YVAA Bingley
Tuesday 28th May - 7.30pm
Another warm night greeted the Vets' fixture at Bingley; this would mean the inevitable killer start would be tougher and also lot of midgies would be feasting on sweaty limbs in the field at the finish.
Again - like 2012 - I went off too fast even though I thought I'd paced better. I was blowing out before we got on the canal! Not much further on the Tonymator passed me and then Kieran from Kirkstall. The slog up to Shipley Glen was awful and I had no energy at all. I even walked for a bit. I soon got moving again and made some descent progress passing PP Nicola Bradford before the trail descent into Shipley Glen.
I could see Horsforth and Stainland ladies ahead as Kieran soon passed me on the steady climb out of the woods. The drag across the concrete slabs was not enjoyable and then the wee lad marshaling at the farm was something of a motivation.
I dragged my sorry erse across the penultimate field with rutted tracks and pushed on towards the fall down to the finish. A few Saltaire runners, a Stainland Lion and Kieran were all there first. I made a decision to fall fast then ease off towards the 90o turn right for the finish. I recognised I was passed a few and the gap to the right proved fruitful; I was only bettred here by the Stainland runner and managed to gain four places in the final field. Only if the other 5 miles had been as rewarding!
28/05/2013
26/05/2013
All goes quack...
MUCKY DUCK 8.5m TRAIL RACE
11.00 SUNDAY 26th MAY 2013
All the laughter from the coach journey across was quickly lost. I'd tried to keep in the shade before the start. And also take on sufficient water. It was going to be a hot one. I was sweating on the slow 500m walk to the start line!
The race started at a pleasant pace. Flat roads through some lovely villages with some local support. When the route crossed a busy road and all runners ere forced on to an overgrown footpath all things began to slow down; actually things began to slow down for me as I'd gone off too fast. The route shortly turned right on to a rutted track with a long, gradual ascent up to a plateau top and fine views. The track down the other side offered some recovery but no respite from the heat.
Next the road section was just belting heat rebounding off the tarmac. I was melting and couldn't regulate the heat. I tried to get water down my neck and over my head but this did little to cool the overheating engine. I was thankful for bit of shadow from trees or the odd house.
Through the woodland are and across the boardwalks then looping around the field with long, warm grass swishing at my shins. Roy the Boy had long since passed me and I though the Tonymator would be on my shoulder. I glanced back at one field corner and saw him thankfully a good 200 metres back. I tried to catch Dances with Paws-on buit he was just too far head and although injured had enough to hold on.
Very wa'm and not the most enjoyable route.
Ps. great company and good laugh on the stop-off in York.
11.00 SUNDAY 26th MAY 2013
All the laughter from the coach journey across was quickly lost. I'd tried to keep in the shade before the start. And also take on sufficient water. It was going to be a hot one. I was sweating on the slow 500m walk to the start line!
The race started at a pleasant pace. Flat roads through some lovely villages with some local support. When the route crossed a busy road and all runners ere forced on to an overgrown footpath all things began to slow down; actually things began to slow down for me as I'd gone off too fast. The route shortly turned right on to a rutted track with a long, gradual ascent up to a plateau top and fine views. The track down the other side offered some recovery but no respite from the heat.
Next the road section was just belting heat rebounding off the tarmac. I was melting and couldn't regulate the heat. I tried to get water down my neck and over my head but this did little to cool the overheating engine. I was thankful for bit of shadow from trees or the odd house.
Through the woodland are and across the boardwalks then looping around the field with long, warm grass swishing at my shins. Roy the Boy had long since passed me and I though the Tonymator would be on my shoulder. I glanced back at one field corner and saw him thankfully a good 200 metres back. I tried to catch Dances with Paws-on buit he was just too far head and although injured had enough to hold on.
Very wa'm and not the most enjoyable route.
Ps. great company and good laugh on the stop-off in York.
22/05/2013
Three down and all a PB...
ESHOLT 5km JOHN CARR SERIES 3 of 3
19.30 Wednesday 22nd May 2013
Another warm night and legs were again still bit heavy after weekend racing. Solid race though and pushed all the way by the Tonymator who finished some 20 seconds behind my 21.46 and another PB whoop-whoop. Still I was again a full minute behind Grunter Smith...
