Well, imagine my surprise, I thought I'd deleted this page!
Anyhow, I'm back. 2014 led to more illness and eventually I was diagnosed with a heart problem. Yeuch. But in 2015 this was fixed up (love you NHS) and the last 12 months have been getting myself back on the road. It was a bit compounded with a broken arm too in 2015 but that's life, innit?
Currently sitting at home with a cold and virus and contemplating my next move :)
Wednesday 3 August 2016
Thursday 17 April 2014
Well, it must be time for a catch-up
I didn't realise that it was so long since I had written on here. So much of nothing has happened really!
After January, things took a proper downturn. My stomach problem returned, and chased any fitness I had accumulated out of the window. It took a whole month, punctuated with desperate trips to the gym to try and at least to keep up the pretence of training but as the condition is quite debilitating this was never going to be a success. Grizzly time was fast approaching and odds were heavily stacked in favour of my going down there as a spectator, much to my dismay.
And then..in the first week of March I suddenly got better. Such is the way sometimes. I immediately got out and started to try a few runs in the hope that I could get round the cub run, whatever the pace.
On race day I decided to hang on to Mike for as long as I could; We were blessed with fine Devon weather after such a dreadfully wet Winter. It was wonderful on top of those cliffs.
I had no problem at all with the run, I had bags of energy and could probably have squeezed out a better performance but I was celebrating the fact that it was such a glorious morning and that I could run again (and of course I was running with my friend !)
The aftermath was filled with new plans, although in fairness I didn't make the best of the weeks following the race. I entered a couple of races but was unable to get in much meaningful training - although I was capable of revising plan after plan .. :))
..and then I came up with the idea of the early-morning run, combining my naturally early rising habit with time to run before breakfast & whatever else the day held. If I could get in a few of those each week it would form the core of my weekly sessions - everything else could be a tailored run.
All began so well, and then I became ill again. This time one of those chest/throat infections which if you are an asthmatic like me seems to takes ages to come to the boil and then longer to leave your system. Aghhh!! It's so frustrating. I tried running through it, but in the end was forced to take bed rest (well, settee rest) . I consoled myself with some good reads and sport watching on TV, taking in the London Marathon and the Paris Roubaix bike race. And all the while, the lawn was growing into an unmanageable state outside too..
I missed the Sexarathon race I was simply too ill to take part. I have entered the series though so I need some return on my investment. I also have to 'get fit' for a 60 mile bike ride in May. Now I am nearing the end of this bout of illness it's back on the roads and the hills again.
My other, maybe longer term target is to get back to sub-20 for 5k. I have no real idea of how fast I can do it (when well) but I'm guessing there is room for improvement.
But first, I need to do some running. One step at a time..
After January, things took a proper downturn. My stomach problem returned, and chased any fitness I had accumulated out of the window. It took a whole month, punctuated with desperate trips to the gym to try and at least to keep up the pretence of training but as the condition is quite debilitating this was never going to be a success. Grizzly time was fast approaching and odds were heavily stacked in favour of my going down there as a spectator, much to my dismay.
And then..in the first week of March I suddenly got better. Such is the way sometimes. I immediately got out and started to try a few runs in the hope that I could get round the cub run, whatever the pace.
On race day I decided to hang on to Mike for as long as I could; We were blessed with fine Devon weather after such a dreadfully wet Winter. It was wonderful on top of those cliffs.
I had no problem at all with the run, I had bags of energy and could probably have squeezed out a better performance but I was celebrating the fact that it was such a glorious morning and that I could run again (and of course I was running with my friend !)
The aftermath was filled with new plans, although in fairness I didn't make the best of the weeks following the race. I entered a couple of races but was unable to get in much meaningful training - although I was capable of revising plan after plan .. :))
..and then I came up with the idea of the early-morning run, combining my naturally early rising habit with time to run before breakfast & whatever else the day held. If I could get in a few of those each week it would form the core of my weekly sessions - everything else could be a tailored run.
All began so well, and then I became ill again. This time one of those chest/throat infections which if you are an asthmatic like me seems to takes ages to come to the boil and then longer to leave your system. Aghhh!! It's so frustrating. I tried running through it, but in the end was forced to take bed rest (well, settee rest) . I consoled myself with some good reads and sport watching on TV, taking in the London Marathon and the Paris Roubaix bike race. And all the while, the lawn was growing into an unmanageable state outside too..
I missed the Sexarathon race I was simply too ill to take part. I have entered the series though so I need some return on my investment. I also have to 'get fit' for a 60 mile bike ride in May. Now I am nearing the end of this bout of illness it's back on the roads and the hills again.
My other, maybe longer term target is to get back to sub-20 for 5k. I have no real idea of how fast I can do it (when well) but I'm guessing there is room for improvement.
But first, I need to do some running. One step at a time..
Monday 20 January 2014
Nearly a month has passed; progress report time.
I entered all of the races I said I would in my last post.
I went along to Running Bear to buy a replacement wet weather top (I must have realised it was going to rain a lot in January!!) for my 1999 blue-purple model (of course, I haven't got rid of the original, silly of you to even think that was a possibility)
Late December & Early January was really about getting myself going again. This seems weird as I've just about carried on running all year, but illness and injury were common themes during 2013 and I felt that age was beginning to catch up with me. Things just don't work as well as they used to.
I also took on a new job and that has meant some changes, things are still changing so I don't know how this is going to pan out.
I set myself a target of getting back to my modest November level of fitness, trying to use a hill course as a tempo run a couple of times a week. At the time of writing, I'm probably back to that level, so that is nice and positive.
The only race to date has been the Blymhill 10k. This was a tough hard slog from beginning to end. I realised how slow and unfit I was, and given the deep mud everywhere, I was just glad to finish in one piece, and was very disappointed with my efforts. Hardly a ringing endorsement of my fitness levels but it shows I'm still moving I suppose.
Mileage for January has so far peaked at 38 in one week, but to make any real progress now I must maintain that kind of level, and worryingly mileage for the week after dropped to 30, it still doesn't take much to knock me off track. Also I have to sling in some faster work to lift the tempo a bit. And of course, I have to stay illness and injury free. So far, running with a Mueller knee strap has helped tremendously, I have none of the pre-Xmas problems with my knee cap.
