Overview

Be warned, it’s a long one!!!

Great South Run weekend was upon us and the weather forecast for the main event on Sunday was sunny, dry with a bit of wind. This was a nice change as usually the weather gods provide a monsoon for us to run in. The payback, however, was that rain was forecast for kids’ runs on the Saturday.

Kitted out with our waterproofs the family arrived at a sodden Southsea nice and early for the girls’ “Junior” race due to set off at 11.00. We watched the “Mini” run (for 4 to 8 year olds). At the back of the field was a little girl about 6 years old using a walking frame. She received a great cheer as she passed and I don’t think there was a dry eye to be seen. Tremendous courage and it also makes you thankful for what you have got.

We then met up with Katie123 and AnneH. They had made it down especially early to cheer my girls on as my girls had cheered them on at HL. It was great to see them.  Time was pressing on and the girls got to their starting pens. I left the Misses with Katie and Anne at the start and I positioned myself at a point further down the course to cheer everyone on.

Soon the horde of girls speed past, #1 went past and not too far behind was #2. My position was at a point they had to pass again and it was not too long before they past me again. Both were looking good. I ran to a point on the last 200 yards but missed #1. I did see #2 go past and she was putting everything she had into the finish. We all met up at the meeting point.  The girls reported their watch times. #1 did the 2.5 km in 10.31 and #2 in 11.24. Both fantastic times IMO.

We said our goodbyes to Anne and Katie, it was great to see them and thaks again for coming to support the girls, they really appreciated it as did I. We got back to the car and got the girls changed into dry clothes.

After a refreshing night’s sleep, extended by the return to GMT, we all set off for Southsea. The family had decided to come and support me for the first time in a few years as the weather was set fair (though the wind had got noticeably stronger). We arrived it Southsea in good time and after a mooch around I got into my race gear, said bye and set off to join the VERY long queues for the loos. Took so long I had to rush to the start line and missed most of the mass warm up. The hooter soon went and we set off and the worlds number one 10 mile race was off.  As usual in such a crowed field it was a very stop start beginning but I soon got into my stride.  As mile after mile went by I was ahead of my target of 9 minute miles though my Garmin was playing a little trick on me by signalling that a mile was up between 50 and 200 yards before the official marker so I was not too sure exactly how I was progressing. The first 5 (Garmin) miles were done in 8.25, 8.15, 8.10, 8.25 and 8.38 respectively. The crowd was cheering and I spotted my family at about 6 miles. The great thing about the GSR is that the crowd comes out in vast numbers to support the runners and this year with both a record field and nice weather the crowd was bigger than I have experienced in any of the previous 7 GSRs I have done.  

Spurred on mile 6 was done in 8.42 and mile 7 in 8.51. Mile 8 sees the course turn onto the seafront and we were running straight into the wind with no shelter. I started to feel the pace a bit and my legs were getting heavy. The 8^th mile was done in 9.00 so still on target and according to the Garmin I was 3.30 up but I was a bit worried that a) I was slowing down and b) the accuracy on the Garmin.

800m to go I dug in, 400m to go legs were like jelly but nothing was going to stop me, I passed a guy at 200m to go who couldn’t stand up and was being helped across the by two fellow runners and then I crossed the line. Stopped the Garmin , it told me I had ran 10.11 miles (!) in 1.27.22. From memory I had missed my PB by 9 seconds.

I rejoined the family and took part in an organised warm down. A text came through to the wife giving my official time as 1.27.24.

We then got back to the car and spent most of the next 2 hours getting off the common which had been used as the car park. I feel a letter of complaint coming on as it was chaos. There were no parking stewards to be seen until the exit yet they had been kind enough to relieve me of my money on entrance and at least and dozens directed me to my parking space. Once off the car park I joind the queues to get out of Portsmouth. This is the only down side to the event IMO.

When we finally got home (over 3 hours, including time in the car park, for a 15 mile journey) I checked my previous times to see how far I had missed my PB by. To my surprise I found I had indeed got a PB by 17 seconds. It was peel me off the ceiling time.    

The legs feel good and I have treated myself to a cheeky cold beer . I must admit I am still quite pleased with myself.

