Next Friday I turn 55, phew!
Its just over a year since I last raced, the Lausanne 20km on April 30th 2011. I ran well 3 minutes better than the previous year finishing 4th (M50) in 1:16 a time I noticed would have been good enough for 2nd this year. I was pleased with the improvement looked forward to the coming races, but something happened in the weeks after I just couldn't motivate myself. The first few easy short training runs hurt and used the as an excuse to not bother going out training.
So the chance to train over a free from work summer passed me by.
I'm now working full time, have a problem with my left knee while riding my bike, so trying to get out and run and feel better in myself before attending this Festival in July
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
2nd Race of 2011
Lynda arrived Saturday morning, dropped bag off before heading to the first race in the Zurich Cup series.. The Dietikon 12.1km After the last two years when the event's been run in freezing conditions on hard packed snow and ice... what a joy to have the sun shining in spring like conditions. As I lined up noticed a couple of new faces
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Years Day
Flew back to the London City early on the 23rd December... crikey it was cold! I knew they'd had a cold snap but wasn't expecting what it me as I tried walking with my case from Chelmsford Station towards Lynda's ...she's was having trouble defrosting the car. My Christmas was based around the Ribble Valley 10K, my own club (Blackburn Harriers) event and a race I haven't taken part in for 21years. Early Boxing Day we drove up to Lancashire, saw Dad before going the match, a miserable experience as we lost to the Hammers. Early on the 27th drove towards Clitheroe in rain that turned to sleet then snow, still in darkness I couldn't believe it as we approached Edisford Bridge Leisure Centre and saw the Race Cancelled sign. Drove back to Essex and managed a few decent training runs that week. Decided to run a Parkrun Race on New Years Day morning. Having run and enjoyed the location once before decided to drive down to London and do the Richmond Park Parkrun, made easier as they'd moved the start time back to 10am 170 turned up some having run the Bushy Park race at 9am. I managed to finish 6th overall for the 2nd time and again came in first in the M50 category in 18:08 much better than the last attempt. Drove back for a relaxing New Years Day. Flying back to Basel tomorrow 2nd January. Back in work Monday morning.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The trials and tribulations of moving home
Sunday 14th. I'm back in the UK for a long weekend... leaving behind problems to be solved, bills to be paid and so much work to be done on our new place and completion of Ste's Bathroom. Putting this all behind me I'm looking forward to seeing The Cinematic Orchestra at The Royal Albert Hall this evening... just in from a good run round the Essex country lanes near Lynda's home here in Little Waltham, 9.65 miles in 1:04:28.
Very enjoyable concert, though the journey there was hell.. stuck in traffic for nearly 2 hours on the M11 and the kayos that trying to drive through central London brings.
I must recap on the happening's since my last detailed blog.
Sunday 31st Oct, the morning of the Luzern Half-marathon, Lynda arrived early Saturday morning and at this point I was unsure whether I would still take part... the way training had been so interrupted with a combination moving stress, injuries and working on Ste's..I went out before lunch for an easy 4 miles to see if my ankle showed any reaction from a run I'd done on Thursday..everything seemed to be ok, so it was all systems go for Sunday morning.
Studying the map on Saturday trying to work out the how to successfully get to the start, knowing parking would be virtually impossible close by, tried to workout what nearby Town’s we might park up at then catch a tram, train, walk. We needn’t have bothered worrying it was so simple.. We got up early quick breakfast jumped in car and headed for Luzern. Because the race starts and finishes round the Lake at the Transport Museum all we needed to do was drive straight to the carpark at the main Railway Station (all familiar as I’d taken Dad and Catherine here 4 years ago) then join the throng headed down to the jetty to catch the shuttle Ferry taking competitors over to the Registration/Start Area… Breeze! Picked up my number found a toilet then relaxed a little at the entrance to the Planetarium. With 40 minutes we headed the long starting straight on a perfect morning for running, beyond the start line by the lake I did a few stretches started to warm up but really needed one last visit to the toilet…big mistake we headed back through the crowds of runners gathering for the start to the last set of potaloos and a big queue had formed, but I needed to go..just managed to get in one on time then quickly headed down the pavement to get nearer the front..kissed and said good bye to Lynda before getting back into the crowd of runners before the gun went off.. chip timing so my race time wouldn’t start till I crossed the start line but once I'd crossed the start line realised started to far back as the first 2 kilometres were spent trying to pass slower runners most by running on the footpath by the time 3km came up things had sorted themselves out and plenty of space to run and manoeuvre. Before the race I thought this was a pan flat course round the edge of the Lake…Wrong between 5 and 9km there are 3 steady little climbs as the route turned away from the lake a little but I was feeling ok and when we started to go downhill back towards the lake going through10K in 39minutes I was more than pleased with my time considering the up-hill stretches. With the idea that we’d have to go up hill again heading back to Luzern and unusually for me I started to hurt so early at the 13km mark and slowed dramatically in fact I think if I’d been anywhere near the finish I’d have dropped out. The were no up hill sections on the way back as we looped round, I latched onto two tall younger guy's as I seemed to get a second wind these lads dragged me back into Luzern City Centre till I couldn't go with them any more.. By now coming up to the 19km mark just keep it going and I'd soon be home.. Its a great finish as you run the last couple of 100metre's on a blue carpet inside the Transport Museum... I was really happy with the time at the end considering everything 1:21:43 We walked back to car around the lake it was a perfect beautiful autumn day. Once home checked the result on the internet, and then I was disappointed... I came in 6th out of 585 happy...but just 31 seconds behind 2nd place.
Very enjoyable concert, though the journey there was hell.. stuck in traffic for nearly 2 hours on the M11 and the kayos that trying to drive through central London brings.
I must recap on the happening's since my last detailed blog.
Sunday 31st Oct, the morning of the Luzern Half-marathon, Lynda arrived early Saturday morning and at this point I was unsure whether I would still take part... the way training had been so interrupted with a combination moving stress, injuries and working on Ste's..I went out before lunch for an easy 4 miles to see if my ankle showed any reaction from a run I'd done on Thursday..everything seemed to be ok, so it was all systems go for Sunday morning.
