Last Wednesdays Vets Meeting: 4 PBs In one Night!

As a change from the regular Thursday nights speed work I decided to do some veteran track races at the new stadium at South Leeds on Wednesday night.


I started off with an 800 meters and staggered over the line in 2 mins 22 seconds. I found this the hardest race of them all and it seemed to take most out of me physically. Two laps of the track doesn't seem to be a lot, but on the last lap I was in sheer agony with legs of lead and absolutely nothing left in the tank. It was a lesson learned that I set off far too fast in this race. Ten minutes later, I was on the line again for the 100 meters and came home third in this. I didn't manage to record a time for this one and I certainly wasn't laughing and talking most of the way. Another ten minutes later it was time for the 3000 meters and I timed this at 10 minutes 16 seconds and managed to win this race fairly comfortably, which did make me realise that the longer distance events suited me most. Soon after this the last race was the 1500 meters, and having been paced stride for stride with another vet runner for the first 2 and half laps, I seemed to have plenty left to out sprint this chap and came home in 4 mins 44 seconds. As I have not raced any of these distances before this will be 4 new pbs for me. a usefull lesson in speed...... and pace judgement.

Tonights Training: 10 x 400m

With only 3 of us down the club tonight for speed work I decided to just race against the clock. I set myself to do each lap in 70 seconds with 1 minute recovery. The first one was done in 72 seconds, which I was happy with because I felt rather tight at first -having raced a 5k on the same track on Sunday. The others were done in roughley 70 seconds. The last one was done in just 69 seconds, thanks to John Gallagher who I needed to chase right to the line to complete the session.

Racing wise I may do the Askern 10 mile on Sunday just for a 10 mile tempo run. I have not pre-entered this one so will not qualify for the Yorkshire Champs or any prizes. I not sure yet and may do a long run instead.

Harrogate: Still Hilly 10k

There seemed to be a large turnout for this Sundays Harrogate 10k. I had heard that the painfull hill had been taken out(not literally), but the course was re-routed and still left as a two lapper. I knew there was going to be hills because the start is like the bottom of a basin and must at some point rise. There was quite a long section of downhill towards the latter part of the first and second lap. I felt sluggish today and knew as soon as I set off that the time was not going to be too good. I have not seen the results but recognised some fast lads at the front as: Andrew Pearson, Stephen Hepples, Darren Bilton, Mike Burrett and Tim Midgely. I did here last night that Ian Fisher was running but didn't see him at the race. Stephen Hepples seems to be back to top form, forcing Andrew Pearson into second place, with Darren Bilton taking third spot. I finished in 35-44 and 22nd overall(I think). Running friend Kevin Erskine(Tadcaster) seemed to have a storming run and must have finished in just over 34 minutes.

I will be doing a 5k track race next Sunday, with plans to do the Askern 10 mile on the 9th August. Must get my entry in for the Guy Faukes 10 mile. I used to enter on the day for this one but missed out last year as it filled up before race day.

Thursday nights training: 5k in 15:30?

Now that i've got your attention. Lasts nights training was a 5 x 1000m track session, with each rep done in 3:15. Admittedly there was a 1:30 mins recovery inbetween reps and I am working on shortening that. I can now feel some fitness is comeing back because I am more eager to get set up for the next rep than I was before. The idea of shortening this to 3 mins per rep by the end of the summer - may prove harder than I first thought.

I have entered the Harrogate 10k on Sunday and will now ease down until then. I did do a steady 6 miler today just to keep the 'legs ticking' over until race day.

Eccup 10 Mile - No Pain - Just Gain

Today was the Eccup 10 mile road race. For a change the run was on a day that was not boiling hot. There was a welcome cool breeze today.

As of late the training as just been steady away with no really intense sessions, only the Thursday nights track workout is moderately painful. I do feel I 'stole' the V40 prize today because my philosophy is you only get rewards for hard work and I do not know of any other sport that requires so much hard work to achieve results as running. Lazy training should not be rewarded - but there you go - funny old sport this running!

With the absense of any Fishers, Biltons or Dunns I was sure I could stay within reasonable sight of the leaders for a good few miles at least. My team mate and training partner from Spen, Kevin Ogden, pulled out late on with a back injury, so the plan of running with him was out of the window. I eventually came in 5th in 1Hr and 7 Seconds, helped by one of the leaders Tim Midgeley, either getting lost or pulling out very late. From memory I think this was some 40 seconds faster than last year.

I have plans to do the Harrogate 10k or Pudsey 10k in July.

Last Nights Session

Thursday nights club session was on the track involving 5 x 1000 meters with 2 minutes recovery.

I still felt a little bit tired from Monday nights Joe Percy 10k. This week I had company of Kevin Ogden and we gave the others 20 seconds start. I was completing the reps in about 3 mins 14 seconds - with kevin slightly in front. I will be hoping to reduce these to round about 3 minutes by the end of the summer.

Back To Training, Racing And Blogging

Still ticking over with the training, just been away in Spain(Majorca) and managed to get in some early morning long runs. This was a welcome change as I enjoyed the solitary running on the beach. I managed to clock about 30 miles for the full week overall. This went some way to compensate for the abuse of the all inclusive menu.


I am not sure what I am doing race wise at the moment. I did think about doing the Leeds 10k on the 21st June.