Bourton 10k

Well, an interesting race indeed. Excellent conditions yesterday and my debut race as a 'Harrier'. My race plan went out of the window within the first mile (as usual) as I clocked a 5.45 min mile. The second mile was also under 6 mins, my plan was to start easy and gradually increase the pace. Anyway, my overall time was 38:46 with a 5.58 min / mile pace which I am extremely pleased with!!

Helen, Josh & Bethany were there to cheer me on, although I don't think Bethany really got in to the spirit of things ;)

I was running behind Laura Kent for most of the race but couldn't reduce the gap which stood at about 50m for about 4 miles. When the race reached the town centre I managed a surge which closed the gap but left me struggling during the final kilometre. From somewhere I found a sprint finish and managed to overtake Laura, although not my proudest moment!

Good times all around for the Tuesday night runners. Ray was 35:50 (ish), Laura must have been about 36:50 and Dave a 38:30 (ish) and given his recent ITB troubles, a very good time indeed.

Just waiting to find out the overall results though, website hasn't been updated yet (http://www.bourtonroadrunners.co.uk/10k_results.htm#)

Here's the Motion Based info:

Race Ready?

I toned down the mileage this week in preperation for Bourton on Sunday. Still managed just over 20 miles that included a reasonably fast (6.40 pace) run with the Harriers on Tuesday. Quite looking forward to using my new race shoes and pulling on the Harriers running vest; I'll look the part at least if nothing else!

Weather looks fair for Sunday. Time prediction? Hmmm, around 38.30 which would be well within my PB.

We'll see.

R.

Frosty, but no snowman

Cleeve Common was nice this afternoon. A bit like Picadilly Circus and quite muddy in places, but great weather and a good workout on the hills. Rusty seemed quite slow today but that's probably due to the fact he hasn't been on the Hill for a few weeks. Nice as it was, it would have been fantastic up there at 7am this morning. Nobody would have been around and it would have been very cold and crisp. At 7am this morning I was fending Joshua off as he tried to climb in to our bed. Far too early for a Sunday :(

Off for a short trip to the States in early March so will take my trail shoes for a venture in Patapsco State Park (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/patapscovalley.html).

Dave & I used to hit the trails almost every Sunday morning whether it was snowy and well below freezing or mid 90s and high humidity.

Anyway, here's the run from today. Notice the elevation chart; Rusty had to stop for a breather after that!

R

A stitch in time hurts like hell

A good mileage week this week, just over 30. The Harriers run on Tuesday combined both terrible bouts of stitch and me taking a wrong turn and getting split up from the rest of the group. I ended up doing a 10.7 mile run as opposed to a 10 miler that the rest did. The distance wasn't a particular problem but the stitch was probably the worst I have ever had (I blame the work sandwiches that I had earlier!). I also cut my toe which has got steadily worst with each run this week but enough of my moaning!

Haven't done much XC lately; Cleeve Hill looks very inviting today basked in milky winter sunshine. No chance though, family stuff to attend to but there's always tomorrow.

R.

Bit of speed?

I took a mid-afternoon snooze by the kids to pop out for a 4.5 mile blast. Good overall pace (6.26 / mile) which included a 6.00 mile, very pleased with that one! Just one second quicker would have made that mile look very special indeed. So mild today that I was wearing the same gear that I used during lunchtime runs in 90 def F and nearly 95% humidity during the summer in the US! Not quite that warm today, but still very nice.

R.

Funny ole week

Wednesday morning saw my weekly running total at an amazing 0 miles! Didn't run with the Harriers on Tuesday as my services (mainly the nappy changing and bathing) were required. So by the time I left for work on Wednesday, not a single mile had been run this week. However, Thursday evening now and I've done 25 so I've caught up quite nicely. Actually, I've run the equivalent of a marathon since yesterday morning, almost. Not a great time though, 36 hours :)

Having just read 'Ultra Marathon Man', and especially the closing chapters were Dean ran a 200 mile race down through California (mile 200 was a sub 6 minuter too), it makes my 6 mile trek to work seem very hopeless. Although, I bet he'd find Bushcombe Lane a challenge just like me!

Next race for me is the Boughton on the Water 10k, which is in a couple of weeks. Hoping to reduce my 10k PB but not so sure after this week. My run home from work yesterday was horrific. I set off too quickly and by mile 3 was bonking really badly. By the time I got home I was gasping for a sugary cup of tea and food. I also had a nosebleed on the way so I must have looked particularly handsome when I came through the door. A bit of blood always brings out the wolf instinct in Rusty!

R.

Tuesday Pink Route

This was the route from Tuesday - well almost. We cut a corner off and only did 9 miles....

New Shoes

Nice run with the Harriers on Tuesday; not too fast which suited me fine as I am a bit out of sorts when it comes to speed! It's quite frightening how quickly speed tails off if you don't keep at it. Still, I managed a 25+ mile week last week and just over 20 this.

Bought some new Mizunos today - the 2008 Elixir 3. Nice lightweight shoe which I'll reserve for races and speed work. Although they have a bit of stability and cushoning, they probably won't be too good for long runs. They are under 300gms so ideal for faster runs/races. My other Mizunos, Alchemy 7s, have just expired but thankfully I bought a couple of pairs before leaving the US ;)

Naturally I'm keen to give my Elixirs a blast around the block!