Studying the map on Saturday trying to work out the how to successfully get to the start, knowing parking would be virtually impossible close by, tried to workout what nearby Town’s we might park up at then catch a tram, train, walk. We needn’t have bothered worrying it was so simple.. We got up early quick breakfast jumped in car and headed for Luzern. Because the race starts and finishes round the Lake at the Transport Museum all we needed to do was drive straight to the carpark at the main Railway Station (all familiar as I’d taken Dad and Catherine here 4 years ago) then join the throng headed down to the jetty to catch the shuttle Ferry taking competitors over to the Registration/Start Area… Breeze! Picked up my number found a toilet then relaxed a little at the entrance to the Planetarium. With 40 minutes we headed the long starting straight on a perfect morning for running, beyond the start line by the lake I did a few stretches started to warm up but really needed one last visit to the toilet…big mistake we headed back through the crowds of runners gathering for the start to the last set of potaloos and a big queue had formed, but I needed to go..just managed to get in one on time then quickly headed down the pavement to get nearer the front..kissed and said good bye to Lynda before getting back into the crowd of runners before the gun went off.. chip timing so my race time wouldn’t start till I crossed the start line but once I'd crossed the start line realised started to far back as the first 2 kilometres were spent trying to pass slower runners most by running on the footpath by the time 3km came up things had sorted themselves out and plenty of space to run and manoeuvre. Before the race I thought this was a pan flat course round the edge of the Lake…Wrong between 5 and 9km there are 3 steady little climbs as the route turned away from the lake a little but I was feeling ok and when we started to go downhill back towards the lake going through10K in 39minutes I was more than pleased with my time considering the up-hill stretches. With the idea that we’d have to go up hill again heading back to Luzern and unusually for me I started to hurt so early at the 13km mark and slowed dramatically in fact I think if I’d been anywhere near the finish I’d have dropped out. The were no up hill sections on the way back as we looped round, I latched onto two tall younger guy's as I seemed to get a second wind these lads dragged me back into Luzern City Centre till I couldn't go with them any more.. By now coming up to the 19km mark just keep it going and I'd soon be home.. Its a great finish as you run the last couple of 100metre's on a blue carpet inside the Transport Museum... I was really happy with the time at the end considering everything 1:21:43 We walked back to car around the lake it was a perfect beautiful autumn day. Once home checked the result on the internet, and then I was disappointed... I came in 6th out of 585 happy...but just 31 seconds behind 2nd place.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday 11th Yesterday (Sunday) I didn't run, instead I met Steve, Milian and Will at Basel Bahnhof where we boarded the train to Steinen, Germany to start our bike ride... silly really could easily have cycled there. . we did an enjoyable 65km.. but got quite a chill coming down the descent into Kandern, where we stopped for coffee and cake, nice morning ride. In the afternoon watched the final hour of the Paris-Tours Cycle Race followed by Commonwealth Games coverage. Later while having dinner caught up with the last month or so of the Andrew Lemoncello blog finishing it off over a coffee this morning, find it very inspirational and unusual for me I became eager to get out and train, I couldn't have wished for a better morning for it.. when I first got up I noticed the first frost of this Autumn below on the supermarket roof, by 10am the sun had warmed the air a little, still a bit fresh without a breath of wind.. for running it was dam near perfect. Ran a 9.47 miles route down towards the Rhein Marina entrance, along the river till turning back through the Wood then the quiet rolling Village roads and cycle paths through Markt, Eimeldingen, Haltingen... ran steadily in a time of 1:03:19 averaging 6:44 pace.
After shower rang Elizabeth at Resource to check on any work prospects.. she was off on the sick, the girl who took the call had no news. I then emailed Maryvonne Zacher in Strasbourg concerning the Apartment I'm buying, received a quick reply with the arrangements to rendezvous at the apartment this coming Friday..and hopefully I'll be given a moving in date.
Tuesday 12th Woke around 7:30 and even though I'm meeting Dan this evening at the track I fancied going out for a short easy run.. Ran a little 4 mile loop through Weil am Rhein over Road Bridge into France, through Huningue back to Foot Bridge over Rhein back into Germany.. quick detour into the supermarket to buy Corn Flakes, my running time was a very sedate 29:19 Showered, cereal with bananas and milk. and a relaxing afternoon watching the final days athletics from the Commonwealth Games in Delhi... and probably the most memorable moment when the Indian women won the 4x400m relay Gold, a thrilling moment for a country who had only ever won one Track Gold prior to these games.. a fitting climax after all the negative press.
At 17:45 I ran to the track to meet Dan, early I ran another a mile before he arrived we did 11x200 metres with a 100m walk in between, couple of laps warm down then some stretching exercises on the grass before a gentle jog back home combined distance of 8.25 - 56:25 After shower made pasta dish for dinner then settled down to watch England.. punctuated by flicking over to see Switzerland beating Wales.. I soon got fed up with the England game.. I find football less and less attractive as a spectacle... and especially these overpaid millionaires...As a kid I would never have believed that one day I'd much rather watch Pro Cycling and Athletics.. but I do. Ended up turning the football off to watch Gordon Ramsey's Britain's Best Restaurant.
Wednesday 13th Up at 7:30, foggy and feeling like 3 degrees outside, supposedly 16 and Sunny later.. so no need to rush to get out..Filled in this blog while eating breakfast. Waited but the fog never really cleared fully temperature peaked at 9 degrees. Managed to get hold of Fran's wife Julie and get his latest UK mobile number... gave him a quick call he's working at Stansted at the moment, nice to catch up and told him Lynda wouldn't be happy if he didn't call round for dinner one evening being so close to Little Waltham. Left it till 18:30 till getting out, the plan was a flat 8.5 mile loop, but shortly after setting out I'd a reoccurrence of the knot in my right calf.. exactly the same as last week after the track session. Thought I might run it off but by the time I got to the cafe along the River Wiese (usual toilet stop) decided to cut the run shorter, crossed the River at the next bridge then followed the pathways through the agricultural land on the German side by the time I got home covered 6.28 miles - 45:19 Dinner then chatted to Lynda on skype, she'd had another positive viewing of the house, and email from the Surgeon in Zurich saying he would welcome her to visit his clinic on the 5th November, fingers crossed for that then. Relaxed watching What Goes In Your Basket.. interesting and the always good Grand Design. Think I'll cycle to the track to train tomorrow, the cushioning of the synthetic track seems to agree with the seemingly none stop niggles on my right leg
Thursday 14th Up around 7:30 again. Still very misty and wintery quickly nipped out to get bananas, Greek yogurt and bread, ate breakfast while watching Commonwealth Marathon, read book till around 1pm. The predicted sunny day never materialised but decided to ride to the three lane track at the boarder, only managed 4x1 mile each one over 6 minutes on the 4th mile right calf seemed to get tighter decided to call it a day and ride home. 4 miles - 24:54 Ran hot bath, no radox left used the oils Lynda bought me, enjoyed a good soak. Steve rang went to meet him for a coffee in Markauf I ended up having one bottle of beer, arranged to go round to his house tomorrow and weigh up his bathroom. Came home made dinner watched River Cottage while recording it for Lynda, she's working late today so no skype..Bed
Friday 15th Woke at 8am made coffee and 1 slice toast with marmalade, caught up on the latest happenings in the cycling world, the Tour of Lombady known as "the classic of the falling leaves" and signals the seasons end, a gruelling hilly 260k from Milan to Lake Como tomorrow in Italy, shall be recording that for Lynda also next Tuesday its the Route Presentation for the 2011 Tour de France, cool. Right enough of this cycle warbling I need to get out the door and run, hoping I can get some miles done without problems from foot or calf. 23 minutes into run made the decision to cut it short I could feel my calf so turned round and headed back at a easier pace 7.22 miles - 51:15 maybe I need enforced rest... Not ideal with Lucerne Half Marathon looming. Bowl of fruit before going over to see apartment and meeting the woman from the Immobiliers she say's I'll get the keys end of this month...don't panic!!
