Saturday 20th June 2015
4:33:40
Pi**ing with rain
4:33:40
Pi**ing with rain
Saturday, 20 June 2015
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Sunday, 3 May 2015
#17 Hardmoors White Horse
3rd May 2015
7:17:40
28 miles at least.
To say it was hard would be an understatement.
The forecast was for pushing 40mph gales and 'heavy rain' (defined as "greater than 4 mm per hour, but less than 8 mm per hour.")
Pulling up into the carpark with the wind and rain bearing down, it seemed like another of those silly Sunday morning decisions to have even left the duvet and central heating behind. Pass the TV remote.
A little wiggle through the cycle path at Sutton Bank, mostly dodging puddles for the time being,
then,
110metres down to Gormire lake, technical rooty, puddle dodging. FUN. Then 110meters back up again to rejoin the Cleveland Way. Owch.
Map:
 |
| The route goes anti-clockwise, with the Cleveland way being the path on the West and the South with some 'stuff' in-between. |
8 miles on the moor edge with a bitterly cold side wind and 'acutely angled' rain. I got chatting to a nice lady, she told me all about her waterproof gloves and her run at the Hardmoors Wainstones event which had been the same date as Paris. Lots of puddles now to splosh through; no point in trying to keep dry.
A mile or so East into the wind then into Boltby forest. There was some cute tip-toeing beside a shimmying stream, some guys in road shoes were failing to descend without slipping- how they'd got that far I don't know.
Met Phil in Hawnby village, then up a big f*****g hill, down the otherside, up and over some smaller stuff, then a massive f+++++g hill where my mum was waiting for me at the top. In the fog, the rain, and the wind. Bless her.
Every time I ate anything I felt really nauseous and nearly vommed. Even just the single jelly baby I got from a friendly marshal holding open the gate for us. So I was taking sweeties from the aid stations, tried a ginger bread man, but struggling to take on a decent amount of calories for such an effort.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the fog.
 |
| Erm, where's the edge? |
3,950ft of elevation gain. Let's call it 4,000ft.
Almost a mile later I hit the 18.5miles checkpoint around a corner. They had a sign which read something along the lines of "If you think that was a big hill then best get prepared for what's to come."
 |
| The bit on private property. Up then down the back up and along. Not a used track, forestry waste to climb through. |
 |
| Erm..... |
 |
| Duckboards |
The last 6 miles were all struggle. My legs felt awesome but the rest of me just wasn't playing. I could run 50-100 meters at a time if flat, toddling downhill was ok, but any incline was a no no.
Phil met me at mile 24 and shhhhh carried my bag for me for a while; the kit I'd taken off and put in there was so sodden and heavy, and the spare kit I'd packed was wet too, so even though I'd run out of drink it was the heaviest bag I've tried to run with.
 |
| So close to the finish! |
 |
| Nearly there! |
Yay! I made it. I am Hard ....(moors)
Friday, 17 April 2015
Sunday, 12 April 2015
#16 Paris
12th April 2016
3:53:06
A return to the city of my first marathon exactly 1 year ago, and a stonking twenty-one minutes thirty-one seconds course best.
Having now over the last year gotten myself totally involved and engrossed in the Paris Marathon thread over on the Runners World forum I'd decided to throw myself into every social opportunity over the weekend, meet up with as many people as possible and have a generally awesome time. The marathon itself was almost secondary to the experience.
Friday
Eurostar- met the first couple of runners here in departures. I was wearing my 'club' shirt so they were able to recognise me.
Expo, bib collection, met two runners here for a long chat.
We left them there and took a walk to the Eiffel Tower and sat in the sun on the Champs de Mars for a bit.
Went back to the apartment to cook up some tea and chill for the rest of the evening.
Saturday
Metro (RER) to l'Arc de Triomph for group meet up. A good turn out.
Breakfast Run in the sunshine,
Ate croissants and pain au chocolat with a few of the gang,
Mid afternoon Metro to Franklin. D Roosvelt for meet up and cinema,
Then a walk around the corner for first big meet up, photo, and on into restaurant for pasta and pizzas.
Swift metro home and early to bed.
Sunday
An early rise and back onto the RER this time.
