The day after

My legs are wrecked! Can't believe how bad they are after a measly 2 mile run up a hill. Got out for 50 minutes this morning but it was hard work, really hard work. I was fair puffing coming the end. And I only managed half hour on the exercise bike afterwards instead of my customary hour (albeit on high level).

I need more leg strength to power up those hills so I will be adding some leg work to my gym workouts. Starting tomorrow I'll be putting some legs extensions, squats and calf raises on the list. I recon that'll do the trick.

Felltastic

Well, I awoke this morning with both apprehension and excitement. This was to be my first fell race and I was looking forward to it. Partook of, what is fast becoming my race day ritual, a nice big bowl of super race fuel - ready brek (how sad is that!).

I was itching to get there and race but I wasn't quite sure how long it would take. Consequently I may have left a little on the early side - I was the first one on the scene. I wasn't sure if I was at the right place but shortly a few more cars turned and I knew it was race on.

The weather was a bit naff. As you can see from the pic, dull, drizzly and windy, especially on the top, of which you can see the peak we ran to (obviously you can't see the wind but it was there, I tells ye). Anyway, did a bit of a warm up and prepared for the off. At 2pm sharp, the crack of the starters gun echoed down the valley and we were off - there wasn't really a starters gun more of a 'wave of the small yellow flag' but that doesn't sound as good.

So that was it, off to the peak and back. This was a short race, only about 2 miles but it was pretty tough all the same. It was tremendously steep. So much so that after the initial run it turned into a sort of get yourself up there as quick as you could be any means. Suffice to say it was the old hands on quads method. Which worked quite well. The wind at the top was strong, almost blowing us off the hill.

Incredibly, I got to the top in eighth place! Then came the insane bit - the downhill. I have to admit I was quite scared at points coming down. You have to be brave and kind of just fall. I couldn't see much through my glasses in the rain and just had to hope I found good footing. During the next few minutes I had more than a few brown trouser moments I can tell you. One person came past towards the bottom of the decent but that still left my in the top ten. I think I did OK coming down. On the final run in I gave it my usual sprint finish to pick up that place I lost to finish in eighth place. I was both stunned and chuffed to bits. I have to say I think I held my own on my very first foray into the wonderful world of fell running. And you know, I think I like it!

I have to say though, it was both scary and exhilarating. I thinks it safe to say I shall be doing a few more of these insane fell races.

It was also a good day for Bristol and West as we placed three in the top ten. That's right boys, the BW brigade is back in town and we're kicking ass! Patrick Woodisse was fourth and Helen Fines was tenth and winner of the women's race (and well on the way towards a series win). Now there may be a few that noticed that I finished ahead of Helen for the first time ever. However, I'm officially scratching the result from the record books on account that she had a bad cold (and I have the gloves to prove it!). Therefore, I decline to claim a first victory over her under those conditions. But you know what? when she's fully recovered I still recon there's a chance....

Nada

Diddly squat, nout, zilch, call it what you will but that's what I'm doing today. It's been a hard week and up until yesterday I was beginning to get a bit weary from all the training. Yesterday's session changed all that. I was so tired before the start and during but I just seemed to go on drawing something from somewhere. It showed me how important the mental aspect of running and training really is. As they say in the trade, where there's a will there's a way (sorry, John, this isn't some kinky reference to you!).

Glutton for punishment

Went straight down the gym from work and put in a solid half hour interval session on the bike, set one level higher than I've gone before. Certainly made me pump the ol' legs. Good relaxation though, sat there, peddling me short, fat, hairy legs as I read 'Sherlock Holmes: The Sign Of Four'. Then pumped iron for a further half hour.

I felt tired from yesterday but guilty I hadn't managed to get out for the run I had intended this morning. I made up my mind, I wasted no more time - and went to Mike's Zoo session. Tonight we ran eight slightly extended single laps (about 880 vs 820m). To be honest I took the first one easy and built from there since I wasn't sure how I would go. My splits were 3:26, 3:17, 3:07, 3:06, 3:04 and 2:57, only six, as I decided I should stop there as I felt knackered and I had really pushed on that sixth one. Each of the laps was hard work but I just kept trying to close the gap to Jerry and Charlie (or at least stop it growing so quickly) - and keep John W behind me for a long as I could (he gave us all a head start). On that Final one I managed it! So I decided what the heck, in for a penny in for a pound and ran the full session. My last two laps were 3:00 and 3:01 but I was hanging on on the last lap, desperate to keep John behind me - but alas, resistance was futile and he came blasting past on the final up hill bit.

Never-the-less it was a hard fought session, beating my own demons in the process to complete the full session. The interesting point was that it was windier than yesterday, I did the bike beforehand and I still managed to run at a very similar pace (the sixth, seventh and eighth were actually ever so slightly quicker) to yesterday's 800's but on a slightly longer lap - how does that work?

Praise be for a rest day tomorrow before a short fell race on Saturday where I hope to dip my toe into the crazy craft that is falling down a mountain while trying to land on your feet as you fall.

