Wharfedale Half Marathon 2011

Pics courtesy of D Brett: http://www.photos-dsb.co.uk/WORM/index.html

Back to blogging albeit briefly in between Runningbear life, which incidentally feels like a vortex of work, training and trying to eat and sleep in between! I'm a bit late in reporting on our run around the wonderful Wharfedale Half Marathon last weekend. This fine off road race offers some of the most beautiful countryside running a Runningbear can get. M and I both ran our muddy socks off in beautiful but very blustery conditions.The route sets out from Threshfield Rugby club and follows very runnable trails including the Dales Way, the Monks Road and the long and slightly painful climb up Mastiles Lane.

Pics courtesy of D Brett: http://www.photos-dsb.co.uk/WORM/index.html

The summer is all about this kinda stuff; less obsessing about race times and PBs, just great running in summer weather enjoying some of our most beautiful countryside. I love this race, the route is well planned, the event well organised with the perfect cafe menu at the club house finish (for those that like to indulge in a chip butty or a generous slice of Victoria sponge post race!) Unfortunately, I'm never quite prepared for the hammering my quads seem to suffer from the descents and have hobbled my way around training earlier this week. 

Building on his continued awesome form and trashing me yet again in another race, M finished second male in the open race, knocking nearly 4 minutes off his race time from last year. He is flying. Some of the other leading male runners suffered some unfortunate navigational errors which assisted me in swooping into the third spot in the open race and first lady by a healthy margin. I beat my previous course record by 2 minutes despite the windy conditions and received a very fine and generous Black Sheep hamper for my hard work. I'm now quite tempted by the full Marathon next year and that course record is looking tasty. Even M seems quite tempted for his debut at the distance. Watch this space... Results here. News report here. Race report here.

Oh Weary Me

Somehow I've got to Saturday without falling asleep at the wheel or something equally daft happening as a result of a hard and tiring week at work. The pending cuts are requiring signficant agility and creativity to deliver services with a lot less money. Everyone's stressed out and piling on the work as a result. Poor me us.

Intense days at work are followed by the too long 90 minute commute home followed by a wonder woman whirl into kit and out again to run marathon mileage. As a result I can't seem to get to 3pm on a Saturday without feeling the urge to drop unconscious nap. I'm avoiding any time sitting on the sofa today; as soon as I've parked my behind I'll be off with the fairies, snoring through Eurosport and dribbling on M's shoulder.

Energy levels will soon be restored with some good night's kip and lots of good food, starting nicely with home made pizza for lunch (yum). I've also got to get perky for my race paced effort in the Brass Monkey tomorrow. Instructions are clear; keeping  strictly to marathon race pace will provide a taxing training session, test my fitness at  target pace without detracting from the training week ahead. 6.18-6.20 is the plan and all being well I'll be able to repeat this in the 20 miler next month. It'll also be another week of 80+ in the bag. M on the other hand has some more serious running to do.

Excellent

A full week of no blogging or blipping again; a sure sign  that life's brimming with too much stuff. Another mad busy week of work and marathon training has swooshed by. I'm feeling less guilty about the absence of posts or pics though as the time's been well spent with a second week of the most excellent training. Volume and quality have been achieved in fine balance and I'm feeling back on top and in the driving seat. 

The woes of 2010 are now behind me. I've now clocked two full weeks of 80+ miles and still managed to fit in long intervals, a tempo session, some zippy reps and my LSR today. The plan to run an early marathon in 2011 was in part to give myself less time to faff and worry and instead focus on a solid 12 week build up with the aim of just getting round. Fast times are postponed for marathons 2 or 3; just getting to the start line and experiencing the distance would be a fine kick off to my marathon career after last year's disappointments. So, up to 21 miles this morning leaves me confident that my remaining 9 weeks are time still to consolidate, get comfy with the long runs and build more threshold strength as I adjust to the mileage once again.  

It's a bit of a change for the training plan next week with a race pace injection  to replace the Sunday run. The Brass Monkey Half Marathon will provide a great quality training run and a welcome break from 20+ lonesome miles of long slow running. With a fair amount of training left to do there'll be no easing down or hard racing for me; this is a race paced session in preparation for the Bramley 20M in February. I'm both focused and being sensible and making sure neither the miles or the pace get me carried away. It'll be a real test and probably a struggle not to run hard or race it this year, especially when the leading ladies press on for home. But this is about the bigger picture (as both M & coaching guru B remind me dutifully).