I've just recorded a fairly good run up to and round the Wrekin, it's really time on my feet I'm after with the long runs at the moment, so all is very positive for the next month. And it's slightly exciting. If I can break the run/ill/injured cycle and actually start to progress then that will spur me on a little more.
I went along to Running Bear to buy a replacement wet weather top (I must have realised it was going to rain a lot in January!!) for my 1999 blue-purple model (of course, I haven't got rid of the original, silly of you to even think that was a possibility)
Late December & Early January was really about getting myself going again. This seems weird as I've just about carried on running all year, but illness and injury were common themes during 2013 and I felt that age was beginning to catch up with me. Things just don't work as well as they used to.
I also took on a new job and that has meant some changes, things are still changing so I don't know how this is going to pan out.
I set myself a target of getting back to my modest November level of fitness, trying to use a hill course as a tempo run a couple of times a week. At the time of writing, I'm probably back to that level, so that is nice and positive.
The only race to date has been the Blymhill 10k. This was a tough hard slog from beginning to end. I realised how slow and unfit I was, and given the deep mud everywhere, I was just glad to finish in one piece, and was very disappointed with my efforts. Hardly a ringing endorsement of my fitness levels but it shows I'm still moving I suppose.
Mileage for January has so far peaked at 38 in one week, but to make any real progress now I must maintain that kind of level, and worryingly mileage for the week after dropped to 30, it still doesn't take much to knock me off track. Also I have to sling in some faster work to lift the tempo a bit. And of course, I have to stay illness and injury free. So far, running with a Mueller knee strap has helped tremendously, I have none of the pre-Xmas problems with my knee cap.
I've just recorded a fairly good run up to and round the Wrekin, it's really time on my feet I'm after with the long runs at the moment, so all is very positive for the next month. And it's slightly exciting. If I can break the run/ill/injured cycle and actually start to progress then that will spur me on a little more.
Friday 27 December 2013
2014 then - lets get on with it !!
Right then, 2014. Let's be having you.
I have already entered several races, and so it would appear I have a plan, like I was organised or something:
January : Blymhill 10km
February : Stourbridge Stagger 10m : Tough Ten 10m
March ; Cloud 9 Fell Run: Grizzly Cub Run
If I do that lot it, should set me up nicely for Spring Time !!
Also some other things: re-engage with running club. Try to do more core gym/circuits work.
Tick off this 100 mile bike thing as early as possible.
It's the End of the Year as we know it..
As 2013 draws to a close, it's time to do the traditional review. It makes pretty depressing reading !!
It's been covered in more detail earlier on, in brief:
(1) I had knee injuries again and did not treat them properly.
(2) I struggled from time to time with recurring stomach problems (at least 3 episodes this year)
(3) I dropped out of Tough Ten (injury)
(4) I shuffled very poorly round the Cloud 9 fell race.
(5) Improved slightly to do the Grizzly cub run - but it was hard going..
(6) I contemplated giving it all up.
(7) I enjoyed the Wenlock Tri (though I was a bit rubbish)
(8) I dropped out of Ludlow Tri (stomach)
(9) I did toy with the idea of cross country but it never happened.
(10) I entered Grizzly Cub 2014, started #griztraining on Twitter.
Really, it's been a poor year. I've struggled with injury, illness and motivation. I've had some job issues and most weirdly of all, had other things I wanted to do.
I'm also very aware of declining health and fitness levels generally. I just can't do what I used to be able to do.
- However -
I have finished the year with the highest weekly running mileage for some years, and I'm enjoying it again, which I never thought I would do. Small victories. My mantra is 'learn from yesterday, appreciate today and plan for tomorrow'
Thursday 3 October 2013
Quick Update
Just a quick line to say well done to Wilson Kipsang on breaking the Marathon World record in Berlin and also to Mike Sprason for completing yet another Ludlow Triathlon. I am jealous of both of you guys.
Tuesday 1 October 2013
Nothing to see here. Move along please.
Not much to say, really. It's been weird since Wenlock. I've had job issues and other stuff going on and latterly my little health problem has come back.
But on the positive side it has made me think about training, targets and stuff, and given me the opportunity to do a bit of inspirational reading.
Back in the game.
- Two medium-long term targets: Four Villages Half Marathon in January and Grizzly Cub run in March.
- Half an eye on Axe to Exe but that depends on holidays.
- AND I need to bag a 100 mile bike ride.
I'm putting all my training stuff on Twitter under the #griztraining hashtag and copying the diary out here http://ercallstompers.blogspot.co.uk/p/grizzly-training-page.html . Should make interesting reading I hope.
Luv & kisses xx
But on the positive side it has made me think about training, targets and stuff, and given me the opportunity to do a bit of inspirational reading.
Back in the game.
- Two medium-long term targets: Four Villages Half Marathon in January and Grizzly Cub run in March.
- Half an eye on Axe to Exe but that depends on holidays.
- AND I need to bag a 100 mile bike ride.
I'm putting all my training stuff on Twitter under the #griztraining hashtag and copying the diary out here http://ercallstompers.blogspot.co.uk/p/grizzly-training-page.html . Should make interesting reading I hope.
Luv & kisses xx
Monday 15 July 2013
Much Wenlock Olympian Games Triathlon. Fun in the sun.
Date: 14th July 2013 Event: The Triathlon. Swim 500m, Bike 19km Run 7km.
I rolled up early for the Wenlock Olympian Triathlon, I bagged a brilliant parking space too. All was going well as I put my bike back together and queued up for my numbers and final information. I was mildly concerned about my poor swimming ability, though I had put some pool time in and was confident of not being total rubbish!! However when I met up with friend Mike and his sister, I realised I had left my goggles at home. Schoolboy error - it was soon rectified by a loan from Mike, though I declined the pink go-faster ones.
I spent the rest of the hour before start time pacing around and preparing, and then preparing again my bike, after sticking on the numbers. There seemed so many numbers!! I racked my bike up and exchanged a few wise words with my fellow competitors who were all looking forward to the event - but not, perhaps, the heat. It was a warm 'un.
Us slowbies queued up round the pool at start time for a quick briefing. We had gone into the pool in the hope of escaping from the heat - what a bad idea that was, it was like a sauna in there!! We were allowed into the water early though, we thought this might provide some blessed relief but after a couple of minutes it was obvious that this would be like swimming in a bath but without the fun.