Hope you have not been too bored reading this. Thanks for all your support recently. It really make a difference.

Take care everyone.

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Let me start by saying well done to anyone I have not already personally congratulated on the great results in the GER.

GSR week is upon us once again and I am now in "taper mode". Well that is my excuse for taking it a little eaisier this week and I am sticking to it.

Training has been going well since I last posted two weeks ago. I decided that I needed to inject a little pace into my runs so I cut down the miles and did shorter but more pacey runs.

My recent runs went like this.

 As you can see daughter #1 is very consistant but daughter #2 is flying and at this rate will catch her sister up and as #1 is 3 years older this will not go down well at all. In fact #2 has taken 2 minutes off her time in 6 weeks. Their run on Saturday will be very interesting.

As for me I am happy with my efforts. I intend to do a couple of short easy runs this week but do have one minor running injury which is bothering me. After last nights run I had "double joggers nipple"  so will be slapping on the bodyglide in vast quantities to prevent any more of that.  

Hope everyone is OK.

Finally a message for TISM, you will always be a hero to me and as you have said in the past " nil carberundum illigitium" (apologies for the spelling,  Latin was never my strongest subject).

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For the last few weeks I had done my Sunday runs at lunchtime which worked well for me as I didn't have the thought of a long run hanging over me all day and also gave me the evening free. This week however, the run had to be in the evening. As the hour approached I really didn't feel up to a run and was almost falling asleep on the sofa. Knowing that the GSR was just 21 days away I dragged myself off the sofa , got changed into my running gear and set off. The original plan was for 9 or 10 miles but I thought anything would do. I started off at a comfortable pace and felt OK. Before I knew it I was at 3.5 miles and decided to run along the seafront knowing by doing so I would do at least 8 miles. I kept going and adding bit onto the route and in the end did 10.13 miles in 1.30.45 which please me greatly as my GSR target is 1.30.

On Monday I went out for a recovery run and kept the pace down on purpose and did 7 miles in 1.03.38. Strange but even though the pace was slower that recently I still felt tired at the end. 

Tonight time was limited and I did 5.1 miles in 44.33. It was perfect GSR training weather, wet and windy just like race day is usually.

Thats 22 miles so far ths week. May rest tomorrow or may run. Either way hope to run on Thursday as that may be it for the week. 

Finally I got my race pack for the GSR the other day. I love getting them. I am in Orange wave B.

Hope you are all fit and well. Good luck to everyone running the GER this weekend. Hope you all have a great time.

Take care everyone and have fun. 

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I am pleased to say all seems to be going to plan with three weeks to go before the GSR.

Monday saw a 7 miles done in 1.02.04, Tuesday was a rest day, Wednesday saw another 7 miles in a very pleasing 1.00.38. Thursday I decided to go for an 8 miler but not worry too much about the time. In fact I didn't look at my watch till I got home. It said 1.12.50 so not too unhappy with that.

Another rest day Friday. Today I went out early for a 3 mile run which was completed in 26.11. This afternoon it was the girls turn to run in preperation for their Junior GSRs. Both did 1.6 miles in good times though not quite as fast as last week due in part to the very windy condition.

Stats for the week is 38 miles ran in total and 3lbs weight lost. (that half a stone in 2 weeks)

On top of all that I had a great week at work and Saints beat Wigan tonight to get to the Grand Final. Only hope my luck continues, however, I fear all will come crashing down around me soon. Tin hat is on.

Hope to get 9 or 10 miles in tomorrow.

Take care everyone.

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...........since I blogged. Life is busy and although I have been running, getting on the computer and updating you on my life has had to take second place to sitting in the same room with the family to catch up on their busy lives.

Another reason for not blogging is after my holiday I appear to have slowed down a bit. I decided with just 5 weeks to go the GSR I had to do something drastic. This was up the miles and reduce the weight. In short last week I lost 4lbs and did 33 miles (1x10, 1x4, 1x5 and 2x7 mile runs) Times were average but getting better.

