Paul and I were handicapped one and two, suddenly, we are the fast guys!
Note that Paul's last Hare and Hounds race was actually his first one. The handicap algo is average of (the average of all runs and your best run), but if it is your first race you predict your own time and on your second race you use your first race's actual time as your predicted time. Confused? Paul was.
Now, I have years of race history so my average moves slowly, down 2.5 seconds as I bust my target by 21 seconds last time. But as Paul's target was his time from his last race (which was also his first race) this meant that although I beat him by 11 secs last time this time I was starting 8 seconds before him.
He was complaining about this like a banker being taxed on his bonus.
Still, I was pretty upbeat about this being my last ever Hare and Hounds race and keen to see how the new route panned out.
The guy off 4 seconds ahead of me was called Alex and he had a bright yellow shirt on. Geoff was about 45 ahead of Alex, so I decided to make Geoff my target number one.
At the off I felt heavy and that I was not running lightly, Alex vanished quickly into the distance he was going too strongly for me to compete with him. Geoff was going well and I thought I was closing on him, but I was also aware of a lack of Paul. At the start of the 3 bridges route (on the far side of Westminster) a guy in white top and red sleeves appeared and cut in front of me. He was travelling just faster than I was and so I tucked in and drafted this section, closing on Geoff all the time. I could tell as the number of fish lampposts were dropping all the time 4, then 3 then 2 and then my red sleeved buddy stops in his tracks and shrugs at me as he's done for the day and I am not even half way! I keep plugging away and catch and go past Geoff at the place where the Duck goes in and out of the Thames. Get up the stairs onto the bridge and glance down to see Paul just getting to the steps.
Coming over the bridge I notice what looks like a bell sticking out over the side of the bridge. Some kind of safety warning thing? But to ring it you would fall in trying. Weird. Make it over the bridge and take the correct route around the ramp, not down the steps, and now Paul has caught me. He tucks in. I decide to hold him at least until we are on the next bridge. He comes level and I kick just enough. I was thinking he would not go for it on the up section onto Lambeth bridge so I was just concentrating on holding on until the ramp. As soon as we hit the ramp he tucks behind again. Over we go, 270 round and under the bridge. He drifts wide and level and I know he's got me. Under the bridge and up the stairs at Westminster. I'm huffing and puffing and finally he breaks away and shouts "Saving your self for the last mile mate?" Aye right.
With Paul finally past me all motivation to keep pushing hard goes and I slow to recovery pace. Half a mile on and I'm feeling miles better. Back to race pace. One mile out and I'm flying now. 6 to catch before Paul. He's 45 ahead and there is just a hint that I am closing the gap. But not fast enough. 3/4 of a mile out I catch two of them and cruise past already focused on the 3rd. Drive through the ramp and enjoy kicking up the ramp and get by the 3rd. At the apex of the hump on the bridge I catch and pass Andrew who grins an annoyed grin at me - his comment to me on the way down to the start was "I'm going to beat you this time!" He kicks, but I'm at close to sprint finish pace and as we turn the corner I accelerate up to 200m pace and drop him as Paul crosses the line. That felt really good!
Collapse in a heap at the end, and shake Paul's hand. What a brilliantly executed race he did, I'm well impressed. In the end he was faster, smarter (negative splits), steadier, more even miles, and tactically superior.
Now, I think Ken may have given me that cold he has.....
Plus jetting around Europe looking for accommodation in Switzerland and staying up late every night for two weeks is beginning to take it's toll.
Race times:
Paul 33:12.82, 2nd fastest, crossed line 4th started 12th (predicted fastest Hound)
Niall 33:48.29, 3rd fastest, crossed line 6th started 11th
Our new handicaps are:
Paul 32:42.4
Niall 32:41.0
Au Revoir Hounds and Hare, it's been great taking part and I will think of you ever third Friday of the month.
