Champion!

Just a quickie as we're off out for some tea to celebrate... I only went and won Thirsk 10m today, (the ladies race I mean). I'm now officially ladies Northern 10M Champ, Yorkshire Champ and Yorkshire Vet Champ. I came home with some fine swag including a very pretty enamelled medal, a cute trophy and a wad of cash. So we're just off out to celebrate with a teatime treat at our local, the Fleece Inn. 

It wasn't a PB for me on this flat, fast and scenic course but I'm chuffed to be only 11 seconds off my fastest time on the back of a 90 mile week. M also ran another PB though is slightly gutted that his chip time today of 58.01 left him only two seconds away from being able to claim that elusive 57 minutes! We had a brilliant morning surrounded by loads of lovely running folk, including fellow bloggers Gary Dunn, Old Running Fox and Tony 'Chasing Pavements' Bradford. All had fine runs as they return to fitness. Hats off to Kevin O who had a fantastic run despite running on a dodgy calf and racing yesterday. Other local ladies in the prizes included Jess N and Amy G. Special mention to Nigel A of Pudsey Pacers who ran an amazing race to clock 56.13. This has definitely got to be the best 10m race in the North! More news to follow, food first. Initial results here, race pics here.

The Last Long One

So, I'm back. Hello from me, your fair weather blogger. But there's been far too much to do at work and many miles to run in preparation for M day. And now there's only 18 days to go!

Training over the last few weeks has been patchy, with initial injury worries following the Bramley 20M and then last week a rather doddery me had a very sore ITB. I was left wondering whether I'd gone and messed it all up again. Anyway, after several days spent rollering around on the carpet; biting my fists to stifle my screams (from the eye watering pain of ITB massage), I've now enjoyed a week of niggle free running. I'm now nearing the end of the serious training, finishing with a couple of solid long runs.

I can officially say it was my last long one tonight; a mid week 20 miler with a few miles at tempo thrown in. It was the perfect end to what has been less than perfect marathon prep; a clear, cool and calm evening where the running felt easy, especially for a school night.

This final week of high mileage ends with a good quality threshold run at the Thirsk 10M on Sunday. I'll no doubt be tired from this last heavy week but I'm ready for a bit of a blow out after all the marathon paced running. Then it's two weeks of chilled, relaxed running leading up to the trip to Fort William for M day. I'm getting all excited now it's nearly here.  And then there's all that summer running to come after, with all those lovely summer races...Burnsall 10... Wharfedale HM... Otley 10... I can't wait.

Sunshine!

A truly gorgeous day today. After another frantic week at work there's been little opportunity for catching those sunny rays I keep spotting through the office window. Today was the exception with a chance to pop out for a lunchtime run. The off road adventure was blissfully warm and breezy with clear and perfectly cloudy views of Wharfedale. The sheep seemed happy with the weather too.

I also sneaked another race on Sunday, the Trimpell 20 for a bit more marathon paced training. The run felt easy and perfectly pleasant until mile 18 when the gels played havoc with my tummy. I was lucky to make it to the finish with the contents of my tummy still in the right place. It really is a lovely race, with beautiful scenery of the Lune Valley but the very pricey entry (£22) was marred by the most dismal prize I've ever received for winning a race. First lady saw me with 2 x £10 vouchers for 'Lancaster Races in 2011'! And with only 9 months left of the year too. And I didn't even make my entry fee back. Is it me or is that really stingy?

She Takes Sea Shots On The Sea Shore

I'm back on the bright side after lots of ice, elevation and gentle running; these leggies are back in business! Thanks to all fellow blog chums for the top tips and moral support. I had a bit of a panic over what was probably just very grumbly legs from the 20miler. Anyways, am building back up and have tested things out with a tougher session this week; a 13miler on Wednesday with a few tempo miles chucked in. All was well and even my giant blister (legacy from Bramley) has behaved itself.

Today was a bit of a treat. A trip out to the seaside with Mr RB for some 10k action and a walk on the seafront. M spotted the Stanley Park 10k a couple of weeks ago and decided a jaunt out to Blackpool for some fresh sea air might be just what we need. This pretty fast and frisky route around the undulations of Stanley Park was an opportunity for this Runningbear to debut her movie making skills, act as dutiful clapper, cheerleader and coat-holder whilst M did the business.

 

A quality field turned out this morning, the race won convincingly by Steve Littler of Wesham, with a Horwich talent chasing him down to take 2nd. M came home in a respectable 12th overall and with a PB of 35.24 (the official results robbed him of a second but I have photographic evidence!). So, a small(ish) step for Mr RB but a PB all the same. The day was topped off with fish and chips by the sea, a stroll along the promenade, some brief arcade action and a bag of fresh, warm donuts to warm us from the pier back to the car. I got to play with the new camera too.