I’ve been looking forward to the Chevy chase fell race since my first one last year, although it was touch and go if I would actually participate having had several injury problems since Gisborough moors back in April. Nevertheless, I didn’t let that stop me and committed to doing the race, however slow that might be.
The weather this year has been absolutely dreadful, no comparison to last year’s race when it was boiling hot with no breeze whatsoever and crystal clear visibility. Weather warnings were “pouring” in during the week before the race so I knew it would be a proper mucky affair, rain pounding the windows on the eve of the race set the tone for what was to come.
The closer to Wooler we got, the less we could see. Very low cloud cover and a drizzly atmosphere. We were promptly informed that the race had been shortened to “approximately 12 miles”. This was disappointing but perfectly understandable given the conditions. Thanks must be given to the organisers for arranging the alternate route which took out Cheviot summit and Hedgehope. Safety is of course paramount importance. The descent from Cheviot summit would have been quite dangerous if it had been included in the route.
The first mile or so was good running, mostly on road before turning off and heading towards Broadstruther. Needless to say I went off too fast (a downfall of mine), and the lack of training over the past couple of months began to kick in quite quickly. This wasn’t my main concern, I just wanted to finish the race without any niggles which would give me the impetuous to knuckle down and get some quality training under my belt.
Visibility was quite bad in places, but aided by the silhouette's in the near distance, I reckon it saved me a few wrong turns. Checkpoints seemed to come quite quickly, the same can’t be said about my running! Well done to those standing by and dibbing the dibbers.
I think there must have been some confusion at one point during the course after bumping into some fellow runners and walkers at a crossroads. Either I had gone the wrong way or they had. Talking to a few folk after the race it seemed a common occurrence.
There were some very encouraging words from the walkers and the checkpoint staff, so thank you for that. Not sure about the sheep carcass on top of Langley crags! That made it even more Hound of the Baskervilles.
I reached Hells path at a snails pace and checked the watch, 12.6 miles. Ok, I thought, it’s at least 2.5 miles to the finish. I had a little in reserve and stretched the legs in the last mile.
Legs aren’t too bad today, a little sore but a few miles on the bike this afternoon will sort that out. Most importantly the ankle seems to be cured.
Thanks to Wooler running club for their impeccable hospitality. Cracking sarnies and flapjack. Good to see and chat to NFR’s, a great bunch.
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Inching forward
After the doctors' diagnosis of a fracture I decided to see a private specialist for a thorough investigation incorporating an ultrasound scan. The scan proved beyond doubt that the tendon over the talus was significantly inflamed, no fracture! A relief but still time off.
Electro therapy and laser treatment later, and a bill (not too bad actually) I was advised that I could run, little but often. This was 4 days ago, I had my first run today. An easy 5 miles. Hard work seeing as I hadn't run for well over a week but pleased I came through quite optimistic!
Chevy chase on Saturday followed by borrowdale at the beginning of august then Ben Nevis at beginning of september. If I go to Chevy, it'll be a jog!
Biked to work 3 times this week, around 100 miles. Thoroughly enjoying the bike. Wish i'd taken it up a long time ago. Certainly helping! Noticed it was the cyclone today, could be a goer next year.
Off to a team building assault course tomorrow, my fear of heights will be tested! No running or bike.
Next update may be about the Chevy done or the Chevy that could have been!
Electro therapy and laser treatment later, and a bill (not too bad actually) I was advised that I could run, little but often. This was 4 days ago, I had my first run today. An easy 5 miles. Hard work seeing as I hadn't run for well over a week but pleased I came through quite optimistic!
Chevy chase on Saturday followed by borrowdale at the beginning of august then Ben Nevis at beginning of september. If I go to Chevy, it'll be a jog!
Biked to work 3 times this week, around 100 miles. Thoroughly enjoying the bike. Wish i'd taken it up a long time ago. Certainly helping! Noticed it was the cyclone today, could be a goer next year.
Off to a team building assault course tomorrow, my fear of heights will be tested! No running or bike.
Next update may be about the Chevy done or the Chevy that could have been!
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Ankle
Finally bit the bullet and went to the doctors for a diagnosis on the ankle. It hasn't been right since Gisborough moors fell race back in April when I went over on it but managed to finish the race. I've been resting and running and biking and resting. Not painful, only in certain stances and positions but very uncomfortable.
Doctor diagnosed it as Avulsion fracture of the ankle. Rest, no off road running for at least 4 weeks. Hell. Chevy chase is in 2 weeks followed by borrowdale. I need to get it sorted in time for Ben Nevis, beginning of September. We'll see how it goes. Missing the lads at harriers, and the crack. Frustrating!
For now it's bike, bike and more bike!!
Doctor diagnosed it as Avulsion fracture of the ankle. Rest, no off road running for at least 4 weeks. Hell. Chevy chase is in 2 weeks followed by borrowdale. I need to get it sorted in time for Ben Nevis, beginning of September. We'll see how it goes. Missing the lads at harriers, and the crack. Frustrating!
For now it's bike, bike and more bike!!