Big meet up at l'Arc, lots of chatting, group photo, then waiting in the sunshine until it was time to head towards the pens.
Quick pee between some cars in a side street, then on into the crowds for a little dance to the blaring music while we waited for our turn to cross that line.
Race report
The race for me, with the slight downhill and the pace those around me took off from the pen I started out at the faster end of what I'd planned and kept that average pace quite well. Checking my data on Nike+, heart rate was spot on, up to 170bpm by 5miles and rising to 180bpm in the final few km.
It was obvious from the off it was going to be a hot one, and only getting hotter. I'd say I managed my hydration, electrolytes, fuelling and caffeine pretty spot on. Visor+headband+water as I'd used before on races for cooling was working a treat. Kit all good. Got some friendly remarks about the phrase on the back of the vest "Where the Foch is the finish?" As I'm sure nearly everyone running would have gotten the joke. (They're fools if they didn't)
Waved furiously at the minion support team which had claimed a fountain at around 8km and were waving their flags from there.
Enjoyed the first park- the Bois the Vincennes, bit of shade from the trees, and I'm always looking fwd to dropping down beside the Sienne for that stretch of the course,
My watch flipped out in the disco tunnel and added a whole mile on, throwing my average pace. Looking back I should have stopped my watch and started a new run so as to keep reasonable tabs on average pace. We don't think straight while out there do we eh. I also had a second watch just doing stopwatch function, but had forgotten my pace band. Disorganised!
Calf tightened a bit at 12 miles, I took a bottle of water from the next aid station, but at just past the halfway mats Phil was on the course on supporter duty. He'd been briefed to do his best to get a Powerade to me- we did the perfect baton pass to exchange drinks.
Calf continued to tighten thereafter, but I know my rhs has it's issues due to my lower back, piriformis etc so knew what the cause was. I was fearful I'd be limping by 18miles, but it didn't get much worse and as my form dropped me more onto my heels from 20miles or so it stopped hurting and didn't flare again, while running anyway.
Didn't really have any speed in me for a fast finish, which is unusual, but I blame my 'training', the heat and a cold I'd had in the last week.
I didn't really look at my watch much after 20miles which is a bit of a shame as time wise I was a meagre 19 seconds over my PB time-- though saying that I am very happy indeed to think I have the same ability in me as 6months ago with only intermittent bouts of non-specific running since then.
First time back to a single day marathon course and totally different experience though I loved them both. So great to finally complete a year of (30?) races; feels as though the loop is complete and now I'm getting psyched up and raring to go start the next one.
Post race
Burgers with a few and a good start to the unravelling of race stories.
Pub, with brownie and shortbread nibbles, lots of runners, some I hadn't met before, some partners/accopnices, some beers, some silliness, kilts, stories of highs, lows, PBs and future plans.
There were cute/humorous awards given out. I was awarded "Most marathons run in a year" which really should have gone to the person giving it to me but I am very grateful for and it will help keep me motivated.
I am massively appreciative to all the runners, supporters, lurking posters, sofa-stalkers, pub goers, grub goers, flag wavers, meet up organisers who made the weekend so special for everyone in the group and I really REALLY enjoyed every minute of it and am looking fwd to next year!
3:53:06
A return to the city of my first marathon exactly 1 year ago, and a stonking twenty-one minutes thirty-one seconds course best.
Having now over the last year gotten myself totally involved and engrossed in the Paris Marathon thread over on the Runners World forum I'd decided to throw myself into every social opportunity over the weekend, meet up with as many people as possible and have a generally awesome time. The marathon itself was almost secondary to the experience.
Friday
Eurostar- met the first couple of runners here in departures. I was wearing my 'club' shirt so they were able to recognise me.
Expo, bib collection, met two runners here for a long chat.
We left them there and took a walk to the Eiffel Tower and sat in the sun on the Champs de Mars for a bit.
Went back to the apartment to cook up some tea and chill for the rest of the evening.
 |
| Aw cute |
Metro (RER) to l'Arc de Triomph for group meet up. A good turn out.
Breakfast Run in the sunshine,
Ate croissants and pain au chocolat with a few of the gang,
 |
| Breakfast run- RHS I'm the Jack-with-a-stool flag and red headed Phil |
Then a walk around the corner for first big meet up, photo, and on into restaurant for pasta and pizzas.
