A stitch in time does NOT save nine

The Hogweed Hilly looks to be every bit a great race. Well organised and marshalled. Even the weather was pretty decent. It should have been a joy to race but for me it was a bit disappointing. I was going along really steady until six miles but the steep downhill sections had taken their toll - I got a stitch which actually forced me to stop for a few seconds. Alas, I could not rid myself of it and the final seven miles where hell and really quite uncomfortable.

It was most disappointing. I was in about seventh place at the time and feeling good. I had plenty of leg strength and didn't feel in anyway tired. I was even beginning to start thinking about my race position and plan my method of attack on those few places just ahead. The stitch was a killer blow which turned the race from 'how high will I come' to 'how many places will I lose'. I was in such a good position but I knew I was doomed.

I've had this problem before. I bump up and down too much on the descents which jiggles my insides and I end up with a stitch. Oh well, maybe next year. I managed to hold on to a top ten spot - but only just, in a time of 1:28:30 but I should have been at least a minute quicker. I must train coming down hill if I am to rid myself of this evil curse. I should feel happy since 10th is still bloody good but I cannot rid myself of this feeling of disappointment born of frustration.

Well done to Lisa N. She overtook my at just beyond that six mile point and didn't look back, finishing 1st woman and sixth overall. And well down the Graham G, Mark D and Graham C.

And cheers to the shout-out at around seven miles, cheering for the Mad Runner, as recognised from the blog.

Thought for the day: Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.

(Video of the race to follow......)

Sunny Saturday

I've just checked out the weather for tomorrow and it doesn't look as though it's going to be quite as nice as today. I'm getting that da ja vou feeling. Seriously though, it looks as though it could be a bit windy but there's no way it can be as bad as last last Sunday - can it?

I feel rested and ready to have a good run in the Hogweed Hilly Half. I'll be bringing out the cap-cam again. Hopefully I can capture some decent race footage - and maybe some of the picturesque scenery as I saunter around the course - but hopefully I won't be doing too much sauntering since I shall actually be trying to race for once. In theory, the course should suit me on account of the hills but some of the down hill sections look steep and I'm not the best road descender. Give me a mountain with rocks, mud and places to kill yourself and I'm like a man possessed but put me on a steep downhill road section and I'm like a girl (no offence or disrespect intended). Don't know what kind of time to aim for, maybe between 1:25 and 1:30? Guess we find out tomorrow!

Good luck to everyone running the Hogweed tomorrow - have a good one.

Thought for the day: How do you get on or off a nonstop flight?

Thank goodness it's Friday

I managed to get out for that run I had planned. I find it so much easier to get out and run when it's prearranged with someone else. Once I've made the plans it never enters my mind not to get out there and run. If only I could be as good when I'm heading out solo.

Thought for the day: Beauty is only a light switch away!

Scenic Views: Tumble Fell Race

Click to go Picasa Web Album to see the pics.

Lazy git

I'm just so lazy! I could not be a#$ed to go down the gym tonight. I felt so tired after work I just headed home and I'd even made the effort to take my kit to work. As penance, I have at least arranged for a run from work at lunch time tomorrow, even if it's just going to be an easy one. Don't recon I'll loose too much speed or endurance in just one day. And anyway, I guess it's better to recharge the batteries than run on empty - sounds like something my Nepalese Guru would say, but this one's all mine and he's not taking the credit.

Thought for the day: Experience is a wonderful thing - it enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it again! (this one's his though).

Speeeeeed session

Conditions on the track were the best we've had them for a goodly while. To make things even better all the lads were there - a full regiment, Harry, Rob, Sean and Nick - and for the oldies, Gareth and me. Everyone has been racing over the last few weekends, I think I can even recall taking part in a couple myself. So tonight was another short and sharp session of 4's, 3's and 2's.

I hit the three 4's in 72, 70 and 69s - which is about as quick as I've ever done them. The 3's where a tad slower than last week, we ran four and I managed 50, 50, 49 and 49s. I was pleased with that. I wasn't a million miles away from last weeks times and tonight the wind was easy where as last week we had the benefit of the strong wind behind us.

