Running for everyone
Running, marathon, endurance
Saturday 17 November 2012
Better second time around!
Friday 7 September 2012
Tougher second time around!
Thursday 28 June 2012
The real relay
Well the IT band injury seems to be under control. The pain hasn't gone completely but it's reduced to a slight niggle and can be controlled with some ice and the occassional ibuprofen. Back into increasing the mileage and this week I was given the opportunity to combine a long run with carrying the unofficial olympic torch. I accompanied Jonathon Steele on the Boston Spa to Harewood house leg. As the real relay is being run 24hrs/day and being carried all the way, our leg took place between 1am and 3am. In order to avoid dangerous busy roads we took a 10.5mile route via sickglinhall and a slightly overgrown public footpath. I still have the nettle stings for my sins. All in it was a great run on a nice summer evening, and it was reassuring to know I wasn't the only mad person who thinks it a good idea to help carry a plastic stick, with a gps stuck on the end, around the country. Please google the "real relay" for more info.
Monday 28 May 2012
The heat is on
Scorchio!
What can I say. Hats off to all those who completed the Edinburgh marathon in the relentless heat. Ok by Saharan desert standards it was tame, but think about where the majority of runners were coming from. Most would reside in the north half of the UK and will have done most of their training and long runs in rain, slush or snow (or all three in one run). To then suddenly be faced with 20C + must have been hard psychologically, especially for the first timers. Just contending with the distance, pacing and fueling strategies is hard enough without also having to completely re-think it all due to the heat! It is important to remember in these situations to avoid guzzling gallons of water and still obey your thirst.
As I was nearby visiting my parents I decided to pop along and watch the runners at Port Seton as you could see them go out at 13 miles and come back at 22 miles. I was most impressed how good most looked at 22 miles. Many had obviously been sensible and adjusted their strategy accordingly. Well done again.
Sunday 20 May 2012
Listen to the (IT) Band
Sunday 13 May 2012
Spring Challenge Complete
Despite the left knee threatening to end my Spring fundraising challenge, I'm happy to report that the Leeds half marathon was negotiated succesfully. Three halfs plus the VLM in three months. Not bad for someone, up until this year, who did no more than one half per year and struggled each time to break 2 hrs. All three 1/2's this year have been completed in under 1h 40m. Even at 40+ I think we all have it in us to kick it up a notch. One of the most satisfying parts of today were that many of my colleagues and friends also beat personal records on a hilly and windy course. Well done to all who completed Leeds today.