I can at least vicariously enjoy the post race glow as M is set to test his fitness at last after a long succession of cancelled races. He's looking lean and mean and did an awesome 400s session on the track yesterday. He needs a race and some feedback is well overdue. Just how fast can Mr RB go...?

Shiny Shiny Things

I'm a bit late posting after the epic drive from Edinburgh post-race this afternoon. The glorious sunshine that accompanied our drive up yesterday afternoon was replaced by rather rough, wet and windy weather in Edinburgh this morning. They’re toughies those Scots.

We awoke for our pre-race breakfast at 6.30am to my annoying electronic cock-a-doodle alarm. The hotel staff were fab, giving us free access to the kitchen to sort our far-too-early breakfast. After a bit of faffing with a strangely foreign microwave we’d sorted some pre-race porridge and with our tummies pleasantly plump we jogged to the start; a mile or so from the hotel.

Clad in full waterproofs with our racing shoes in our bags we were pretty much soaked by the time the start came. We shivered in our soggy racing pens and felt grateful for the start after a meagre mile warming up on the very crowded and puddle-covered track. I’m using the term ‘warm up’ very loosely here. I'd kind of anticipated a bit of a windy course, it being a coastal route and everything. The cold and unwelcoming rain and a very soggy start were an extra surprise, or kick in the shins, depending on your outlook.

The Chris Hoy Half Marathon is a pretty big race, but we thought it a good chance for A) a rehearsal marathon trip for me and B) a PB opportunity for M. It was worth the trip. The first couple of miles were pleasantly flat, breezy and slightly downhill. Hitting the promenade was the stark reminder of what was to come though; a gruelling 10 mile slog into pretty strong coastal winds, with rain sprinkles on top. By mile 5 I was strangely spent and running on empty. I’m not sure why but I’d felt drained and depleted in my last couple of long runs. I suspect I just hadn’t recovered. M was on my shoulder and pressed on without me and by mile 6 was off and away into the distance. It was all I could muster to keep it together and dig in. It really was a marathon rehearsal run.

M had a storming run, chasing down the unattached (!) Andy Hume and then working together with him to push on, completely kicking my a** and coming home in 78.16, a huge PB and a superb time on such a rough day. I was nearly a minute behind in 79.11, a disappointing time but an indicator of where I’m at. A bit of a warning to back off for a few days perhaps. It was a tough mental challenge to keep running hard whilst feeling so beaten but I finished. I was sort of chuffed to have not completely crashed and burned. 

I was first lady by a good lead (2’30’’) and won an awesome bundle; a very fine and rather heavy silver cup, £300 cash and £100 vouchers. I feel a bit of a fraud picking up such a generous haul but it did perk me up a bit. I also tested out some racers too; my Brooks T6s were a gamble today as these frisky little featherlights weigh next to nothing. I'm stunned at how responsive they felt and I may risk them in the marathon. Not a tweak, groan or blister came from my usually grumbly feet over the full 13.1 miles. Most of all though I’m really delighted for M who ran sub 80 for the first time. I was secretly thinking he’d run 77:xx and reckon, given a better day he would have done just that. He had an awesome run.

The race was incredibly well organised with over 3000 finishers despite the very sodden and cold start. I’ve just about warmed up now after being dripping wet and chilled to the bone all morning. The rather comforting albeit damp warmth of the shuttle bus ride home was a welcome refuge. It was made all the sweeter by meeting Dean; a very nice physicist who ran his first race today. Dr Dean, you chose a very tough race to start with! Great to meet you and well done on finishing today. Keep in touch! Race results here.

P.s. Well done to Julian M today for his well earned race win at Halifax 10k, go Julian.

Almost Lurgy Free

Work is hotting up and I'm really getting my teeth into things. I'd go as far as to say I'm really liking the new job. I must remind myself of this post next time I moan. Unfortunately, the hotting up also includes much increased general busyness, including too little time for blogging or ruminating on all things running. Another upside is that the lurgy is passing and the nostrils are recovering from the constant blowing and sandpaper-like scratchy soreness from excessive nose wiping. I'm on the mend readers. Yay.

