed that my gait was changed. It may have been my imagination, triggered by the knowledge that my new shoes are much flatter than I usually go for, or it may simply have been down to tight, tired muscles. I even wondered if it could possibly have anything to do with the new compression socks I was wearing, also for the first time! There were too many variables to be sure, so I tried to put it out of my mind, but couldn't help feeling that I was striking more with the mid-foot rather than the heel. This is, after all, a hoped for effect of my shoe choice. Hopefully it will help to improve my posture and running style and reduce the risk of injury. Who knows, perhaps even make me faster!
Despite the tired legs I kept up a decent pace, half convinced that the lighter, flatter shoes made me feel lighter on my feet!
At about 2¼ miles my head was so full of thoughts of shoes, gait, mid- and fore-foot striking, posture, pronation and so on, I forgot to turn left! Rather than turn back, which would only have added a couple of hundred yards, I decided to take the next turn, which I knew would bring me back on course in less than a quarter of a mile but shorten the run by about twice that.
So in the end I ran 4.05 miles in 29:35, that's 7:18 pace, or somewhere in between what I'd planned to run in Sunday's half marathon and what I actually ran. Also substantially faster than I've previously run the unabridged version of this route.
Hopefully I'll get some good miles in during the week, and on Saturday I'll probably run at Cannon Hill parkrun again. If I don't run I'll volunteer, and perhaps run there and back. My pal Derek will be there marshaling, though Joe is away this weekend. Some of the regulars ran at Stratford on Sunday, some in the half and at least one in the full marathon, so it'll be good to compare notes.
I've just started reading Christopher McDougal's 'Born to Run'. I'm not sure it's the 'bible for the barefoot running community' that Ben Fogle describes it as, but it's certainly entertaining, and hey - I'm only four chapters in.
The Hinckley results are still provisional...
Monday, 9 May 2011
Race Report - Hinckley Half Marathon - After an Hour and a Half, 59 Seconds
My fifth race in five weekends and after four PBs... no fifth. I missed out by 59 seconds, posting my fourth best ever HM time.
We arrived nice and early, and had a wander around the start area, which was on the edge of a caravan site by the lakes of Bosworth Water Trust. A very nice venue, spoilt only by the cold wind!
We resisted buying new running shoes from the stall set up in a marquee - I've only just bought my new Kinvara's, haven't even run in them yet. £30 a pair did seem a pretty good deal, although they were probably all last year's models.
Somewhere around a thousand runners collected together, most seeming to arrive just a few minutes before the 10:30 start, but I suspect many had been sheltering from the wind in their cars.
We got off bang on time, and were soon turning south along the country lane leading towards Shenton. The course from the start was mildly undulating and very scenic, and the sometimes narrow country lanes were very quiet, at least until we all arrived!
As usual many had started too far forward, and though I started in the 1hr 30min pen there was no way I could get up to anything like 1hr 30min pace for some time. The first half mile took me 3 mins 42 secs, but the second mile took just 6:52.
Near the staggered junction of Fenn Lanes with Foxcovert Lane on the right and then Mill Lane on the left, a marshal told us we were past half way and then, as I passed him, added "Hey, don't start sprinting yet!" I wish I'd had the breath and wit to come up with a response!
The first eight miles were pretty uneventful but very pleasant, and took 58 minutes and 11 seconds - an average 7:16 pace and only slightly outside my 1 hour 35 minute target. The eight mile mark brings the start of the first of two hills. I'd squeezed an energy gel down my throat just before the canal bridge, knowing that there was a water station just after it. I'd been a little caught out by the weather and found myself alternately wearing and carrying shades and/or cap - the cap being to keep the rain off my face but unwearable when running into the wind.
The first hill didn't feel too bad, but that ninth mile took me just over eight minutes. Coming out of Sutton Cheney over the crest of the hill we were heading north on Bosworth Lane and the pace picked up a little - the tenth mile completed in 7:24, but I'd hoped that the downhill section would bring my average back on track - it didn't!
Just after 'The Duckery' was the next water station, signalling the start of the second uphill mile, and slower than the first at 8:09. My main target was by now forgotten and my hope was for a Personal Best, by however little.
Coming into Market Bosworth a marshal cheerily advised us that we should turn left in the town after which it was downhill. I already knew this, but it was still good to hear! When I reached the turn, however, I found that the road barely dipped below horizontal, and the wind, which seemed to have picked up was suddenly right in my face, which made this stretch feel worse than the hill I'd just climbed.
That feeling was perhaps a little deceptive, as the next mile passed by in 7:30, but even so I felt that a PB was slipping away. The sun was shining brightly now and the rain banished, but the wind was definitely slowing me down.
I gradually upped the pace and between 12½ and 13 averaged 6:38 pace. The finish sprint slipped through a gap in the hedge into the caravan park and although I daren't look at my watch I knew I could be close to a PB, so I put everything into that sprint. I saw two guys ahead of me having a bit of a race between themselves, but I was catching them fast and took the shortest, straightest route - right between them. As I closed in the gap narrowed, but there was no way I could go round now so I had to literally elbow my way through! As soon as I was safely over the line I turned to apologise, but I think they were both too exhausted to care, or perhaps just to short of breath to vent their anger!
I had my timing chip removed by a chap who made some joke which I thought funny at the time but I cannot for the life of me remember. Next stop was to collect my T-shirt from one young lady and a banana and some sort of recovery bar from an even younger lady, then it occurred to me to check my watch... 1:38 something... Bugger!
I grabbed a cup of water and wandered aimlessly for a minute, then headed back toward the course to watch the finishers coming in. Another check of the watch... and I realised it was still running! I must have pressed the wrong button. So, maybe... just maybe (I ran through the post-finish action in my mind) maybe I'd done it, but I wouldn't know until I saw the results. Ah well, there was nothing I could do but wait for Joe cheering in a few others. Joe had clearly had a bad one as I was waiting much longer than I'd expected to, and sure enough he reported later that he'd had difficulty breathing, his chest feeling tight. He's mentioned this a couple of times in recent runs, but we'd trained pretty well so had both thought little of it.
After the drive back and a couple of beers in my local, I got home and started checking for the results. Eventually a provisional set was published, confirming my time as 1:37:03. The results have since been amended with the addition of two late finishers, making 998, but are still provisional. I will of course keep checking, but it's unlikely that my time will change.
Never mind, maybe the Humber Bridge Half Marathon will be the one where I break 90 minutes! And tomorrow I get to run in my new shoes!