The 2's? What can I say? We ran two and I managed to set a new PB, not just a common or garden training PB but an actual PB - doesn't say much, I know, my previous PB was not exactly fast, set last year at Hereford, in a time of 30.5s. Anyway I managed 30.7 and ...... 29.6s - have some. Even managed to blanket finish with Harry and Nick.

Well, there 'tis. I was right about feeling good for tonight. It was marvellous. Now for some easing down before Sunday's Hogweed Hilly Half - should be a good one. I'm going to take it quite serious and do a three day taper - can't believe I just said that!!!

Miles to go

It was the Aztec reps again tonight and the weather, which had been looking great all day, decided to kick us all in the ...... and rain. Gladly, it didn't amount to much and for the most, conditions where actually pretty good. I was looking forward to it tonight - but once we got going it was a different story. Sunday was definitely still in the legs as I trundled round the first couple in 6:19 and 6:15 before managing to get going a bit on the third, 5:59, and fourth, 5:55. I'm suspecting the session down the gym before hand probably didn't help me much either :)

Anyway, I recon I'm now set for a good session on the track tomorrow.

Thought for the day: Why is the word dictionary in the dictionary?

2nd in the combined.....

Just a quickie (shut it). I was second in the combined event from Sunday! - that's those stupid enough to compete in both the 10k and Duathlon. Mind you there was only five of us! Having said that, it was close for second, third and fourth. Our duathlon times were within a minute of each other so I managed to take that second spot on account of my decent 10k - nice.

Monsoon Monday

It's Monday and I have a severe race hangover - NOT. Couldn't face the rain again today, though - not after yesterday - and in any case I haven't got any more dry clothes or shoes! So it was down to the gym for a workout with the weights instead of running. Before I hit the weights I did the exercise bike fit-test just to see how fatigued I was but clocked up my highest ever score, 51.9. So I'm guessing I'm not that fatigued! I can't believe how good I feel after a hard weekend of racing. Even the foot is fine. Maybe I need to pick more races or harder ones?

Anyway, I'm guessing that you've all had enough of my self enforced poetry week. So this week, I will be using performance art through the medium of modern interpretive dance instead. Thank god I'm only joking ...... or am I? - no, really, I'm just kidding - seriously, I'm just tugging your leg......

Pants

The slim chance has turned to no #*&$ing chance. I finished 60th in the Duathlon yesterday :(

Still I have to be reasonably happy because with a fresh set of legs I'm sure I would have made it. I'm not going to whinge and make excuses though. In truth, I would never have done any good - I was just plain pants on the bike. I'm guessing one training session on the bike is probably not quite enough - maybe I'll fit in two or even three next time - for there will be a next time!

The only surprising thing to note from the results though, is that my second run was only 27s slower than the first - and I ran like a complete spanner - oh, the power of determination - if only I could have ratcheted that spanner up by ten more notches......

What a day....

Conditions horrendous
Wind, rain, hail it chilled us.
Top ten in the 10k,
Duathlon was OK.
Did opportunity I take,
Top fifty did I make?
Not sure,
so we'll find out tomorrow.

What a great day I had at Castle Combe. I actually managed a pretty decent time in the 10k (by my standards), 38:35 (which is within a minute of my PB) and finished in...... 'seventh' - back of the net . Now, I didn't expect that, especially after I limped home from the fell race yesterday. What a difference a day makes.

The weather conditions were, I quote the organiser, 'The worst we've ever had'. It was blowing a gale and the rain was continuous with some hail at the start of the race - which was nice - made your face all tingly. On top of that it was flippin' freezing. But at least it looks like I am in decent shape to have a proper crack at my 10k time once the weather improves.