This week's been tough still despite the sniffles, including a long and windy 15 miles with threshold sandwich on Tuesday and then double runs both these last two days. Nothing too tough planned now until Sunday. A massage tomorrow should see me good as new and ready to run hard again on Sunday, this time for the Edinburgh half marathon. I'm ashamed to say this will be first trip across the border and very excited I am too. I might check out the legend of the deep fried Mars, to fully immerse myself in the culture you understand.

Racing Rituals

I'm just nicely home after a far too early start to a Sunday. I have just survived the horriblest race I can remember. No offence to Wilmslow mind, the course and event were race organisation at its best; with loads of loos and shiny bunches of bright balloons tied to the lampposts along the start and finishing miles. There were loads of supporters around the undulating course too, including quite a few mad villagers clanging pots and pans in a frenzy. It certainly worked as I managed to muster the odd spurt just to escape the racket.

Today was the English Half Marathon Champs so I’d been questioning my sanity entering this whilst so training tired. The timing of the event is great though and quite a nice course too. I set out this morning framing the day as a chance for a strong training run with a hope I’d come away with a great quality threshold session under my belt and a bit of a taste for racing again.

The line up was impressive with the likes of Michelle Ross-Cope and Rebecca Robinson; stars of English distance running and out for great times at London this year. I tried not to freak out at the other fantastic looking ladies around me; all small pants, rippling lady muscles and long socks. I quivered inside.

I’ve been keeping quiet about this but I’ve been enjoying some expert training advice of late from a very long established athletics coach. A new experience for me as I’ve never worked with a formal coach before. We’d discussed my strategy for race day over coffee last week. The idea was to let rip at the start and see how long I could hang on. So, let rip I did. 5.30 for mile one. The pace continued to be pretty frightening until mile 8 when things started to decline; the howling wind tunnel that met with every turn spat me out of the other side like an empty husk. Unfortunately, the recent training miles started to shout out at my legs to slow down and I gradually dropped off pace. The final miles slowing to over 6 minute miles and worse on some of the final climbs. Wilmslow is NOT a flat course!

Wilmslow is supposed to be fast. I reckon that’s more about the types that turn up to race than the course itself. I hit miles 9-12 with dead legs but in 5th place. Just as I recovered to run the final mile home I then got gazumped by two young and far too fresh looking lasses, leaving me dead in 7th place. I finished. Just. The time clocked 77.43 and I was so glad it was over. The race felt tough from start to finish and I felt desperate for home and a hot bubble bath. All in all though it was a great session on the back of what will be nearly 100 miles running this week. M drove home with a yawning and snoring RB in the passenger seat. Where would I be without him...? Race results here.

Butterflies

I know I shouldn't be too focused on tomorrow but the significantly reduced racing diary this year means that any competition feels a bit more exciting and I've already got big butterflies in my tummy.

Last year saw me racing on average every other week, this year I've squeezed out a couple in nearly four months; I'm just getting out of practice.

The legs held me up for an easy 5 miles this morning; my 'ease down' for the HM. They're a bit tired and niggly and will need some persuading to to the business tomorrow. An early start should see me in bed extra early tonight especially as the clocks spring forward. One more hour of daylight! Those evening runs are gonna be fab. All things crossed nothing falls off tomorrow. Good luck at Hull MH.

Running Hungry

So, I've just about nicely recovered from traumas of last week. The big race weekend complete with red running pants followed a nasty week at work and with college on Monday nights its all just felt a bit of slog these last few days. Having had a couple of early nights, lots of food and time to reflect on it all I'm now hungry to get back into the training swing after what's been another fortnight of disrupted training building in an unexpected HM race.

The run on Sunday was a great experience for me. It was definitely a step up to a different level of racing and I was competing with women who are marathon strong. If nothing else Sunday's race has fired me up even more in my efforts to build for a marathon seeing the strength this brings. I also feel some renewed confidence in what I might achieve with that kind of training in my legs. The course at Warrington was a great one for racing; the first 7 miles of gentle incline were a strength sapping slog and then the flatter final miles suiting a fast finish for those with anything left in their legs. My lack of regular long runs in recent weeks meant the course found me out - I just didn't have enough in my legs to take advantage of the faster final miles.