I had 2 other competitors in my lane, it was obvious from the off they were no novice swimmers. Still, I stuck to the plan which was to go as steady as I could, letting them pass on a couple of occasions. I was out of the pool about a minute before my estimated time though so I was doing well (and they were doing so much better!) I struggled to get out of the pool which was helped by my climbing on to the lane rope. Good idea. I was quite pleased with my ingenuity.
Transition seemed very leisurely, many of my competitors who were slightly faster swimmers than me were already out and chatting/getting changed. I stuck to the routine and was soon ready to go. I left with two or three others, including Mark, and thought we might be a little group - but I soon left them behind and was flying down to Buildwas. I counted 38 mph on my speedo and I was trying to gain on a couple of cyclists who had passed me. While doing this, I picked up & passed a couple of fellow triathletes.
I then settled into a routine when perhaps I could have gone a bit quicker, but again was soon flying down into Cressage where it all came to an unscheduled stop at traffic lights. Doh! The trek up to Sheinton was quite tough, but I felt very good going up there and when the big 15% climb came about I had no problems at all. It was steep, but no Mont Vonteux (..and I'm no Chris Froome).
I came into T2 in good order and found my bike rack despite incurring the wrath of a Triathlon official who was a bit patronising ('I don't you've probably never done one of these before but...'). I was slow again out of T2 and also slow on the run out, stopping to tie shoelaces.
The run along the railway line was quite nice, but I knew what was coming and the climb up to the Wyke was tortuous. I slowed considerably and was overtaken, I got to halfway and had a refreshing drink before beginning the slog back. I saw Mark and thought he was gaining on me so I waited for the inevitable. I didn't get much relief from the downhill though, and the field crossing was a bit hard and ruttifed but once back on the railway line again I think I picked it up a bit. Was overtaken by the 7 mile road run winner but I entered the home field in good order and I was more than happy to finish.
There was good news afterwards as Mike picked up a well-deserved Silver medal and his sister Yvonne the gold medal in their age-groups.
For me? I was pleased with the swim, thought the bike was ok but was disappointed with my run. All in all though, a pretty good day and I was home in time for a little nap before catching up with the Tour on TV. Happy days
Sunday 7 July 2013
End of the Road?
But no, I see so many inspirational people around me that I couldn't give up. I'm young enough to be putting in some real effort. I'm strong enough to be setting some pretty good times.
I've revamped my training around a diary, and some key sessions. Let's see how this works, I shall report back here.
In other news, it's one week to the "Contractual Obligation Triathlon" that is the Wenlock Olympian Games. I'm dreading this event, mainly because my swimming is so bad. I reckon I can do reasonably well on the bike, having had a look at the hills last week first-hand, and the run will just be hard work. But once the swim is over, I'll be in happy-land.
What's up next? I'd love to say I've got such-and-such an event to train for, but in reality it's just the Triathlon, then we are seriously into holiday time. Hopefully I won't blob out too much though and I can continue with the great progress I've made in the last few weeks ..
Monday 15 April 2013
Hooray, Hooray it's a Holi-Holi Day :-)
I'm back from a week in the sun of Tenerife.
I had a brilliant week with family, and I took a book called 'Running with the Kenyans' with me. I learned that the Kenyans don't seem to have any magic secrets, it's just hard work apparently.
So, armed with the knowledge from the book and some new Nike Free shoes I decided to try and reignite my training. This meant getting up at 7.30am, slightly hungover, and running in the humid semi-darkness to the tune of other early birds, other slightly wheezy holiday joggers and giggling Canarian council workers.
Day 1 was a trail blazing run; I travelled as far along the sea front as I could before turning and climbing up towards the edge of town, slightly expiring and retracing my steps. It was hard, hilly, but fun.
Day 2 was a bit more of an adventure; having got to the end of the prom I had to climb over a small ravine (good fell training) and scale a wall (mountain climbing) before regaining the prom. I ran along for a while before deciding I should retrace my steps again. Unfortunately I followed someone on an "easier" route and ended up semi-lost and heading up a long hill which ended eventually on the main road. There wasn't much pavement so car-dodging and gully-running was my only choice. I was out for far too long and really whacked at the end of that one.
Day 3-5 I settled on a two-lap course, and the idea was to run lap 2 quicker than lap 1. It was a success on all 3 days, but harder work on Day 2 (I had done a lot of driving the previous day). On Day 3 I just fell out of bed, got dressed and got it over with. Kenyan style.
Pleased with my new-found mojo I've worked out a new training routine for home. So far, it's working.
I had a brilliant week with family, and I took a book called 'Running with the Kenyans' with me. I learned that the Kenyans don't seem to have any magic secrets, it's just hard work apparently.
So, armed with the knowledge from the book and some new Nike Free shoes I decided to try and reignite my training. This meant getting up at 7.30am, slightly hungover, and running in the humid semi-darkness to the tune of other early birds, other slightly wheezy holiday joggers and giggling Canarian council workers.
Day 1 was a trail blazing run; I travelled as far along the sea front as I could before turning and climbing up towards the edge of town, slightly expiring and retracing my steps. It was hard, hilly, but fun.
Day 2 was a bit more of an adventure; having got to the end of the prom I had to climb over a small ravine (good fell training) and scale a wall (mountain climbing) before regaining the prom. I ran along for a while before deciding I should retrace my steps again. Unfortunately I followed someone on an "easier" route and ended up semi-lost and heading up a long hill which ended eventually on the main road. There wasn't much pavement so car-dodging and gully-running was my only choice. I was out for far too long and really whacked at the end of that one.
Day 3-5 I settled on a two-lap course, and the idea was to run lap 2 quicker than lap 1. It was a success on all 3 days, but harder work on Day 2 (I had done a lot of driving the previous day). On Day 3 I just fell out of bed, got dressed and got it over with. Kenyan style.
Pleased with my new-found mojo I've worked out a new training routine for home. So far, it's working.
Friday 15 March 2013
Bear-ly running.
Thanks to a Morris Dancing-related injury to my knee (no, don't ask) things have been kind of tough recently. Training has been really restricted and as a result, so has motivation, mojo, whatever you want to call it.
I struggled round the Cloud 9 race with Mike, who was excited at the prospect of a fell race as he doesnt get out much. I avoided the downhills, and lost so many places, not that I had many to lose as we were near the rear of the field anyway - but I finished in reasonable form and so declared myself ready for the Grizzly Cub run. All that we needed was some reasonable weather!!