Drove over to Steve's he wanted to check out electric boilers, tiles and shower trays etc if I'm going to work on his bathroom. I drove up to big retail park near Mulhouse (France) giving the car its 1st decent run out in weeks. Steve's failure to find a smaller boiler seemed to knock the wind out his sails, we came away having chosen nothing, and with my own movement coming up quickly times running out. I turned down the chance to go for dinner, I wanted to be home for evening chat with Lynda, and I got the chance to speak to Fran he'd been invited over to Lynda's to have a chippy tea.
Saturday 16th Up early, plan was to wash the car but weather was miserable, still had to move it, then supermarket shop completed by 8am..No run today giving calf 48 hours see how that goes. At 11:15 drove to Kitchen designers in Germany to see if they can instal the first week in November, efficiently everything as been delivered and they've already pencilled us in for that week, really wish the apartment was being built in Germany and not France. Once home settled down for afternoon in front of the tele with the Giro de Lombardia as entertainment. Later made a vegetable chilli with potato wedges and treated myself to a few bottles of beer, Lynda came on Skype telling me about the latest viewers of her house, more positive reactions now we just need the offers to come in, we settled down to watch Have I Got News For You and IQ together, Lynda on call tomorrow needed to get off and go to bed. I made chip butty watching a bit of Match of the Day before bed
Sunday 17th Didn't rise till 10:45 light breakfast, read then around 14:00 decided warily to get out run and see how things went, chose a route that would give me chance to cut the run short if calf started to hurt. Set off gingerly half expecting calf to start hurting at anytime but once I got past 30 minutes started to forget about it, around 1 hour 18 minutes calf started to tighten but on the home leg by then, pleased to do a long run, I wasn't hopeful before today. 1:32:50 -13.23 miles Steve rang asking me to call round regarding his bathroom. Going to start work on it in the morning. Came home made dinner then spoke to Lynda.
Weeks Total 52 miles
After shower rang Elizabeth at Resource to check on any work prospects.. she was off on the sick, the girl who took the call had no news. I then emailed Maryvonne Zacher in Strasbourg concerning the Apartment I'm buying, received a quick reply with the arrangements to rendezvous at the apartment this coming Friday..and hopefully I'll be given a moving in date.
Tuesday 12th Woke around 7:30 and even though I'm meeting Dan this evening at the track I fancied going out for a short easy run.. Ran a little 4 mile loop through Weil am Rhein over Road Bridge into France, through Huningue back to Foot Bridge over Rhein back into Germany.. quick detour into the supermarket to buy Corn Flakes, my running time was a very sedate 29:19 Showered, cereal with bananas and milk. and a relaxing afternoon watching the final days athletics from the Commonwealth Games in Delhi... and probably the most memorable moment when the Indian women won the 4x400m relay Gold, a thrilling moment for a country who had only ever won one Track Gold prior to these games.. a fitting climax after all the negative press.
At 17:45 I ran to the track to meet Dan, early I ran another a mile before he arrived we did 11x200 metres with a 100m walk in between, couple of laps warm down then some stretching exercises on the grass before a gentle jog back home combined distance of 8.25 - 56:25 After shower made pasta dish for dinner then settled down to watch England.. punctuated by flicking over to see Switzerland beating Wales.. I soon got fed up with the England game.. I find football less and less attractive as a spectacle... and especially these overpaid millionaires...As a kid I would never have believed that one day I'd much rather watch Pro Cycling and Athletics.. but I do. Ended up turning the football off to watch Gordon Ramsey's Britain's Best Restaurant.
Wednesday 13th Up at 7:30, foggy and feeling like 3 degrees outside, supposedly 16 and Sunny later.. so no need to rush to get out..Filled in this blog while eating breakfast. Waited but the fog never really cleared fully temperature peaked at 9 degrees. Managed to get hold of Fran's wife Julie and get his latest UK mobile number... gave him a quick call he's working at Stansted at the moment, nice to catch up and told him Lynda wouldn't be happy if he didn't call round for dinner one evening being so close to Little Waltham. Left it till 18:30 till getting out, the plan was a flat 8.5 mile loop, but shortly after setting out I'd a reoccurrence of the knot in my right calf.. exactly the same as last week after the track session. Thought I might run it off but by the time I got to the cafe along the River Wiese (usual toilet stop) decided to cut the run shorter, crossed the River at the next bridge then followed the pathways through the agricultural land on the German side by the time I got home covered 6.28 miles - 45:19 Dinner then chatted to Lynda on skype, she'd had another positive viewing of the house, and email from the Surgeon in Zurich saying he would welcome her to visit his clinic on the 5th November, fingers crossed for that then. Relaxed watching What Goes In Your Basket.. interesting and the always good Grand Design. Think I'll cycle to the track to train tomorrow, the cushioning of the synthetic track seems to agree with the seemingly none stop niggles on my right leg
Thursday 14th Up around 7:30 again. Still very misty and wintery quickly nipped out to get bananas, Greek yogurt and bread, ate breakfast while watching Commonwealth Marathon, read book till around 1pm. The predicted sunny day never materialised but decided to ride to the three lane track at the boarder, only managed 4x1 mile each one over 6 minutes on the 4th mile right calf seemed to get tighter decided to call it a day and ride home. 4 miles - 24:54 Ran hot bath, no radox left used the oils Lynda bought me, enjoyed a good soak. Steve rang went to meet him for a coffee in Markauf I ended up having one bottle of beer, arranged to go round to his house tomorrow and weigh up his bathroom. Came home made dinner watched River Cottage while recording it for Lynda, she's working late today so no skype..Bed
Friday 15th Woke at 8am made coffee and 1 slice toast with marmalade, caught up on the latest happenings in the cycling world, the Tour of Lombady known as "the classic of the falling leaves" and signals the seasons end, a gruelling hilly 260k from Milan to Lake Como tomorrow in Italy, shall be recording that for Lynda also next Tuesday its the Route Presentation for the 2011 Tour de France, cool. Right enough of this cycle warbling I need to get out the door and run, hoping I can get some miles done without problems from foot or calf. 23 minutes into run made the decision to cut it short I could feel my calf so turned round and headed back at a easier pace 7.22 miles - 51:15 maybe I need enforced rest... Not ideal with Lucerne Half Marathon looming. Bowl of fruit before going over to see apartment and meeting the woman from the Immobiliers she say's I'll get the keys end of this month...don't panic!!
Drove over to Steve's he wanted to check out electric boilers, tiles and shower trays etc if I'm going to work on his bathroom. I drove up to big retail park near Mulhouse (France) giving the car its 1st decent run out in weeks. Steve's failure to find a smaller boiler seemed to knock the wind out his sails, we came away having chosen nothing, and with my own movement coming up quickly times running out. I turned down the chance to go for dinner, I wanted to be home for evening chat with Lynda, and I got the chance to speak to Fran he'd been invited over to Lynda's to have a chippy tea.