Swift metro home and early to bed.
 |
| Group meet up before pasta |
An early rise and back onto the RER this time.
Big meet up at l'Arc, lots of chatting, group photo, then waiting in the sunshine until it was time to head towards the pens.
Quick pee between some cars in a side street, then on into the crowds for a little dance to the blaring music while we waited for our turn to cross that line.
 |
| Big group meet up before THE race |
The race for me, with the slight downhill and the pace those around me took off from the pen I started out at the faster end of what I'd planned and kept that average pace quite well. Checking my data on Nike+, heart rate was spot on, up to 170bpm by 5miles and rising to 180bpm in the final few km.
It was obvious from the off it was going to be a hot one, and only getting hotter. I'd say I managed my hydration, electrolytes, fuelling and caffeine pretty spot on. Visor+headband+water as I'd used before on races for cooling was working a treat. Kit all good. Got some friendly remarks about the phrase on the back of the vest "Where the Foch is the finish?" As I'm sure nearly everyone running would have gotten the joke. (They're fools if they didn't)
Waved furiously at the minion support team which had claimed a fountain at around 8km and were waving their flags from there.
Enjoyed the first park- the Bois the Vincennes, bit of shade from the trees, and I'm always looking fwd to dropping down beside the Sienne for that stretch of the course,
My watch flipped out in the disco tunnel and added a whole mile on, throwing my average pace. Looking back I should have stopped my watch and started a new run so as to keep reasonable tabs on average pace. We don't think straight while out there do we eh. I also had a second watch just doing stopwatch function, but had forgotten my pace band. Disorganised!
Calf tightened a bit at 12 miles, I took a bottle of water from the next aid station, but at just past the halfway mats Phil was on the course on supporter duty. He'd been briefed to do his best to get a Powerade to me- we did the perfect baton pass to exchange drinks.
Calf continued to tighten thereafter, but I know my rhs has it's issues due to my lower back, piriformis etc so knew what the cause was. I was fearful I'd be limping by 18miles, but it didn't get much worse and as my form dropped me more onto my heels from 20miles or so it stopped hurting and didn't flare again, while running anyway.
Didn't really have any speed in me for a fast finish, which is unusual, but I blame my 'training', the heat and a cold I'd had in the last week.
I didn't really look at my watch much after 20miles which is a bit of a shame as time wise I was a meagre 19 seconds over my PB time-- though saying that I am very happy indeed to think I have the same ability in me as 6months ago with only intermittent bouts of non-specific running since then.
First time back to a single day marathon course and totally different experience though I loved them both. So great to finally complete a year of (30?) races; feels as though the loop is complete and now I'm getting psyched up and raring to go start the next one.
Post race
Burgers with a few and a good start to the unravelling of race stories.
Pub, with brownie and shortbread nibbles, lots of runners, some I hadn't met before, some partners/accopnices, some beers, some silliness, kilts, stories of highs, lows, PBs and future plans.
There were cute/humorous awards given out. I was awarded "Most marathons run in a year" which really should have gone to the person giving it to me but I am very grateful for and it will help keep me motivated.
 |
| A few of the 'club' in the pub |
Sunday, 22 February 2015
#15 Hugin Challenge
22nd February 2015
5:12:28
Note to self: don't plan to run an epic-ly awesome hilly trail marathon and then run anything the next day, especially not another marathon.
Lap 6, pretty brutal, everything hurt. lots of run-walk. Wind getting ever stronger and becoming a
nuisance. At least the kite surfers were enjoying it (jealous).
Laps 7 and 8, really wanting to just run and get it finished. Ran as much of each loop as I could and did find an extra gear for the home straight but it was nothing which could be described as fast.
Full credit to Travis and Rachel, and all their team of helpers from handing out hair bands we wore on our wrists to count laps, manning the picnic *ahem* aid station and always cheerful and encouraging.
5:12:28
Note to self: don't plan to run an epic-ly awesome hilly trail marathon and then run anything the next day, especially not another marathon.
Had a lousy (pathetic) and incredibly painful 5 hours of
hobble-jog-faff-walk-shuffle yesterday with pretty views and copious amounts of
cake and jammy-dodgers.
