Gisborough moors fell race and stuff

It's been 2 weeks since the North Tyneside 10k debacle in which I lost a great deal of love for running. Achilles trouble (ongoing since the Great North Run) and now strained ankle ligaments from a slight altercation with a bog on top of Gisborough moors! Hey ho, on we go.

Since the dreaded NT 10k I've been keeping a bit of a low profile, still keeping my mileage up but trying to get the race out of my system with some long steady runs. I'm still convinced I was coming down with something as I was champion until miles 2-3.

I journeyed off last Sunday for the Gisborough moors fell race, stopping at a mates on the way to drop the car off and cadge a lift. Pleased I did as my thermostat ceased to work and the bonnet on the car was about to blow off! Needless to say that got sorted later.

The race was a very laid back affair, I intended just to enjoy it and treat it as a Sunday run. The weather was cool but clouds were gathering fast! The first mile or so is pretty much uphill through the forest which was particularly boggy this year after the amount of rain we've had recently. Once onto the moors it's a decent run until the ascent to Captain cook's monument. Rain, wind, sleet, snow, sun. All weathers!!

I must admit I was very lethargic again and struggled for the first half of the race, the last 6 miles were fab. Roseberry topping was once a gain a killer! Smooth running, catching people and generally not giving a toss. I must have taken 10 runners on the last descent through the woods.

I was fairly pleased with the run, although slower than last year, I was still glad to be back in the countryside enjoying my running.

This week has been pretty much the same, although I did a speed session this morning which was like starting all over again!

Pondering entering the London marathon next year, entries open on the 30th April. Watch this space!

Next race for me is the Borrowdale trail half marathon in a few weeks, oh and the cheviot summit fell race next week (3miles up, 3 miles down). Not fit/sharp enough for any PB's in races before then. Need to get this achilles and ankle sorted before then. Frustrated.....

North Tyneside 10k, 8th April 2012

Difficult to take any positives from this race other than the fact that even though I considered dropping out at least 10 times, I kept going.

The start was fine and was sitting comfortably up until 3 miles. Then nothing. No energy, no drive, like a switch being flicked to the "off" position.

Runners began streaming past me which was very disheartening. My aim was 36 minutes or better, I ended up with 37:51. Still a PB as I haven't run a 10k for over 2 years - but considering my 10k split time at last year's Great North Run was 37 minutes you can understand my disappointment. This also followed a 17:18 5k 2 weeks ago.

Anyway, I had a great 15.5 mile run the day after and cleared the head. Back to what I love - long runs with no pressure from anyone.

Gisborough moors fell race this Sunday and can't wait - going to enjoy it and not going just to "race".

Elswick Good Friday relays, Newburn Business Park

A decent day at the annual Good Friday relays. Conditions were good although the route had changed significantly following a fire at one of the leccy pylons a few weeks ago. It was basically an "out and back" and then "out and back" again course. Still, a short 2.25 mile blast. A bit unnerving when I was informed I'd be in the Morpeth "B" team - a bit above my station to be honest, better runners were in the 'C' team.

Nevertheless I ran the 3rd leg a little too quick at the start which meant I tied up at the end. Talk about treading water with full length waders! Morpeth A won the race and the B team came 5th. Well done to all who competed, good atmosphere. NT 10k 2 days later, this would prove too much for one weekend!

Welcome boost

I've had a pretty lackadaisical attitude towards running over the past couple of weeks, a mixture of tiredness and work pressures. I have also been putting a little too much pressure on myself to improve. Since January I've not really had much of a rest so this week I tapered off considerably and even doing a half session at the club on Thursday.

My aim - to rejuvenate and be in a better position to rectify my poor park run the other week. I chose today to do the deed but forgot that it was also harrier league time at Prudhoe (which would've been enjoyable with all the hills!). But I stuck to my plan.