We arrived nice and early, and had a wander around the start area, which was on the edge of a caravan site by the lakes of Bosworth Water Trust. A very nice venue, spoilt only by the cold wind!
We resisted buying new running shoes from the stall set up in a marquee - I've only just bought my new Kinvara's, haven't even run in them yet. £30 a pair did seem a pretty good deal, although they were probably all last year's models.
Somewhere around a thousand runners collected together, most seeming to arrive just a few minutes before the 10:30 start, but I suspect many had been sheltering from the wind in their cars.
We got off bang on time, and were soon turning south along the country lane leading towards Shenton. The course from the start was mildly undulating and very scenic, and the sometimes narrow country lanes were very quiet, at least until we all arrived!
As usual many had started too far forward, and though I started in the 1hr 30min pen there was no way I could get up to anything like 1hr 30min pace for some time. The first half mile took me 3 mins 42 secs, but the second mile took just 6:52.
Near the staggered junction of Fenn Lanes with Foxcovert Lane on the right and then Mill Lane on the left, a marshal told us we were past half way and then, as I passed him, added "Hey, don't start sprinting yet!" I wish I'd had the breath and wit to come up with a response!
The first eight miles were pretty uneventful but very pleasant, and took 58 minutes and 11 seconds - an average 7:16 pace and only slightly outside my 1 hour 35 minute target. The eight mile mark brings the start of the first of two hills. I'd squeezed an energy gel down my throat just before the canal bridge, knowing that there was a water station just after it. I'd been a little caught out by the weather and found myself alternately wearing and carrying shades and/or cap - the cap being to keep the rain off my face but unwearable when running into the wind.
The first hill didn't feel too bad, but that ninth mile took me just over eight minutes. Coming out of Sutton Cheney over the crest of the hill we were heading north on Bosworth Lane and the pace picked up a little - the tenth mile completed in 7:24, but I'd hoped that the downhill section would bring my average back on track - it didn't!
Just after 'The Duckery' was the next water station, signalling the start of the second uphill mile, and slower than the first at 8:09. My main target was by now forgotten and my hope was for a Personal Best, by however little.
Coming into Market Bosworth a marshal cheerily advised us that we should turn left in the town after which it was downhill. I already knew this, but it was still good to hear! When I reached the turn, however, I found that the road barely dipped below horizontal, and the wind, which seemed to have picked up was suddenly right in my face, which made this stretch feel worse than the hill I'd just climbed.
That feeling was perhaps a little deceptive, as the next mile passed by in 7:30, but even so I felt that a PB was slipping away. The sun was shining brightly now and the rain banished, but the wind was definitely slowing me down.
I gradually upped the pace and between 12½ and 13 averaged 6:38 pace. The finish sprint slipped through a gap in the hedge into the caravan park and although I daren't look at my watch I knew I could be close to a PB, so I put everything into that sprint. I saw two guys ahead of me having a bit of a race between themselves, but I was catching them fast and took the shortest, straightest route - right between them. As I closed in the gap narrowed, but there was no way I could go round now so I had to literally elbow my way through! As soon as I was safely over the line I turned to apologise, but I think they were both too exhausted to care, or perhaps just to short of breath to vent their anger!
I had my timing chip removed by a chap who made some joke which I thought funny at the time but I cannot for the life of me remember. Next stop was to collect my T-shirt from one young lady and a banana and some sort of recovery bar from an even younger lady, then it occurred to me to check my watch... 1:38 something... Bugger!
I grabbed a cup of water and wandered aimlessly for a minute, then headed back toward the course to watch the finishers coming in. Another check of the watch... and I realised it was still running! I must have pressed the wrong button. So, maybe... just maybe (I ran through the post-finish action in my mind) maybe I'd done it, but I wouldn't know until I saw the results. Ah well, there was nothing I could do but wait for Joe cheering in a few others. Joe had clearly had a bad one as I was waiting much longer than I'd expected to, and sure enough he reported later that he'd had difficulty breathing, his chest feeling tight. He's mentioned this a couple of times in recent runs, but we'd trained pretty well so had both thought little of it.
After the drive back and a couple of beers in my local, I got home and started checking for the results. Eventually a provisional set was published, confirming my time as 1:37:03. The results have since been amended with the addition of two late finishers, making 998, but are still provisional. I will of course keep checking, but it's unlikely that my time will change.
Never mind, maybe the Humber Bridge Half Marathon will be the one where I break 90 minutes! And tomorrow I get to run in my new shoes!
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
... and Relax.
Just for a change I resurrected the old Wednesday route around Olton. 4½ miles at a steady canter... well, OK, I let the pace rise a little and got round quicker than I have before. Still, it's only 4½ miles, right? I promise not to run again until Sunday!
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Tapering (Sort Of) for the Half Marathon
I had no run scheduled for Monday, as I'd planned a rest day to follow Sunday's race, however at some point between yesterday's post and going to bed I actually considered going to Coventry on Monday morning for the Godiva May Day 5-miler. I even downloaded an entry form! I managed to rein myself in and not go to Coventry, but somehow in doing so I talked myself out of having a training run too, despite having plenty of time to do so and knowing that due to other commitments my mileage will be down this week. Of course with a half marathon coming up I need to get some rest toward the end of the week anyway.
My weekly run with Joe fell on Tuesday again this week - next week we'll be back to Wednesdays. We went clockwise again and as Joe had had another fall we started off fairly easy. He seemed OK so the pace gradually increased and he was able to put in a bit of a sprint at the end. No records set this time, but a reasonable performance.
The Centurion's Grand Prix Series points table was updated today and I find myself in 17th position overall, and 11th veteran (just ahead of Chris, and second over-50). By the way, I mentioned that three Sparkhill Harriers turned up on Sunday - there were actually five, but I didn't see the other two.
I'm not sure how to structure my training for the remainder of the week. I'll definitely have Thursday, Friday and Saturday off, partly to rest before Hinckley, but also because on Thursday I'll be working 17 hours on the local elections and the AV referendum and I'm going to a gig on Friday evening. On Saturday I shall be operating the timer again at Cannon Hill parkrun - we're being visited by the Lucozade 'Yes' team, who are promoting their latest product offering, Orange Lite. I may come away with a freebie, and no, I don't know what the 'Yes' is about, nor why they can't spell 'light' properly.
Effectively then, I just have tomorrow evening left for half-marathon training. I did consider running home from work, but taking the less pleasant direct route in order not to overdo the mileage. I think I'll defer my decision, but it'll probably be an easy four or five miles.
