Xmas Is Early

My new kit arrived safely, delivered by Mr Complete Runner personally. A boxful of goodies included lots of great summer gear to keep this Runningbear training cool but also some more racers and trainers; T6s and Glycerin 8s which are my all time favourites. Brooks seem to be the only brand of shoes that keep my feet free from blisters, sore spots or calluses however many miles I race or run. They've also got a great shoe advisor online, check it out here.

A new addition to my fine collection this time is a pair of Brooks' Cascadia Trail shoes. I've had my eye on these for a while and am looking forward to trialing these on the trails this weekend...

Other than pressies from Brooks (thanks Martin), the week's been a tedious one with too much going on at work and no time for owt else. Training runs have been a rush to get out and back before the evening light disappears so I've just been hanging on for the weekend and space to breathe and relax again. I'm now very glad its Friday; two full days ahead with space to run, breathe, eat and sleep, all in that order. Tomorrow is track work again, accompanied by my trusty M; we'll be flogging ourselves with 400s. Yay.

Kit-tastic Day

Have just received notice from Mr Complete Runner that a big box of kit is coming my way... Brooks are ace! I am SO excited; I'll have the new T6s just in time for next week's 10k race!

 @~@Sent from my BlackBerry@~@

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.

Woohoo!

@~@~Sent From My BlackBerry~@~@

M1 Musings

It's Friday morning and the first day of holidays after a grueling last few days. The legs had not forgotten the 23 as M and I set out for a sandwich track session on Tuesday night; a 3 mile threshold run then straight into 400m reps with reducing recoveries (60,50,40) followed by 3 miles threshold at the other side.

The sessions are getting faster each week, a sure sign the structure is working but rep 12 brought with it a haunting of the 23; I don't think I could've squeezed another single one out.

Legs mashed and self flagellation over, Wednesday was a new day. A sleep in to recover brought me round just enough for the last tough session before the ease down; a steady 15 and another big endurance credit in the bank. My balance is starting to look pretty healthy.

Since then its been easy running in anticipation of Sunday's race. I'm feeling quite excited about it now though a bit scared at the thought of 20 miles of racing. It'll be a good test.

I also received a call from a kit fairy whilst packing my bags this morning.. It feels like Xmas is back; I've a box brimming with Brooks goodies! It's gonna be torture to keep my hands off during the 4 hour+ drive. I feel like the luckiest person ever. A weekend with family, food and running fun to come, what more could a girl ask :]
P.s. Good luck MH.

@~@~Sent from my BlackBerry~@~@

Mid Week Mayhem

Three days into the new job and I already need another holiday. How tiring it is to be a newby; everywhere I turn I'm reminded of all the stuff I don't know yet. There's so much stuff coming from all kinds of directions and I've yet to discern the important stuff from the mere fluff. I've got brain ache and just long to get home and clear my head with a good run. Late finishes this week have made the evening run a squeeze leaving no time for blogging, whether it be reading others or writing my own. I'm thinking that I might start experimenting with my BBerry for some mobile blogger action...

On a more positive note, the sore foot has been grumbling less on the even road surface and a return of some hill efforts last night were a good workout though a bit of a shock after very little hill work of late. M came too and the bad bum cheek is now well and truly grumble free.

The late & long one tonight could have been tough had I not been giddy with some good news. I was very chuffed to hear on Monday that some running sponsorship will be coming my way. With the kind support and advocacy of Mr Complete Runner, Brooks have offered some sponsorship support, meaning this Runningbear now has a kit deal for the next year. So, I will be very well turned out indeed for all of my running adventures in the coming months. I get to pick my shoes and 'apparel' this weekend with a very glitzy Brooks racing kit for my non-team events. I'm hoping for the best when it comes to a choice of pants, it could be a deal breaker.