Showing posts with label Handicap Race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Handicap Race. Show all posts
Friday, 15 January 2010
Friday, 27 November 2009
Swan Song Hounds and Hare
Prolog
When Martin sent the last call for runners note out I was amazed, not just by the sheer length of the list of runners, but the quality in there.
I felt for Andrew, who having won the handicap race last week found himself starting second with 18 hounds behind him.
Also in the starting line up was the Savage from DB (the first ever non JPM runner) who had been emailing me since before I even got on the train to work about focusing negative energy into the race and how he was pumped up on punk music.
I had a concrete duvet experience this morning and could not get out of bed. I had a stinking head ache and was bunged up more than the vicks inhaler could shift. Been taking the pills to dull the pain and decided to run anyway.
Been thinking about trying to hold Chris Burfoot today, at least until I catch Mr. Savage which I hope will happen around the Green Park Hill. Somehow I traditionally have the edge on him on the hills and he normally needs about 10 miles before his superior endurance kicks in. Although the 30 seconds start he has on me is a big ask as over 10km I can only beat him by about a minute. Should really be a sprint finish decider.
Race report
Good bunch of guys at the start. I got some ribbing about my luminous yellow top, which I was rather pleased about as that reinforced the deception that I was running in a yellow top, when actually, just before the start I whipped it of and ran in my jp morgan vest - ha!
Predictably Westlake kicked my top when I put it on the ground, but like Paul I am pretty good with that negative energy channelling thing.
Some strides to keep the heart rate up and then Clive went, then Paul and 30 to me. I could see chris shivering and was glad to get underway. As soon as I turned the corner I accelerated out of sight of the start to try and put some gap between Chris and I and also to see if I could gain on Paul early.
After half a mile I dropped back to what I felt a more realistic race pace was. No sign of Chris. Caught a glimpse of a white top closing fast at embankment tube in the reflection of a bus stop shelter and assumed it was Chris.
It was Mark Westlake who overtook me on Whitehall Place in a manoeuvre that I can only describe as unorthodox. He claims it was a friendly pat on the way past, however I'm certain people have gone to jail for less.
I decided to try and stay with him and he didn't seem too happy about that. We ran side by side up the middle of the road towards Horseguards. The lights were against us, but the first two lanes were clear and we crossed that far then I spotted a gap after a lorry I thought I could just about squeeze through. I changed direction quickly and without warning timing the acceleration to just miss the truck. Mark nearly went over in the middle of the road as I'd cut across him. I'd completely forgotten he was next to me. I apologised profusely later. As I dodged tourists and cut through photo opportunities to find a way under the arch to the parade ground I knew Mark was with me from the colourful tirade following me. Mark turned on the class here and dropped me, just at the point where Chris normally does. I could see Paul now, just twenty ahead. I avoided the policeman at the st james park corner, but mark nearly took him out. Went wide along birdcage walk and tried to close the gap to Paul, but could not. Then Paul overtook Clive. Buoyed by that Paul pushed on and I stopped closing the gap. I think it may have increased on the Green Park hill.
The hollow after Green Park tube is exactly half way and the second half is downhill. I glance at the watch as it rolls over to 17 mins and I kick.
Clive is looking round and I mis-interpret his hand signals as a friendly wave.
Get past him and try to kick again to avoid him following me too closely.
Paul has stretched his lead back to 25-30 seconds and I'm digging deep to hold the pace let alone catch him. He gets over the Mall early and I think perhaps a shade sub optimally. Suddenly I am aware of contact and that spurs me on. I call my intentions and get rewarded by the hound behind calling the gap on the mall and we both cross on a nice diagonal line that gets me another few metres closer to Paul. The long drag along the Mall lays out the targets, but the hound behind powers past me and I have just enough to stay in touch for the length of the mall then he drops me just before the parade ground. But by now I'm so close to Paul - just half a road and closing.