That's a nice bit of 5 by 8

Or in normal speak, five 800's, ran at a consistent, if slow pace. We were a bit thin on the ground tonight. Nick and Ben worked well together. They put in five 1k's plus three 400's to finish, which is a longer session than normal, so well done them. Mini-Ben was out tonight as well, just getting back into it. He gave me some good pacing on the first lap, running very consistently. Gave me a target.

Conditions were good tonight. You could feel the wind on the home straight but it was much less strong than of late. Additionally, as a one time special offer, it didn't rain on us! Although I was slow tonight I still felt it was a good session. It wasn't slow because I took it easy, it was slow because I just couldn't go any quicker. I was focused throughout and working hard, especially on each of the second laps. There was no easing up and I really pushed down the home straight. Felt the old jelly leg kick in on a few of those laps.

I've been working hard for a couple of weeks and I might take an easier one next week. I still feel I'm benefiting from all the hard training and getting stronger. Not sure if I'm getting any quicker but we'll see.

Twenty before breakfast....

Miles - yeh, that's likely - no, just minutes. First time this year I've managed to haul myself out of bed for a recovery run so that I'm ready for the evening session. Was it ever a battle! You know the kind of thing, you're there in a nice warm and cosy bed and then it begins... time to run - no it's not, just a few more minutes - no, got to get up now - no, don't bother, you can do it tomorrow, etc. In the end I'm glad to say that the 'got to get up' side of the argument won.

The gods were smiling ...

... despite the weather being terrible all day we managed an almost entirely dry, calm training session tonight - and I didn't even have my lucky, holy - sorry - holey underpants on!

Tonight we were on Clifton Prom hill reps. The turn out was great - almost a full platoon. The quick boys and girls ran three big ones up to the Observatory followed by some medium ones. Everyone else ran the medium reps - except, of course, for me (there's always one - tut). After my success on the weekend I decided to run four big ones! I hasten to add NOT because I was with the quick boys for I was no where near them and only joking about the success thing. The real reason is simply that I have some hilly races coming up in the next few weeks and I wanted a tough workout.

I was really pleased with the consistency tonight, 6:16, 6:18, 6:14 and 6:20 with a one minute recovery after the first rep and then two minutes between the rest. The bonus tonight was that my pace was quicker than the session in December - and I only ran the shorter, medium reps then!

Everyone finished off the session with two small reps, where I managed 2:27 and 2:33. My legs had gone to jelly come the end but it really was a great session. Now off to recover ahead of tomorrow's track session....

Well that took a time

I was up all night banging - shut it. Finally got it finished by about 5:30am in the morning. But as I take a step back and admire my handiwork I have to admit, though I say so myself - proper job.

Well here it is ..........



As you can see it has George III styling and if you look closely, there in the middle, you can see the imperious looking trophy.



............ and if you believe all that cobblers then I fear for you, I really do!

Almost Perfect at the Forest of Dean Trail Race

Today was my greatest ever moment in running. The weather was pants. Fine drizzle before, during and after the race but that couldn't distract me from my date with destiny.......

I opted for the 10.4k. Basically it's a two lap course with a short run to the lap and from the lap to the finish. There was also a one lap 5.4k and three lap 15.4k race all taking place together so you weren't sure who you were racing.

The first half of the lap was uphill and then - obviously - downhill to the end of the lap. I really didn't notice the uphill section but really felt the benefit of the downhill bit. There seemed far more downhill than up. Graham and Suzanne would beg to differ.

I went off steady and ran even pace for the first lap. At the start of second lap Clevedon's Vito came sprinting past me! He'd decided to give everyone a head start - some might say he got there late and missed the start - I'll let him decided. Anyway, he came home as first senior man (second in the race).

I was working hard on the second lap and managed to catch up and overtake four people on the uphill. There was one runner tracking me all through that second lap but luckily I managed to hold him off. That second lap was about 30s quicker than the first, which was one of my aims - to finish strong.

After a sprint finish of sorts I came home in 40:35 and .......... 2nd Senior Man!!!!!!! My greatest ever placing in a race. I am chuffed beyond belief. (I was 4th overall and still bloody pleased with that). Today I claimed my first ever piece of silverware - ok, not quite silver - a golden plaque adorned with jewels and intricate carvings? - all right, a wood effect plastic plaque with gold plastic bits - which I shall, never the less, cherish forever - after all, it's likely to be my only ever (almost) win.

It's true that the field may not have been the strongest ever assembled but in the words of Rhet Butler, 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"

Well done to Suzanne for first place in the 5.4k senior women's race (second overall) and Graham for 13th in the 10.4k.

Finally, whoo hoo hoo ...... sorry, I mean, off to build my trophy cabinet......

Going for a time trail

No training today. Resting up - ahead of a race tomorrow in the 2nd Winter Forest Of Dean Trail Run. I'm looking forward to it.

Not sure what time I'm going to do. I'm going to try and pace myself evenly somewhere around 6:20 mileing. The times from last years race all look slow so it may be a tough course - I'll find out tomorrow. If it looks flattish then I will up my pace to, say, 6:10's. Above all I want to try and run even laps and finish strong.