Now, about the duathlon. Was it tough? Too bloody right. And as I predicted I was in a good position after the first run (2 miles) but got whooped by the cycle boys (and girls) once we hit the track. Still, there is a chance I made the top fifty but I think it is probably a slim one. The final 2 mile run was terrible. My legs would not work properly - my running form (never the best anyway) consisted of tiny little shuffling steps. I just couldn't run properly. To make matters worse my hands were so cold on the final transition that I didn't manage to get my right shoe on properly and the insole pushed into my toes, making it for an even more uncomfortable run. Still, I managed to pick up somewhere in the region of a dozen places so I guess everyone was in the same boat. I have lessons to learn regarding duathlon but they will be learnt.

It was, as I said before, a great day and well done to the organiser, Will and the marshals and helpers who braved the damp and the cold to host the event. Both races went off without a hitch and, in the words of the Governor of California, 'I'll be back'......

Thought for the day: How can there be self-help 'groups'?

PS just added, the link to the youtube version of yesterdays race, complete with the missing 30s from the start of the race.

Good news, bad news

Well the good news is that foot is ok. It's a bit sore but has full mobility. With 45 minutes till the 10k I shall soon be heading out for a short warm up.

The bad news the forecast is for rain and it's doing just that. Worse though, is the 20 mile an hour winds! I think I can rule out a fast time.

Anyway, must dash......

Episode V: Tumble Down

Here is Episode V - don't laugh when I take the tumble - I thought it was mandatory and you'd be disqualified if you didn't take one at some point during the race!

PS Googles Video have somehow lost the first 30s of the race from start after the titles are shown, it is there in my original but not on the uploaded version - I will be providing a link to the you tube version as soon as it is uploaded - which hopefully will be complete.

PPS The foot seems to be easing a bit so fingers crossed for tomorrow - or should that be toes crossed?

PPPS I have decided my twentieth race, taking place on Saturday 24th March (unless, that is, I can find anything slightly easier) - it's going to make it a hard weekend, racing on both the Saturday and Sunday, with a combined race distance of...... 29 miles and 7000ft of ascent! But as my faithful Nepalese Guru would say, better to try than wonder what if......

It lived up to its name....

My foot bruised to hell,
On Tumble I fell.
Second place I did finish,
now off to replenish.
A massage I'm needing,
for desperate healing.
To Castle Coombe ready,
to run, run, bike, run.

I really enjoyed the race today. It was an Irish fell race, where you start at the top, run to the bottom and then race back to the top. Within 500m from the start I had slipped on a rock and gone a right pearler. Nearly did the splits, landed on my arse and bashed my left foot on a rock. I scraped myself off the floor and moved through the field to finish ...... 'second'. That's my highest ever placing (beating my previous best of fourth). It was a small field today and some of the top runners where missing, but second is second and you can't take that away - This fell stuff is quality.

I have my doubt's as to how fit for action I am going to be tomorrow for the 10k and duathlon but I've paid my money so I shall be grinding it out regardless. I didn't get where I am today without being more than slightly mad - and I am, after all, pretty much indestructible.

Thought for the day: There's a fine line between genius and insanity and I have erased the line.

PS video to follow.

Zoo...ming around the block

Up at the zoo again tonight but for me it was a take it easy session - or meant to be. With my mad March weekend fast aproaching, if I am to stand any chance of ... well, remaining standing at the end of it, I had to take it easy tonight. Unfortunately, although I took it easy in terms of slow times (we ran the four sets of single loop then small loop with about 60s recoveries) it was bloody hard work. I was about 4-5s seconds down on my recent lap times but it felt just as hard work. Oh well, [shrugs shoulders].

As you can see the blog is back, posting on the same day as I enter it - I managed to give the T-850 spam-prevention robot the slip, hopefully, after being run over by a tanker, burnt, blown up and finally crushed, he won't be bothering me again.

And finally,

I'm resting tomorrow,
I'll ease through the day.
No gym or a jog,
as my muscles unclog.
On Saturday ready,
to Abergavenny.
A fell race I'll rumble,
they call it the Tumble.

Thought for the day: Why do people order double cheeseburger, large fries and a DIET Coke?