On the parade ground I notice my shoelace comes undone and I can't believe I've made such a schoolboy error. Get through the tourists nicely again, but then disaster strikes. As Paul and another get to the middle of the road the lorry and bus are already nearly level with me and I think I can run out in front of them and just get over the road but the two mounted police have other ideas and the horse is positioned in front of me and the hand of stop raised right at me. Retie my laces and watch in dismay as the boys in front pull further and further away. There is nothing I can do about it. I take deep breaths and try to think the heart rate back down. I move more left and as the police take a look over their shoulder to see what is happening behind them I'm through a gap and wide past the next set of traffic just before they too block my route. At that moment I see the guys turn the corner. Takes me 30 seconds to get to where they were and I now have a mile from hell to peg them back. I seriously doubt I can get 30 back on Paul over one mile, given it just took me 4 miles to catch him. Gutted, I soldier on.
Next up is Andrew Stubbs who I can't speak to on the way past as now I am at red line pace so I give him a clap and he smiles and laughs as I go past. Paul is a little closer. Catch a reflection of someone catching me and push harder. I take the next junction roadside and shave another few feet off the gap. Then it seemed the gap stopped getting smaller and I was too far to catch Paul. I focused on form and lifting the legs a shade higher. Ratchet for home at 800m, 400m and full speed from about 200m out.
32:22 is my fastest time since March this year and a 35 second improvement over last month. 6:32 minute miles and 4:04 min kms for 5 miles or 8kms is pretty good and taking out the road disaster would put me in line for the magic sub 40 10km.
Paul crossed the line ahead of me, but not by much. He ran a great race and pulled out the effort when I threatened which probably had a lot to do with my good time.
Post Race Analysis
There was a big turn out and most people were good runners who beat their target time.
In terms of pure time, I came 3rd and Paul was 4th - I beat him by 11 seconds, but like I say he crossed the line before me, so well done Paul.
Westlake was massive and super pleased to have just beaten Alan Ginn's best ever time.
With almost 20 runners, we've decided to change the route. Too many people nearly died today. So from now on it will be 3 bridges and I'll be in Switzerland. The end of an era. So nice to finish on a high.
When Martin sent the last call for runners note out I was amazed, not just by the sheer length of the list of runners, but the quality in there.
I felt for Andrew, who having won the handicap race last week found himself starting second with 18 hounds behind him.
Also in the starting line up was the Savage from DB (the first ever non JPM runner) who had been emailing me since before I even got on the train to work about focusing negative energy into the race and how he was pumped up on punk music.
I had a concrete duvet experience this morning and could not get out of bed. I had a stinking head ache and was bunged up more than the vicks inhaler could shift. Been taking the pills to dull the pain and decided to run anyway.
Been thinking about trying to hold Chris Burfoot today, at least until I catch Mr. Savage which I hope will happen around the Green Park Hill. Somehow I traditionally have the edge on him on the hills and he normally needs about 10 miles before his superior endurance kicks in. Although the 30 seconds start he has on me is a big ask as over 10km I can only beat him by about a minute. Should really be a sprint finish decider.
Race report
Good bunch of guys at the start. I got some ribbing about my luminous yellow top, which I was rather pleased about as that reinforced the deception that I was running in a yellow top, when actually, just before the start I whipped it of and ran in my jp morgan vest - ha!
Predictably Westlake kicked my top when I put it on the ground, but like Paul I am pretty good with that negative energy channelling thing.
Some strides to keep the heart rate up and then Clive went, then Paul and 30 to me. I could see chris shivering and was glad to get underway. As soon as I turned the corner I accelerated out of sight of the start to try and put some gap between Chris and I and also to see if I could gain on Paul early.
After half a mile I dropped back to what I felt a more realistic race pace was. No sign of Chris. Caught a glimpse of a white top closing fast at embankment tube in the reflection of a bus stop shelter and assumed it was Chris.
It was Mark Westlake who overtook me on Whitehall Place in a manoeuvre that I can only describe as unorthodox. He claims it was a friendly pat on the way past, however I'm certain people have gone to jail for less.