Over the last four weekends I've run in four races and achieved four PBs. Hopefully at Hinckley I'll make it five in five in five!
My weekly run with Joe fell on Tuesday again this week - next week we'll be back to Wednesdays. We went clockwise again and as Joe had had another fall we started off fairly easy. He seemed OK so the pace gradually increased and he was able to put in a bit of a sprint at the end. No records set this time, but a reasonable performance.
The Centurion's Grand Prix Series points table was updated today and I find myself in 17th position overall, and 11th veteran (just ahead of Chris, and second over-50). By the way, I mentioned that three Sparkhill Harriers turned up on Sunday - there were actually five, but I didn't see the other two.
I'm not sure how to structure my training for the remainder of the week. I'll definitely have Thursday, Friday and Saturday off, partly to rest before Hinckley, but also because on Thursday I'll be working 17 hours on the local elections and the AV referendum and I'm going to a gig on Friday evening. On Saturday I shall be operating the timer again at Cannon Hill parkrun - we're being visited by the Lucozade 'Yes' team, who are promoting their latest product offering, Orange Lite. I may come away with a freebie, and no, I don't know what the 'Yes' is about, nor why they can't spell 'light' properly.
Effectively then, I just have tomorrow evening left for half-marathon training. I did consider running home from work, but taking the less pleasant direct route in order not to overdo the mileage. I think I'll defer my decision, but it'll probably be an easy four or five miles.
Over the last four weekends I've run in four races and achieved four PBs. Hopefully at Hinckley I'll make it five in five in five!
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Race Report - Centurion Grand Prix 5-Miler Series - Race 2 (postponed) - PB!
I was optimistic of a good performance this morning as I set off for Archbishop Grimshaw School, race headquarters for the Centurion Running Club's GP5 series, but by the time I arrived it was warm and getting warmer, and windy and getting windier. I started to think a PB was perhaps not so likely.
There didn't seem so many present as usual, perhaps because of the Godiva Mayday 5 miler tomorrow in Coventry, or maybe folks had better things to do on a lovely sunny Bank Holiday weekend. No Joe or Jim this time. My pal/nemesis/thorn-in-side Chris was there as expected, and I had a bit of a chat with him and with the three Sparkhill Harriers who showed up.
I'd spent most of Saturday afternoon studying my pace charts for my last three appearances here, and had settled on a pacing strategy whereby I'd go out fairly hard but try not to get quite as carried away as in March, then drop to around 6:40 per mile until around half way. I'd then allow myself to slip to 6:45 and then 6:50 by four miles, but then try to crank it up again, aiming to finish at 6:30 or faster for the last half mile.
Of course, having decided that a PB was not on the cards, I took no notice of the slip of paper I'd prepared with my planned splits and just ran as hard as I could!
My pace by half-mile slots compared as follows:
(The bottom 'Actual' pace figures are for the additional few feet according to my Garmin)
So, I actually set off faster than in March, and was faster on most parts of the course. I'm not sure why, but I seem to have been slower at each end of the course and faster on the back straight and on the start finish straight (I should explain that the course starts with one short lap of a little over a mile followed by two laps of a little under two miles).
I shall no doubt spend hours poring over the details trying to work out how it happened, and almost undoubtedly reach no proper conclusion, but when it all shakes out - I got my PB. Not just that, I improved my PB by 30 seconds. On a morning when I thought the conditions precluded any PB-threatening performance! Go, as I believe they say, figure.
I don't understand it, I can barely believe it, but I'm very happy about it!
To top it all off, I received a message from Chris letting me know that I was due a prize!
I'd got home and realised that in my giddy hysteria I'd forgotten to collect my 'memento' for completing four of the six race series (I have last year's memento by my side with a drop of scotch in it by way of celebration - I've already had my chocolate steamed pudding and custard). It seems I get a cheque or voucher or something for coming in third in my age group! I haven't ever won anything for running before - it's terribly exciting!
I hope this doesn't affect my amateur status...
There didn't seem so many present as usual, perhaps because of the Godiva Mayday 5 miler tomorrow in Coventry, or maybe folks had better things to do on a lovely sunny Bank Holiday weekend. No Joe or Jim this time. My pal/nemesis/thorn-in-side Chris was there as expected, and I had a bit of a chat with him and with the three Sparkhill Harriers who showed up.
I'd spent most of Saturday afternoon studying my pace charts for my last three appearances here, and had settled on a pacing strategy whereby I'd go out fairly hard but try not to get quite as carried away as in March, then drop to around 6:40 per mile until around half way. I'd then allow myself to slip to 6:45 and then 6:50 by four miles, but then try to crank it up again, aiming to finish at 6:30 or faster for the last half mile.
Of course, having decided that a PB was not on the cards, I took no notice of the slip of paper I'd prepared with my planned splits and just ran as hard as I could!
My pace by half-mile slots compared as follows:
March | May | ||||
Split | Actual | Cumulative | Planned | Actual | Cumulative |
0.5 | 06:09 | 03:05 | 06:20 | 05:56 | 02:58 |
1.0 | 06:25 | 06:17 | 06:30 | 06:20 | 06:08 |
1.5 | 06:39 | 09:37 | 06:40 | 06:30 | 09:23 |
2.0 | 06:43 | 12:58 | 06:40 | 06:53 | 12:50 |
2.5 | 06:42 | 16:19 | 06:40 | 06:39 | 16:09 |
3.0 | 06:55 | 19:46 | 06:50 | 06:51 | 19:35 |
3.5 | 06:54 | 23:13 | 06:50 | 06:54 | 23:02 |
4.0 | 06:54 | 26:40 | 06:50 | 07:00 | 26:31 |
4.5 | 06:40 | 30:00 | 06:40 | 06:28 | 29:45 |
5.0 | 06:36 | 33:18 | 06:35 | 06:37 | 33:04 |
05:58 | 33:36 | 05:57 | 36:06 | ||
(The bottom 'Actual' pace figures are for the additional few feet according to my Garmin)
So, I actually set off faster than in March, and was faster on most parts of the course. I'm not sure why, but I seem to have been slower at each end of the course and faster on the back straight and on the start finish straight (I should explain that the course starts with one short lap of a little over a mile followed by two laps of a little under two miles).
I think it looks like Nessie
I shall no doubt spend hours poring over the details trying to work out how it happened, and almost undoubtedly reach no proper conclusion, but when it all shakes out - I got my PB. Not just that, I improved my PB by 30 seconds. On a morning when I thought the conditions precluded any PB-threatening performance! Go, as I believe they say, figure.