I really shouldn't have run more than a couple of miles after the leg burner yesterterday- it was a 'challenge course' of 3-and-a-bit mile loops you could complete as few or as many as you wished in a 6 hour period. But I'm too stubborn and completed 8 laps for 26.4 miles in a painfully slow 5hours12- my slowest time by far for a 'decent surface' marathon.
Laps 1 and 2 went ok. I was plodding long at a steady speed. Hungry and tried to stay savory with Ritz crackers and water.
Lap 3 I started walking top of the big hill. Took a quick #1 break at the aid station. Moved into jammy dodger territory.
Lap 4 I walked quite intermittently. Stopped at the top o f the hill to stretch my QL using a gate to hang off. Wind picking up now at the far end of the loop. Jelly babies at the aid station from here on.
I rang the boyf on lap 5 and made him talk to me on speaker.... he was nice about it. So while I had my phone I took some snaps of the views on the loop. I was walking quite a bit now.
I really shouldn't have run more than a couple of miles after the leg burner yesterterday- it was a 'challenge course' of 3-and-a-bit mile loops you could complete as few or as many as you wished in a 6 hour period. But I'm too stubborn and completed 8 laps for 26.4 miles in a painfully slow 5hours12- my slowest time by far for a 'decent surface' marathon.
Laps 1 and 2 went ok. I was plodding long at a steady speed. Hungry and tried to stay savory with Ritz crackers and water.
Lap 3 I started walking top of the big hill. Took a quick #1 break at the aid station. Moved into jammy dodger territory.
Lap 4 I walked quite intermittently. Stopped at the top o f the hill to stretch my QL using a gate to hang off. Wind picking up now at the far end of the loop. Jelly babies at the aid station from here on.
I rang the boyf on lap 5 and made him talk to me on speaker.... he was nice about it. So while I had my phone I took some snaps of the views on the loop. I was walking quite a bit now.
 |
| White cliffs in the distance |
 |
| The National Trust: Pegwell Bay |
 |
| The Hugin ship |
 |
| Cliffsend sign |
nuisance. At least the kite surfers were enjoying it (jealous).
Laps 7 and 8, really wanting to just run and get it finished. Ran as much of each loop as I could and did find an extra gear for the home straight but it was nothing which could be described as fast.
 |
| The epic goody bag and giant 'Hugin' Medal |
Full credit to Travis and Rachel, and all their team of helpers from handing out hair bands we wore on our wrists to count laps, manning the picnic *ahem* aid station and always cheerful and encouraging.
Saturday, 21 February 2015
#14 Trailscape's Rail to Trail, West - Wendover
21st February 2015
5:50:51
5:50:51
Was naughty at the weekend and decided as I'd paid up for
both events, to go to the Trailscape event on Saturday knowing I could drop at
half way, and then go to the Hugin on Sunday knowing I could drop at any 5k
interval if I needed to.
Anyhoo- had an total ball on Saturday and did the full route
in the snow, forests, loam, slop, slodge and sunshine. Barely any Tarmac-
brilliance in route planning, wet feet, tripped over a tree root, took a
gazillion photos and ate about a half a kilogram of Haribo gummy rings.
Sunshine, glute busting ascents, quad mashing descents and the most awesomely
epic views. Absolutely loved it!
Honest, best fun I've had all year.
 |
| Sudden snow on the M25 on the way there. Boyf asks, should we turn around? Conditions a bit unusual as no snow(or any wet) forecast, expecting sun and about 5degrees with a bit of a breeze. Took a gazillion photos because phone was on the mandatory kit list, and I got a bit carried away. This is just a selection. Most of them are fuzzy because I didn't stop to take them, or check them. |
 Snow making the forest all pretty. |
The sun did play ball and was a real mood lifter.
 |
| About 5 miles in, trying to keep feet dry |
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| About 8 miles in, embracing the mud and getting the f on with it. |
 |
| The back of the 10k race just started. |
|
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| Epic view |
 |
| Loved the quotes, "Blisters are in this season." |
 |
| Signage was awesome. X sign ahead prompts to look for arrow. |
 |
| Some enormous house |
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| Really quite near the finish now. |
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| Insane view |
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