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Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me, including gift aid there's over 1000 pounds !!
Happy New Year !
Friday, 26 December 2008
Sunday, 21 December 2008
The Tubercolosis 10k
After a miserable week battling the H15N ManFlu Virus, I was still determined to complete the Trelissick Estate 10K, a scenic trail run around the National Trust estate overlooking the Fal Estuary.
I couldn't let a pesky group of molecules come and hold my red blood cells to ransom with a flick-knife. They may have had me snivelling like a schoolboy all week, but I wasn't losing my entrance fee lightly, and I was going to stick two fingers at them and then leg it. All the way around - very fast too, as you would expect after nearly a week in bed. Naturally all my muscles would be itching to go, or so I thought.
On the start line I felt a slight sense of unease as I was still knackered after warming up, which is generally not a good sign. I went off at quite a fast pace initially, sucked in by the crowds and felt pretty good holding a decent pace for.......about 4 and a half minutes. At this point all the oxygen that was stored in my bloodstream seemed to run out, and I was left gasping for air with what felt like two lungs with the gas capacity of two extra small condoms.
I continued as best I could and tried to enjoy the scenery around me (it was very pretty). I dragged myself aroud the rest of it and settled into a kind of marathon style plod as people started overtaking me.
I got a lovely T-Shirt and Mincle Pie though, and in all, I'm glad I managed to do it. At least I know what effect the ManFlu virus can have though.....
(time: 44:58, 5 mins off pb)
I couldn't let a pesky group of molecules come and hold my red blood cells to ransom with a flick-knife. They may have had me snivelling like a schoolboy all week, but I wasn't losing my entrance fee lightly, and I was going to stick two fingers at them and then leg it. All the way around - very fast too, as you would expect after nearly a week in bed. Naturally all my muscles would be itching to go, or so I thought.
On the start line I felt a slight sense of unease as I was still knackered after warming up, which is generally not a good sign. I went off at quite a fast pace initially, sucked in by the crowds and felt pretty good holding a decent pace for.......about 4 and a half minutes. At this point all the oxygen that was stored in my bloodstream seemed to run out, and I was left gasping for air with what felt like two lungs with the gas capacity of two extra small condoms.
I continued as best I could and tried to enjoy the scenery around me (it was very pretty). I dragged myself aroud the rest of it and settled into a kind of marathon style plod as people started overtaking me.
I got a lovely T-Shirt and Mincle Pie though, and in all, I'm glad I managed to do it. At least I know what effect the ManFlu virus can have though.....
(time: 44:58, 5 mins off pb)
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Germ Warfare
Training Update: so far this week 5 days lost to Flumonia - A harsh varient of the ManFlu Virus which has left me unable to do anything meaningful.
I did however clean out the garage in a rage feeling very angry about germs and took it out on all the rubbish that I have hoarded for years. With the discovery of the Newquay tip, most of it has now disappeared. It's a lovely warm feeling to have found the local recycling centre, I really feel settled here in Cornwall now, and I am looking forward to my next trip already.
Merry Christmas all - hopefully I shall be well enough for the Trellisick 10k trail Race tommorrow !! I'll let you know if I can cough and hack my way around it.
I did however clean out the garage in a rage feeling very angry about germs and took it out on all the rubbish that I have hoarded for years. With the discovery of the Newquay tip, most of it has now disappeared. It's a lovely warm feeling to have found the local recycling centre, I really feel settled here in Cornwall now, and I am looking forward to my next trip already.
Merry Christmas all - hopefully I shall be well enough for the Trellisick 10k trail Race tommorrow !! I'll let you know if I can cough and hack my way around it.
Monday, 8 December 2008
No Bonking Please, We're British !
Having a good stretch before the start ....
At the top of the first hill !
At the top of the first hill !
Running along Rhossili beach - fantastic !!
Stunning Coastline along to Port Eynon
Blasting along singletrack through forest approaching the 20 mile point
Trail shoe carnage at the finish !!
Well the Gower-thon proved to be the best racing experience so far ! It had everything, from the perfect weather conditions to the sheer variety of terrain: Trail, Mud, Beach, Rocks, Moorland and Forest . Now I had experienced what a coastal trail marathon requires, from my Dorset meltdown experience, I was prepared to take a tip from Enduroman (remember Mr London->Paris?) - to start unnaturally slow.
Although this for me is a challenge of 7 marathons, and the joy of completion is fantastic, a part of me cannot help but to try my utmost to get a high as possible in the leaderboard. In Dorset I started too fast, although I didn't feel as though I was pushing hard, the pace soon caught up with me and I lost about 20 places in the last 6 miles.
In marathon circles - I had BONKED. Hit the Wall. Run out of muscle fuel quite simply. My body was throwing whatever it could find to fuel the fire. And it felt bad, as if my legs were trying to consume themsleves.
I hadn't let my body start the race by burning my fat reserves first, because a higher pace prevents this. So, this time, things were going to be different. Oh yes, I was going to start this marathon FROM THE BACK OF THE PACK.