A whole week of inactivity followed, then a long trip down to Devon where we met up with Dave & Gail. Several pub meals and beers later, it was Sunday morning. The weather was closing in, it was barely above freezing and the waves were lashing the beach. Ah, yes, the beach. Of which we shall talk more in a little while.
I set off comfortably at a trot with Dave and we soon swept up Mick; then we turned off the road and onto the beach. Agh. I made a few early tactical errors, and soon Mick and Dave were a long way in front of me, a state of affairs I had to work hard to put right.
Soon, we were climbing towards Beer. I knew this would be hard work, not even a nice downhill slope in between the climbs brought much relief, but at least it was on the road. Once we moved off the road and onto the headland though, it became slightly more slippery underfoot and I was rather tentative about where I was putting my feet in case I slipped.
We put in a few indistinguishable miles on the headland and then began the long downhill to Branscombe. I was very slow going down the lane and halfway down decided I wasnt enjoying it much so I stopped for a pee. At this point Dave was catching me up and as I shambled down the steep hill to the beach (told you I would mention it) he apparently caught me up.
Something in the back of my mind said 'there's going to be some water in this route' and as I got further and further down, this voice got louder. Then we were on to the shingle beach. My inner monologue went into overdrive "no, no, no this isn't right ah, no...no...agh!!" I sized up the stream and hoped I could keep my feet - it looked deep and brown. And, overall, cold. Bloody cold.
The water went over my knees and I couldn't feel my feet. And then a quick pass round some tape and, yes, we went back into the water. Damn you, Axe Valley Runners (even though you are my 2nd claim club).
Allegedly, Dave was right behind me at this point. The next stretch, about 3/4 miles worth of beach plodding, soon sorted that out. It was agonising!!
Once off the horror of the beach there was a cliff to climb up, which was a bit muddy but nothing more - and then we were back on our way to Beer, the steps, the caravan site, all of which was going well. I was looking forward to the gentle run-in, when the marshalls sent up back up the road we had run down at the start. An unwelcome diversion. But it was still a nice run in, despite my hitting a wall (literally) with my arm as we turned into the field where the bandstand was. It was great to see the crowds at the bottom again and a lovely trot to the finish, to banana, hand shake from Town Crier, tee-shirt and something warm to wrap up in. (minor niggle here - we only do a small version of the Grizzly - we don't deserve the proper t-shirt !!)
Dave came in about 8 minutes later which was pretty good. Mick appeared sometime afterwards, having pulled his hamstring. See, I told you it was cold. Picture somewhere when I can download it.
I struggled round the Cloud 9 race with Mike, who was excited at the prospect of a fell race as he doesnt get out much. I avoided the downhills, and lost so many places, not that I had many to lose as we were near the rear of the field anyway - but I finished in reasonable form and so declared myself ready for the Grizzly Cub run. All that we needed was some reasonable weather!!
A whole week of inactivity followed, then a long trip down to Devon where we met up with Dave & Gail. Several pub meals and beers later, it was Sunday morning. The weather was closing in, it was barely above freezing and the waves were lashing the beach. Ah, yes, the beach. Of which we shall talk more in a little while.
I set off comfortably at a trot with Dave and we soon swept up Mick; then we turned off the road and onto the beach. Agh. I made a few early tactical errors, and soon Mick and Dave were a long way in front of me, a state of affairs I had to work hard to put right.
Soon, we were climbing towards Beer. I knew this would be hard work, not even a nice downhill slope in between the climbs brought much relief, but at least it was on the road. Once we moved off the road and onto the headland though, it became slightly more slippery underfoot and I was rather tentative about where I was putting my feet in case I slipped.
We put in a few indistinguishable miles on the headland and then began the long downhill to Branscombe. I was very slow going down the lane and halfway down decided I wasnt enjoying it much so I stopped for a pee. At this point Dave was catching me up and as I shambled down the steep hill to the beach (told you I would mention it) he apparently caught me up.
Something in the back of my mind said 'there's going to be some water in this route' and as I got further and further down, this voice got louder. Then we were on to the shingle beach. My inner monologue went into overdrive "no, no, no this isn't right ah, no...no...agh!!" I sized up the stream and hoped I could keep my feet - it looked deep and brown. And, overall, cold. Bloody cold.
The water went over my knees and I couldn't feel my feet. And then a quick pass round some tape and, yes, we went back into the water. Damn you, Axe Valley Runners (even though you are my 2nd claim club).
Allegedly, Dave was right behind me at this point. The next stretch, about 3/4 miles worth of beach plodding, soon sorted that out. It was agonising!!
Once off the horror of the beach there was a cliff to climb up, which was a bit muddy but nothing more - and then we were back on our way to Beer, the steps, the caravan site, all of which was going well. I was looking forward to the gentle run-in, when the marshalls sent up back up the road we had run down at the start. An unwelcome diversion. But it was still a nice run in, despite my hitting a wall (literally) with my arm as we turned into the field where the bandstand was. It was great to see the crowds at the bottom again and a lovely trot to the finish, to banana, hand shake from Town Crier, tee-shirt and something warm to wrap up in. (minor niggle here - we only do a small version of the Grizzly - we don't deserve the proper t-shirt !!)
Dave came in about 8 minutes later which was pretty good. Mick appeared sometime afterwards, having pulled his hamstring. See, I told you it was cold. Picture somewhere when I can download it.
Monday 25 February 2013
Of Grizzlys, pre-Grizzlys, Cubs, Bears and other stuff
SO.......
If you read the last entry on this website, you would have found a suitably-motivated person, ready to rock&roll.
Unfortunately, life's got a habit of kicking you, after it has pulled the carpet from under you, before dumping you in the skip.
Enough of that. The weather's been rubbish. I've had another chest infection. I've taken up Morris Dancing. Some or all of the above statements may be true.
today's picture:
From left to right:
Some tourists, a pushchair, Dave Arnold, Dave Guinea, Mike Sprason, Shaun Reynolds, a Hillman Avenger.
This was taken on Seaton seafront, before the 1996 'Grizzly' race.
Ah, but we were all so young then. Ok, younger.
Since then, of course, we've all gone on to bigger and better things. David A, of course, has been for some years acting as the body double of Bernard Thresher, the ace folk musician and lead singer of Lancashire's finest hardcore chip-eating guitar and pringle box whizzos the Lancashire Hotpots.