Yesterday I took the girls out on a run, each did 1.6 miles in PBs and then I set off and did 8 miles myself. I went out again tonight and did 7 miles in 1.02.04 and as I was nearly hit by a cyclist and also by a car reversing out of is drive at speed both of which caued me to stop I was please with the run.

Rest day tomorrow as have a meeting but may get a little run in on Wednesday. Aiming for 30+ miles again this week.

Take care everyone.

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...........since I blogged. Life is busy and although I have been running, getting on the computer and updating you on my life has had to take second place to sitting in the same room with the family to catch up on their busy lives.

Another reason for not blogging is after my holiday I appear to have slowed down a bit. I decided with just 5 weeks to go the GSR I had to do something drastic. This was up the miles and reduce the weight. In short last week I lost 4lbs and did 33 miles (1x10, 1x4, 1x5 and 2x7 mile runs) Times were average but getting better.

Yesterday I took the girls out on a run, each did 1.6 miles in PBs and then I set off and did 8 miles myself. I went out again tonight and did 7 miles in 1.02.04 and as I was nearly hit by a cyclist and also by a car reversing out of is drive at speed both of which caued me to stop I was please with the run.

Rest day tomorrow as have a meeting but may get a little run in on Wednesday. Aiming for 30+ miles again this week.

Take care everyone.

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After my last couple of poor runs I rested on Tuesday but as I had time on Wednesday I decided to do a 4 mile tester to see if things had improved. In short they had and I got round in a respectable 34.30 (8.36 pace). I did have one concern after the run was that I couldn’t stop sneezing. I must have inhaled some pollen on the run and it irritated my nostrils. Still not stopped fully but getting better.

With the confidence of a good run behind my I went out on a 5 miler on Thursday. Went on a new “out and back “ course just to add variety. Nothing much to report about the run except that I did it in 44.07 (8.49 pace) so again happy with that.

 That makes 19 miles this week so far. No run tonight and not sure if I will get one in until Sunday.

I am still sneezing a little which is annoying but I am sure it will pass.

On the healthy eating front I have had no fizzy drinks this week until tonight when a nice cold beer had my name on it, also cut out the snacks so hopefully that has done me some good. Will try to be good over the weekend but with a family day out tomorrow with picnic I fear so of the good work will be undone.

Glad to hear TISMs book launch went well. All the best to everyone for the weekend.

PS. Any one got a tissue?

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I didn’t run on Thursday and hadn’t planned on doing one on Friday either. However when the kids got back from school I suggested taking them for a run in preparation for the GSR junior run which they are both doing this year.

I took the big’en out first and we went round the block. She has already done 2 GSRs before so the distance of 2.5km is no problem for her and as she is built like a racing snake is quite fast for her age. We got round the 1.6 miles in 14.14 which is 10 sec better than last time and considering there was quite a strong wind in places I thought she did well.

After a quick drink I then did the same course with the little’en. She has only done the mini run before and I have always run with her so the extra km and having to do it on her own will be a challenge for her.  Not sure she was in quite the right frame of mind as she was slowing down after only half a mile. She did however make it all the way round with encouragement from me in 16.52.  I recon if we can do this at least once a week up to race day they will both do well on the day.

Anyway that was now 21 miles for the week in the bank for me so on Saturday morning got up and did 4 miles in 35.22 and for the first time in ages I had a respectable weeks total miles achieved.

With the girls at a Guides centenary event on Sunday and the misses going shopping I took the chance to do a LSR.  . In the end it turned out to be a not so long, very sloooooooooow plod.

I had hoped to get 8+ miles in but even after the first 2 miles I was not comfortable, my ankle was sore, my belly was “gurgling”, I was very hot and my head was all over the place. I cut the run short and struggled home even taking walking breaks and I was very grateful when I had to stop at junctions to let traffic pass. On getting home I felt awful and was wiped out for the rest on the day. For the record the 6.2 miles took 59.06.

I was back to work on Monday but got home in time to get a short run in just to test the body out. I did 4 miles in 36.08. Better but still not good.  Just not sure what is going on or why all of a sudden I am lacking energy.

Got a couple of rest days now which may help and may do a run of sorts on Thursday.

Hope all of you are well and happy.

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