Saturday 16th Up early, plan was to wash the car but weather was miserable, still had to move it, then supermarket shop completed by 8am..No run today giving calf 48 hours see how that goes. At 11:15 drove to Kitchen designers in Germany to see if they can instal the first week in November, efficiently everything as been delivered and they've already pencilled us in for that week, really wish the apartment was being built in Germany and not France. Once home settled down for afternoon in front of the tele with the Giro de Lombardia as entertainment. Later made a vegetable chilli with potato wedges and treated myself to a few bottles of beer, Lynda came on Skype telling me about the latest viewers of her house, more positive reactions now we just need the offers to come in, we settled down to watch Have I Got News For You and IQ together, Lynda on call tomorrow needed to get off and go to bed. I made chip butty watching a bit of Match of the Day before bed
Sunday 17th Didn't rise till 10:45 light breakfast, read then around 14:00 decided warily to get out run and see how things went, chose a route that would give me chance to cut the run short if calf started to hurt. Set off gingerly half expecting calf to start hurting at anytime but once I got past 30 minutes started to forget about it, around 1 hour 18 minutes calf started to tighten but on the home leg by then, pleased to do a long run, I wasn't hopeful before today. 1:32:50 -13.23 miles Steve rang asking me to call round regarding his bathroom. Going to start work on it in the morning. Came home made dinner then spoke to Lynda.
Weeks Total 52 miles
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Back in the UK
Today flew to London City Airport from Basel... the coming weekend is long awaited Festinho Festival. Though only 8pm landed in darkness the weather so wet and miserable and it had been raining for several days... not ideal for a festival. Train to Chelmsford where Lynda was already waiting for me in the car..with a delicious Fish Pie back home in the oven.
I'd hardly done any running since Aletsch Half-Marathon.. a combination of 12 hour shifts, 35 degree temperatures, not wanting to miss any of the Tour de France each evening and the need for some new training shoes..I'd done to many miles in these Nike Lunerglides didn't feel like I was getting any protection. Decided that on our way to Bedfordshire on Friday we'd call in at an old friends sport shop Fast Feet in Bishop Stortford.. I hadn't seen Paul for 15 years but he recognised me the moment I walked through the door... Nice to see Paul again and came away with a pair of Nike Zoom Vomero. Quick call into Waitrose as Lynda got our supplies then headed up the M11.
At least it wasn't raining...but when I saw the sign for Rugby I started to question the Sat Nav? Yep we'd gone to far down the A14 by about 30 miles.
Eventually arrived at the Festinho site.. Hinwick House, Bedfordshire... immediately sensed this could be really nice.. location, the small intimate feel and we hadn't even got in yet still waiting to collect our wrist bands.. We didn't have far to walk and found an ideal location to pitch the tent...and the sun came out!
We had three wonderful day's at FESTINHO really fortunate with the weather.. we had many highlights and missed a lot of acts to, we did spend a large chunk of our time at the DJ area at the Clock Tower ... I wouldn't like it to change as its perfectly formed in a great location makin for a relaxing experience not a bit of hassle.. It can just stay the way it is.. but its sure to grow if only by word of mouth from the 4000 happy souls that'll come back next year.
Week 5th September Total - 10 miles
Once back at Little Waltham armed with new shoes and rolling Essex country lanes on my doorstep I had no excuses not to get back into my running that 1st week was a little disappointing..the following week got some good runs in so Saturday 11th went up to the Cambridge Parkrun, yet again another typically well organised friendly Parkrun.. Knew racing would hurt but as a training run perfect.. and had to be happy to finish the 5K with a 18:24
On the 15th reported a continuing problem with my right foot... and things got worse on the 16th not long into the days run I started with a pain to the left of my lower back this cut short my run... and scuppered my planned second visit to the Cambridge Parkrun.
Flew back to Basel early Monday the 20th, lovely weather so decided to get some cycling under my belt if I couldn't run ended up doing 112 miles that week by Saturday 26th thought I'd try a short easy flat run to check out my back... a little stiff but no reaction.. Ran Sunday too. Week 26th Sept Total14.6 miles
Following week managed to run 4 days along with a 35 mile bike ride. Week 3rd Oct Total 28.6 miles 5th joined Dan at the track to do some speed work + 40 miles bike Week 10th Oct Total 31.9 miles
I'd hardly done any running since Aletsch Half-Marathon.. a combination of 12 hour shifts, 35 degree temperatures, not wanting to miss any of the Tour de France each evening and the need for some new training shoes..I'd done to many miles in these Nike Lunerglides didn't feel like I was getting any protection. Decided that on our way to Bedfordshire on Friday we'd call in at an old friends sport shop Fast Feet in Bishop Stortford.. I hadn't seen Paul for 15 years but he recognised me the moment I walked through the door... Nice to see Paul again and came away with a pair of Nike Zoom Vomero. Quick call into Waitrose as Lynda got our supplies then headed up the M11.
At least it wasn't raining...but when I saw the sign for Rugby I started to question the Sat Nav? Yep we'd gone to far down the A14 by about 30 miles.
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| Lynda's lovely Salad, Wine and the evening sunshine |
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| Hinwick Hall & the Clock Tower |
Week 5th September Total - 10 miles
Week 12th September Total - 39.8 miles
Week 19th September Total - 35.8 milesOnce back at Little Waltham armed with new shoes and rolling Essex country lanes on my doorstep I had no excuses not to get back into my running that 1st week was a little disappointing..the following week got some good runs in so Saturday 11th went up to the Cambridge Parkrun, yet again another typically well organised friendly Parkrun.. Knew racing would hurt but as a training run perfect.. and had to be happy to finish the 5K with a 18:24
On the 15th reported a continuing problem with my right foot... and things got worse on the 16th not long into the days run I started with a pain to the left of my lower back this cut short my run... and scuppered my planned second visit to the Cambridge Parkrun.
Flew back to Basel early Monday the 20th, lovely weather so decided to get some cycling under my belt if I couldn't run ended up doing 112 miles that week by Saturday 26th thought I'd try a short easy flat run to check out my back... a little stiff but no reaction.. Ran Sunday too. Week 26th Sept Total14.6 miles
Following week managed to run 4 days along with a 35 mile bike ride. Week 3rd Oct Total 28.6 miles 5th joined Dan at the track to do some speed work + 40 miles bike Week 10th Oct Total 31.9 miles
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I've had a long lay off!
Raced the Aletsch-Half-marathon at Bettmeralp on the 27th June.. I'd started work again that week..bonus! managed to wangle the Friday and Monday off work result! Set off Friday for Sierr
e rendezvousing with Milian and Steve on the motorway and headed for the Kanderstag Tunnel.. On a beautiful day we eventually arrived at the campsite couple of miles outside of Sierre. After putting up our tents beside the large pond, Steve and Lynda prepared some food accompanied by wine before heading to the Festival Week-end au bord de l'eau..We trekked down towards where we thought the site would be... easy enough to find, very small but a idyllic location on a beautiful late afternoon. Once we got inside we made ourselves comfortable and waited to see and enjoy the John Kennedy Band... they had major problems with the sound and as it was getting closer to the start of the World Cup involving Switzerland who had to beat Honduras in their final group stage match...with the majority of attendees obviously more interested in this they decided to avoid a lost cause. We found a deck chair and plonked ourselves down on the edge of the lake with a TV shaded by a gazebo .. I must admit its probably up there with the best of them when it comes to locations for watchin football on TV. After we sat ate and drank a few beers before enjoying the evenings entertainment...Around 1am Lynda and I headed back... The 1-2 man tent of mine really isn't sufficient for 2 so Lynda decided to sleep in the car..Didn't hear Steve and Milian arriving back managing a decent nights sleep.. Woke to a gorgeous morning, Steve was soon up..but Milian who must have been baking in his tent didn't budge till gone 1pm. We ate a late breakfast, packed tent, said our good-bye's
then headed through the valley for the 45km journey to the Campsite at Morel...stopping off at a market in Visp to buy food supplies. Pitched tent, it was such a wonderful late afternoon we had to have a little walk up the hill behind the site as the sun was going down behind the mountains, once back Lynda conjured up a lovely dinner, we ate sat on the grass listening to music and taking in the lovely air and our alpine surrounds..We finished eating and perfectly timed to see USA v Ghana World Cup match in HD at the site bar/restaurant, but as the game headed into extra time I really needed to get to sleep ready for my early start, again Lynda slept in the car.