I'm now hungrier than ever to get the long runs in and think some targeted training to peak at the end of the year could produce a good HM result in January. I'm even thinking that some significant sacrifices need to made. The dates for the Complete Runner XC series have confirmed my fears that many of the fixtures are on Sundays, forcing a choice between that or my long run. I think the long run has to win and XCs will have to come second place. I do love the XC season but this year brings different priorities. A steady week until Thursday when a return of a longer run will lead into a start of quality training this weekend. It'll be good to get back to the hard work, intervals and long runs. [Yawn] Night night.

Ingerland..Ingerland..Ingerland..

Yay, England won! After all the build up and nerves about pants it was a successful day. The English team won in both ladies and men's races after a very delayed start hanging about on a freezing cold & rainy Sunday morning. I'm completely knackered so cannot report other than to say that I came 4th overall in the race and didn't die of embarrassment in the horrific outfit. Report to follow when I've recovered a bit. Off to put my feet up now... Results here.

XC Is Back!

Well, its the night before the night before and M is readying himself for his big relay tomorrow, the BMAF XC relays at Mansfield. Its a stunning boys team and they will no doubt do some damage on the loveliest of of XC courses at Berry Hill. This is my favourite ever XC course, usually multi-laps over undulating and soft, grassy terrain with a very fine patch of woodland for some good chasing, particularly in team relay competitions.

I'll be standing at the sidelines feeling a tad jealous, mixed in with a few guilt pangs for not running with our ladies team & of course trying to put those red pants to the back of my mind. M is fit and hungry for racing so can't wait to see what he and team mate Tricky can pull out of the bag for the team performance tomorrow.

Then its a hurry back up the motorway for my overnight bag and a last cuddle with the furry feline kids and then back in the car for the trip to Warrington & the team meeting at 7pm. Another night in a Premier Inn, counting down the hours in a strange bed until race day. Its a 9am race start (yuck) so am hopeful I can swallow some breakfast early enough to avoid any repeats of the Nottingham experience. Wish me luck. I may nor may not post some race pics depending on the state of me in an England 'bikini'. Until Sunday then.. all pinkies crossed.

Some pics of the Relays... Results here.

Yorkshire Rules

So, excuses first, best to get 'em out of the way. I slept badly in a strange hotel room. I ate dinner very late and it didn't sit well on my tummy. Breakfast was too close to the race start and I thought I was gonna vomit for the first 7 miles. The course was more than merely 'undulating'. It was pretty windy even on the flat. I felt sick (did I mention that already?!). I wasn't quite HM ready. There. Loads of 'em. But, the Nottingham Half Marathon was absolutely fab!

I had a great time last night with fellow team mates, a nice and relaxed pre-race meal, lots of laughs, running stories and awesome tales from those around the table with team GB vests to boast of. Team Manager Darran was a star; very organised, and a sparkling host at dinner. After a bit of a stressy drive from the hotel, negotiating the thousands of cars for this massive event, we had just under an hour to pick up our kit and numbers and get warmed up. My brekkie was threatening to return - I think I got carried away with the 'free' food, I can never quite hold back in 'all you can eat' situations...

The race had a rousing start as we strutted our stuff in our regional vests, with drumming on the sidelines to kick off the race. I felt like a Yorkshire warrior and a tear filled my eye. We were soon off and after the first mile I knew quickly this wasn't a day for a PB. The course seemed to go up, then even more up with a bit of down and more up. The wheelchair racers were rolling backwards struggling on the climbs. It was windy on the flats and with very few runners to draft behind I found myself running alone as second lady behind a Kenyan who was nowhere in sight. Though this course was a toughie the race was amazing with the crowds providing fantastic support - I felt like a celebrity and was lifted by every cheer. I think I snuck under 80mins though only just but was first domestic lady home and first for the Inter Regional Champs.

Team mates also had great runs with Robyn having a stormer in preparation for the Snowdon Marathon in a few weeks time and Erika bringing the team home all under the 90 minute mark. I think we might have team silver but need to confirm as the presentation organisation was a shambles - I heard it on the tannoy as we ran frantically from tent to tent only to hear my name and prize and no me there to enjoy it. The Yorkshire boys also did good, Darran Bilton 4th, Ian Fisher 7th and Mike Burrett 11th, also picking up team gold. It was a great team effort for the region and impressive runs for our poorly soldiers Ian and Mike, one with a dodgy tum the other with the sniffles. A proud day to be a Yorkshire lass. Official report here. More pics to follow...Oh, and did I mention I won 500 smackaroonies? Second lady and quids in. Woohoo!