I don't understand it, I can barely believe it, but I'm very happy about it!
To top it all off, I received a message from Chris letting me know that I was due a prize!
I'd got home and realised that in my giddy hysteria I'd forgotten to collect my 'memento' for completing four of the six race series (I have last year's memento by my side with a drop of scotch in it by way of celebration - I've already had my chocolate steamed pudding and custard). It seems I get a cheque or voucher or something for coming in third in my age group! I haven't ever won anything for running before - it's terribly exciting!
I hope this doesn't affect my amateur status...
Friday, 29 April 2011
Testing, Not Trying
I enjoyed Monday's run so much I thought I'd do it again.
Well, almost. I ran the same outward leg, but adjusted the home leg a little, leaving Cannon Hill Park past the Holder's Lane allotments, along Holder's Lane and Moor Green Lane entering Highbury Park at the corner of Yew Tree Road. This cut about a third of a mile off the total. I did this for two reasons, firstly to introduce a little variety so that it wasn't just an out-and-back route, and partly to recce that new section to use in a four mile loop from Cannon Hill Park which I hope to use by adding it to other routes which start or finish, or indeed pass through the park.
For once on a new route I managed not to get lost!
It was a lot cooler than on Monday, thankfully, and I remembered my bottle this time, although I only drank half of the 250ml, and most of that was during the five minute break at the station, washing down the gel.
Speaking of gels, I tried a banana gel in my porridge this morning, in place of the usual honey. This may sound strange, but there was a reason. I'm planning a Lake District hill-walking expedition in the summer and will be 'wild camping' - camping up on the hills rather than in proper campsites - so that I don't have to keep dropping down to road/lake level each evening and climbing back up each morning, and can therefore spend more time walking the ridges. I'll need to carry everything I need for the whole trip on my back, so weight reduction is paramount, particularly the tent, rucksack and boots but right down to the food and the gear needed to cook and eat it. Basically, a few gels would be lighter and easier to carry than a jar of honey, and of course designed specifically to provide the energy required for endurance exercise.
Unfortunately it wasn't as nice as I'd hoped - there was a strong banana smell but not much taste, and it wasn't as sweet as half a spoon of honey. Given that I'd also be using water rather than milk, I may have to find an alternative!
Tomorrow I'm resting again in preparation for Sundays race, so I've volunteered to help out at Cannon Hill parkrun. According to the roster I'll be operating the timer. Like Brueton parkrun, with 149, Cannon Hill had a record turnout last week of 163, so I'm exercising the timer button thumb - I hope I'll be able to keep up! Good luck to all the runners tomorrow.
Well, almost. I ran the same outward leg, but adjusted the home leg a little, leaving Cannon Hill Park past the Holder's Lane allotments, along Holder's Lane and Moor Green Lane entering Highbury Park at the corner of Yew Tree Road. This cut about a third of a mile off the total. I did this for two reasons, firstly to introduce a little variety so that it wasn't just an out-and-back route, and partly to recce that new section to use in a four mile loop from Cannon Hill Park which I hope to use by adding it to other routes which start or finish, or indeed pass through the park.
For once on a new route I managed not to get lost!
It was a lot cooler than on Monday, thankfully, and I remembered my bottle this time, although I only drank half of the 250ml, and most of that was during the five minute break at the station, washing down the gel.
Speaking of gels, I tried a banana gel in my porridge this morning, in place of the usual honey. This may sound strange, but there was a reason. I'm planning a Lake District hill-walking expedition in the summer and will be 'wild camping' - camping up on the hills rather than in proper campsites - so that I don't have to keep dropping down to road/lake level each evening and climbing back up each morning, and can therefore spend more time walking the ridges. I'll need to carry everything I need for the whole trip on my back, so weight reduction is paramount, particularly the tent, rucksack and boots but right down to the food and the gear needed to cook and eat it. Basically, a few gels would be lighter and easier to carry than a jar of honey, and of course designed specifically to provide the energy required for endurance exercise.
Unfortunately it wasn't as nice as I'd hoped - there was a strong banana smell but not much taste, and it wasn't as sweet as half a spoon of honey. Given that I'd also be using water rather than milk, I may have to find an alternative!
Tomorrow I'm resting again in preparation for Sundays race, so I've volunteered to help out at Cannon Hill parkrun. According to the roster I'll be operating the timer. Like Brueton parkrun, with 149, Cannon Hill had a record turnout last week of 163, so I'm exercising the timer button thumb - I hope I'll be able to keep up! Good luck to all the runners tomorrow.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
I'm Trying to Keep Up!
I was aware that I'd missed posting about yesterday's run, but when I sat down this evening to catch up I realised I haven't posted since Saturday! So, please accept my apologies, and I'll catch up in brief.
After the extended run home in the heat following Brueton parkrun, I took Sunday off, as I planned another long run on Monday.
When I set off in the morning I realised that it was going to be another scorcher, and that the day I'd chosen for rest would have been the best day to run, as it would have offered respite from the heat. Never mind, it was a lovely morning so I determined that I should make the most of it.
My plan was to double up my run home from Cannon Hill parkrun last week - via Dad's Lane, Highbury Park and up Alcester Road to Moseley, then back the usual way - starting with the reverse of that route, and in Cannon Hill Park doing a little loop round the main lake and pausing for a few minutes rest at the station to have a stretch and a gel. It's been a while since I've had a gel and I plan to use one in the Hinkley Half Marathon next weekend, so I thought I'd just check that it didn't disagree with me.
I did my best to keep the pace down and I must say I really enjoyed myself. The Bank Holiday sunshine had brought loads of people out, especially in the parks, and it was lovely to see so many smiling faces, particularly on other runners.
Overall I ran about 11¼ miles with a five minute break in Cannon Hill Park. Unfortunately I remembered the gel but left my water bottle at home, so I was a little dehydrated by the time I got back!
My weekly run with Joe was on Tuesday evening again, and although we both professed to be tired, we got round pretty quickly - the fastest we've done it anticlockwise, at least since we started recording our times.
Last night I slipped in a hill session. I'd realised that I hadn't done any hills in over a month, so the originally planned short easy session had to make way. It was slightly tougher than the usual five hills over five-and-a-bit miles, adding about half a mile and an extra hill. Tougher also perhaps because of the miles I'd done earlier in the week.
Well, I've caught up with the blog posts, and come Sunday afternoon I'll be ahead on miles for the week, and catching up with my annual target (1500 miles, or about 29 per week - have I not mentioned that?)