I didn't sleep well and lay awake long before the alarm went off, used the toilet before dismantling the tent.. Lynda woke we ate breakfast then drove to the Gondola Station, car park already busy bought our tickets and boarded for the short journey up to Bettmeralp..The Station you arrive at also doubles up as the registration/number pickup point.. once I'd done that plus another toilet visit we walk up through the village so I could show Lynda where to board Cable Car up to the finish (here had another toilet break).. Made a cock-up here if I'd known just over the ridge from this Station the race came past at about the 5km point and Lynda could have seen me go by before making the journey up. Walked back down through village, beyond the finish line so I could do my stretches and warm up. Five minutes before the start I had to ask if I could jump the toilet queue which they kindly allowed me too. By the time I'd made my way through to vest numbers in my 108 region it was just seconds before the gun. Having run the race in 2008 I knew the slight rise up through the village would end after about 1km and then start rising steeply through the woods.. really hard to judge the pace.. didn't want to set off to fast but don't want to get stuck behind slower runners once the route skirts the mountain on single track.It all sorted
itself out over the steep sections so by the time the route levelled off for the rocky loop section around 11k I found myself alone the runners ahead out of sight and no one close behind. Things were going well just had to keep my concentration and as the route passed the Hotel at Riederfurka 2065 meters for the second time at 15km caught the sight of a runner ahead of me at last... route kicks up severely here taking you up to the ridge above the Aletsch Glacier the effort took me past the guy ahead but once on the ridge at 16km 2200 metres my legs just wouldn't recover.. whether just fatigue or the altitude the run-able sections became painful.. runners started to pass me for the first time. By 19km I suddenly remembered how steep and difficult the final 2k were... impossible to run especially the way I felt..runners now walkers were coming past me in their droves as the route climbs from 2300 to 2650 metres ..I've never been so please to see the finish line... but even more so the refreshment tent, downed as much fluid as I possibly could after being handed my souvenir Rain Jacket.. Lynda managed to get up successfully and came running over to help me gather as much fruit before heading down to Bettmeralp in the Cable Car.. My finishing time of 2:09:01 was expectedly quicker than my previous effort in 2008 just because I'd trained harder this time... Disappointed at the way everything fell apart over the final 5km and secretly been hoping to finish nearer the 2 hour mark. At Bettmeralp we'd a 20 minute wait for the Gondola down, then a mad rush to get away as quick as possible..Car straight onto a waiting Train at the Kanderstag Tunnel..managed to get home in time to have a quick shower before heading for a packed outdoor Ice & Fire to see the miserable performance served up by England against Germany... Definitely not worth the dash back... been so much nicer a day staying up the Mountain.
In the evening checked website for results....
Aletsch Glacier Half-Marathon
Men 50-54 (170)
1st Samuel Fao 1:54:23
11th Tony Greenwood - 2:09:01
Overall (1255 Men)
1st Cesar Costa 1:34:38
108th Tony Greenwood - 2:09:01
 |
View from our World Cup watching deck chair |
then headed through the valley for the 45km journey to the Campsite at Morel...stopping off at a market in Visp to buy food supplies. Pitched tent, it was such a wonderful late afternoon we had to have a little walk up the hill behind the site as the sun was going down behind the mountains, once back Lynda conjured up a lovely dinner, we ate sat on the grass listening to music and taking in the lovely air and our alpine surrounds..We finished eating and perfectly timed to see USA v Ghana World Cup match in HD at the site bar/restaurant, but as the game headed into extra time I really needed to get to sleep ready for my early start, again Lynda slept in the car.
 |
| Warming up 500m beyond the start line |
 |
| Shortly after the start going through Bettmeralp |
I didn't sleep well and lay awake long before the alarm went off, used the toilet before dismantling the tent.. Lynda woke we ate breakfast then drove to the Gondola Station, car park already busy bought our tickets and boarded for the short journey up to Bettmeralp..The Station you arrive at also doubles up as the registration/number pickup point.. once I'd done that plus another toilet visit we walk up through the village so I could show Lynda where to board Cable Car up to the finish (here had another toilet break).. Made a cock-up here if I'd known just over the ridge from this Station the race came past at about the 5km point and Lynda could have seen me go by before making the journey up. Walked back down through village, beyond the finish line so I could do my stretches and warm up. Five minutes before the start I had to ask if I could jump the toilet queue which they kindly allowed me too. By the time I'd made my way through to vest numbers in my 108 region it was just seconds before the gun. Having run the race in 2008 I knew the slight rise up through the village would end after about 1km and then start rising steeply through the woods.. really hard to judge the pace.. didn't want to set off to fast but don't want to get stuck behind slower runners once the route skirts the mountain on single track.It all sorted
 |
| Just coming up the final 100metres |
In the evening checked website for results....
Aletsch Glacier Half-Marathon
Men 50-54 (170)
1st Samuel Fao 1:54:23
11th Tony Greenwood - 2:09:01
Overall (1255 Men)
1st Cesar Costa 1:34:38
108th Tony Greenwood - 2:09:01
Amazingly the organisers gave me the number 108 thinking I would finish around that position...guess what! I cant be to disappointed when I realise I finished ahead of 1147 Men ...and only 4 guys older than me finished ahead
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday 18th June
Ran out along Canal in Huningue to far bridge, turned and headed back chasing down this guy...once I passed him he speeded up so I'd to run harder than I wanted to just to get away from him 7.09 miles Watched World Cup game then went Markauf met Wombat at bar couple of beers before to Ice&Fire for England game...good turn out around 35 out the back... But what a disappointment must be the worst performance ever by our so called superstar footballers...Bloody rubbish.
Saturday 19th June
Afternoon decided to drive over to Liestal, Switzerland to watch the end of Stage 8 of this years Tour of Switzerland, great to see Lance Armstrong, Fabian Cancellara et al. Here's Lance and after the final stage Time Trial on Sunday the eventual overall winner Frank Schleck.
Sunday 20th June
Watched football, terrific game New Zealand managing to hold Italy to a 1:1 draw Rovers Ryan Nelsen being voted Man of the Match. Fran rang to see if I wanted to go for a drink but really needed to get out for run. Planned to do the 13+ mile route with maximum amount of climbing but my knee's weren't enjoying the downhill sections, so route cut to 9.9 miles with 700 feet of accents.