19.30 Wednesday 22nd May 2013
Another warm night and legs were again still bit heavy after weekend racing. Solid race though and pushed all the way by the Tonymator who finished some 20 seconds behind my 21.46 and another PB whoop-whoop. Still I was again a full minute behind Grunter Smith...
19/05/2013
Beating hearts & mass starts
CALDERDALE WAY FELL RELAY - LEG 5
Sunday 19th May 2013: Wainstalls-Shelf
Race report to follow...
Sunday 19th May 2013: Wainstalls-Shelf
Race report to follow...
15/05/2013
Two for thee
ESHOLT 5km JOHN CARR SERIES 2 of 3
19.30 Wednesday 15th May 2013
After the Leeds Half I wasn't optimistic about improving my time; like other PPs such as Andrew Smithurst I was hoping for an incremental improvement.
Lessons learned from Wk1 paid dividends, though. Steady start and watch out for the off road section. And I was rattled by the awesome start by the Mighty Byrom.
I eventually caught and passed him heading into the bright setting sun about half a mile from Esholt village. I finished strongly in a PB time of 21.47. Still some 40 seconds behind Grunter Smith...
19.30 Wednesday 15th May 2013
After the Leeds Half I wasn't optimistic about improving my time; like other PPs such as Andrew Smithurst I was hoping for an incremental improvement.
Lessons learned from Wk1 paid dividends, though. Steady start and watch out for the off road section. And I was rattled by the awesome start by the Mighty Byrom.
I eventually caught and passed him heading into the bright setting sun about half a mile from Esholt village. I finished strongly in a PB time of 21.47. Still some 40 seconds behind Grunter Smith...
12/05/2013
08/05/2013
One for all
JOHN CARR SERIES 1 of 3
19.30 Wednesday 8th May
Great atmosphere and the race didn't disappoint from what I'd heard. Ballistic start and crazy pace for the first mile. The short off road and muddy track section nearly saw me are over tit. Pockets of support at key junctions and the invaluable contribution of the marshals was welcomed. The course is a little bit disorientating. And I didn't like the sharp 180o turn at the traffic cone.
The second half is all about consolidation. And it reveals if you went off too fast. Mini battles occur and by the time I was back past the start line and descending into Esholt village I thought I'd left plenty in the tank to have a power finish. Wrong.
I fininshed 3 second over 22 minutes urgh and about 40 seconds ahead of the Tonymator, but around a minute behind Grunter Smith.
19.30 Wednesday 8th May
Great atmosphere and the race didn't disappoint from what I'd heard. Ballistic start and crazy pace for the first mile. The short off road and muddy track section nearly saw me are over tit. Pockets of support at key junctions and the invaluable contribution of the marshals was welcomed. The course is a little bit disorientating. And I didn't like the sharp 180o turn at the traffic cone.
The second half is all about consolidation. And it reveals if you went off too fast. Mini battles occur and by the time I was back past the start line and descending into Esholt village I thought I'd left plenty in the tank to have a power finish. Wrong.
I fininshed 3 second over 22 minutes urgh and about 40 seconds ahead of the Tonymator, but around a minute behind Grunter Smith.
04/05/2013
Star wars day presents a phantom menace...
EDINBURGH-NORTH BERWICK 20mile ROAD RACE
11.00 Saturday 4th May 2013
Really not good to set off fast; I can almost get away with it during a Parkrun, feel little uncomfortable for the rest of a 10k, but it is sheer lunacy when attempting a 20 miler... like 2012 I'd had a truly awaful night's sleep and hoped that somehow I'd again be able to blag it. Wrong.
As I ran past Dr LD at under a mile I felt good. The sun was out, there was a nice breeze and the finish near the Law was shimmering away across the sea some 19 miles away. The first and second miles were too fast; both 7.30s and I was melting in the sun. Stupidity had set in and why I allowed myself to believe that I'd better my Trimpell 20 time by simply turning up, striding out and smiling.
Around Musselburgh racecourse and towards Cockenzie power station I started to feel sick. I'd thumped out a sub-40 first 5 miles and now I was going to suffer. I remember being cheered by my older brother Scott who then cycled along side me at Port Seton. He was drinking a coffee and all I needed was water. I should've been thankful for the support, but could only focus on the lack of consideration at my selfish needs.