P.s. More good news, M had a great run today, taking a whopping 10mins off his time at the Yorkshireman off-road HM (which is actually 14.8 miles - yes, don't ask!). A better quality field this year by the sounds but he still scooped a top 10 spot. I think this might deserve a curry treat tonight. My treat of course ; )

Doubly Dizzy Heights

Woke up this morning to rain hammering on the Velux and felt less than enthused about the prospect of racing, particularly as M had pulled out after struggling to overcome the effects of his surgery in recent weeks. The weather didn't really improve but gladly my mood did and off we ambled to Threshfield for the start of the Wharfedale Off Road HM. The race start was 11am so I managed to stay in the car huddled and shivering in front of the blower until 10.55am when M kicked me out to get on with the race. So, fitted with bum bag and trail shoes, shivering in the chilly winds and rain, I lined up on the start line ready for 13.1 miles of hilly pain. After the first few mins the race nerves evaporated and I was happily climbing out of the valley and taking in the views along the Dales Way footpath with just a handful of men in front, hoping I wouldn't lose sight of them and lose my way. The course was very runnable though the high winds were a battle on some of the most elevated and exposed paths. I was pretty much running on my own by Conistone village and approached the climb up Mastiles Lane with nobody in site until I neared the summit; where a few of the guys in front were stealing a sneaky walk! Walking in a race! Fancy that. Anyway, I seemed to gain on those in front on the climbs whilst losing out on the descents, the usual problem for these road trained legs.

The course was fab and I was slowly catching a very fit young chap half my age but in my fixation on passing him I missed the two unmanned checkpoints (as did he!). Oblivious, and obsessed with breaking the pretty boy I passed him on the final descent taking 5th spot overall into Threshfield, completely missing the turning to the rugby club and running an extra long cut adding at least two mins to my time. The young chap will be gutted as he followed me home but I was relieved to find I'd only dropped one place, such was the gap between runners. So, finished a frustrating 6th runner overall and 1st lady but managed a new course record by 12mins or something. Reckon I could take at least 3 more off that next year without the accidental extra long cut at the finish and the high winds.

This was such a great race; lovely nosh in the club afterwards and prizes galore too. The organisers were very forgiving of my mistakes and some fine upstanding blokes were happy to vouch for my run route. Apparently a large number of runners missed the checkpoints later in the race today; though no excuses for my double dizzy episode. A good day in all and can't wait to do it next year; especially with M on the start line too. Hope fellow bloggers URC and Hayfella are as happy with their outings today. Milly Way next week for me so easy miles to come.

Bear With A Sore Head

For the first time in a long while I went on a proper Saturday night out. As a consequence I'm feeling a bit fragile in readiness for my long run this morning and also a bit guilty about the absence of any blogging yesterday, particularly when I had two runs rather than just the usual one.

Did a couple of short runs on Saturday mainly to tease out the stiffness from my legs after hill hell. After a plate of bangers and mash for lunch with twinkling Kevin O, M & I ran a shortish loop around Fewston & Swinsty. The skies opened on our drive up but as soon as we stepped out the grey clouds departed and warm sunshine gleamed across the still waters, catching droplets of fresh rain as we ran along the wooded trail. The path was dim and humid with lush overhanging trees, this place is magical right now if spoiled only slightly by the sound of sausages and mash jiggling audibly in our tummies.

After the wonders of the outdoors we then ventured out to a gig! It's been yonks since we did such a thing. We had the fine company of Julian M of Otley et al. Live music is one of the very few things I miss about living so far from Leeds though the venue wasn't the best; a bit of a flashback to Pheonix Nights. After enduring two support bands of mixed interest; a few glimmers of hope in the set from All Thieves, we then got comfy for One eskimO. JM had sent some tracks which I'd quite liked but these are a band to be seen. The 4 piece are all great musicians and are very strong live. Came home buzzing. That might have partly been due to shandy. Can't believe I've got a hangover this morning, on two shandies, how pathetic am I?! A great start to my Wharfedale HM recce. Until later...

