Battle Plan Re-starts

Having not raced since the Horsforth 10k I am ever eager to do battle again. A trip to the physio two weeks ago finally convinced me to lay off the running totally for a few weeks and to work on core strength and balance. I'd not heard of this before and I truthfully thought improving your running was just about progressively running harder and harder each session, with adequate rest inbetween. Long runs for stamina, hills for strength and track for speed. A soft tissue knee injury was really telling me something was wrong and I needed to sort it. The orthotics I had fitted seemed to work a bit but didn't cure the problem altogether, and a mix of core strength, balance and flexiblitity excercises needed to be done aswell. I have joined the local Total Fitness Gym and I am trying to build strength all round

I have pre-entered the Guy fawkes 10 mile and may run this as a tempo run. I have also entered the Abbey Dash, which will give me a few weeks prep time.

Horsforth 10k - Good start to new campaign

This Sundays 10k was at Horsforth. Conditions were ideal for running and an early start(10am) was beneficial to running. My first major race as a Vet 45 made me slightly nervous at the start.


The first 2 miles(approx) were uphill and then a slight downhill on the A65 towards the Leeds Outer Ring Road and then more downhill tawards Calverley. The last 2 miles were on the canal tow path and I really enjoyed this section. I was in forth place at one point having overtaken Duncan Clark(Abbey Runners), who is also V45. I was then passed by a young Bingley runner and at this point was in no position to give chase, saving all reserves in case Duncan was holding back for a sprint finish. I finished in fifth place in 35-54.


After the race my knee was a bit sore so I will be taking it steady for the next week or two. Probably doing some gym work and low impact stuff.


Next race will be the Guy Fawkes 10 mile in early November - if sore knee permits .

V45 - And The New Campaign

The day has finally arrived and I am now a V45. I will be making an assault on the V45 rankings and trying to get into the top twenty this year, with also a cautionary approach to training/racing and allowing for some recovery days.

I have done some nice and steady running this week(on returning from hols) and quite surprised that I felt quite good. I stuck to my plan of just doing a few runs on holiday with a few sessions of swimming and a lot of walking. Planning to do a steady long run this weekend. I have been offered a number for the Yorkshire Off Road Half Marathon, from my sister(Nicola), who is sidelined with a calf injury. Think I might give this one a miss though.

Next race 5k track race at Spen(20th Sept). Also Horsforth 10k, 27th Sept)

Next Race: V45

I will be heading off to the Costa Brava for a weeks warm weather training and carbo loading(family holiday). I don't feel so burnt out with racing, so I plan to do a few steady early morning runs, with some swimming and gym work.

I won't be doing any races before the 8th September(or after) -when I will be 45.
I will be hoping that the V45 rankings will be much kinder to me than the V40 rankings were. With runners like Carl Thackery and John Convery as V45's there will be no easy pickings. I will have to try as hard as ever to improve on my times.

I have entered the Horsforth 10k and Guy Faukes 10 mile.

Hope to update soon.

Buenas Noches.

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.