Today is another rest day, as I'll be hitting the pavements again tomorrow morning - I suspect there'll be nothing much on the telly...
After the extended run home in the heat following Brueton parkrun, I took Sunday off, as I planned another long run on Monday.
When I set off in the morning I realised that it was going to be another scorcher, and that the day I'd chosen for rest would have been the best day to run, as it would have offered respite from the heat. Never mind, it was a lovely morning so I determined that I should make the most of it.
My plan was to double up my run home from Cannon Hill parkrun last week - via Dad's Lane, Highbury Park and up Alcester Road to Moseley, then back the usual way - starting with the reverse of that route, and in Cannon Hill Park doing a little loop round the main lake and pausing for a few minutes rest at the station to have a stretch and a gel. It's been a while since I've had a gel and I plan to use one in the Hinkley Half Marathon next weekend, so I thought I'd just check that it didn't disagree with me.
I did my best to keep the pace down and I must say I really enjoyed myself. The Bank Holiday sunshine had brought loads of people out, especially in the parks, and it was lovely to see so many smiling faces, particularly on other runners.
Overall I ran about 11¼ miles with a five minute break in Cannon Hill Park. Unfortunately I remembered the gel but left my water bottle at home, so I was a little dehydrated by the time I got back!
My weekly run with Joe was on Tuesday evening again, and although we both professed to be tired, we got round pretty quickly - the fastest we've done it anticlockwise, at least since we started recording our times.
Last night I slipped in a hill session. I'd realised that I hadn't done any hills in over a month, so the originally planned short easy session had to make way. It was slightly tougher than the usual five hills over five-and-a-bit miles, adding about half a mile and an extra hill. Tougher also perhaps because of the miles I'd done earlier in the week.
Well, I've caught up with the blog posts, and come Sunday afternoon I'll be ahead on miles for the week, and catching up with my annual target (1500 miles, or about 29 per week - have I not mentioned that?)
Today is another rest day, as I'll be hitting the pavements again tomorrow morning - I suspect there'll be nothing much on the telly...
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Race Report - Brueton parkrun Event 40 - Where Do I Go From Here?
I can scarcely believe it myself. I won't fully believe it until the official results are posted or I get the official email. I'm refreshing the page every few seconds, getting impatient. By my watch? 19:30. Another twelve seconds off my PB? Cannon Hill parkrun have a quick course, but Brueton is clearly quicker still.
On a really gorgeous sunny morning masses of runners, joggers, call them what you will, turned out - many sporting the red and white of England and St George (myself included) some in Easter costumes, a few in fancy dress (even a few in orange - that's next week chaps!)
I spotted Derek there as I jogged in from Solihull, though from a distance I thought he was wearing a Scotland top to be awkward! To my knowledge, he has no Scottish blood in him - I suspect he's Brummie through and through. It was just a blue and white top over his Tamworth vest.
Chris was there too, with his girlfriend and dogs.
With the extra announcements about St George's Day, Easter and chocolate bunnies for all, my watch lost track of the satellites before the start so I was desperately trying to re-set it as Nick prepared to send us off. It was more important to have a time than be able to track my pace, though, so in the end I set it to stopwatch (or 'Indoor') mode.
It was nice to see a small group of Sparkhill Harriers near me so I exchanged greetings and good wishes with my ex club mates, then we were off!
I started with a mix of abandonment and restraint, if that's possible - I wanted to get a good start (and leave my mates behind!) but didn't want to blow it.
I had a couple of good dices along the way making and losing places as the race progressed, but unsure how I was doing. Passing the finish funnel on the first lap a glance at my watch suggested that I was well inside PB pace, but that just worried me that I'd set off too fast!
I'm still checking the results as I type, by the way - nothing yet. Cannon Hill parkrun had theirs up ages ago - another big record attendance of 164! Well done guys and girls - see you next week.
On the second lap a Knowle & Dorridge runner I'd been battling with managed to break away, and then with just a few hundred metres to go a young lad in a '10' parkrun shirt edged past but didn't break immediately - I stayed on his shoulder but when we both started sprinting his younger legs carried him away.
I was just a little disappointed that I'd let a couple past late in the race, but then they were rather younger than me!
That was forgotten anyway, when I checked my watch in the finish funnel.
I hung around to cheer Phil, Charles and Mick in, but missed Derek and Chris - they must have come through while I was busy recovering my breath! I caught up with Derek at the registration queue, sensibly getting some shade.
I jogged back to the car park with Derek then set off for home. I'd mapped out a route and made myself some guidance notes - it should have been around 6.44 miles... should, but what I took to be a footpath from the satellite image turned out not to be - either it never was or a fence has been erected since the aerial photos were taken. That threw me a bit, and I had to make a quick decision - left or right? I tossed a mental coin and went left, hoping to work round and back onto my route.
Unfortunately there was no obvious way back and I ended up way off course and pretty much lost! Keeping the sun more or less over my left shoulder I managed eventually to get onto familiar roads and to get on track, having added a couple of miles or so!
From there it was a relatively slow and uneventful jog home, though I was wilting somewhat in the increasing heat. I was glad to get home.
Still no results!
Well, another week, another race - in fact it's eight days to my next one - Centurion Running Club's Grand Prix 5 Mile, the one carried over from Christmas. I spoke to Nick at registration (briefly - he was kind of busy) and he'll be there again, no doubt in his parkrun Tee-shirt!
I'm just hanging on for the results before I finish off and post this... Is there an emoticon for 'thumb-twiddling'?! The footie will be on soon. I really shouldn't complain, after all I know very well that parkruns are run entirely by volunteers and are of course totally free (does that count as a plug?) I just want to see it in black and white! I'll put the kettle on.
Right. I'm trying to think of some clever way to relate what just happened to a well known phrase involving watched kettles. Never mind, I have my cup of tea and (fanfare) I have my results! The results page hasn't been updated yet, but I've received the email.
And as surprising as my result was, it's unsurprising really that they confirm my time, not as 19:30, but 19:31. Near enough? Oh yes, I'd say so!
And now the full results are up - 14th of 149 and 1st over-50 (from Derek - he'll be happy with a sub-20 minute PB). Hopefully York City will make me even happier - now I'm listening and waiting for that result - sounds positive so far!
The problem with knocking a substantial chunk off your PB is that it makes it that much harder to beat again! Looking on the bright side I guess I have my next parkrun target - to get my Cannon Hill time down to my Brueton PB!
