Friday 30 December 2016

Hash Run and lovely 10mile run

I've had another great week of running. On Wednesday I organised a Hash run around Lacock. This raised £50 for the pot with the promise of more online donations.

A hash Run involves a hare (lead runners) leaving a trail of flour marks for the rest of the runners to follow. The hare sets false trails to slow the pack down. It's great fun especially when the mist came down and it got dark!

Today I ran 10miles around the quiet lanes of Box, Colerne and Corsham. The Hills were tough but I felt strong running the flatter sections at my goal pace of 7 minute miles including the last mile.

The marathon training really gets started next week with my weekly mileage building towards 50 miles.

Saturday 24 December 2016

Lots of Training

I'm really training hard at the moment. Lots of hard, muddy, long runs to build strength and a solid Base for the serious training to come.

Today I ran a 16 mile loop from Box to Castle Combe. Next week I'm taking part in a hash which is great fun and a glimpse at cross country running in the past.

Right time for a recovery mince pie and hot chocolate!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sunday 11 December 2016

County XC CHAMPIONSHIP

Wow. 4th best team in Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire and crowned Wiltshire County Champions. A great afternoon with the Chippenham Harriers.

I'm running well at the moment and the recent races in my legs can only be a good thing.

Monday 5 December 2016

Bromham Pudding Run

Yesterday I completed the 10km race distance in 39 minutes and 47 secs. I was delighted to finish under the 40 minute mark. The last few kms were really tough but I managed to hold on to accomplish my race goal.

This weekend I am racing in the county xc championship. We have a really strong team and I'm also hoping to put in another strong performance.

Things are on track for London. The long training runs will be starting soon which I'm looking forward to.

Wednesday 30 November 2016

Wickstead Wander

Last weekend I completed the Wicksteed Wander at Highworth near Swindon. This is an off road race incorporating horse jumps complete with water splashes. Ive ran this race 4 times now so I was delighted to finish with a course personal best. I came 15th overall and have moved into 2nd place in the Wiltshire Off Road League.

This weekend Im running the Bromham Pudding Run. This is a quick 10km Road race so will be a good measure of my progress.

Thursday 17 November 2016

Work Run Eat Sleep Repeat

All is well. Training is good. The longer runs have been enjoyable and the strength and conditioning work I'm doing is working.

Jeff has made me some terrific cards to hand out to people and I'm starting to think about the big day a bit more. I just hope I'm ready!

Sunday 23 October 2016

White Horse Gallop 🐴

Today I kick started the distance phase of my training programme with a tough run up and around the white horse from Westbury.  I covered 8 miles in a hour that included a scramble (using hands) up past the White Horse.

As it's the holidays ill hopefully run everyday.

Sunday 16 October 2016

Marshfield Mudlark and Grittleton 10km

Last weekend I finished the Marshfield Mudlark in 25th place (250 runners) and today I finished the Grittleton 10km in 33rd.

The speed phase of my training has gone really well. 6 weeks ago 10km was taking me 42mins. Today 40.40. Next weekend is my last race for a while the White Horse Gallop in Westbury.

I'm looking forward to doing some longer (slower) runs again. Autumn is such a great season to be running as the routes are transformed into a riot of colour.

Happy runner

Wednesday 5 October 2016

I'm running again!

So after 7 days of no running I finally managed to get out and complete 5.5 miles around Corsham Court. I hate being ill and not running. Especially when I'm moving well. Anyway the first run after a break is always the hardest. Hopefully I'll get out again Friday night and then I'm racing the Marshfield Mudlark on Sunday.

Sunday 2 October 2016

A disappointing week

So my race yesterday was cancelled and I've been hit with a bug. My last run was Tuesday where I was moving really well. I'm now climbing the walls! I hate it when I can't run. Maybe tonight...

Thursday 22 September 2016

Hill Reps and a beautiful run around Bratton

On Tuesday I completed a bonkers mix of flat reps and hill reps with the Chippenham Harriers.

Tonight I covered 10km around the white horse in Westbury. The sun was going down and once I'd climbed the hill to the top the view of Wiltshire was pretty impressive.

Sunday 18 September 2016

This week

This week I have completed a fast Tuesday session working with a group of Harriers on our speed endurance.

On Thursday I did a 10 mile trail run around Box. It got dark pretty quickly so I'll be investing in a headtorch very soon.

This weekend my wife is competing so I'll be lucky to get out, but I think a bit of rest will do me good.

Sunday 11 September 2016

Temple Trail Half Marathon

A solid 12th place today at a beautiful half marathon trail race in Malborough. My time was 1:33:52

I'm feeling fitter and stronger than I have in a long time. Happy runner!

Thursday 8 September 2016

Corsham Court

Progress Report.

Training is going well. Every month I complete a 5.5 mile loop of Corsham Court. Tonight I was 2min 15 quicker than in August and 4min 15 quicker than in July.

Hopefully I'll race well on Sunday

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Malmesbury 10km Chippenham Half Marathon and MORE Hill Reps

Malmesbury 10km

A nice hilly road race in the rain for the Chippenham Harriers. I finished 23rd in 42 mins. Im a very happy runner at the moment as training is going very well.

I'm very pleased that my long slow hilly runs over the summer have given me the endurance to run fast.

Chippenham Half Marathon.

It's always brilliant to take a step back from your own training and racing to support others on their running adventures. As a Marshall at the 1 mile and 12 mile point on Sundays race I was privileged to support a few of my AVR rivals on their quests for personal bests. It's also great to see all the new runners accomplishing something they have trained hard for.

Hill Reps

Last night I completed another tough hill session. My legs felt tired after the weekends race and marshalling duties but I battled through. This week I am running on Thursday night, and then racing an off road half marathon on Sunday in Malborough.

Tuesday 30 August 2016

Hill Reps

The official marathon training has began!

Tonight I completed my first hill rep session (of many). These sessions are hard, but in the long term very rewarding as they build strength and endurance. They also strengthen the mind- I will run the last hill as hard as the 1st. Each rep (up and down the hill) lasted 3 minutes, 1 min 20 to run up the hill, 1 min 40 to jog down. I covered 4 miles in total plus the jog to and from the hill.

On Thursday I intend to do my first speed session where I'll run some of the session at the pace I intend to complete the marathon.

Sunday 28 August 2016

13 miles of Tow Path and a few hills

I've just completed a lovely run along the Tow Path from Bradford on Avon towards Bath. I threw in a few hills on the way back including some of the Avon Valley Runners Over the Hills course. A friend joined me who is training for a mountain marathon in Switzerland. Legs felt good on the flats.

Wednesday 24 August 2016

Running in the Black Mountains

Today I did an 18 mile route around 6 peaks in the Black Mountains Wales. It took my fellow club mate and I five hours to complete. I'll be taking a few days rest now!

This weekend I hope to run 15 flat miles along the Bradford on Avon tow path.

Tuesday 23 August 2016

1st Run.

Tonight I completed my 1st training run. A  lovely 5 mile run around Corsham Court in the evening sunshine.

Tomorrow I'm in Wales running in the hills.

Monday 22 August 2016

Monday 22nd August

Today I enjoyed a coffee with the Arts Together team and discussed tactics for the London Marathon.