I decided to try and stay with him and he didn't seem too happy about that. We ran side by side up the middle of the road towards Horseguards. The lights were against us, but the first two lanes were clear and we crossed that far then I spotted a gap after a lorry I thought I could just about squeeze through. I changed direction quickly and without warning timing the acceleration to just miss the truck. Mark nearly went over in the middle of the road as I'd cut across him. I'd completely forgotten he was next to me. I apologised profusely later. As I dodged tourists and cut through photo opportunities to find a way under the arch to the parade ground I knew Mark was with me from the colourful tirade following me. Mark turned on the class here and dropped me, just at the point where Chris normally does. I could see Paul now, just twenty ahead. I avoided the policeman at the st james park corner, but mark nearly took him out. Went wide along birdcage walk and tried to close the gap to Paul, but could not. Then Paul overtook Clive. Buoyed by that Paul pushed on and I stopped closing the gap. I think it may have increased on the Green Park hill.
The hollow after Green Park tube is exactly half way and the second half is downhill. I glance at the watch as it rolls over to 17 mins and I kick.
Clive is looking round and I mis-interpret his hand signals as a friendly wave.
Get past him and try to kick again to avoid him following me too closely.
Paul has stretched his lead back to 25-30 seconds and I'm digging deep to hold the pace let alone catch him. He gets over the Mall early and I think perhaps a shade sub optimally. Suddenly I am aware of contact and that spurs me on. I call my intentions and get rewarded by the hound behind calling the gap on the mall and we both cross on a nice diagonal line that gets me another few metres closer to Paul. The long drag along the Mall lays out the targets, but the hound behind powers past me and I have just enough to stay in touch for the length of the mall then he drops me just before the parade ground. But by now I'm so close to Paul - just half a road and closing.
On the parade ground I notice my shoelace comes undone and I can't believe I've made such a schoolboy error. Get through the tourists nicely again, but then disaster strikes. As Paul and another get to the middle of the road the lorry and bus are already nearly level with me and I think I can run out in front of them and just get over the road but the two mounted police have other ideas and the horse is positioned in front of me and the hand of stop raised right at me. Retie my laces and watch in dismay as the boys in front pull further and further away. There is nothing I can do about it. I take deep breaths and try to think the heart rate back down. I move more left and as the police take a look over their shoulder to see what is happening behind them I'm through a gap and wide past the next set of traffic just before they too block my route. At that moment I see the guys turn the corner. Takes me 30 seconds to get to where they were and I now have a mile from hell to peg them back. I seriously doubt I can get 30 back on Paul over one mile, given it just took me 4 miles to catch him. Gutted, I soldier on.
Next up is Andrew Stubbs who I can't speak to on the way past as now I am at red line pace so I give him a clap and he smiles and laughs as I go past. Paul is a little closer. Catch a reflection of someone catching me and push harder. I take the next junction roadside and shave another few feet off the gap. Then it seemed the gap stopped getting smaller and I was too far to catch Paul. I focused on form and lifting the legs a shade higher. Ratchet for home at 800m, 400m and full speed from about 200m out.
32:22 is my fastest time since March this year and a 35 second improvement over last month. 6:32 minute miles and 4:04 min kms for 5 miles or 8kms is pretty good and taking out the road disaster would put me in line for the magic sub 40 10km.
Paul crossed the line ahead of me, but not by much. He ran a great race and pulled out the effort when I threatened which probably had a lot to do with my good time.
Post Race Analysis
There was a big turn out and most people were good runners who beat their target time.
In terms of pure time, I came 3rd and Paul was 4th - I beat him by 11 seconds, but like I say he crossed the line before me, so well done Paul.
Westlake was massive and super pleased to have just beaten Alan Ginn's best ever time.
