A good end to the year

I had a good run last Sunday; it showed that my fitness is on its way back and that gives me a great deal of encouragement for next year.

The Round the Lakes 10km was held at Poole Park on Boxing Day. There was a good turn presumably with everyone wanting to run off their Christmas dinner. I employed the same tactics as I had on the Gower run. I set off at a steady pace, consolidated my position in the second third of the race and finished the last third with whatever I had left. This worked very well. I was knackered by the end, but not so much that I couldn't pick up my training again after a few days rest. My time was 41:07 and I came 56th out of 359 runners – a result I am very happy with as the course was not a fast one.

As you can see from the photo, I seem to be floating a foot above the ground – perhaps it was all those sprouts!

A Merry Christmas

I have had a good couple of weeks training - I just need to keep it up into 2010.

I had a great cross-country run with my mate Justin last Sunday around Blenheim Palace. However it was very cold and icy and I managed to fall three times on the uneven ground. I am still sore in all sorts of places!

I am doing a 10k run on Boxing Day around the lakes at Poole Park. I don’t know whether Alison is going to make it (depends on whether she wants to get up or not) but the race is three laps so it should be good for spectators.

After this race, I will be concentrating on my programme to prepare for Wuthering Hike.

Pilates has finished for the Christmas break. In January I will be going into the mixed ability class. I will have to start practicing my positions as this will be quite a big jump in terms of difficulty.

I hope 2010 brings you lots of great injury-free racing, and would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year.

A day at the Seaside

I was up at 3 am to get ready for my pick up at 4. I had my porridge AND the 500ml of beetroot juice to complete the requirements for the six day test, not an easy task! After a three hour plus drive, me, Justin and Andy (fellow Witney Roadrunners who were taking part in the race) were glad to get to the Gower Peninsula and of a leg stretch and a tea. We registered and made our final preparations for the 9 am start.

About 150 people started the marathon (there was a simultaneous 10k and half marathon being run). The beginning of the route went straight onto the beach and we had a lovely run along the shoreline with the sea crashing in and keeping us company as we made our way towards the dunes. Once off the beach we traversed above the sea on the coastal path then cut inland and at around 3 miles we had a water stop (too soon I felt). After dibbing the dibber on my wrist I began to climb and my legs needed to work hard.

The ground on most of the course was very sodden and there was also a great deal of grass which made it very slippery in places, and made for some great descents. I had decided that I was going to take it steady for this race as I hadn’t run more than 20 miles since I had been ill, so I started at around 8:30 min/miles and managed to keep to that for around 14 miles when I slipped to around 9 min/miles. But I felt that I was running within myself so was very happy that.

The race was in the shape of a large clockwise loop taking in the best countryside the Gower had to offer, with up downs, woods and roads so by the time I found myself back onto the coastal path I was in no doubt that I was in an epic race. At about 20 miles I was still in control of myself, so I just kept pushing on and working really hard at not walking. The payoff was that I was not passed by anyone between here and the end of the race. There was a guy who I kept seeing as I got to the top of the hills (you have to have a quick look behind you - don’t you) who was closing all the time. At the end of the race he said he was not able to make any ground on me, which felt good. I forgot to say, the race had to be extended due to changes along coastal path so it ended up being a distance of 28 miles all in. I wasn’t too bothered about the extended course but it meant that there was a sting in the tail in the last two miles. A nice steep long hill (character building) and a killer downhill to the finish on a surface that would do justice to a ski slope. My kind of decent! I just let myself go and propelled myself forward as fast as my shot legs would carry me. I came over the line in 4: 35:58 which I was VERY pleased with, I had followed my plan and, “it had worked”.

My two mates both had challenging runs. One had an awesome run and came in 7^th overall. I was 21^st (4^th Vet 45). My other mate came in just under 5:30 hours. I was so pleased to have their company both going to the race and on the way home, as it made a really great change to have someone to dissect the race with and take your mind off the legs that feel like they want to explode!

Postscript

One week on and I have had a couple of runs. I did almost three hours yesterday (Saturday) and another two today (Sunday). I think that I the race plan I employed on this race will be the one I use for the Wuthering Hike, as I felt brilliant yesterday and it was only the loss of light (the head torch I had with me was too weak) which forced me onto the roads and home.

As for the beetroot, I think it was a winner! I felt I had plenty of energy in the latter parts of the race, a place I normally fade so I will try it again for my next race. Back to my programme next week and start getting some hills in and prepare for a fitter and stronger New Year.

Every Beet of my heart

No not a misspelling. I have decided to try, following a recent study at Exeter University, beetroot juice each day for six days before I race to see if it has any effect on my running. For those of you who know me, you will know I like trying out new theories to see whether they seem to work or not. I'll keep you posted!

I have had a short 3 mile run tonight just to stretch the legs out and am going to pilates tomorrow although I don't intend to push myself too hard as I don't want to ache like last week.