Up early. I am running with my wife on a gently 5km later but I still want to get in a longish run. I decide to do the Nash Circular Walk, forwards then backwards. Somehow I get up at 6:30 and head straight there. After about 10 metres I feel tired so resolve to only run one way.
I'm tired the whole way round, but it is beautiful and only 4.5 miles so I am soon done. Nice to be up and early and out there
4.5 miles 45 minutes
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Hilly Fields Parkrun
In summary a fantastic event. My wife forsakes Parkrun for me today but Bromley is not running. I head for hilly fields. Small, friendly with a top notch event organisation.
It's hilly as you would expect but the views are fantastic, even better I imagine in the winter. It is a 3 lap course with about 5 sharp hills per lap. But what goes up must go down. I find that I am powering up the hills and recovering on the downhills. I gradually work my way though the field. What I lack in grace I make up for in power and grunt. It always surprises me how many people are beaten by hills.
My form has been good (3 PBs in my last 3 5km outings) Today no pb is on the cards because of the course difficulty. But I run well and I run consistently. I even manage a sprint at the finish.
A great event and a good run. For various reasons I missed my hill session last night; today made up for it.
5km 22:15
It's hilly as you would expect but the views are fantastic, even better I imagine in the winter. It is a 3 lap course with about 5 sharp hills per lap. But what goes up must go down. I find that I am powering up the hills and recovering on the downhills. I gradually work my way though the field. What I lack in grace I make up for in power and grunt. It always surprises me how many people are beaten by hills.
My form has been good (3 PBs in my last 3 5km outings) Today no pb is on the cards because of the course difficulty. But I run well and I run consistently. I even manage a sprint at the finish.
A great event and a good run. For various reasons I missed my hill session last night; today made up for it.
5km 22:15
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Dulwich Park Assembly League 5km PB
After a couple of Park Run PBs, why not give it a go here? I'm in shape and raring to go. It's fairly warm but not scorching.
Some of the faster Petts Wood boys are here. It's will be a struggle not to be last man home for the team. After a jog warm up, we all line up. Before anyone realises the start is called. I jab the watch and head off. I soon settle into a good rhythm.
The race is 3 laps of the park. The first lap is soon dispatched and it's not too bad. I settle in with a little group of runners. A woman is running and coughing. Another woman asks:
"are you okay?"
The coughing woman responds:
"errrm, yes it is just a habit I have of coughing"
I listen to her cough the rest of the way round.
The second lap is harder but my form feels tight. The final lap, I am feeling it, but keep pushing. Soon I am in the final straight and get passed by a couple of runners. I pick up the space but no all-out sprint. I cross the line and stop my stop watch. I look at the time, it is good. Possible another 30 second PB. All I need to find is someone with a Garmin to confirm. Someone confirms, 5km on the dot. Another PB. That's 1:15 off my 5km time in 3 subsequent outings.
5km 20:28 (PB)
Some of the faster Petts Wood boys are here. It's will be a struggle not to be last man home for the team. After a jog warm up, we all line up. Before anyone realises the start is called. I jab the watch and head off. I soon settle into a good rhythm.
The race is 3 laps of the park. The first lap is soon dispatched and it's not too bad. I settle in with a little group of runners. A woman is running and coughing. Another woman asks:
"are you okay?"
The coughing woman responds:
"errrm, yes it is just a habit I have of coughing"
I listen to her cough the rest of the way round.
The second lap is harder but my form feels tight. The final lap, I am feeling it, but keep pushing. Soon I am in the final straight and get passed by a couple of runners. I pick up the space but no all-out sprint. I cross the line and stop my stop watch. I look at the time, it is good. Possible another 30 second PB. All I need to find is someone with a Garmin to confirm. Someone confirms, 5km on the dot. Another PB. That's 1:15 off my 5km time in 3 subsequent outings.
5km 20:28 (PB)
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Some 400m intervals
My wife goes out running first. Soon as she gets back I head out into the deepening dusk. Down to Shortlands Park for 400m repeats. It's still light though, so I run the dark side of the park. This turns out to be the "fly" side of the park with lots of the little critters. The other intervals I run the other side with less flies.
I still feel a bit tired, but I bang them out. I was going to run 12, but remembering I have the assembly league tomorrow I run 10. A good session.
There is another mad person there running laps including a run up the very, very steep hill and back round the other side. Must give it a go one day. When I don't feel tired.
10 x 400 with 1 min recoveries
I still feel a bit tired, but I bang them out. I was going to run 12, but remembering I have the assembly league tomorrow I run 10. A good session.