Week 42.2 miles
Ran out along Canal in Huningue to far bridge, turned and headed back chasing down this guy...once I passed him he speeded up so I'd to run harder than I wanted to just to get away from him 7.09 miles Watched World Cup game then went Markauf met Wombat at bar couple of beers before to Ice&Fire for England game...good turn out around 35 out the back... But what a disappointment must be the worst performance ever by our so called superstar footballers...Bloody rubbish.
Saturday 19th June
Sunday 20th June
Watched football, terrific game New Zealand managing to hold Italy to a 1:1 draw Rovers Ryan Nelsen being voted Man of the Match. Fran rang to see if I wanted to go for a drink but really needed to get out for run. Planned to do the 13+ mile route with maximum amount of climbing but my knee's weren't enjoying the downhill sections, so route cut to 9.9 miles with 700 feet of accents.
Week 42.2 miles
Friday, June 18, 2010
Race Day..Lorrach City Centre Race (Germany)
17th June 2010
Nice enough morning felt it wouldn't do any harm to get out for a easy little run to turn my legs over ended up doing 4.66 mile Showered had breakfast of banana, apple muesli and greek yoghurt with honey. Watched Argentina beat South Korea 4:1 before deciding to have a little nap, but email from the company building our apartment "saying they are going to charge me 1172 euro for moving a couple of sockets ruined any planned rest
On a not to unpleasant early evening rode the seven miles to a neighbouring German municipality to run in the Lorrach City Centre Race…I’d say Town.
The place was mobbed you know what its like when you’ve every kid category imaginable from 0-18 years, the Mum, Dad brother sister the Aunt the Uncle. Barriers everywhere, locals on their way home from work stopping off to drink and enjoy the teenage girl dance troupe dancing badly to even worse music… I saw what I thought looked like the place to collected my number.. locked the bike to discover with music blurring it was an empty World Cup Fanzone Nigeria-Greece having just finished... I don't think anyone had been there. Thanks to a helpful Lady PC managed to locate the building that distributed the numbers... then fight back through the crowds to find the Music School and its little gym’s facility to change with the local German beefcake Karate Club… couldn’t move for mullets.
Realised while warming up if I’d just skirted the town centre I could have got everywhere without any crowds
At 7:44pm 32 over 50/60 age category Men for the 6215m Race mixed with 46 women covering all the female age groups for their 4915m Race lined up for the gun, I guessed immediately the fine locking specimen of a female Athlete would be the one to set the pace and within 200m she must have been 50 ahead, she disappeared leaving another girl gradually pulling away… and me, where was everyone.. at the start I’d seen a couple of potential threats… I just had to keep it going, by the start of the 3rd lap I was passing the female back markers…and it started raining making the tiled pedestrian area corners look very slippy, more runners to manoeuvre round and the odd spectator who’d decided would be Beyonce’s weren’t all that now the weathers deteriorated. The 5th and final lap… or was it 4 laps for the women 6 for the men… all of a sudden I wasn’t quite sure…please don’t say I’ve another lap… when I saw the clock I realized their couldn’t be. 22:09 down the funnel I’d won… Chap took my photo and details then asked to interview for what I presume was the local rag..Totally drowned the rain coming down in buckets, didn’t bother to collect my free T-Shirt headed back for my bag jumped on the bike and cold and wet arrived home to see France humbled. At least I won, and happy it equates to a 17:49 5k.
Fastest time of the night 20 year old German 18:43
Mine came in 15th
Best female over 4915m Swiss Deborah Constable 16:27
Didn’t get any details from the guy who interviewed me so don’t know what paper it’ll be in.. and I’ve noticed on the website this morning that individual prize money for the senior races totals 1700 euro … wonder if I’ll still get something, never did in the previous two races I came 2nd
Up date... Went Lorrach Town Hall to collect my prize, really wasn't worth the journey, choice of football, water bottle, small bag.. didn't bother taking anything...But did see the newspaper and here is the photo the reporter took after the race
Nice enough morning felt it wouldn't do any harm to get out for a easy little run to turn my legs over ended up doing 4.66 mile Showered had breakfast of banana, apple muesli and greek yoghurt with honey. Watched Argentina beat South Korea 4:1 before deciding to have a little nap, but email from the company building our apartment "saying they are going to charge me 1172 euro for moving a couple of sockets ruined any planned rest
On a not to unpleasant early evening rode the seven miles to a neighbouring German municipality to run in the Lorrach City Centre Race…I’d say Town.
The place was mobbed you know what its like when you’ve every kid category imaginable from 0-18 years, the Mum, Dad brother sister the Aunt the Uncle. Barriers everywhere, locals on their way home from work stopping off to drink and enjoy the teenage girl dance troupe dancing badly to even worse music… I saw what I thought looked like the place to collected my number.. locked the bike to discover with music blurring it was an empty World Cup Fanzone Nigeria-Greece having just finished... I don't think anyone had been there. Thanks to a helpful Lady PC managed to locate the building that distributed the numbers... then fight back through the crowds to find the Music School and its little gym’s facility to change with the local German beefcake Karate Club… couldn’t move for mullets.
Realised while warming up if I’d just skirted the town centre I could have got everywhere without any crowds
At 7:44pm 32 over 50/60 age category Men for the 6215m Race mixed with 46 women covering all the female age groups for their 4915m Race lined up for the gun, I guessed immediately the fine locking specimen of a female Athlete would be the one to set the pace and within 200m she must have been 50 ahead, she disappeared leaving another girl gradually pulling away… and me, where was everyone.. at the start I’d seen a couple of potential threats… I just had to keep it going, by the start of the 3rd lap I was passing the female back markers…and it started raining making the tiled pedestrian area corners look very slippy, more runners to manoeuvre round and the odd spectator who’d decided would be Beyonce’s weren’t all that now the weathers deteriorated. The 5th and final lap… or was it 4 laps for the women 6 for the men… all of a sudden I wasn’t quite sure…please don’t say I’ve another lap… when I saw the clock I realized their couldn’t be. 22:09 down the funnel I’d won… Chap took my photo and details then asked to interview for what I presume was the local rag..Totally drowned the rain coming down in buckets, didn’t bother to collect my free T-Shirt headed back for my bag jumped on the bike and cold and wet arrived home to see France humbled. At least I won, and happy it equates to a 17:49 5k.
Mine came in 15th
Best female over 4915m Swiss Deborah Constable 16:27
Didn’t get any details from the guy who interviewed me so don’t know what paper it’ll be in.. and I’ve noticed on the website this morning that individual prize money for the senior races totals 1700 euro … wonder if I’ll still get something, never did in the previous two races I came 2nd
Up date... Went Lorrach Town Hall to collect my prize, really wasn't worth the journey, choice of football, water bottle, small bag.. didn't bother taking anything...But did see the newspaper and here is the photo the reporter took after the race
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Though racing tomorrow evening needed to get out for a little run, thought I'd try something new and set off at 11pm over the Rhein foot bridge and picked up the Canal path that runs from the Canoe Centre in Huningue. Quickly takes you out into the countryside making for a very enjoyable route, around the 3rd bridge decided to do a loop through Village-Neuf before joining canel path again at the 2nd bridge and running back home nice and easy. 5.4 miles in a easy 38: 19. Considering going out again later. Started watching my second World Cup match of the day... and unbelievably Switzerland beat Spain...most people's favourites 1:0, then over on Eurosport today's stage of the Tour of Swiss... after yesterday's dramatic end to the race...today's stage started with protests from some riders to have Cavendish thrown out of the race then they had to be endured awful conditions...which eventually arrived here so didn't bother doing anymore running today.