I arrived at the town moor and it was pea soup, temperature was spot on and no wind. no excuses! I ensured a proper warm up this time, 2 miles with a few strides and stretches thrown in for good measure. Having started the previous park run like a bat out of hell then suffering badly at the end, I held myself back on the first mile. At 1 mile I was in 5th position, happily cruising at a consistent pace. By 3k I was up to 4th and in sight of 2nd and 3rd. This kept me going and dug deep for the last mile. I finished in 4th with a PB of 17:18.

Feels like a weight has been lifted, I can now move on!

Brough Law fell race, 4th March 2012

Race number 2 in the NECAA championship, but only number 1 for me having missed Danby Beacon back in early February.

This is a short race but it's definitely a tough lung buster! I ran it last year on a cool windy day and was surprised by the amount of climb - especially at the start. This year the weather was a lot cooler and as we headed off to the Breamish valley we spotted snow on the hills and on the vehicles coming from the opposite direction. I had not brought the relevant apparel! oops.

I registered at the start line via slipping a guy a fiver who was sitting in the passenger seat of a saloon car. And of course filling in my entry slip. Off we trudged for a 2 mile warm up.

We all huddled together at the start line awaiting instructions. I suddenly realised I hadn't even brought a jacket - the minimum requirement. A couple of runners were giving me a dodgy look. Even the guy giving the instructions!

Remembering last year's tough start I decided to go off easy. This still didn't help the quads or the lungs as they were gasping by the time I reached the top of the first climb. Once onto the open fells I could stretch the legs and shake off the excess acid only to find the snow to start, and the worst climb was to follow. It was bitterly cold up there. I was around 15th at this point and maintained around that for the remainder of the race, too-ing and fro-ing with one runner who liked the uphills more than me but I got my revenge on the downhill!

I reached the finish (tentatively due to the sheer steepness) in 18th, around 01:30 quicker than last year. Enjoyable, but it took about 20 minutes for the pain to leave my fingers from the cold. Bad circulation! No cream egg this year as Easter is now back in its rightful place of April.

It's an 'AS' race for a reason - short but brutal.

Half day skive

I booked a half day off work today, trying to use up my spare leave before the end of March - use it or lose it! So, to make the most of the time out, I packed my rucksack in preparation for another jaunt up the Simonside hills.

I knew the weather was going to be dry and bright, and particularly warm for this time of year. I picked a good day! I started at Lordenshaw's car park and headed up the first climb, veering to the left and aiming for Spy Law. The intention was to run part of the Simonside Cairns route. Having run the race before the route was familiar but I did tend to go off course on several occasions. There was quite a lot of standing water on the lower ground which didn't make it easy running, but I was out in the countyside away from the daily grind.

As usual it was quite breezy on the tops and I was trying to keep to the soft ground rather than the massive amount of paving there seems to be up there now. Could be quite dangerous with a bit of rain! (and tough on the legs)

I ended up running for around an hour and a half, approximately 8 miles. Great to be out there with not a soul around, apart from a jet flying so low I could almost touch it!

I intend to run the Brough Law fell race on Sunday so hopefully this will be a good training run. It's also the harrier league at Alnwick on Saturday but it's one or the other. I know which I'm going for!!

Royal signals road relays, Hetton

Turned up for the road relays today for a 2.3mile sprint. A long way to go for such a small effort but worth it for the club. As usual it was at the forefront of my mind for the last couple of days putting unnecessary pressure on myself! Always the same though, peer pressure and trying to be the best. When will I learn.

(Pic thanks to http://runnerwanderings.blogspot.com/)

Weather was cool and breezy but nothing to severe. I was 2nd leg in team B. 2 laps of the 1.15 mile course awaited. I went on a preliminary recce, there was 1 hill after 400m and another gentle climb near the end of the lap. This was highlighted by a club mate earlier saying I would "feel" it on lap 2. I certainly did!

Lap 1 was kind of all about getting into a rhythm. Conscious of the fact that I always go off too fast, I held back and attempted to stride out to avoid lactic acid. I made up a couple of places on lap 1 (5:12) and lost a place on the 2nd lap (5:30). The last incline hurt!! Overall I was pleased with my run, the team did well. I'll still worry about the next race, I can guarantee it.