... and I can't believe Pudzianowski lost World Strongest Man last night - he is one strong son of gun.

Feel good Thursday

Tonight's session was gert brill for no other reason than I overcame my wicked, evil, impure thoughts ... of not completing the session. We were up at the zoo again running one double lap (as a bit of a warm up really) and then six singles. On laps three and four I was really questioning whether to pack in the session but I overcame it. Incredibly, I managed to run all of the singles in exactly 2:51 - except for the last one ... which was a 2:50, whoo hoo. That's about the same as last weeks singles but the recoveries where tighter tonight. It was hard work and no mistake. I had to dig a little deeper on each successive lap but that's what it's all about. No pain, No gain. When I asked the questions of myself tonight I got the right answers for once.

It's been a hard week, a race followed by three hard sessions (and obviously I put in 45 minutes at the gym before tonight's session). I'm feeling the buzz again. My spirits are lifted. Definitely a hard week but if I can feel like this afterwards then bring it on...

Tired ... what more can I say

It caught up with my today and bit me on the arse - but it was still worth it. I ran at the limit and didn't have anything to spare. Normally I can pull a bit out on the last rep but not tonight. I ran six 700's with 2 minute recoveries. My first four reps where all smack on 2:20 (a bit on the slow side I'll grant you but that damn wind was ever present on the top bend and home straight which would have added a second or two - never good when you have to start making excuses for a shoddy performance but there it is). The final two where both 2:23's and that final one was a real battle to hit even that. I didn't see much of the lads tonight - because I didn't bring my binoculars, they were that far ahead! So although the session was slower than I should be capable of it was, never the less, a good one. My legs were jelly on those last two so hopefully I'll still get some training effect from the session.

Ben ran with us tonight but I think he continued onto a slightly longer session, like a duracell bunny to my ordinary one. The rest of the lads and Jerry put in three 300's to finish. I had nothing left so gave them a miss - plus it began to p#*@ down with rain at that point - what's a bloke to do? Couldn't get my hair wet could I? - ooooh I'll get my handbag - only joking (said in my deepest, hardest sounding voice) - shut it you muppet.

Well done to Sean for his handicap win on Sunday. He looked perfectly normal tonight so he must have recovered from what ever caused him to be handicapped - oh, I see, a time handicap race, right, that sounds more sensible.

Squaring up for a run

Tonight's session was over at Aztec again. I like the mile reps but tonight I knew from 30s into the first rep that I didn't have any speed in the legs. So instead of four single mile reps I ran two double mile reps. I ran the first in 12:12 with mile splits of 6:15 and 5:57 and the second in 12:08 with mile splits of 6:07 and 6:01. Overall I was pleased with the session because I did push myself. I was tired from yesterday, had to run them solo and worked hard, especially on the last rep to come in quicker than the first one.

I'm looking forward to tomorrows track session as I feel I will have recovered a bit more from the hangover by then and be ready to run a hard session with task master Rick cracking the whip.

Not since the great storm of 1953 ...

have I been buffeted and rocked by winds of such magnitude and ferocity. The two(ish) laps of the Hangover 10k at Kewstoke were, to say the very least, extremely testing. I had this great idea last Friday that I'd start the year with a pb and chose the Hangover 10k as the race to do it. What a brilliant idea - NOT. On the morning of the race I realised it wasn't gonna happen. I came home just outside 39 minutes, about 1:26 off my pb and every step on that last lap was hard. The wind was horrendous. I recon that somewhere between 4 and 5k of the race was run into the wind. The section down the see front was bad - really bad, directly into the wind. The wind just did not let up and it must have been a good mile. What made it even worse was the fact that after the first lap you knew what was coming at the end of the race - I've seen grown men cry at less (all right, all right - I've cried at less). Anyway, I'm glad I did it. If nothing else it was good training. Then I went down the gym afterwards for a crafty half hour on the exercise bike - what? I pass the gym on the way home from Weston, it'd be rude not to. Introduced myself to the delights of level 14 interval.

The usual suspects were all on parade (just goes to show I'm not the only sad git who drags themselves out of bed on New Years Day). There was the Mighty Phil Parry, fresh from his run at Exeter yesterday, leading the way home, finishing just outside 33 minutes. Then came Dangerous Dan Moore finding it tough in the wind. When I met him at the finish all his hair had been blown off! (Nice to meet Mrs Dan by the way). Next up was Ben Robinson, coming back from injury, and finishing somewhere around 36 minutes. He was a bit disappointed with his time but I think he'll be pleasantly surprised the next time he races in calmer conditions. Following on his heels (well almost) was his dad, Matt 'get your slippers' Robinson. He showed me a clean pair of them today, beating me by about a minute (the swine). Sian was there and Graham Grew too (think that's his Surname - I'm terrible names).

Finally, let me wish all of my faithful bloggerets (all three of you) a happy and fortuitous New Year in 2007. Long may you run like the wind (no reference to Crumpies brussels sprout soup intended).