With almost 20 runners, we've decided to change the route. Too many people nearly died today. So from now on it will be 3 bridges and I'll be in Switzerland. The end of an era. So nice to finish on a high.
Friday, 30 October 2009
I'm a hound!
Today's hound and hare was hotting up with at least one elite on the start line and many improvers and semi-elite with good recent times in the mix. Only Jason had predicted 90mins which was ruled to be walking and slashed to 59 by the powers that be, ie me.
It was near perfect weather and three of us trotted down to the started together arriving 10 or so mins ahead of my start. The faster boys rocked up and the rest started leaving.
Chris Burfoot caught me as usual very quickly on Embankment and I managed as usual to keep with him until the far side of Horse Guards where he kicked and dropped me, net one down already. I could see Geoff ahead and resolved to focus on closing that gap and ignore Chris pulling away from me.
Went through a bizarre wall of pigeons and luckily avoided standing or running into any of them. Lots of half term let's visit London families wandering around even more aimlessly than your typical tourist.
Started counting the gap to Geoff on the Green park hill. Made little impact until the Mall. The marching band messed up a few of the guys but I saw it early and figured I could get past it around the far traffic lights and by the time I was half way back the lights changed in my favour and I got the racing line stealing a few meters on the guys ahead.
The sand on the side of the Mall was very bumpy and as I made an effort to catch a my first pray of the day it was uncomfortable to hold the pace on the bumpy surface. Went past Robert Rea, I offered and received some encouragement. The next target was Geoff and I was closing reasonably fast. Decided to hold back until after negotiating the melee at Hourse Gaurds. I had to shout at some people to keep them out of my racing line which revealed my position to Geoff who made an effort to hold me off, but I got past. Net one ahead.
At this point the elite guy (Richard Griffiths) went through. I admired his light footfalls, springy step and posture. I'd seen him run at Assembly Leagues before so I knew there was no point in challenging and simply let him go. Back to all square.
Next up was the unmistakable Andrew McCleery who was just ahead and going at around my pace. Just a shade bigger footfall circles and a focus on staying tall got me a pace injection for free and before I knew it I was past him. Now one ahead, two gone past and third overtaken.
Another guy was ahead (Larry Gerr) and I did not think I could catch him at first but with 200m to go I increased to half shin pace and as I went past him lengthened the spine, leaned into the run a little more and put everything I had into the sprint finish. I eased of a shade at the end as he had let me go and crossed three seconds ahead of him.
My time was 32:56 and that is the first sub 33 since March this year and you need to delve deep into the race archives to find the sub 33 before that back in 2007.
Was very chuffed with the absolute, relative (8th starter and 6th finisher), physical (felt hard but not maxed until the end) and mental (letting the better runners go) performance today.
Only one annoying road crossing that did not slow me much.
Why so good today? Less could be more? Perhaps.
Ditching the 2nd rep session for an easy run or threshold seems to be doing the trick. Now I need some sleep and some lovely taper for the race in 8 days time.
ps I won the vets prize today. I was the only hound over forty!!!
Friday, 26 June 2009
Hot hounds and a roasted hare, plus one that was not meant to be there
17 runners today, with me starting 12th. So five fast hounds behind me.
Set of on time. Gelled up on the way down and for the first time in months was there well before my start time and had not needed a 6 minute mile to do it either!
Tied my laces again and started chatting to Martin about his accident where he fell off a kerb and bashed up his knee. He was sporting a suitably melodramatic bandage with more taping than an Egyptian mummy!
Suddenly, I notice someone shouting my name. Oh! Is it me next? YES NOW GO! Bash yells at me. I'm off, but quick start the watch. Bother put it into alarm mode and mess up getting it out and finally at corner 1 there are numbers spinning up from zero.
Feeling strong, but not particularly fast as I push out along Embankment. I see Charlie in the distance, make a mental note to try and keep him in sight.