On a really gorgeous sunny morning masses of runners, joggers, call them what you will, turned out - many sporting the red and white of England and St George (myself included) some in Easter costumes, a few in fancy dress (even a few in orange - that's next week chaps!)
I spotted Derek there as I jogged in from Solihull, though from a distance I thought he was wearing a Scotland top to be awkward! To my knowledge, he has no Scottish blood in him - I suspect he's Brummie through and through. It was just a blue and white top over his Tamworth vest.
Chris was there too, with his girlfriend and dogs.
With the extra announcements about St George's Day, Easter and chocolate bunnies for all, my watch lost track of the satellites before the start so I was desperately trying to re-set it as Nick prepared to send us off. It was more important to have a time than be able to track my pace, though, so in the end I set it to stopwatch (or 'Indoor') mode.
It was nice to see a small group of Sparkhill Harriers near me so I exchanged greetings and good wishes with my ex club mates, then we were off!
I started with a mix of abandonment and restraint, if that's possible - I wanted to get a good start (and leave my mates behind!) but didn't want to blow it.
I had a couple of good dices along the way making and losing places as the race progressed, but unsure how I was doing. Passing the finish funnel on the first lap a glance at my watch suggested that I was well inside PB pace, but that just worried me that I'd set off too fast!
I'm still checking the results as I type, by the way - nothing yet. Cannon Hill parkrun had theirs up ages ago - another big record attendance of 164! Well done guys and girls - see you next week.
On the second lap a Knowle & Dorridge runner I'd been battling with managed to break away, and then with just a few hundred metres to go a young lad in a '10' parkrun shirt edged past but didn't break immediately - I stayed on his shoulder but when we both started sprinting his younger legs carried him away.
I was just a little disappointed that I'd let a couple past late in the race, but then they were rather younger than me!
That was forgotten anyway, when I checked my watch in the finish funnel.
I hung around to cheer Phil, Charles and Mick in, but missed Derek and Chris - they must have come through while I was busy recovering my breath! I caught up with Derek at the registration queue, sensibly getting some shade.
I jogged back to the car park with Derek then set off for home. I'd mapped out a route and made myself some guidance notes - it should have been around 6.44 miles... should, but what I took to be a footpath from the satellite image turned out not to be - either it never was or a fence has been erected since the aerial photos were taken. That threw me a bit, and I had to make a quick decision - left or right? I tossed a mental coin and went left, hoping to work round and back onto my route.
Unfortunately there was no obvious way back and I ended up way off course and pretty much lost! Keeping the sun more or less over my left shoulder I managed eventually to get onto familiar roads and to get on track, having added a couple of miles or so!
From there it was a relatively slow and uneventful jog home, though I was wilting somewhat in the increasing heat. I was glad to get home.
Still no results!
Well, another week, another race - in fact it's eight days to my next one - Centurion Running Club's Grand Prix 5 Mile, the one carried over from Christmas. I spoke to Nick at registration (briefly - he was kind of busy) and he'll be there again, no doubt in his parkrun Tee-shirt!
I'm just hanging on for the results before I finish off and post this... Is there an emoticon for 'thumb-twiddling'?! The footie will be on soon. I really shouldn't complain, after all I know very well that parkruns are run entirely by volunteers and are of course totally free (does that count as a plug?) I just want to see it in black and white! I'll put the kettle on.
Right. I'm trying to think of some clever way to relate what just happened to a well known phrase involving watched kettles. Never mind, I have my cup of tea and (fanfare) I have my results! The results page hasn't been updated yet, but I've received the email.
And as surprising as my result was, it's unsurprising really that they confirm my time, not as 19:30, but 19:31. Near enough? Oh yes, I'd say so!
And now the full results are up - 14th of 149 and 1st over-50 (from Derek - he'll be happy with a sub-20 minute PB). Hopefully York City will make me even happier - now I'm listening and waiting for that result - sounds positive so far!
The problem with knocking a substantial chunk off your PB is that it makes it that much harder to beat again! Looking on the bright side I guess I have my next parkrun target - to get my Cannon Hill time down to my Brueton PB!
Friday, 22 April 2011
Run For Fun
After really enjoying yesterday's run home, I decided to head out this evening with no plan and no expectations. I just went for a run.
OK, I suppose there was a plan in as much as I didn't intend to go far or too quickly, but other than than I made it up as I went along. I stayed local, but ran a footpath, a park and some roads I haven't seen for a while, let alone run on.
Remembering the heat of yesterday evening, I left it fairly late to go out, but it was still very warm, so I was happy to keep it short. I'm resting now until Saturday's parkrun.
Brueton parkrun are having a fancy dress day to celebrate St George's Day and Easter, but as I'm going for a time I'm afraid I shan't be dressing up!
OK, I suppose there was a plan in as much as I didn't intend to go far or too quickly, but other than than I made it up as I went along. I stayed local, but ran a footpath, a park and some roads I haven't seen for a while, let alone run on.
Remembering the heat of yesterday evening, I left it fairly late to go out, but it was still very warm, so I was happy to keep it short. I'm resting now until Saturday's parkrun.
Brueton parkrun are having a fancy dress day to celebrate St George's Day and Easter, but as I'm going for a time I'm afraid I shan't be dressing up!
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Sunshine, Hills and Exhaust Fumes
Today I cobbled together last Thursday's route home from the office and Saturday's home from Cannon Hill parkrun to make up what I thought would be a fairly tough but pleasant 7.6 miles.
I left the office just a little earlier than on Thursday, and immediately wished I'd left it a while, for the temperature to drop a few degrees and for the traffic to die down a little. Once I was across Belgrave Middleway the traffic eased, with the exception of foot traffic in Cannon Hill park, where there were hordes of locals out enjoying the sunshine (and why not?). Highbury Park was much quieter for some reason (could it be the 'water features' make so much difference?), and then the roads through Moseley and home were pretty much normal.
There's quite a testing hill from the river Rea up Dad's Lane, through Highbury park and continuing up Alcester Road, peaking, appropriately, at the junction with Hill Crest Road. After that it's largely downhill, particularly the half-mile long College Road, but with a last little tester about a mile from home.
I felt good this evening, at peace with the world (well, most of it), and running for fun.
I definitely intend to have another go at Brueton parkrun this week, and I'm already starting to get my 'race head' on!