Really looking forward to tomorrow nights race... should be interesting 5 laps on the pedestrian area of Lorrach Town Centre should be like a track race...plan is to get there early and have a really good warmup so once the gun goes I'm properly ready to run hard.
Week 15.2 miles
Really looking forward to tomorrow nights race... should be interesting 5 laps on the pedestrian area of Lorrach Town Centre should be like a track race...plan is to get there early and have a really good warmup so once the gun goes I'm properly ready to run hard.
Week 15.2 miles
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
After the Race on the 30th of last month, work really interrupted my training schedule not helped by being on my knee's for up to seven hours each day that week, thing's weren't helped by turning 53 on Tuesday the 1st June...I ended up running only 19.48 miles in total for that week. Last week I had no excuses, no job and no birthday, just England's opening World Cup game to negotiate on the Saturday and managed a solid 47.19 miles in total for the week, including on the Thursday 10th a 10.85 mile incl 8x2min efforts, first bit of speed work in along time.
Today ran to the track and did a pyramid session (not quite the session I planned)
200 - 0:35
300 - 1:00
400 - 1:19
600 - 1:58
800 - 2:48
600 - 2:03
400 - 1:21
300 - 1:02
200 -
200 - no times for last 200's, Originally I planned to go up 1200m but with Thursdays race in mind didn't want to do to much.. Wanted to keep within 5:23 pace, slipped behind on the 800 and 2nd 600m, but happy with the effort.
9.8 miles
1:05:58
Today ran to the track and did a pyramid session (not quite the session I planned)
200 - 0:35
300 - 1:00
400 - 1:19
600 - 1:58
800 - 2:48
600 - 2:03
400 - 1:21
300 - 1:02
200 -
200 - no times for last 200's, Originally I planned to go up 1200m but with Thursdays race in mind didn't want to do to much.. Wanted to keep within 5:23 pace, slipped behind on the 800 and 2nd 600m, but happy with the effort.
9.8 miles
1:05:58
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Bluelisalp-Run, Switzerland, 10 mile Mountain Race
30th May 2010
Arrived in Reichenbach after a 2 hour drive to be greeted by unseasonably low temperatures accompanied by heavy ran.. Presented myself to the organizer as I discovered yesterday via email they hadn't received my entry (my fault really for leaving it so late) though Datasport had taken the fee from my account Friday, it took some convincing before eventually i was given a number and free t-shirt. Not much of a warm up due to conditions, but I did manage at least 6 visits to the toilet... I've always had a problem with nerves pre race.
I knew it was going to be tough..2362 feet of accents and it didn't disappoint. Flat tarmac country lane till just past the 1k point before starting a steady climb, 3.5k leaving the road to run on a mixture of mountain tracks, woodland paths, rocky river embankments.. all heading in a upwards direction with lots of forestry steps thrown in at the steepest sections. between 12 and 14k the joy of the only flat section other than the start here I was passed by what I thought must be a guy in my age category I tried to stay with him but couldn't.. plus I'd a good idea looking around that their was going to be I sting in the tail... I wasn't wrong from 14k to the finish at 16.095k(10 mile) a mad accent of a switch back road... it must have been 1 in 2 on the inside of the bends which seemed to come up every 30-40 metre's. Managed to pass 3 guys that had passed me earlier on this climb... but the guy I really needed to catch disappeared round the bends.
Finished in 1:22:54 I was right in thinking that guy was the danger as he finished 50 seconds ahead putting me 2nd M50 again, 30th out of 398 overall.
Realised once I'd got myself a drink that everyone had had there kit bags brought up on a lorry... I for some reason (because of a similar race done a couple years ago) thought that we'd just jump on the cable car and return to the start... No cable cars in this area.. had to run back down to the 13k point... It actually made for a good warm down... at the bus stop a very nice Swiss couple took pity on me and rather than let me stand around waiting for the bus for the next 30 minutes gave me a lift to the start once they'd put a protective blanket on the back seat to stop my muddy backside and legs getting everywhere.
Week 31.31 miles
Finished in 1:22:54 I was right in thinking that guy was the danger as he finished 50 seconds ahead putting me 2nd M50 again, 30th out of 398 overall.
Realised once I'd got myself a drink that everyone had had there kit bags brought up on a lorry... I for some reason (because of a similar race done a couple years ago) thought that we'd just jump on the cable car and return to the start... No cable cars in this area.. had to run back down to the 13k point... It actually made for a good warm down... at the bus stop a very nice Swiss couple took pity on me and rather than let me stand around waiting for the bus for the next 30 minutes gave me a lift to the start once they'd put a protective blanket on the back seat to stop my muddy backside and legs getting everywhere.
Week 31.31 miles
Friday, May 28, 2010
Back Running Again
Managed to get out last night for my first run in eight days... Thanks mainly to Lynda, when she realised via txt that I hadn't run she phoned and said "Get Out Now!" so I duly set off and managed 7.18 miles and so pleased I ran (though not a comfortable run) didn't feel like a rested athlete. It had the desired affect and entered 4 races on my return. Finished work today early 10:45 because we weren't allowed to work beyond 40 hours due to Monday being a bank holiday.. Relaxing afternoon watching the Giro de Italia now to get out for a run. Ran along east side of Rhein to far bridge through City Centre then back along 50 Bus route, felt sore and heavy legged.. hoping to feel better Sunday morning...the lay off as done me no good at all. Still no confirmation of entry to race.. I've sent email making an enquiry.
7.18 miles
7.84 miles
7.84 miles
53:21
Week 14.99 miles
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Just waiting to let lunch digest then I can get out and run, managed to do a short easy 4 miles run on Monday evening just to stretch my legs. Had dinner at Paul's as Andrea and Alex are here for 1 weeks holiday. Yesterday Tuesday decided to relax and use it as a Rest Day Showed the holiday couple round Basel for the day, we walked home after a couple of beers and lunch in town. Once home received a call from Jason at S.Com offering 5 day's work at Jet, though Lynda's coming for the weekend I cant really turn it down.. So back in at 8am tomorrow.
At 14:30 went out for a run, I'd been looking on Google maps to see if their might be a riverside route on the French side of the Rhein, their is, though it would take me on a longer run than I'd planned. Decided to go for it (especially with working over the next 5 days) Its a cycle path than runs between the Road and Rhein past Village-Neuf as far as the Hydroelectric Dam then crosses to the island and back, started to ache after about an hours running, kept giving myself targets were I planned to stop, but each time I reached one decided to continue, legs feet etc all a bit sore by the time I got back. 13.43 miles in a very easy 1:34:11. Had a good long soak in a hot radox bath.
