The Loneliness of a Long-Distance Runner

[kinboshi]

Click to see full-size image.

Me and the Ginger-Flyer close to the start of the race.

[kinboshi]

Craig a few kilometres into the race, and looking very sprightly:



(I wish I'd brought my shades for the run though. Not because the sun was shining, but because Craig's legs were so bright!)

[kinboshi]

Craig comes round the corner and plays up for the crowd.

A few seconds later, I was concentrating on not falling over so no energy to entertain the supporters.

Click to see full-size image.

[craigbetts]

Not the best day in the office, but the photos and comments above have certainly made me smile.

I am not overly superstitious, although there are a few things which I prefer to do/see. After waking up in glorious Lincolnshire sunshine I set off to Catton Park, en route I saw eight individual Magpies, the signs were there. The weather in Staffordshire was slightly overcast , damn I was hoping to top the tan up. Nevermind, Dan told me this was perfect running weather.

I had done one or two quicker 10ks in the past few weeks and I thought I would be able to keep a good pace from the start. Before I knew it I was up with front runners and now intent on keeping position. The first couple of hills were ok, the legs were fresh although it was not long before the wheels came off. In trying to maintain my place up the latter hills I had nothing left in the tank, when I say nothing I mean nothing. With 1km to go I was reduce to a walk and then with oxygen anywhere but the brain I could not stand up, it was like I had 10 coronas and 2 bottles of wine.... I was now legless, that's ok because i was in view of the finish and all those spectating and waiting for the mountain bike event could have a good laugh at me. Not thinking straight I could not pick the right course, it was clearly signed and I was having a mare. (That said I was waiting for Dan so we could finish together, once I saw him in my peripheral vision I managed to jog over the line).

I crossed the line with a comedy front roll a'la 5 year old pt and then proceeded to have a dodgy 5 mins where I was trying to work out what had occurred. Both Lyndsey and Dan were stars, as well as the usual St Johns and marshals. All in all I felt like a right pillock, the truth is I didn't respect the course/distance and paid for it big time. Some would say school boy pacing and for someone who has run furhter than 10k on a few occasions previously, I really should know better. No one likes a show off and I paid the price today.

[kinboshi]

It's a very unforgiving course:

Click to see full-size image.

The level or downhill bits are too few and far between, and when they do come up, they're too short! 

[kinboshi]

Went out for the normal 12K run yesterday, and it went badly.  Slowest time for the run this year, and it was bloody hard work in the heat and with the race from Sunday still in my legs.

Enjoyed the weather earlier this week, but not great for running in.

[craigbetts]

Getting back on the horse tomorrow, I am doing a local 10k. A friend has agreed to run this with me so I will be running at his pace and no faster/slower. Thankfully there are no hills, not because I walk up them, but matey is a mountain goat and leaves me trailing. Let's hope I get round in one piece!

[kinboshi]

Run good

[craigbetts]

Run good

I heeded this advice! Running with my friend helped, as he rarely goes running but has a high fitness level from football. So I was hoping to pace him around for a sub 41:30, which would have been close had the course been the full distance. Though my friend had a bad mile between 4 - 5, before recovering and being a little disappointed with the shortened distance of 5.9 miles (sub 40 mins by a few seconds) as he had a little saved for this.

All in, a nice run on an enjoyable course and despite being shy on the training this week, I felt strong and comfortable. The monkey is off the back for now.

[kinboshi]

Nice one Craig.  Last week was a one off, and that course is deceptively tough.

I went out today and ran a bit over 13 miles at a leisurely pace.  Need to up the mileage before the Thunder Run, and glad I managed to get round without struggling (even if the pace was a little pedestrian).

[kinboshi]

Ran this evening in the rain, ideal conditions and also fewer people out and about and getting in the way when it's tipping it down.

Went out steady, and then wound the pace up after the half-way point to run a very nice negative split.  29:02 for the first 6k, and 26:46
for the second 6k.  http://connect.garmin.com/splits/312766564

Only 6-seconds off my PB for the course, but felt very comfortable all the way round so hopefully that means the training is doing me good.

[craigbetts]

Top stuff Dan, that pb is there when you want it!

I guess the elevation gain v loss in the first and second half of your 12k route have a large factor to play in your Kenyan'esqe training.

Since the thunder run I am researching heart rates and looking at using the hrm as an effective training/racing tool. Have yet to put it into practice but I will soon. Today was 500m intervals on the concept 2 and I know I take my heart rate up to its max, I just allow that recovery phase. Chest strap onwards and upwards!

[wazz]

Aha, a running diary!

I ran the London Marathon in 2011 and 2012, pretty rubbish times (5:27 and 4:57) but I intend to do it in under 4 hours in 2014.

Things are complicated by being a type-1 diabetic, meaning I need to test myself periodically (~3miles) and carry enough carbs to last me each run. The result is that running on a treadmill at the gym is a much, much more practical solution for me than running outside.

I don't find running at the gym boring. I listen to good music (recommend house music - specifically prog house or tech house, pm me for recommendations) and if you're at a decent gym it's fun to, er, people-watch.

After a few months of going overboard with food, drink and partying in general I'm back on the fitness regime and beating 40 minutes on a 5 mile run, admittedly at 0% incline. Going to up the incline for each run to simulate outdoors running from now on after reading (parts of) this thread.

I still go for an outdoors run from time to time, if the weather's nice, but the treadmill is so much easier for me.

[kinboshi]

http://www.jackrabbitevents.co.uk/national-forest-10k.asp

10K pretty much right on my doorstep.  Ran it last year, as did gatso and Claw.  Nice course and I'll be running it again this year.  Anyone else fancy it?

[technolog]

I'd love to do it but I'm probably busy. If the plans fall through I might yet make it.