Barnsley 10k: The need for a finishing kick.

After e-mailing the race organiser late last night(Saturday) regarding the Barnsley 10k I managed to secure a number, although there appeared to be loads left on the day when I got there. I had decided to do this race as late as last night with the other option the cross country at Spen. Conditions seemed perfect so I set off to Royston in good time.

This was a well organised event with chip timing, portaloos, canteen and ample parking. The new chip device which fastened to your leg, rather than your running shoe, with a simple strong paper strip seemed like another well thought out innovation. This caused no problems for me whatsoever during the race, it held tight and was easily removed at the end. Also the organisation of the chip devices into miniature drawers which were numbered, allowing for on the day entries to also have their own chip seemed a winner too. Four pounds extra on the day seemed justified this time.

There was a familiar crowd at the front with John Convery(now Wakefield), Shaun Dimilow(Barnsley), Andy Whitworth(Meltham), Kev Lilley(Sheffield) and a few others. I set off steady with the plan of trying to catch up with the main rivals later. I then overtook K. Lilley and A Whitworth before attempting to catch up with J Convery. Mark Hall(Otley) joined me along with Darren Newbould(Hallamshire) and I stayed with them and felt comfortable with the pace, even up to the 4 mile point. After that is when things started to get tough and the course turned hilly. There was only a short gap(about 20 seconds) between me and J.C, but the hills expended all my reserves and I was labouring at the finish, passed by Mark Hall and David Thomson(Barnsley) near to the finish. With a position of 10th and time of 34-40 another good performance apart from lacking the killer kick at the end which cost me 2 positions.

I notice that the link from chip time to power of 10 rankings seemed to have speeded up somewhat. I checked tonight and it's updated already - Technology rules.

Guy Fawkes Tough 10 mile

Having done this race quite a few times the weather has varied in the past from dry, cold and sunny or raining, to mild and wet, calm or windy. This time it was calm, fairly mild and damp - Probably ideal running conditions.

Having had the privilege of browsing the entry list the night before there appeared to be no runners who would be likely to dominate the race fully. There were a few runners who I wasn't sure about. I didn't have the time to 'Power of 10 them' to check them out. Plus entries on the day were still open at that point.

This race has a tricky start which goes downhill through the back of Ripley castle. I wasn't about to get carried away at this point and I set off steady. This was well within myself, although it is rather daunting when loads of runners are in front of you. I always tell myself that any race over 5 miles is along way and there is plenty of time to catch them up. The first 1.5 miles is off road and a rather stoney farm trails through sparse woodland. This didn't suit the racing trainers and I was happy when the race hit the tarmac roads. I could then get into a steady rhythm and concentrate on my tactic of 'clawing' runners back. A runner from Harrogate made an early break at the front and Ian Crampton(Durham) made a steady attempt to catch him. At that point I was in forth place and comfortably holding on. Later a runner from Ripon(Micheal Appleton) and Matt Hayes from East Hull Harriers joined up to make a group of 3. We were then joined by a young unattached runner(Jackie Simpson). We all then took turns to push the pace along. Matt Hayes from East Hull fell off the pace slightly and me and the other runners were all closely together until we hit the trail part to the finish. Once again this affected my rhythm and it seemed to give the other runners the advantage. I pushed close to the limit at this point and glancing over my shoulder was then aware of Will Kerr(St Bedes) making a late charge. One last push to the finish gave me 5th place overall - 59-54, quite pleased.

Fastest Finger First.

Who would have thought that the most basic of human function(running) would be affected by the technology revolution. I'm not talking about Garmin or the million mile sock. Those(and me) that rushed to their computers before 9-am on Saturday morning to enter next years Brass Monkey experienced it first hand. A few clicks of a mouse and your in. Time was short and not even the greatest procrastinator can put it off. Simple on-line entry forms and secure payment makes for easy entry. The draw back of this is the race has limits and some people will be disappointed. The organisers have no choice but to limit entries due to safety issues and the sheer speed of information technology is out of their hands once the word is out. Some people have suggested a ballot system is used similar to the London Marathon. I have to say I disagree with them; deemed to be equally fair or unfair, depending on whether you win or lose. Also too time consuming for the organisers for a relatively small race. Choosing people on their running merits would also be a difficult task. Who do you choose - the sub 65 mins runner - or the runner raising money for charity. Both worthy entrants you would say, but a very difficult call to make.

Brid Half: Not a leisurely day at the seaside.

Near perfect conditions produced a large turnout for this annual event; a cool but welcoming on- shore breeze with clear blue skies. Judging by the amount of cash on the table quite a lot of people opted to enter on the day. This is one event where anyone who doesn't pre -enter misses out on the prizes.

Gathered at the front were: Andy Pearson(Longwood), Mark Hall(Otley), Tim Midgely(Bingley), Stuart McDonald(Bingley), Stuart Carmicheal(City of Hull), Paul Marchant(Leeds City).