Dave G - well, he's been a bit quiet, to be fair. Always was. Looks like a shoo-in for Popeye in this pic, though.
Shaun - He's been a busy lad. His son Aidan lit t'Olympic torch you know. Fire is a big thing in the Reynolds' household, what with him being an ex-fireman and all that.
Mike - He's gone from strength to strength. He's still running. He still has those shorts.
Me? I'm not on that picture. I wasn't allowed out of the house at that time. But I did go to Devon soon afterwards.
The boys have a love-in every year over the Grizzly, though these days it does tend to be the Cub run. Hopefully I can post this year's version of that picture :)
If you read the last entry on this website, you would have found a suitably-motivated person, ready to rock&roll.
Unfortunately, life's got a habit of kicking you, after it has pulled the carpet from under you, before dumping you in the skip.
Enough of that. The weather's been rubbish. I've had another chest infection. I've taken up Morris Dancing. Some or all of the above statements may be true.
today's picture:
From left to right:
Some tourists, a pushchair, Dave Arnold, Dave Guinea, Mike Sprason, Shaun Reynolds, a Hillman Avenger.
This was taken on Seaton seafront, before the 1996 'Grizzly' race.
Ah, but we were all so young then. Ok, younger.
Since then, of course, we've all gone on to bigger and better things. David A, of course, has been for some years acting as the body double of Bernard Thresher, the ace folk musician and lead singer of Lancashire's finest hardcore chip-eating guitar and pringle box whizzos the Lancashire Hotpots.Dave G - well, he's been a bit quiet, to be fair. Always was. Looks like a shoo-in for Popeye in this pic, though.
Shaun - He's been a busy lad. His son Aidan lit t'Olympic torch you know. Fire is a big thing in the Reynolds' household, what with him being an ex-fireman and all that.
Mike - He's gone from strength to strength. He's still running. He still has those shorts.
Me? I'm not on that picture. I wasn't allowed out of the house at that time. But I did go to Devon soon afterwards.
The boys have a love-in every year over the Grizzly, though these days it does tend to be the Cub run. Hopefully I can post this year's version of that picture :)
Monday 21 January 2013
lean, mean, fighting machine
Good news on the health front. Since 31st December my mysterious condition seems to have been behaving itself so it's been back to training.
But how do you come back?
I have to say that during the nearly 3 months that I was off, I veered between the despair of not being able to do something I loved and acceptance that this was the way it was so I'd better try and find something else to do. I think most of the time I fell somewhere between the two stools.
When I couldn't run, I thought that my 'comeback' - if indeed there was going to be such a thing - would be a mad frenzy of athletic performance with me throwing myself in at the deep end until it just hurt through exhaustion, and at the end of the initial period I would be back to my bestermost best.
Any sane person would tell you it's not going to happen like that though. In a rare moment of sanity I set myself a target of 'just getting out there' for most of weeks one and two. The sheer pleasure of just getting out into the sun (for it was warm for the time of year) was enough for a couple of days, but then the CBA quickly made a reappearance and had to be held at arm's length. Leg strength has gone, somewhere, leg balance has also gone and flexibility is very poor, not that its been brilliant recently but it's definitely got worse.
Wakeup call no.1 came when I attempted a 'long' (over an hour) run round the Wrekin one Sunday morning. I was wasted by the end of it and it took me a day or two to recover.
Wakeup call no.2 came when I attended my first circuit training session for over a year. Although it was billed as an 'easy' session I was aching for some time afterwards.
Last week, motivation was already low when I commenced early morning running. Apart from the body shock of being out there, I had forgotten how nice it was. I was just getting into it when - wham - the snow arrived.
Snow is my enemy.
I can't run on snow. Having poor balance means I have poor confidence which means I have poor balance and it's generally an unhappy medium for me.
So it was another few days off, until I could get in the gym to vent my frustration on the machines. It was hard going, treadmill running usually is, it doesn't lend itself to getting on your toes very much. But I put in a good session on the 'mill, the bike and the rower. It's like warm-weather training, vest and shorts stuff. Lovely.
Targets for 2013 -
February Tough Ten. Get round the Tough Ten.
Cloud 9. Ditto
Grizzly Cub. Have a good run.
then..
warm weather training (..er..) in Tenerife :-)
But how do you come back?
I have to say that during the nearly 3 months that I was off, I veered between the despair of not being able to do something I loved and acceptance that this was the way it was so I'd better try and find something else to do. I think most of the time I fell somewhere between the two stools.
When I couldn't run, I thought that my 'comeback' - if indeed there was going to be such a thing - would be a mad frenzy of athletic performance with me throwing myself in at the deep end until it just hurt through exhaustion, and at the end of the initial period I would be back to my bestermost best.
Any sane person would tell you it's not going to happen like that though. In a rare moment of sanity I set myself a target of 'just getting out there' for most of weeks one and two. The sheer pleasure of just getting out into the sun (for it was warm for the time of year) was enough for a couple of days, but then the CBA quickly made a reappearance and had to be held at arm's length. Leg strength has gone, somewhere, leg balance has also gone and flexibility is very poor, not that its been brilliant recently but it's definitely got worse.
Wakeup call no.1 came when I attempted a 'long' (over an hour) run round the Wrekin one Sunday morning. I was wasted by the end of it and it took me a day or two to recover.
Wakeup call no.2 came when I attended my first circuit training session for over a year. Although it was billed as an 'easy' session I was aching for some time afterwards.
Last week, motivation was already low when I commenced early morning running. Apart from the body shock of being out there, I had forgotten how nice it was. I was just getting into it when - wham - the snow arrived.
Snow is my enemy.
I can't run on snow. Having poor balance means I have poor confidence which means I have poor balance and it's generally an unhappy medium for me.
So it was another few days off, until I could get in the gym to vent my frustration on the machines. It was hard going, treadmill running usually is, it doesn't lend itself to getting on your toes very much. But I put in a good session on the 'mill, the bike and the rower. It's like warm-weather training, vest and shorts stuff. Lovely.
Targets for 2013 -
February Tough Ten. Get round the Tough Ten.