I left the office just a little earlier than on Thursday, and immediately wished I'd left it a while, for the temperature to drop a few degrees and for the traffic to die down a little. Once I was across Belgrave Middleway the traffic eased, with the exception of foot traffic in Cannon Hill park, where there were hordes of locals out enjoying the sunshine (and why not?). Highbury Park was much quieter for some reason (could it be the 'water features' make so much difference?), and then the roads through Moseley and home were pretty much normal.
There's quite a testing hill from the river Rea up Dad's Lane, through Highbury park and continuing up Alcester Road, peaking, appropriately, at the junction with Hill Crest Road. After that it's largely downhill, particularly the half-mile long College Road, but with a last little tester about a mile from home.
I felt good this evening, at peace with the world (well, most of it), and running for fun.
I definitely intend to have another go at Brueton parkrun this week, and I'm already starting to get my 'race head' on!
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Problems? No Problems.
Well I had a few connection problems on Monday evening, so I've fallen further behind on my postings. I've also fallen further behind on my running, as I failed to motivate myself out of the door last night.
My run home after Cannon Hill parkrun on Saturday took me down the cycle route along the river Rea through Holders Lane Rec, up the hill of Dad's Lane to get into Highbury Park, and from there up Alcester Road to rejoin the usual route from Moseley. Just a touch over 5½ miles, and very nice too. Of course knowing you've just clocked another PB will lift your mood. I'd have liked to do a few more miles actually, but as I've mentioned I was short of time.
Tonight I had no bother with motivation, although Joe was at pains (literally) to tell me how tired he was. Even so, what seemed a relatively easy run turned out once again to be our fastest for the route. Somehow we both seem to be improving without too much effort!
Joe's away this weekend, so I'm going to take a break from Cannon Hill parkrun to head over to Solihull, to see if I can bring my time at Brueton parkrun below 20 minutes, and who knows - maybe another PB. The course at Brueton Park is pretty flat and fast.
My run home after Cannon Hill parkrun on Saturday took me down the cycle route along the river Rea through Holders Lane Rec, up the hill of Dad's Lane to get into Highbury Park, and from there up Alcester Road to rejoin the usual route from Moseley. Just a touch over 5½ miles, and very nice too. Of course knowing you've just clocked another PB will lift your mood. I'd have liked to do a few more miles actually, but as I've mentioned I was short of time.
Tonight I had no bother with motivation, although Joe was at pains (literally) to tell me how tired he was. Even so, what seemed a relatively easy run turned out once again to be our fastest for the route. Somehow we both seem to be improving without too much effort!
Joe's away this weekend, so I'm going to take a break from Cannon Hill parkrun to head over to Solihull, to see if I can bring my time at Brueton parkrun below 20 minutes, and who knows - maybe another PB. The course at Brueton Park is pretty flat and fast.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Race Report - Cannon Hill parkrun Event 34 - Another parkrun, another PB!
After last week's effort, knockimg 5 seconds off my 5km Personal Best, I felt I could put in another good performance at Cannon Hill parkrun, and scrupulously applied the same regimen, although this week I only had one day of rest. Nevertheless I knew I was unlikely to do even better, so would have been happy with anything under 20 minutes. Just three months ago I'd have been delighted with sub-20!
Somehow today didn't feel the same - I felt fit enough, but despite the motivating music, the warm-up and stretching I just didn't feel 'in the zone'.
It was such a beautiful spring morning though that I was happy to go through the motions and just see what happened.
Derek, my new nemesis(!) had turned up again, so there was a little bit of competition there. He told me he'd decided not to go off quite so fast this time, hoping to have the strength to finish quicker.
There was a big field again, despite all the other races going on this weekend. I positioned myself close to the front, but almost from the start I found myself going backwards. I probably lost around half a dozen places in the first kilometre, but then seemed able to hold position for quite some time.
I knew I was ahead of Derek, but was expecting him to slip past at some point - I never look round but I suspected he might be tracking me, biding his time for a reversal of our last clash!
Fergal did his bit for me again, helping me to focus on the job in hand during the two slightly up-hill sections where I have a tendancy to drift off. With the large field I found I was catching more tail-enders, and having to run round them - I even had to call 'excuse me!' when, on my sprint finish, a gap I was aiming for suddenly closed in front of me. I could hear someone bearing down on me over the last few hundred metres, and was convinced it was Derek, so put my all into fending him off, only to find that it was someone else entirely, a chap in the green and white hoops of Tipton Harriers. We thanked each other afterwards - me for him pushing me on and him for me pulling him along!
I checked my watch, feeling fairly confident that I'd gone sub-20 again, but was astounded to find that, albeit unofficially at this stage, I'd clocked yet another PB, shaving off a further couple of seconds!
Derek came in very soon after, and I gave him a shout, and anyone else I knew. Joe came in pretty soon too, so I knew he'd done well.
When the results came out Joe and I had both improved, Joe knocking 3 seconds off his Cannon Hill time (though his parkrun best still stands from Brueton parkrun back in August) and my PB of 19:42 confirmed, although eighteen places further back, in a finishing field of 139 (also a record for Cannon Hill). Derek, alas, fared less well, slower by thirteen seconds.
Derek joined me for his warm-down - the first mile or so of my run home. It seems we may come up against each other again sometime soon.
Apologies for the late posting, by the way. After my run home I had to have some lunch and head off to visit friends for the remainder of the weekend, and as it's getting quite late now I think I'll leave my account of the run home until tomorrow. Then again, as I haven't had time for a run today (Sunday) I may go out tomorrow whe I get home from work...
Somehow today didn't feel the same - I felt fit enough, but despite the motivating music, the warm-up and stretching I just didn't feel 'in the zone'.
It was such a beautiful spring morning though that I was happy to go through the motions and just see what happened.
Derek, my new nemesis(!) had turned up again, so there was a little bit of competition there. He told me he'd decided not to go off quite so fast this time, hoping to have the strength to finish quicker.
There was a big field again, despite all the other races going on this weekend. I positioned myself close to the front, but almost from the start I found myself going backwards. I probably lost around half a dozen places in the first kilometre, but then seemed able to hold position for quite some time.
I knew I was ahead of Derek, but was expecting him to slip past at some point - I never look round but I suspected he might be tracking me, biding his time for a reversal of our last clash!
Fergal did his bit for me again, helping me to focus on the job in hand during the two slightly up-hill sections where I have a tendancy to drift off. With the large field I found I was catching more tail-enders, and having to run round them - I even had to call 'excuse me!' when, on my sprint finish, a gap I was aiming for suddenly closed in front of me. I could hear someone bearing down on me over the last few hundred metres, and was convinced it was Derek, so put my all into fending him off, only to find that it was someone else entirely, a chap in the green and white hoops of Tipton Harriers. We thanked each other afterwards - me for him pushing me on and him for me pulling him along!