Friday, 15 June 2012
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Borrowdale & bike
Had a great day out on Sunday (20th May) over in the Lake District "competing" in the Borrowdale Trail Half Marathon. Advertised as a trail run, it was more like a fell race climbing up Watendlath. My GPS indicated a total ascent of 3,500 feet and it felt like it! Weather was fantastic.
The first 5/6 miles from the start at Nichol end marina right through to Grange was good running with some undulation but once we passed Rosthwaite and ascended Watendlath it became a lot more challenging. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the run and I'm still trying to get the stiffness out the legs!
The trail run was on the last day of the 5 day Keswick Mountain Festival. Triathlons, swims and lots of other activities were going on. Will probably try something different next year. Great atmosphere!
The dodgy ankle survived the race but is still quite sensitive. The achilles is improving.
I loaned a mountain bike from a friend a couple of weeks ago and i'm really enjoying the change from just running. I've even had a trial run cycling to work and back (30 miles round trip, under an hour each way). Enjoying it so much I've just ordered a road bike and aim to cycle to and from work at least once per week. Going to make sure it doesn't interfere too much with my running though! It is allowing me to rest the ankle.
Blaydon next in under 3 weeks. Hopefully I can put in a respectable time, not counting on it though.
The first 5/6 miles from the start at Nichol end marina right through to Grange was good running with some undulation but once we passed Rosthwaite and ascended Watendlath it became a lot more challenging. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the run and I'm still trying to get the stiffness out the legs!
The trail run was on the last day of the 5 day Keswick Mountain Festival. Triathlons, swims and lots of other activities were going on. Will probably try something different next year. Great atmosphere!
The dodgy ankle survived the race but is still quite sensitive. The achilles is improving.
I loaned a mountain bike from a friend a couple of weeks ago and i'm really enjoying the change from just running. I've even had a trial run cycling to work and back (30 miles round trip, under an hour each way). Enjoying it so much I've just ordered a road bike and aim to cycle to and from work at least once per week. Going to make sure it doesn't interfere too much with my running though! It is allowing me to rest the ankle.
Blaydon next in under 3 weeks. Hopefully I can put in a respectable time, not counting on it though.
Sunday, 6 May 2012
State of play
Having discovered that my ankle ligaments had been strained during the Gisborough Moors fell race, I have been on a rehab mission for the past couple of weeks. The day after Gisborough my ankle was swollen and very stiff. This was another wake up call, injuries have been coming far too frequently recently. Damned frustrating! Needless to say my planned Cheviot summit race was a write off, a shame as I really enjoyed it last year.
I returned to the club sessions last week (I had been training, but mostly on my own since the NT 10k). I have also seen the healing hands of my sports therapist who gave me some tip top advice to get over the ankle issue and to try and relieve the achilles tenderness once an for all. Simple strengthening exercises with a weight and a tea towel has worked wonders, especially as I can do it at work while sitting at my desk!! The week has gone well, just need to get the quality sessions under my belt as I'm quite a way off the pace at the moment.
Had a great run today around one of the usual routes but in reverse. Tranwell, Whalton, Murton, Molesden and Mitford, Around 16 miles this morning and the ankle held up wonderfully. It was best to stick to the roads today as I didn't want to risk the ankle off road so soon.
Still looking forward to the Borrowdale trail half marathon in 2 weeks time. Beautiful part of the world. Blaydon race number collected too (and entered the London Marathon ballot - heat of the moment I think!- if I get in then I'll deal with it then). Ben Nevis in September too!
I have introduced some weights to my weekly activities, just 30-60mins of bar bells, dumb bells etc. Also thinking of scrounging a second hand bike for a bit of variety. Good for the quads!
My plans to do an ultra next year are still near the top of my list!
Back to the club tomorrow and hoping to have a good quality week, careful not to pick up another injury!!
PS - the barefoot running is going brilliantly - doing at least one session per week at the moment (4-5 miles on grass or sand).
I returned to the club sessions last week (I had been training, but mostly on my own since the NT 10k). I have also seen the healing hands of my sports therapist who gave me some tip top advice to get over the ankle issue and to try and relieve the achilles tenderness once an for all. Simple strengthening exercises with a weight and a tea towel has worked wonders, especially as I can do it at work while sitting at my desk!! The week has gone well, just need to get the quality sessions under my belt as I'm quite a way off the pace at the moment.
Had a great run today around one of the usual routes but in reverse. Tranwell, Whalton, Murton, Molesden and Mitford, Around 16 miles this morning and the ankle held up wonderfully. It was best to stick to the roads today as I didn't want to risk the ankle off road so soon.
Still looking forward to the Borrowdale trail half marathon in 2 weeks time. Beautiful part of the world. Blaydon race number collected too (and entered the London Marathon ballot - heat of the moment I think!- if I get in then I'll deal with it then). Ben Nevis in September too!
I have introduced some weights to my weekly activities, just 30-60mins of bar bells, dumb bells etc. Also thinking of scrounging a second hand bike for a bit of variety. Good for the quads!
My plans to do an ultra next year are still near the top of my list!
Back to the club tomorrow and hoping to have a good quality week, careful not to pick up another injury!!
PS - the barefoot running is going brilliantly - doing at least one session per week at the moment (4-5 miles on grass or sand).
Saturday, 21 April 2012
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.....
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.
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.....
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