I tried to get an energy gel and water down at 10 miles but just felt worse. The bends between Longniddry-Aberlady should've been a pleasant and rewarding stretch with fine views and good surfaces; I just remember looking down at the tarmac 3 metres ahead as runners started to pass. I trudged through Aberlady main street and filed round the bend and towards the 14 mile water station. I stopped for a gulp and a brief chat with Dr LD and my brother... I almost stopped for good, though. My first DNF eeek!
I proper stopped moving mind once I'd pulled up the mighty 150ft rise over the next mile to Quarry corner; sat down on the grass, drank a salt energy drink and took some deep breathes. Not even the sight of HELP Paddy McDonald got me to my feet. I sat here for 4-5 mins then glanced to my left... the sight fo the might Law seemed to draw me on.
Mental games and short term goals. First to Gullane. Tick. Through Gullane. Tick. To the Archerfield estate entrance. Tick. I felt bit better heading towards Dirleton. And some good support from the family at the top of the wee hill. I tucked along side two other runners who were also feeling the strain. We each cajoled one another to the drinks station at Ferrygate. Only 1.5 miles to the finish.
The broken footpath along Dirleton Avenue was not kind. No signs of cramp like 2012 though. My legs were heavy and my head was rolling as I pounded down into North Berwick. I almost fell down Station Hill and on to the links as a small gathering of family and friends cheered me to the finish. I looked at my watch for the first time since 15 miles and nearly cried as it read over 3 hours at the finish line. Still, it was the finish line and I wasn't left licking wounds and wondering why I had DNF'd.
Huge thanks to Dr LD and my older brother for their support. I'll be back to break the back of a 2.40 or maybe a 2.30...
11.00 Saturday 4th May 2013
Really not good to set off fast; I can almost get away with it during a Parkrun, feel little uncomfortable for the rest of a 10k, but it is sheer lunacy when attempting a 20 miler... like 2012 I'd had a truly awaful night's sleep and hoped that somehow I'd again be able to blag it. Wrong.
As I ran past Dr LD at under a mile I felt good. The sun was out, there was a nice breeze and the finish near the Law was shimmering away across the sea some 19 miles away. The first and second miles were too fast; both 7.30s and I was melting in the sun. Stupidity had set in and why I allowed myself to believe that I'd better my Trimpell 20 time by simply turning up, striding out and smiling.
Around Musselburgh racecourse and towards Cockenzie power station I started to feel sick. I'd thumped out a sub-40 first 5 miles and now I was going to suffer. I remember being cheered by my older brother Scott who then cycled along side me at Port Seton. He was drinking a coffee and all I needed was water. I should've been thankful for the support, but could only focus on the lack of consideration at my selfish needs.
I tried to get an energy gel and water down at 10 miles but just felt worse. The bends between Longniddry-Aberlady should've been a pleasant and rewarding stretch with fine views and good surfaces; I just remember looking down at the tarmac 3 metres ahead as runners started to pass. I trudged through Aberlady main street and filed round the bend and towards the 14 mile water station. I stopped for a gulp and a brief chat with Dr LD and my brother... I almost stopped for good, though. My first DNF eeek!
I proper stopped moving mind once I'd pulled up the mighty 150ft rise over the next mile to Quarry corner; sat down on the grass, drank a salt energy drink and took some deep breathes. Not even the sight of HELP Paddy McDonald got me to my feet. I sat here for 4-5 mins then glanced to my left... the sight fo the might Law seemed to draw me on.
Mental games and short term goals. First to Gullane. Tick. Through Gullane. Tick. To the Archerfield estate entrance. Tick. I felt bit better heading towards Dirleton. And some good support from the family at the top of the wee hill. I tucked along side two other runners who were also feeling the strain. We each cajoled one another to the drinks station at Ferrygate. Only 1.5 miles to the finish.
The broken footpath along Dirleton Avenue was not kind. No signs of cramp like 2012 though. My legs were heavy and my head was rolling as I pounded down into North Berwick. I almost fell down Station Hill and on to the links as a small gathering of family and friends cheered me to the finish. I looked at my watch for the first time since 15 miles and nearly cried as it read over 3 hours at the finish line. Still, it was the finish line and I wasn't left licking wounds and wondering why I had DNF'd.
Huge thanks to Dr LD and my older brother for their support. I'll be back to break the back of a 2.40 or maybe a 2.30...
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