Stupid boy, Pike

My quads were not in the best of shape this morning - they are not in the best of shape now, either. We got out for a short run along a section of the Pennine Way with the meddlesome Mr Peddles [Pedwar] and the Super Dog [Brown Dog]. We headed out around the back of the Pike - Dufton Pike, shaken not stirred, and back into town - a 45 minuter. Then it was breky in the local tea room before heading home. The drive home wasn't great - but then when is a five hour drive ever great? Come to think of it, when is a five hour drive even half decent? - Answers on a post card.

Oh, and one more thing, Helen spoke to Ricks brother, Mick, on Saturday. I'm pretty sure he's the M50 Gold medalist in both the English and the British. It is most unnerving seeing him. I can't help expecting him to be Rick.

Oh, and just another one more thing - these northern folk don't talk gert proper, like - when I complained I couldn't understand this chap at the bar they had the cheek to claim they couldn't understand me!

Thought for the day: I'm not a complete idiot --Some parts are missing.

Yest erday...

All my troubles seemed so far away. Not that they feel particularly near today, mind.

It was my first race of the English and British fell championship - shame it was the last of the season. Helen (or Mrs Mad Runner to be - I might pay for that later) didn't run well but as a consolation she is the English Fell Running Championship individual silver medalist - as well as taking the team gold with Calder Valley - not a bad days work.

So how did I run? Not great. I ran hard - none of this starting slow and getting slower but I struggled on the ascent and lost close to 20 places - which is a shame as i would have finished well inside the top 100 - instead of 105th. Still, I enjoyed racing - I've not lost the desire - just the ability - shut it, I have a bit, really, I do but I'm just hiding it under a bush at the moment, ready to spring it on an unsuspecting world at any moment. Be afraid, be very afraid...

Miles from the track

I was miles away from a good track session this evening. No, really, I was miles away.

Unlike yesterday, I did actually do some running tonight and strangely for the first time in ages I felt quite powerful - almost a disappointment not to be running at the track. Still, what energy I don't waste today I can use on Saturday at the Dufton Pike race. I'm so going to try and really get myself in a race up there.

Thought for the day: If it's sent by ship then it's a cargo, if it's sent by road then it's a shipment.

Banking on holiday Monday

It was decent enough weather for some mile reps. So Sean, Helen and I headed over the road to run my mile rep specials. Well, Sean didn't head over the road, he came up the road. And why mile rep specials? Because the loop is one of the most accurate mile loops you will find anywhere - in the world - fact. They are with 0.01% accurate - OK, I made that bit up, but they are as near as dammit exactly one mile.

Anyway, I ran slow - as did we all really. Sean had a bout of the pains and Helen had a touch of the tight hamstrings. My splits of 6:06, 6:08, 6:03 and 6:06 weren't exactly fast and I know I've done them lots quicker in the past but for now I just have to be happy with easing myself back into the groove. My return continues...

Thought for the day:

Easy does it

It was just an easy hour up at Ashton Court this morning. Good weather and fine conversation made the time just fly by. It seemed like no more than hour and the run was complete. We ran out through Leigh Woods and back along the tow path. Rick was crook - dodgy knee - so Tim deputised and the rest of us followed. I shall miss our lazy Sunday Ashton runs once I'm living up in the Forest of Dean. I will have to try and get down now and again to meet up with the gang.

Anyway, tomorrow's plan is to run some mile reps. How many? That I don't know yet but four would be a safe bet - unless some hard task master makes us do more - and that's a distinct possibility...

Thought for the day: If only one could get that wonderful feeling of accomplishment without having to accomplish anything.

Gawlf

It was the day of the Knowle Invitation and I was invited - nice.

As day dawned - it tends to do that - and eerily it's nearly always around about the same time that the sun appears above the horizon - oh, where was I? Oh yeah, day dawning. Well as day dawned I realised I felt bad. Not just your average I don't want to get up now bad, no this was your real I feel ill bad. But after cancelling last weeks gawlf on account of knackering my legs I just had to make it out there for this one.

I skipped brekky on account of the fact that the stomach ache was too much and headed out onto the course. It was a great day for it - stop it - and although I didn't feel great I managed to get round OK and indeed played some half decent golf. I wasn't striking the ball well - shh, but around the green I was playing like Mr Woods - I only took eleven puts on the back nine [that's good, by the way].

We didn't win but then that's not the point. What am I saying, course that's the point but we weren't far off the pace and with a few less duffers we would have been right up there - then again, everyone says that.

Well, I'm feeling a lot better now and should get up to Ahston Court tomorrow for a run out with Rick, Sean and who ever else turns up - I only hope they don't run too fast - fat chance of that I'm guessing...

Uh oh, you're in trouble now

I'm resting ahead of, well, nothing really. I guess I'm just a lazy bastard.