There is another mad person there running laps including a run up the very, very steep hill and back round the other side. Must give it a go one day. When I don't feel tired.
10 x 400 with 1 min recoveries
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Petts Wood 10km Route with group 6/7
It is the running club AGM which means the runs start early; too early for my wife, so I go instead.
I am determined to go out with group 6. Group 7 don't fancy going by themselves so we fold into one group.
The Petts Wood 10km route runs mostly off-road through some beautiful woods with a few hills thrown in. Most of the time I am able to run at the front or middle of the pack. Towards the finish, the pace is picked up and I slip towards the back. But that's fine, I'm saving myself for the assembly league on Thursday.
10km 49:52
I am determined to go out with group 6. Group 7 don't fancy going by themselves so we fold into one group.
The Petts Wood 10km route runs mostly off-road through some beautiful woods with a few hills thrown in. Most of the time I am able to run at the front or middle of the pack. Towards the finish, the pace is picked up and I slip towards the back. But that's fine, I'm saving myself for the assembly league on Thursday.
10km 49:52
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Berry's Green Circular walk in an under an hour and a half
I ran this route last weekend and did it in just over an hour and a half. Now if I avoid the stops to take in the view and diddle with the map I should be able to do it in under an hour and a half.
I feel a little tired from my heroics yesterday, but I am still certain I can get round. The weather is beautiful. Unfortunately this has helped some of the stinging nettles to get out of control.
There is a field on this route where there are some cows (and a bull) Being a 'burb dweller, I'm always a bit nervous. However in the previous field I see the cows. I head down the little path at the end of the field. I hear what sound like a mountain bike creeping up on me. When I turn round there are 6 or 7 cows closely following me. I think they must be following me to another field or to be milked. I'm out of there sharpish.
.JPG)
I have to stop and take a photo. I think I'll still make it round in time.
Apart from the nettles and tired legs, it is a pleasant outing. I don't run as fast as last week but it's still good. The views over Westerham are stunning as always.
Soon I am on the final run in with 5 minutes to go. this is the easy bit down the road. I see lots of cyclists and I think, cheats on their bikes. I cross the finish line with 3 minutes to spare.
13.5km 1:27:08
I feel a little tired from my heroics yesterday, but I am still certain I can get round. The weather is beautiful. Unfortunately this has helped some of the stinging nettles to get out of control.
There is a field on this route where there are some cows (and a bull) Being a 'burb dweller, I'm always a bit nervous. However in the previous field I see the cows. I head down the little path at the end of the field. I hear what sound like a mountain bike creeping up on me. When I turn round there are 6 or 7 cows closely following me. I think they must be following me to another field or to be milked. I'm out of there sharpish.
.JPG)
Apart from the nettles and tired legs, it is a pleasant outing. I don't run as fast as last week but it's still good. The views over Westerham are stunning as always.
Soon I am on the final run in with 5 minutes to go. this is the easy bit down the road. I see lots of cyclists and I think, cheats on their bikes. I cross the finish line with 3 minutes to spare.
13.5km 1:27:08
Saturday, 1 June 2013
Park Run Stunner
I come to run a PB. I have my racing kit on. As I warm-up I feel tired. I felt tired at the hills last night. But I decide to go for it.
I find the 21 minute pacer (current PB 21:17) He hasn't paced before. I said that a good pacer is slower on the hills and faster on the downhill. He hadn't thought about that. I set off and follow him for at least 1 and a half of the two laps. Then I start to struggle, I am about to give up. Then he seems to slow and I catch him up. I'm now in the final straight. As I pass him he says what time do I have as he didn't start his GPS. I look and see 20 minutes. I decide to go for it as I may be able to make the finish in under 21.
I thrash myself, and over the line jab the watch. 20:47. Way under 21 minutes. I punch the air. Beautiful. I thank the pacer for running such a good pace.
It was a struggle and I would not have done it without a pacer, but this is a big step forward.
5km 20:47
I find the 21 minute pacer (current PB 21:17) He hasn't paced before. I said that a good pacer is slower on the hills and faster on the downhill. He hadn't thought about that. I set off and follow him for at least 1 and a half of the two laps. Then I start to struggle, I am about to give up. Then he seems to slow and I catch him up. I'm now in the final straight. As I pass him he says what time do I have as he didn't start his GPS. I look and see 20 minutes. I decide to go for it as I may be able to make the finish in under 21.
I thrash myself, and over the line jab the watch. 20:47. Way under 21 minutes. I punch the air. Beautiful. I thank the pacer for running such a good pace.
It was a struggle and I would not have done it without a pacer, but this is a big step forward.
5km 20:47
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