Go carefully around the road works on embankment and don't fall this time. Get stopped twice by lights and take the long route to avoid a standstill and that's ok. Make it over horse guards and not been taken yet. But I can hear them coming and it is inevitable. Along bird cage they come past, Chris and someone else. I can't hold the pace and heat is getting to me. I focus on keeping Charlie in sight, but even he is pulling away. I get a boost from overtaking someone. Coming out of St. James' park up to the mall I notice the road is busy but there is a gap behind the traffic so I cut long again, around the back and happy days as both those guys that took me on bird cage are behind me again. It is packed on the hill and I lead the group to the top shouting clear instructions to the tourists to keep us and them safe. I heard Chris tell his buddy to let Niall lead the way through them up the hill. Get to the top and they overtake me again! So I can't resist the comment "nice to see you again boys!"
Then I notice this short bald guy in very baggy shorts and a skimpy vest. Not a hare and not a hound, it is running fource's very own Paul Savage skelping along at a very respectable pace. I pass a message to Chris, if you pass that bloke in front of Charlie tell him Niall is right behind you.
Can't recall much from here except that Paul was constantly looking at his watch. But I never caught him. It was all about Charlie ahead and Martin behind.
I caught a glimpse of Tutankhamen less the knee bandage just behind me going into Horse guards. The thought of an injured Martin going past me really did not bear thinking about.
Made it through Horse guards and now began to think through how to get past Charlie. Made the decision to reel him in slowly unless Martin took me then I'd kick and red line from then in. Big guy that took me with Chris is slowing and now I am pulling him back too. Pass some poor guy who is walking and suffering in the heat, a roasted hare if ever I've seen one.
At half mile out I'm still closing and work out that I should take both of them unless they race early. Go super wide and run much of the last half mile in on the road or behind the trees to hide and finally kick at the last road. Never looked back and the Lockett Rocket inside of me was fully unleashed and screamed in. Later Charlie pointed out that the first he'd known of our race was when I overtook him in the last few metres.
Given the heat and very busy muggy conditions 33:33 is not too bad. Plus considering the relative placing, moving up net 4 places and swapping places with one guy three times to get in ahead of him shows a spirited performance.
Set of on time. Gelled up on the way down and for the first time in months was there well before my start time and had not needed a 6 minute mile to do it either!
Tied my laces again and started chatting to Martin about his accident where he fell off a kerb and bashed up his knee. He was sporting a suitably melodramatic bandage with more taping than an Egyptian mummy!
Suddenly, I notice someone shouting my name. Oh! Is it me next? YES NOW GO! Bash yells at me. I'm off, but quick start the watch. Bother put it into alarm mode and mess up getting it out and finally at corner 1 there are numbers spinning up from zero.
Feeling strong, but not particularly fast as I push out along Embankment. I see Charlie in the distance, make a mental note to try and keep him in sight.
Go carefully around the road works on embankment and don't fall this time. Get stopped twice by lights and take the long route to avoid a standstill and that's ok. Make it over horse guards and not been taken yet. But I can hear them coming and it is inevitable. Along bird cage they come past, Chris and someone else. I can't hold the pace and heat is getting to me. I focus on keeping Charlie in sight, but even he is pulling away. I get a boost from overtaking someone. Coming out of St. James' park up to the mall I notice the road is busy but there is a gap behind the traffic so I cut long again, around the back and happy days as both those guys that took me on bird cage are behind me again. It is packed on the hill and I lead the group to the top shouting clear instructions to the tourists to keep us and them safe. I heard Chris tell his buddy to let Niall lead the way through them up the hill. Get to the top and they overtake me again! So I can't resist the comment "nice to see you again boys!"
Then I notice this short bald guy in very baggy shorts and a skimpy vest. Not a hare and not a hound, it is running fource's very own Paul Savage skelping along at a very respectable pace. I pass a message to Chris, if you pass that bloke in front of Charlie tell him Niall is right behind you.
Can't recall much from here except that Paul was constantly looking at his watch. But I never caught him. It was all about Charlie ahead and Martin behind.