I did get out for a short run. A stretch of the legs. An amble in the jungle - the urban jungle. Mind you, I did see a few scary looking natives. It was only a quick one round the block but the legs are still a bit pants so I don't want to risk further damage. I'm golfing tomorrow and then Ashton Courting on Sunday - haven't done that for a while. I expect they'll be far too fast for me - or maybe I'll be far too slow - same result.

Anyway, I leave you with the result of a recent bout of boredom...

Oh I hope I'm not over the hill
That my legs can power me, still
I must start to train
From the couch must refrain
Oh I hope I'm not over the hill

Oh I hope I'm not over the hill
My muscles I want to refill
I vow to regain
And run through the pain
Oh I hope I'm not over the hill

Oh I hope I'm not over the hill
I've races to run for a thrill
Dufton comes soon
Will I be fortune?
Oh I hope I'm not over the hill

I like to ride my bicycle

I like to ride my bike. Yes folks, it was more of the exercise bike tonight. My calfs were still feeling the effort from yesterday and I don't want to push myself off course - unlike our Olympic 10k swimmer - controversial, below the belt.

I could only manage 45 minutes on the old cross country setting and I was so far down on my best it was laughable - I had to laugh else I would have been crying it was so bad. I still have an awfully long way to go. Many roads must I travel. I'll take the low road while everyone else takes the high one - but I have more than a sneaking suspicion that I won't be in Scotland afore ye. Not sure I'll even be close. Still, I'll dig in and dig deep - now that's a lot of digging...

Thought for the day: A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

Huge turnout

A rolling stone gathers no moss - but the running group does gather more runners - it certainly did tonight at least. We started the first with six. That's Jerry and Dan - the geriatric duo - whoops, did I say that out loud? - I meant the dynamic duo. Sean and Rob - the young ones - and Helen and I ... with Rick on bass stop watch.

We ran five reps of a 600m followed by a jogged 100 before a 300m followed by a jogged 200 back to the start. I had to skip out after the third - I needed a poo - sorry, too much information - but I did complete all five.

Anyway, after the first set we were joined by the ranks of Dave B's group which swelled our numbers to close to twenty.

It was a good, hard session tonight and my splits of 2:00 for the sixes and 57 for the three's weren't too bad - Helen beat me, of course - but then it's not like it's a race is it?

A long days day

I had a long day at work. Couple that with a sore calf muscle and you have all the ingredients for chicken soup - I mean, absolutely no training. I really wanted to run my eight's over at the track but I just knew it would be both pointless and would put my aching body back further. This way I hope I can put in a half reasonable effort tomorrow.

I did at least put in an hour on the bike infront of the telly. It wasn't exactly Chris Hoy but I got the heart rate ticking over without straining my poor, feeble shell.

Anyway, it's time for feet up to watch the Olympic highlights...

Calf trouble

My right calf is giving me some pain. The groin and ITB are fine so hopefully I will be able to give it some 800's tomorrow. Apart from that, it's normailty from me - except from the engagement and I just can't help feeling happy.

Thought for the day: When you have nothing to say - say nothing.

It's official...

...I followed my race plan to the letter yesterday - I started slow and did indeed fade to a crawl - who says I can't follow a plan?

Oh, and it's official, I didn't come last - although it was a close thing. Having said that, the results aren't out yet but I am reliably informed that someone got lost and came home a good half hour after me. So I guess that makes me second from last but there's a chance I might make the top 30. Mind you, there was only 35 entries!

Oh, and it's official, I never made the golf. I aggravated my old IT band injury yesterday - one of the very few injuries that I've ever sustained. Some expert massage cured that but the groin is still sore so, sadly, the golf had to bite the bullet. Still, it's not all bad, I got to spend the day with the most best fiancee in the world.

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that? It's official, Helen and I are now engaged.

Thought for the day: Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.

Oh goodness me

I am now officially a physical wreck! I took things easy and navigated meticulously but alas, the distance proved too much for me.

At about 3 miles i took a risk - I put my navigational skills to the test. As the group ahead took off down the track I headed up a steep climb alone - and it paid off. After a few lonely miles I rejoined the route - 500m ahead of the group - result. But then it all went south.

The bad weather hit - and the rain and wind never departed. Then, after about 14 miles the body took its leave of me. My groin became painful and I just about limped home to cover the 19 miles in a truly awful 4 hours. Soaked to the skin, muscles shot and shivering uncontrollably, we headed home for tea.

Oh yeah, and Helen won, which means she should have sewn up the Welsh Open Champs.

Lazy so and so

I'm tapering for tomorrow's Brecon Beacons Race - that's my official line anyway. At 19 miles and 5,000 feet this might be my last ever post - but I hope not. Tactic wise I'm going to take it out slow and fade back to a crawl - I'm almost certain to be able to follow that plan.

I've got the Filton Open Golf on Sunday before back to work Monday - if I can walk. All in all it looks like being a very engaging weekend.