35th & Scorching

Well, its been a while since I updated the blog. This is largely owing to the setup of a new business venture - V10 Media which officially sponsors Running Fource. So anyway, so much running and such great weather has contributed to perhaps what was the best run of my life last Sunday.

Running Fource's Niall McIntyre and Kenny Murray turned up for this great event. All sporting the new V10 Media shirts, we scattered amongst the some 5000 people at this event (half of which were partaking in the half marathon race). So according to my watch, three minutes before 10am, we were off and I was right at the front. Unlike most races I have done, this time I decided to be right at the front and aim to hold my position for as long as possible. Having only run twice the week before, and done nothing between midday Friday and race day, I was also in better stead for this day. So down towards Batchwood and I am still only a dozen people or so behind the lead runner. Up into Batchwood, before descending towards Bedmond and the race got a bit more serious. The poor guy on my shoulder for the first half was struggling with some sort of virus. I only pray it was not swine flu (sniff sniff). Maintaning my position I reluctantly let anyone past me. Approaching mile seven, the marshall stated that I was in position 34. Pleased at hearing this, I became even more reluctant to let anyone pass, and even wanted to get further in front. Mile 11, the same marshall counted me as being in position 31. This was it! The following mile was quite tough, as we left the country roads and enter the more populated area, and at this point I dropped back a few positions. However, down back into the park, I kicked to the end on the finishing streterch, achieving a time of 86:36 and being in 35th place. Dehydrated I was, but too overjoyed to care.

So now Im almost certain that my focus will be on anything less than a half marathon for the next 24 months. I have the ING New York Marathon in November, and a few halves along the way, as well as the Mazda London Triathlon. Today, Ive just completed a 13.5 mile run from Hertford to Hatfield, but the time of 1:42 - a time which wouldn't have been too bad for an easy training run last year, is now far too slow than what I fell I should be running at.

Till the next time...

Legs, Bums, Tums & Pain

After Friday's long run, I opted made it to a spin session in the evening and like after every session, walked away deafened by the music from Kate's sessions. By Saturday morning, I decided I needed a change from the usual run/cycle brick session, and as I walked past the studio, saw a Legs, Bums & Tums class about to start. After a positive scan, ensuring I wouldn't be the only male, I sneaked into the back of the class, and before long my naive incling of this being a class for overweight middle aged women was quickly revoked.

Cycling after this session on Saturday was agony. By Sunday, I not only looked like John Wayne but was also walking like him aswell. This session is not for the faint hearted nor ideal for hard steep runs the following day. I'm sure it worked something, but I now feel like half the man I was (ahem).

So, Sunday's dedicated day consisted of an 11 mile run with Niall and Paul at 7:15am, towards Brocket Hall, Lemsford and the John Bunyan pub in Wheathampstead, followed by a series of diagonal cross country routes, carefully picked by Niall. My quads held up for the duration, before embarking on a 45 minute cross-training blast at the gym, in preparation for my hour long session with my coach. A productive session with lots of strength and flexibility work.

The afternoon involved a quick trip round the farmer's marker - I came away with two farmers (both at very good prices), listening to Joanne Newsome's album, and then a final 90 minute spin, x-train and abs session at the gym.



By Monday, the easy long run transpired into a slow, painful trot (although only 4 mins slower than usual for this 13.5 mile loop).

I feel the end is nigh....