Cloud 9. Ditto
Grizzly Cub. Have a good run.
then..
warm weather training (..er..) in Tenerife :-)
Thursday 27 December 2012
2012. Year in review
After a quiet Xmas period 2011, I resolved to do 1 x Fell or MT run for every month of the year. I thought this was a stretching but achieveable target, and would mean i'd have to get back to a reasonable level of fitness. There was a lot of choice of races, plans were put in place, training was written and re-written on post-it notes..
The year kicked off with the Blymhill 10k. This was a nice multi-terrainer, a little like the Bells of Pattingham, quite fast in places, and of course in Jan '12 we were in the middle of a drought (yes, hard to believe, isn't it?). My favourite things? The mad Grand-National start, also wheeling downhill at about half way, and there was a nice bit through the trees too. It was a cold day and what I remember most is the cup of tea I had in the village hall (ta Mike) and the weird blue beanie buff thing we were given as prizes. I'm still not sure how it goes, I might go and get it out of the drawer and have another play in a bit.
2nd race in was the Shifnal MT 10k. Not too much MT in this one, but a rollicking fast finish last mile downhill nonetheless. Things were looking up. Training was going better, and ambitions and sights were being raised..
..only to come crashing down to earth on a snowy, icy Stourbridge Stagger 10mile course. I agonised for ages before deciding to run then spent the next hour or so regretting my decision. Oh, well. At least I survived in one piece.
A spot of ill health (a recurring theme in 2012) put me out for a few days but I was happy to make the trip down to Weston Super Mare for the Tough 10. It was a lovely late Winter's day, but the edge had gone from my training and I was also suffering a little with a sore knee. The course promised much, with a stretch along the famous 'goes on forever' beach before climbing up into the local woods and a couple of laps before returning to the town, but I struggled with my sore knee and underperformed massively. Still, dinner was nice and it was a great day out.
March went by in the blink of illness (again) but I had enough in the tank to manage a reasonable run at the Grizzly Cub run, which turned out to be on one of the few 'proper' Summer's days of the whole year. If only I could keep the training going for a few weeks without breaking down..
..next up in the blink of an eye, the Exe to Axe relay with Dave. It was an occasion when it all went right. Even my troublesome knee behaved itself on the steep downhills. We were a little apprehensive, following last year's effort, but we needn't have been. I was in good spirits and managed to take a remarkable 15 minutes off our time from 2011. The 10-mile (each) MT event proved to be the high watermark of the year though, perhaps for both of us, and there was much pub talk of my attempting a solo in 2013. Of which we should talk later..
After a few days chillin' in Cyprus I entered the Telford Sexarathon road series. I rather fancied I could roll back the years and place in the top 5 age-groupers. Alas, no. The rain at Lilleshall 5 miler was a foretaste of the monsoons to come. I was left floundering in the rain and gloom. Back to the drawing board.
May brought better health - but laced with sharp knee pain. Nonetheless, I braved the pain, kicking off with a very enjoyable, though wet, run at the Sheinton Steeplechase, a new one for me, and then adding to my new experiences with a run at Bollington 3 peaks race, though in my haste to get home I missed the free beer and meal. Oh well. at least I know now! It was a smashing little run, but the knee was hurting a lot by now though, and my speed was restricted. When the Phoenix 5km came round later in the month it was no more than a painful trudge round the fields of Dawley. I don't know why, but I persuaded myself it would be a good idea to enter the Wenlock games trail marathon at this time, though with hindsight, the prospect of several hours of agony was never going to be pleasant. I rounded off the month with another less-than-adequate performance at the Shropshire 4 miles. The feeling of not being able to sprint out at the finish was quite horrible.
June - and I was bravely banging in the long runs. I even ticked off the Hutchinson Way, laying an old ghost to rest. If only I could shake the sore knee, if only it would magically come right. In between the 20-milers I managed to fit in a short blast at Shugborough relays, but the old speed was well and truly gone. A decision, an inevitable sensible decision was made, and I was out of the marathon. I was part gutted, part relieved. I engaged the services of a physio and started over again, again. I did have time to fit in a very sedate Wenlock Olympian 7 miles race though and also the club handicap, neither of which were my finest hour but I was still getting out through the door.
August was an Olympics-watching and a rebuilding month; some holidays, some running, and surprisingly, some swimming, for I had entered the Ludlow Triathlon in September. This was a new departure and brought me back to some early mornings standing in the shallow end of the pool, waiting for the punishment of the next half hour. Oh, deep joy (literally) :) The build up continued throughout September, though i did venture back on to the roads for an extremely undistinguised Harper Scarper 5km. Best Forgotten, but a lovely course.
The Triathlon at Ludlow was another high point of the year for me. I just managed to keep it all together for long enough to not be embarrassingly bad - and I enjoyed it to boot! I just about had enough energy to get into October and the Newport duathlon where I was rewarded with a significantly better performance than in 2011. Things were looking up, maybe if I could get some training in between now and xmas it would be ok in 2013?
No.
23rd October may yet be a significant day in my running career. I broke my 'streak' of 21 years at Pattingham to line up for the FRA relays at Church Stretton. Although it was a brilliant day out, it was an extremely tough run for me. 2 months later, I'm still unable to run, due to a mystery illness in my stomach but who knows? Hopefully I'll be back soon.
So, on the whole, the year started with promise but was blighted more than ever by illness and injury, and I have finished 2012 in a far worse state than when I started it. There still were some highlights though, but overall I'm well and truly on the downward spiral. Age, injury and illness conspire to keep me out for too long and I don't seem to be able to get a decent block of training in.
Assuming I can get going soon in 2013, my targets must include Exe to Axe. And I keep mentioning Man v Horse too. One day................!!!
May brought better health - but laced with sharp knee pain. Nonetheless, I braved the pain, kicking off with a very enjoyable, though wet, run at the Sheinton Steeplechase, a new one for me, and then adding to my new experiences with a run at Bollington 3 peaks race, though in my haste to get home I missed the free beer and meal. Oh well. at least I know now! It was a smashing little run, but the knee was hurting a lot by now though, and my speed was restricted. When the Phoenix 5km came round later in the month it was no more than a painful trudge round the fields of Dawley. I don't know why, but I persuaded myself it would be a good idea to enter the Wenlock games trail marathon at this time, though with hindsight, the prospect of several hours of agony was never going to be pleasant. I rounded off the month with another less-than-adequate performance at the Shropshire 4 miles. The feeling of not being able to sprint out at the finish was quite horrible.