I caught a glimpse of Tutankhamen less the knee bandage just behind me going into Horse guards. The thought of an injured Martin going past me really did not bear thinking about.
Made it through Horse guards and now began to think through how to get past Charlie. Made the decision to reel him in slowly unless Martin took me then I'd kick and red line from then in. Big guy that took me with Chris is slowing and now I am pulling him back too. Pass some poor guy who is walking and suffering in the heat, a roasted hare if ever I've seen one.
At half mile out I'm still closing and work out that I should take both of them unless they race early. Go super wide and run much of the last half mile in on the road or behind the trees to hide and finally kick at the last road. Never looked back and the Lockett Rocket inside of me was fully unleashed and screamed in. Later Charlie pointed out that the first he'd known of our race was when I overtook him in the last few metres.
Given the heat and very busy muggy conditions 33:33 is not too bad. Plus considering the relative placing, moving up net 4 places and swapping places with one guy three times to get in ahead of him shows a spirited performance.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Assembly League: Vicky Park June 2009
Error number one was leaving my running shoes at my desk and only realising once fully kitted out, had to walk through the office in running vest, shorts and socks to get my shoes. Just pretended I do that all the time, but caught my boss sniggering in my general direction!
Needed a last minute number two so that plus the shoes made me miss the guys at the meeting point (who had all missed each other by that time) and made my own way to mile end. Jogged up to the canal and took the side canal to the park. Seemed like for ever to get to the Victoria Park Harrier's club house and by the time I got there, there were loads of runners warming up and a clutch of them were pointing at me so I aimed for them and sure enough SEAC base camp had been established by Martin.
Got my number, met up with Running Fource buddy Paul and warmed up. Remembered to eat the gel stuffed into my shorts.
Before the race I had decided to try and go out with Martin and Steve and see if I could hold the pace. At the off there seemed to be so many people and most of them were going fast. I held the plan for the first mile. I could see Martin ahead and Steve went past after about a mile. Then the first ladies flew past and just as they got to Steve, his watch fell off! He stops takes a step back and picks it up. If only I had been a few steps closer I could have booted that watch into the trees and had half a chance of finishing ahead of him!
Could not hold the super fast sub six min miles for any more than mile one, so dropped back a little and did not like being overtaken. I made a fair few work hard to get past me, but the highlight of the night was the last half mile. I had only managed to half convince my Garmin to go back to imperial so it was auto lapping and alerting me after each 1km, while I was trying to convert that to miles and having a tough time. So I was not really that sure how far it was left to the finish. One more went past then another and suddenly I did not need any arithmetic or Excel spreadsheets I could see the finish and when the next guy went the Lockett Rocket in me was unleashed. He pushed past with 300 to go, and I drew level, he tried to get away with 200m to go but again I let him think he had me then motored past him, but then eased off and he drew level with me at which point I let rip for the line and he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.
22:17 on the Garmin, compared to last year which was 23:05 so a stunning year on year improvement. Even more significant is my average pace, which is under the magic four min kms. Hold that for another 4.4km and I'm under 40mins. Roll on the Herts 10km.
Steve and Martin were jubilant in the pub having left me for dust after one mile, which is weird given how I get on at the canal. I think now I need to do some long reps and get back into the threshold runs that I've been skipping.
Needed a last minute number two so that plus the shoes made me miss the guys at the meeting point (who had all missed each other by that time) and made my own way to mile end. Jogged up to the canal and took the side canal to the park. Seemed like for ever to get to the Victoria Park Harrier's club house and by the time I got there, there were loads of runners warming up and a clutch of them were pointing at me so I aimed for them and sure enough SEAC base camp had been established by Martin.
Got my number, met up with Running Fource buddy Paul and warmed up. Remembered to eat the gel stuffed into my shorts.