I checked my watch, feeling fairly confident that I'd gone sub-20 again, but was astounded to find that, albeit unofficially at this stage, I'd clocked yet another PB, shaving off a further couple of seconds!
Derek came in very soon after, and I gave him a shout, and anyone else I knew. Joe came in pretty soon too, so I knew he'd done well.
When the results came out Joe and I had both improved, Joe knocking 3 seconds off his Cannon Hill time (though his parkrun best still stands from Brueton parkrun back in August) and my PB of 19:42 confirmed, although eighteen places further back, in a finishing field of 139 (also a record for Cannon Hill). Derek, alas, fared less well, slower by thirteen seconds.
Derek joined me for his warm-down - the first mile or so of my run home. It seems we may come up against each other again sometime soon.
Apologies for the late posting, by the way. After my run home I had to have some lunch and head off to visit friends for the remainder of the weekend, and as it's getting quite late now I think I'll leave my account of the run home until tomorrow. Then again, as I haven't had time for a run today (Sunday) I may go out tomorrow whe I get home from work...
Thursday, 14 April 2011
A New Route
My ankles were a little sore this morning. I put this down to the countless steep little bridges on the canal towpath. I wanted to run home from work again this evening, but felt I should find an alternative route. The obvious, and shortest, way is along a very busy trunk road with lots of junctions, and it's not very pleasant. I know plenty of people who run between the city centre and Cannon Hill Park before or after a parkrun, or even both ways, and knew that it wasn't too far, and as I often run home after a parkrun, and have occasionally run there before (though only when volunteering), I figured I could probably run from the office home via the park. A glance at the A-Z confirmed that it would actually be shorter than my usual route, and roughly mapping it in Good Run Guide I made it 5.45 miles. Most importantly, though - none of those pesky little bridges!
I was concerned that there might be a lot of traffic in the first mile or two, but even at 5:30 it seemed reasonably quiet. The weather was pretty good, though raining very lightly to start. I managed not to get lost, and before I knew it the floodlights of the Edgbaston cricket ground hove into view and I was onto more familiar roads.
I had expected to take around fifty minutes, but did it in 41:50!
I'm sure I'll be using this route again, and probably some extended versions too, after I get mapping again. It makes a pleasant change from the canal, and importantly it's lit, so it can be done without having to leave the office quite so early in the winter months.
There were a lot of runners around again... if they're training for London they need to put their feet up!
I was concerned that there might be a lot of traffic in the first mile or two, but even at 5:30 it seemed reasonably quiet. The weather was pretty good, though raining very lightly to start. I managed not to get lost, and before I knew it the floodlights of the Edgbaston cricket ground hove into view and I was onto more familiar roads.
I had expected to take around fifty minutes, but did it in 41:50!
I'm sure I'll be using this route again, and probably some extended versions too, after I get mapping again. It makes a pleasant change from the canal, and importantly it's lit, so it can be done without having to leave the office quite so early in the winter months.
There were a lot of runners around again... if they're training for London they need to put their feet up!
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
A Wet Wednesday
This evening's run home was quite different to last Wednesday's. A dull early evening, a little bit chilly in the wind, which was of course against me most of the way, and largely in a light drizzle. On top of that, my route had to change slightly as the access I normally use from a road bridge to the towpath was blocked off for some sort of repairs. I had to quickly think which way to go without altering the distance too much. I went slightly wrong but realised that the bridge I was about to go under carried the canal overhead, so quickly got back on track.
Overall the route turned out to be just 0.05 miles shorter, and I ran about twenty seconds per mile faster.
Once back on course there were no further hitches. There were lots of runners around, whether in training for 'that' marathon I couldn't say!
Overall the route turned out to be just 0.05 miles shorter, and I ran about twenty seconds per mile faster.
Once back on course there were no further hitches. There were lots of runners around, whether in training for 'that' marathon I couldn't say!
Tuesday's Wednesday Session Goes Even Quicker!
We swapped things around again, Joe and I doing our weekly Wednesday session on Tuesday again, this time the other way round, and again went faster! His ligament certainly seems to be doing alright.
It was a warmish evening, there were no hold-ups with traffic, in fact drivers seemed to be going out of their way to be helpful. Could it have something to do with the weather? We chatted al the way round, or should I say I did, Joe contributing occasionally, and not while going uphill.
Not paying attention to our pace, I was rather surprised, though Joe confessed he'd thought it was going to be a good one.
It was a warmish evening, there were no hold-ups with traffic, in fact drivers seemed to be going out of their way to be helpful. Could it have something to do with the weather? We chatted al the way round, or should I say I did, Joe contributing occasionally, and not while going uphill.
Not paying attention to our pace, I was rather surprised, though Joe confessed he'd thought it was going to be a good one.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Pleasant Run, Unusual Injury
I had meant to do a fairly long run roday but with one thing and another I didn't have the time. In the end I went out without a plan and just headed toward the river.
Although it was a gorgeous day it was rather too hot for running, so I was quite happy not to do too long a run. I took the trail route along the river and just kept going until I had used half the available time and then turned round. Rather that than simply returning the same way I made a few minor changes, involving a short road section then going round the other side of the mill pool, down the other side of the river, and crossing a field, but finishing on the road back home. At least there was some shade from the trees.
It was such a nice day and I enjoyed the run so much I wished I'd gone out earlier when it was a little cooler so I could have stayed out for a bit longer.
I generally don't bother taking a bottle with me except on longer runs, but as it was so hot I took a small bottle of isotonic drink. Trying to drink and run at the same time though, I somehow managed to pull my jaw muscle when I belched!
Although it was a gorgeous day it was rather too hot for running, so I was quite happy not to do too long a run. I took the trail route along the river and just kept going until I had used half the available time and then turned round. Rather that than simply returning the same way I made a few minor changes, involving a short road section then going round the other side of the mill pool, down the other side of the river, and crossing a field, but finishing on the road back home. At least there was some shade from the trees.
It was such a nice day and I enjoyed the run so much I wished I'd gone out earlier when it was a little cooler so I could have stayed out for a bit longer.
I generally don't bother taking a bottle with me except on longer runs, but as it was so hot I took a small bottle of isotonic drink. Trying to drink and run at the same time though, I somehow managed to pull my jaw muscle when I belched!
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