June - and I was bravely banging in the long runs. I even ticked off the Hutchinson Way, laying an old ghost to rest. If only I could shake the sore knee, if only it would magically come right. In between the 20-milers I managed to fit in a short blast at Shugborough relays, but the old speed was well and truly gone. A decision, an inevitable sensible decision was made, and I was out of the marathon. I was part gutted, part relieved. I engaged the services of a physio and started over again, again. I did have time to fit in a very sedate Wenlock Olympian 7 miles race though and also the club handicap, neither of which were my finest hour but I was still getting out through the door.
August was an Olympics-watching and a rebuilding month; some holidays, some running, and surprisingly, some swimming, for I had entered the Ludlow Triathlon in September. This was a new departure and brought me back to some early mornings standing in the shallow end of the pool, waiting for the punishment of the next half hour. Oh, deep joy (literally) :) The build up continued throughout September, though i did venture back on to the roads for an extremely undistinguised Harper Scarper 5km. Best Forgotten, but a lovely course.
The Triathlon at Ludlow was another high point of the year for me. I just managed to keep it all together for long enough to not be embarrassingly bad - and I enjoyed it to boot! I just about had enough energy to get into October and the Newport duathlon where I was rewarded with a significantly better performance than in 2011. Things were looking up, maybe if I could get some training in between now and xmas it would be ok in 2013?
No.
23rd October may yet be a significant day in my running career. I broke my 'streak' of 21 years at Pattingham to line up for the FRA relays at Church Stretton. Although it was a brilliant day out, it was an extremely tough run for me. 2 months later, I'm still unable to run, due to a mystery illness in my stomach but who knows? Hopefully I'll be back soon.
So, on the whole, the year started with promise but was blighted more than ever by illness and injury, and I have finished 2012 in a far worse state than when I started it. There still were some highlights though, but overall I'm well and truly on the downward spiral. Age, injury and illness conspire to keep me out for too long and I don't seem to be able to get a decent block of training in.
Assuming I can get going soon in 2013, my targets must include Exe to Axe. And I keep mentioning Man v Horse too. One day................!!!
Monday 10 December 2012
Favourite Runs 11-20
Now, the thing about this list of runs is that you may not know some of them. A few are really local and obscure, a few don't exist any more. A couple haven't existed for years!
List 11-20 (again, not in any order)
List 11-20 (again, not in any order)
Newport (Shropshire) 10km (old course)
3 Laps round the town. Always fast, hard work. Cobbles. THAT never-ending finishing straight. PB time.
1500m races Crystal
Palace, Antrim, Meadowbank, Cardiff, Exeter, Alexander, Barnsley,
Portsmouth..
Lumped all of my track
races together. I was very lucky to race on some great tracks and
even luckier to get on the podium for one of them (Alexander Stadium)
. Happy days!
Shifnal 5 miles road race
A very under-rated race
round the streets of Shifnal. Flat, but nowhere to hide. Fast out
from the gun, just hanging on until the estate at the end and the big
finish (sort of).
XC Elmdon, Solihull
CSSC
My first ever cross
country as a senior. Made up the numbers to begin with, but over a period of years I eventually brought home my one and only gold medal
for running. Tough, flat course... and far too many laps, as I remember!
Broseley 5 miles road race
Tough, tough run on May
Day. Start and finish from the Village Green. Prize for the first
person to the pub and ...I was second. Damn.
South Staffs Half
Marathon
Great half marathon.
Rolling hills. I always treated it as the start of the Autumn season.
XC CSSC Richmond Park
What a pleasure and
honour it was to take part in the Civil Service National
Championships at Richmond Park, among the deer. We even got changed
at the Bank of England Sports Ground.
Potteries Marathon
Great run, hottest day
of the year, my Mum & Dad came and saw Stanley Matthews start us
off. Ooh those hills. And biscuits!
Manchester Marathon
2 weeks off with 'flu
and I lined up for the Manchester Marathon. I was glad I turned up.
Best marathon performance ever. Brilliant day.
The Tour of Tameside
Actually 6 races in 7
days, with the travelling up to the area thrown in for good measure.
The races were on the roads, fells, cross country and canal paths.
The distance was a double marathon. What a wonderful experience - I
was totally exhausted at the end of the week.
So there you go. I was even thinking of changes as I wrote this!
Favourite Runs - 1-10
Dave told us he had a list of his favourite runs. That set me thinking. In 20 years I've done a lot of races, been to some places, met some faces.
That sounds a bit like a song...
...Anyhow, in putting the list together I umm'ed & arr'ed and some came in some came out, I know I'll never come up with the same list on two consecutive days.
So, here goes, 1 -10. No Particular order - no way could I rate them individually!!
That sounds a bit like a song...
...Anyhow, in putting the list together I umm'ed & arr'ed and some came in some came out, I know I'll never come up with the same list on two consecutive days.
So, here goes, 1 -10. No Particular order - no way could I rate them individually!!
Rivington Pike
Iconic 3.5 mile fell
race from a pub in Horwich. 400 people did this on the 50th
Open Year Anniversary. Me too! It's just up, round the top, and
brakes off, brain out to the bottom, with 400m or so on the flat to
finish.
Trentham 10
Have done this a few
times. It's a two-lap road race with a monster hill in it. It's
usually on one of the hottest days of the year. Good atmosphere from
the village of Tittensor. Titter ye not.
World Masters Fell
Championship
My “..and England”
moment. In 2005 I travelled up to Keswick for the WM Championship. I
got to rub shoulders with some of the great & good, and though I
wasn't at my best, I wasn't last. Fairly tough climb up & down
Skiddaw though no technical descents were involved.
Buxton Half Marathon
Tough race; first time
out it was on a Saturday night. Steep climb up Axe Edge followed by a
steep drop, then a climb, then a longer descent back to Buxton.
Stunning scenery.
Colmore Scamper 6 mile road race, Bridgnorth
6th place –
my highest finish. What a hard, hilly race this was. It was all
descents and climbs - with the toughest being in the last mile which
was a climb back into the town. Pub afterwards was always nice!
Belmont Winter Hill
Fell Race
Done this one twice.
Classic little Northern Fell race, with a small fayre in the village,
welcoming pub etc. The race comprises a couple of tough climbs and then some
bog-trotting with real bogs.