I'm back! Survived the 13.45 miles around the Wharfedale HM recce. Despite suffering with the shandy hangover I managed to get round the whole thing without anything falling off. This is a first long run for a fair bit so was a bit anxious I might have chewed off a bit much this weekend. Anyway, recommend this route as a lovely alternative training run - scenery was spectacular, the course had enough climb to make it a quality training run and there were surprisingly few walkers about. Settled in tonight feeling v sleepy but managed to perk up after watching the last part of the Red Riding trilogy. Have watched very little on the box of late but recorded this and have been savouring each part; this is classy telly. Would recommend this to anyone with a penchant for gritty realism, great tv production and depictions of West Yorkshire in the 70s. Was a bit disappointed to have finished off the good telly stored up on our V+ box thingy until I saw what's on next week... Flight of the Conchords is back! Woohoo! This has got to be the best thing on the telly for ages. If you've got BBC4 this Tuesday at 10.30pm (I think) then switch on, sit back and enjoy. Monday morning won't seem quite so bad with such a treat on on the way.

The Long & Winding Road

It's done. I've survived. Have put the last long race to bed for the spring and can stop messing about trying to race every distance under the sun. The glorious morning started with the harsh sound of the alarm at 6am; just not a time to be getting up on a Sunday. My fears about being blown about were quickly dispelled with the warm welcome of bright sunshine and a beautiful, still & frosty morning to greet us as we set out on the road to Wilmslow. Have been feeling anxious about this race for weeks - my running mojo has just not been quite right since early February; I keep finishing down on my usual form in races and have seen no signs of this fatigue passing in recent weeks.

Despite the anxieties I really wanted to run this event, it being the English Half Marathon Championships for 2009. There seem to be so few opportunities to run in championship events on the roads that I couldn't pass up this opportunity to be out there with the big guns. I wasn't disappointed as the turnout was as classy as I'd expected in what was a fantastic race all round. Traffic jams around the venue led to a bit of a frantic warm up and I was quickly ready for the race start, managing to secure a great position on the line; about 4 in from the front line. The pace was blistering from the gun - I clocked 4.44 on my Garmin on the starting straight and so tried hard to put the brakes on & not blow my legs early on. I then sat in for a comfortable 7 miles with Kim Fawke in my line of sight with the pace feeling good; 5.48's meant I was on target given the faster first half of this undulating course.

Mile 8 arrived and my legs very slowly began to remind me of my worries; I wasn't in shape for matching my time in January. I quickly felt the familiar tying up of right glute & hamstring complete with sciatic nerve pain - a legacy from Snake Lane 10 in February. My left calf was also unhappy and I soon felt like I was running backwards with nothing but discomfort and fatigue for the long 5 miles home. I tried to keep working and not lose it too much but lost pace on the final miles and am left feeling a bit disheartened that I can't seem to shake this ongoing fatigue. Was well down on my run of sub 77 mins in January despite being a further 3 months on. Had I equalled my last run on this lovely course today I would have been 3rd lady, coming home with the English Championship Bronze. Gutted. Anyway, it wasn't to be. Still managed to drag myself in 5th lady overall and the generous cash prize (£150!) brought some cheer to my ugly face having lost out so painfully on a much coveted medal.

I'm kind of chuffed with the position if not the time so will scoop myself out of this self pity just to say that this was a really lovely race. It was incredibly well organised and a really prestigious event. There was plenty of support from the parties of marshals; impressively organised at every mile of the race. The rafts of colourful balloons tied to every lamppost for the first 2 and the final 3 miles of the course added to the buoyant atmosphere and I felt glad I'd made the journey over. M's early morning 'team Runningbear' support, coat holding and hugs at the end did much to make me feel lucky to have such a supportive and wonderful man in my life. He has such a lot to put up with and still manages to find a positive in my darkest of moods. I couldn't do it without him, and definitely not today.

Thanks to Wilmslow for a lovely race, would recommend this to anyone who fancies a long one on the road next spring. The winding and undulating course kept me interested and distracted through the 13.1 miles of toil today. An easy week coming up. Will try to rest up and prepare myself for the blistering pace of the Northern Road Relays next weekend. Watch this space.