And what a jolly experience this was. Lots of chit chat and banter filled at least the first hour, and I even took a few photos as you can see above. I even stopped for a wee at one point.
I hit Rhossili beach (5 miles in) to be greeted by my ever helpful wife: "You're going really slow ?! you're 50th at best" - she helpfully commented ....
"It's my race strategy" I replied "I'm going to crank it up at the halfway point!"
Hmm methinks... it seems that my partner of 10 years was not content for me to run this race without at least giving the Leek affecionados a bit of a bashing. So to hell with it, I increased my run velocity from a lowly 6 to Warp Factor 7. Oh yes, eat my shorts people, I am now travelling at 7 mph.
Of course, overtaking people at these speeds is a dizzying experience. At first you see them on the horizon, and then perhaps half an hour later you get the opportunity for a 5 minute conversation as you eek past, before leaving them in your undetectable wake turbulence. This is probably as exciting as Snail Racing. But on these distances it can make a huge difference.
I ran and ran and ran, and never ever felt like stopping. In fact I ran faster as the race progressed. I reached the 20 Mile point at the top of a hill and even passed over the Tangfastics and opted instead for a more healthy banana snack.
I lost count of the people I overtook, and even increased to Warp Factor 8 (or thereabouts) in the final stages of the race. Oh yes folks, I was on fire. It was a fantastic experience to run on such hard terrain and not be reduced to a jelly.
I came in 4 hours 5mins 14 seconds, overall 13th / 99.
When people wonder what running is all about, this surely has to be it. Only sadly to say, Zippy was lost somewhere between Dorset and Cornwall, and this run was dedicated to his memory.
Although this for me is a challenge of 7 marathons, and the joy of completion is fantastic, a part of me cannot help but to try my utmost to get a high as possible in the leaderboard. In Dorset I started too fast, although I didn't feel as though I was pushing hard, the pace soon caught up with me and I lost about 20 places in the last 6 miles.
In marathon circles - I had BONKED. Hit the Wall. Run out of muscle fuel quite simply. My body was throwing whatever it could find to fuel the fire. And it felt bad, as if my legs were trying to consume themsleves.
I hadn't let my body start the race by burning my fat reserves first, because a higher pace prevents this. So, this time, things were going to be different. Oh yes, I was going to start this marathon FROM THE BACK OF THE PACK.
And what a jolly experience this was. Lots of chit chat and banter filled at least the first hour, and I even took a few photos as you can see above. I even stopped for a wee at one point.
I hit Rhossili beach (5 miles in) to be greeted by my ever helpful wife: "You're going really slow ?! you're 50th at best" - she helpfully commented ....
"It's my race strategy" I replied "I'm going to crank it up at the halfway point!"
Hmm methinks... it seems that my partner of 10 years was not content for me to run this race without at least giving the Leek affecionados a bit of a bashing. So to hell with it, I increased my run velocity from a lowly 6 to Warp Factor 7. Oh yes, eat my shorts people, I am now travelling at 7 mph.
Of course, overtaking people at these speeds is a dizzying experience. At first you see them on the horizon, and then perhaps half an hour later you get the opportunity for a 5 minute conversation as you eek past, before leaving them in your undetectable wake turbulence. This is probably as exciting as Snail Racing. But on these distances it can make a huge difference.
I ran and ran and ran, and never ever felt like stopping. In fact I ran faster as the race progressed. I reached the 20 Mile point at the top of a hill and even passed over the Tangfastics and opted instead for a more healthy banana snack.
I lost count of the people I overtook, and even increased to Warp Factor 8 (or thereabouts) in the final stages of the race. Oh yes folks, I was on fire. It was a fantastic experience to run on such hard terrain and not be reduced to a jelly.
I came in 4 hours 5mins 14 seconds, overall 13th / 99.
When people wonder what running is all about, this surely has to be it. Only sadly to say, Zippy was lost somewhere between Dorset and Cornwall, and this run was dedicated to his memory.
Energy Gels : 3
Bananas : 2
Tangfastics : 0
Bananas : 2
Tangfastics : 0
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Heli-Running in Haverfordwest
Google Map of Mega-Run
I found myself with an inpromptu 'day-off' in Pembrokehire, having put some engineers on the Smalls Lighthouse on Tuesday. I had a glorious Wednesday in which to stretch my legs. (I ran nearly 10 miles on Tuesday night as well).
I decided to head off to Little Haven which is the race HQ for the Pembroke Marathon in March. I ran from Haverfordwest, which is where we usually park the helicopter when we're over there. It was lovely running through the countryside to the coast, then when I arrived at Little Haven, I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was,. There are two or three pubs and a brilliant beach with panoramic views over St Brides bay. I couldn't run this far and not check out the coastal footpaths so I ran nearly four miles along the coast which was superb, great singletrack and awesome vistas !
After an hour and a half, I decided I ought to turn back and headed for home. Total run time : 2hrs 57mins, and distance about 19.5 miles : OOPS, only two days to recover before the Gower Marathon !!
I must admit though, I was feeling good !!
Roll on Saturday !
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