Welsh Castles Leg 7
Leg 7 of the WCR from
Dolgellau to Dinas Mawddwy is one big mountain. Spectacular - and
once over the top of Dinas, there is still such a lot left to do
before you get to the village. Had a top run there once!
The Grizzly
Because it's one of the
few races that has completely floored me. Upon completing my first
Grizzly I was so exhausted. Tough run, especially that beach bit and
also the slurry bits.
Wrekin 10 mile road race
Much-missed classic of
yesteryear. Snaking climb, good descent, then you just hang on. And
that bit round by the farm never seems to end. Finished 11th
one year - and passed out another year - and failed to complete
another year. It was always feast or famine.
Race The Train
Deceptively tough.
Great going out...so hard on your way back. Have taken a few tumbles in my time... and I was so close to beating the train. Loved the atmosphere and the
trip to the ice-cream factory afterwards.
11-20 are in the next post.
Monday 3 December 2012
In the gloom and the dark.
I turned onto the disused railway line in the darkening gloom. Agh! no lights. I had no headtorch either. No worries, I'll be walking in a minute anyway. It was dark, but not cold. There were puddles across the path. I don't remember all that much rain? Careful now, mind the tree roots across the path (at the speed I was going, the chances of a fall were pretty slim).
The darkness creeps up. All I can see is the last knockings of daylight on my right. All I can hear are a few birds, the babble of the brook, the farmer locking up his metal gate for the night, and spot on time, the 5.00 train from Shrewsbury clanging along. All I can smell is the sweet smell of gently rotting leaves, damp wood, wet grass and woodsmoke somewhere over there on the left. I like this, I like this a lot. Pretty soon I'm back on the road into town, soon I'm back dodging the cars and the cyclist with no lights on. Soon, I'm home. But on the whole, I'm feeling ok. I'll have a go at this again.
Thursday 22 November 2012
Wild? Go wild in the country..
....One of those was our club's outing to the local Cross Country league.
It's been a while since cross-country runners were required to run semi-naked and vault stone walls (...it seemed like a nice picture though..) but that doesn't mean it's not tough, just, er, a wee bit 'safer'.
So, the Cross Country was at that hot-bed of athletics...Stafford. You mock, I hear you mocking. But to anyone who knows anything about cross country, Stafford Common is the stuff of legends.
Two facts I know about these hallowed acres. One, it's so damp, no-one has ever expressed any desire to build on it. Two, its near the Evo-Stik factory. These facts may be related in some way, draw your own conclusions. Actually, it's not far from the prison either. I'm sure it's lovely in the Summer, unfortunately we never go there in the Summer. The weather is always suspect here when we arrive to run.
We pitched the Club tents on the only piece of ground not waterlogged, but first we had to clear a space between the pedigree cow pats (the common also seems to be 'home' to a herd of rare breed cattle).
Cross Country in this league is inclusive; that is, there are girls and boys races, there are women's and then the men's race rounds the afternoon off nicely.
The kids are funny; there is a mix of dead serious, can't be bothered, and slightly embarrassed at being there in the first place. The keen team managers are there to show us that pushy surrogate parents aren't exclusive to football. It's quality effort by everyone though, the poor kids are often bent double in the finishing tunnel. I don't think flapjacks make ideal warm-up food.
All the facilities you ever need are at Stafford. A single portaloo AND a tent where you can get a cup of tea. Just like home (...if you live in a field with a portaloo, that is.).
The 2012 vintage mud was truly ikky. One of our boys lost both shoes shortly after the start and ran the whole race bare, well, sock-footed. I wouldn't fancy rinsing those off in the sink, probably a bit of a lost cause :)
He wasn't alone - several shoes were lost during the afternoon. One imagines 'Time Team' visiting in the 22nd Century and trying to make head or tail of what they might find at the bottom of the mud pit.
Everyone, without fail, was muddy. Even the spectators. Some were muddier than others. Some went A over T into the mud, others just settled for the basic Face-Plant. I was surprised to see one chap wearing jogging bottoms which, after 3 laps were pretty damp and grimy, but if you haven't got any shorts what are you going to do?
Even the winner in the men's race fell over on the last lap. But he was so good, so quick that he could have stopped, washed it all off and popped over to use the roller towel in the portaloo while he was waiting for the others to catch up. That's the thing about Cross Country though, it brings you all down to the same basic level, and if you do well, you've earned it. There's no such thing as a 'lucky' race.
It was a fun day in Stafford. Cold, mucky stuff. As nice as my new friends were on the finish line, I still wished I was running. I realised today though it's going to be a really long, hard road back.
Tuesday 30 October 2012
things to do
(1) Ironman. Are you crazy? Quite apart from the training required, it costs a screaming fortune and given my flaky attendence record at these things it would be a waste of money.
(2) Half Ironman. More likely, but still unlikely.
(3) Triathlons. Hopefully I would like to do 3 or 4 Triathlons next year. To do better I need to swim better. I swim like a brick.
(4) Fell races. I'd like to do more now I've got my knee problem to a manageable state. But I need to practice the downhills to avoid being just embarrassing.
(5) Road races. Well, I've seen Snowdon marathon but I haven't seen any others I'm interested in. They will come though.
(6) Known races. Grizzly and Exe to Axe. Beyond that, maybe the Man v Horse?
Book Review
Scott Jurek.
This book stayed in my rucksack, unopened, for two weeks after I had bought it(!). This is usually the mark of something I don't want to read. Oh-oh...
I was wrong though. It's a good read.
Scott is a vegan ultramarathon runner. His mum had MS, as does Mrs J, so it got off on the right foot with me, triumph over adversity, that sort of thing. Scott had a hard upbringing, making him into a tough runner. The book covers a lot of his races, including 'the other side' of the Copper Canyon race made famous in 'Born to Run'. I particularly enjoyed this bit, it was nice to get his perspective.
At the end of each chapter, Scott provides us with his own recipes. Part of me bought the book to see what if anything I could make. Sadly, I'm a bit confused, I don't know half of the ingredients, nor do I have any idea where I might get them from !!
If anything, Scott under sells his book. He is clearly a talented runner but perhaps he's so good he can't always stand back and articulate just what he has gone through. In some passages though, such as his Badwater marathon, it is very graphic and you can imagine yourself there (if that was at all possible).
Scores on the doors - 7/10. Would recommend it. Not quite as 'In Yer Face' as Dean Karnazes.
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