4 mile + 13.43 miles
1:34:11
Week 17.43 miles
At 14:30 went out for a run, I'd been looking on Google maps to see if their might be a riverside route on the French side of the Rhein, their is, though it would take me on a longer run than I'd planned. Decided to go for it (especially with working over the next 5 days) Its a cycle path than runs between the Road and Rhein past Village-Neuf as far as the Hydroelectric Dam then crosses to the island and back, started to ache after about an hours running, kept giving myself targets were I planned to stop, but each time I reached one decided to continue, legs feet etc all a bit sore by the time I got back. 13.43 miles in a very easy 1:34:11. Had a good long soak in a hot radox bath.
4 mile + 13.43 miles
1:34:11
Week 17.43 miles
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Race Day
Up at 6:35, toilet back to bed, nodded off then alarm woke me at 7, quickly prepared coffee, two slices of toast with marmalade then settled down to watch Amir Khan-Malignaggi Fight I recorded.. Into the 6th round now, hoping it doesn't go on to long want to put it on DVD for Fran.. and Lynda's going to call anytime...and I'm getting rather nervous, toilet visits due. 9:20am Just about to set off looks ideal weather conditions at the moment, decided to put peddles back on my bike so I can ride in, nerves have really kicked in now but I'm really looking forward to it. 9:45am Locked bike up behind changing area Sport Hall up near the Munster, got ready went outside stretched for 20 minutes then started a warm-up. 10:40am Headed down towards the start area, coming down the hill from the Munster sure I saw Fran going by on his bike so jogged onto Mittlere Brucke caught Fran just as the 10k Race was coming over the bridge. Said I'd see him after and jogged back to Marketplatz, thoughtfully the organisers had positioned plenty of Portoloo's on the square so I did my last toilet trip, while waiting a girl noticing my Blackburn Harriers Vest said she was also from Blackburn. 10:55am In ideal conditions I joined 676 others in front of Basel Town Hall positioning myself 3 or 4 rows back from the front and waited for the gun to go off.
11:00am Got away without any drama and soon got into my stride before heading over the river and onto the eastern embankment of the Rhein once the 2nd km marker arrived I’d settled to run on the shoulder of a young French guy with a leading group well ahead and others spaced evenly between, 6k crossed the boarder into France passing a couple of runners, 7km still on the shoulder and a long a stretch ahead the us the nearest runners some 150 metres up the road and the leaders up to 550 metres further on. After 8k we climbed the steps to the worlds longest cantilever footbridge and crossed into Germany, between 9-10k up a drag the French lad pulled away and I couldn’t react, through10k in 38:07 and into a Park at 11k I had to really concentrate and try to keep my rhythm as I started to ache, not helped by being alone and unable to see the nearest runners ahead. I felt a was slowing as I reached 14k then started to hear the sound of someone catching me, this had a positive effect and I dug in and over the next couple a kilometres I used the clapping of people in the park as a guide a gap was growing behind me. I knew as I past the 16k I wasn’t going to improve on my 2008 time, at 17k on the long stretch of embankment a could see the French lad starting to come back and though tiring I had a target ahead. I eventually passed him climbing over the final bridge at 20k.. Past the Cathedral and a slight downhill main shopping Street. I crossed the line in front of the Town Hall in a disappointing 1:22:19 My mate said their was definitely a 50+ guy ahead of me, so I didn’t hang around, got my bike and cycled home to the pub.
I really hoped to do my best time since winning the M40 category at the Chester Half in 2001… but two weeks prior to my 53rd birthday do I just have to accept that what once came so easily will never be again.
I’m pretty shocked at the degeneration its only nine short years since after a lengthy period of not running 4/5 years I started running again due to a 9 month driving ban and managed a 1:13:06 Half and 33 minute 10k.
Finished 13th overall, 2nd from 112 in the M50 age category 2:35 minutes behind winner.
13.1 miles
Time 1:22:19
Week 53.6 miles
13.1 miles
Time 1:22:19
Week 53.6 miles
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Up and about by 7am after a disturbed nights sleep, showered then breakfast of Muesli, Banana, Greek Yoghurt, Coffee. At 10:30 got ready to run nice and easily to the Stucki Shopping Centre, Kleinhuningen to pick up race number. Headed out via Weil am Rhein knowing this route would give my legs a little stretch and the distance out and back would only total 3.3 miles. A miserable looking morning as I headed out but surprisingly warm once you got going. Couple of trestle tables had been set up outside Ochsner Sports with quite a bit of activity going on so early in the day, wonder if they'll reach last years numbers by tomorrow morning? I cant see it, when online registration closed Wednesday they had 458 for the Half, last year 708 took part. Ran back via Markuaf for bread. Showered, lunch of 2 Boiled Eggs, Crisps and Mayonnaise Sandwiches. Just about to start watching today's 7th Stage of the Giro, will have to record second half as I'll be off to meet Fran to watch the FA Cup Final... No beers for me today obviously.. find it easier and easier not to drink, which can only be good.
3.3 miles
24:00 mins
Week 40.5 miles
Friday, May 14, 2010
Showers held off managed to get out at 12:30... today was always going to be a very easy run, just had to decided how far and which route.. Ran over to Kleinhuningen then along Altrhenweg which turns into Unterer Rheinweg this being the last 5-4km of Sundays Race, up onto Johanniterbrucke up past Uni Hospital along Missionstrasse past Kannenfeld Park past track at Rehab Centre into France at Novatis boarder down into Huningue then over footbridge into Germany and home. Had a good stretch then hot bath.. followed by Cheesy Potato Cakes made from left over Mash.
Now relaxing in front of today's 6th Stage of the Giro d'Italia on Eurosport2.. love to follow Professional Cycling especially the Grand Tours and One Day Classics... Earlier in the year Lynda and I went to see one of the Spring Classics taking the car via Eurotunnel to Northern France to catch several cobbled sections of the Paris-Roubaix one day race, known as the Queen of the Classics, it was a real privilege and marvellous experience to be close up to some of the worlds superstar cyclists.
According to the Race website competitors for Sundays event can pick up race number including chip from Stucki Shopping Centre tomorrow between 10-3pm. So I'll probably have a easy little jog over tomorrow morning, just to stretch the legs as I basically don't want to do anymore training as such.. and it'll be one less thing to worry about Sunday morning.
7.1 miles
Time 50:58
Week 37.2 miles
Now relaxing in front of today's 6th Stage of the Giro d'Italia on Eurosport2.. love to follow Professional Cycling especially the Grand Tours and One Day Classics... Earlier in the year Lynda and I went to see one of the Spring Classics taking the car via Eurotunnel to Northern France to catch several cobbled sections of the Paris-Roubaix one day race, known as the Queen of the Classics, it was a real privilege and marvellous experience to be close up to some of the worlds superstar cyclists.
According to the Race website competitors for Sundays event can pick up race number including chip from Stucki Shopping Centre tomorrow between 10-3pm. So I'll probably have a easy little jog over tomorrow morning, just to stretch the legs as I basically don't want to do anymore training as such.. and it'll be one less thing to worry about Sunday morning.
7.1 miles
Time 50:58
Week 37.2 miles
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