As predicted, Andy Pearson was in front followed by Paul Marchant. Andy soon increased the pace on approaching the first roundabout. I set off fairly fast and it took to about the 2 mile point for the Bingley pair to catch me. I then stayed with them a bit until Tim M opened a gap and increased the pace. This was too fast for me and I stayed with Stuart M for a bit until he decided to try close the gap to Tim M. It was then solitary running, until I was caught by Mark H at about the 10k point - which I reached in 34-40. I passed the 10 mile point in 58-15 and then struggled with the remaining 3 miles. I was overtaken again on the final 500 meters. Legs were seriously mashed at this point and I was happy for the race to finish.

I recorded a time of 1-17-16, which was a little down on what I was hoping for, but collecting a Yorks Vet 45 trophy and £25 cheque helped mask the disappointment.

Mile splits were: 5-37, 5-38, 5-29, 5-39, 5-57, 6-04, 5-59, 6-19, 5-38, 5-48, 6-13, 5-56, 6-00

Fitness Update

Sorry it's been a long time since my last blog entry. I have to admit I rather enjoy reading other peoples blogs and commenting rather than writing them myself. It is interesting to read about some runners returning to the sport again - after taking some time out. I've heard it called the sport you never give up(unless through injury). However frustrating, however painful, we never seem to want to stop doing it. Nothing prepares the mind better than going out for a run or doing a race. Only a runner can understand the buzz of it all.

The Horsforth 10k was my last race and it felt good to mix with the front runners once again. A time of 34-49 on the day was fairly respectable, given that it's not really an easy course. I was just over a minute off the winning pace and so no real complaints about that. Beating team mate Kevin O was a bonus.

I am still training hard and managing to do about 50 miles a week; one long run of 17 miles and a fast session on Thursdays. Last nights fast session was a total of 6k; 5 x 500m in 1-35, 2 x 1000m in 3-20, plus 5 x 300m in 51 seconds.

I have a number for the Brid Half on Sunday, so that should hopefully be a good test of my fitness.

Ryedale 10 Mile - Some more improvement.

I decided to make the trip to Old Malton today to do the Ryedale 10 Mile Road Race. This seemed like an ideal training race for the up and coming Brid Half and Thirsk 10 Mile in October and November. I wanted to test myself over 10 miles and treat this like a time trial. I am pleased with the way the training as been going to date. Thrashing out a few 17 minute 5k's on the treadmill. This race seemed ideal to test it out.

This was a small but well organised event with plenty of volunteers willing to help out with the marshalling etc. I did feel this was one of these races for charity so I had no regret in handing over the cash to enter.

I only recognised a few runners in the line up at the start, so I had to use the tactic of setting off steady and seeing if anybody could match the pace. Or even if I could match their pace.

When the race started a chap from Beverley AC set off fast, and because I didn't know him I wasn't sure whether this was to win a bet at the pub or he was a seasoned runner. It turned out that he had a sub 56 PB for 10 mile. Nobody else seemed to challenge us and my plan of just 'sticking' to him and hoping I have the fitness left to run for 'home' seemed the best option. I felt good even to the 8 mile point. Now the thoughts of winning the race and the mental imagery of collecting the winners prize at the end was dulling the pain. I kept surging with the pace, only in the hope that he would then give up the chase and let me win. With 1k to go I gave everything and went for the finish. This was too early and I think the chap sensed that I was beginning to labour. He then overtook me on a downhill section to the finish. I checked my Garmin and the pace was then 4-50/ mile. At the finish he had a lead of approximately 15 seconds. However, I was still happy in the knowledge that I gave everything and this had the result of producing a recent PB.

Askern 10 Mile - Some improvement

This years Askern 10 mile didn't seem as hot as previous years and with a tapering phase from Thursday onwards things were looking good. A cool and fairly gentle breeze. The legs felt fresh and the mind set was good.

Up to last Sunday I was averaging a steady 50 miles per week, mostly running to work and back with a rucksack full of sandwiches and a water bottle. The home bound run(with empty rucksack) usually tops up the daily distance to 11 miles in total.

There were only a few runners in the front line that I recognised. With D Allinson, J Wardman(Rothwell) and M Hall(Otley) the only runners that should stay in my sights. I exchanged a few words with J Wardman, who said he would be trying to go for 56 mins, with the first five done at comfortable pace. It seemed reasonable to try and keep him close by to achieve a good time. When the race started a runner from Sheffield soon opened up a lead on the rest and a small chasing group developed behind him. This contained about five of us. The pace felt good to me and I was not struggling to keep up. It was only after about 6 miles that I started to drift off the pace with the group and then it became a case of damage limitation after that. I was overtaken by a chap from Goole Viking near the end and eventually finished in 59-13, first vet 45 and £20 in Rundirect vouchers. Some of the other runners seemed to have struggled which made it easier to take. Ive had worse days.

Thanks for reading.