Before the race I had decided to try and go out with Martin and Steve and see if I could hold the pace. At the off there seemed to be so many people and most of them were going fast. I held the plan for the first mile. I could see Martin ahead and Steve went past after about a mile. Then the first ladies flew past and just as they got to Steve, his watch fell off! He stops takes a step back and picks it up. If only I had been a few steps closer I could have booted that watch into the trees and had half a chance of finishing ahead of him!
Could not hold the super fast sub six min miles for any more than mile one, so dropped back a little and did not like being overtaken. I made a fair few work hard to get past me, but the highlight of the night was the last half mile. I had only managed to half convince my Garmin to go back to imperial so it was auto lapping and alerting me after each 1km, while I was trying to convert that to miles and having a tough time. So I was not really that sure how far it was left to the finish. One more went past then another and suddenly I did not need any arithmetic or Excel spreadsheets I could see the finish and when the next guy went the Lockett Rocket in me was unleashed. He pushed past with 300 to go, and I drew level, he tried to get away with 200m to go but again I let him think he had me then motored past him, but then eased off and he drew level with me at which point I let rip for the line and he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.
22:17 on the Garmin, compared to last year which was 23:05 so a stunning year on year improvement. Even more significant is my average pace, which is under the magic four min kms. Hold that for another 4.4km and I'm under 40mins. Roll on the Herts 10km.
Steve and Martin were jubilant in the pub having left me for dust after one mile, which is weird given how I get on at the canal. I think now I need to do some long reps and get back into the threshold runs that I've been skipping.
Friday, 29 May 2009
May Hounds and Hare
Some fast cats were lined up behind me, including Martin who'd earlier vowed to make me suffer in the middle as he was sure I've have him over 400m!
Anyway it was a scorcher, I was later arriving with the starter calling to me that I had ten seconds to go as I reached the starting point. I pretty much kept going, so not ideal to knock out a sub 6:30 minute mile to get to the start just in time.
I had someone 4 seconds behind me and with Martin 47 seconds behind I really wanted a good first mile so scampered off at a decent pace. There were loads of roadworks along embankment, forcing you to run carside in the road or squeeze through narrow gaps on the pavement. At the first blockage I was indecisive - changed my mind to go pavement side and felt a niggle on my right thigh shout so tried to move the weight over to the right foot, which worked but meant I landed on some baked dry silver sand which made the left foot slip away from me and I fell over. Landed right hand first and managed to do a hare like bounce back up and keep going. But then I was less strong and not a happy camper. I also realised around then that my gel was in the locker in the office and not in my tummy so no boost at 3 miles!
The first guy cruised past me at one mile and by St James' park I glanced behind me and they were queuing up behind me as I struggled to make headway on Mark in front. Martin finally took me at Green park far corner, I made an attempt to take the racing line and cut the corner as short as I could but it made no difference, he just breezed through. He was true to his word and not a thing I could do about it. Well done mate. By this time the heat was taking its toll I felt bad.
Coming back along embankment I went through a gap between a bomb-blast concrete block and a lamppost gouging a chunk out my right leg and leaving a large bruise that is throbbing away as I type this.
Managed to hold off a challenge in the last mile from a guy in a red top and was beginning to get into it as I sprinted the last section, but by then it was all over. Outside target by 31 seconds, time was 33:31.
Someone complained I was not wearing my trademark cap - was that the problem? Over training? Over resting? Who knows. Perhaps I'm just too old to go much faster.....
Anyway it was a scorcher, I was later arriving with the starter calling to me that I had ten seconds to go as I reached the starting point. I pretty much kept going, so not ideal to knock out a sub 6:30 minute mile to get to the start just in time.
I had someone 4 seconds behind me and with Martin 47 seconds behind I really wanted a good first mile so scampered off at a decent pace. There were loads of roadworks along embankment, forcing you to run carside in the road or squeeze through narrow gaps on the pavement. At the first blockage I was indecisive - changed my mind to go pavement side and felt a niggle on my right thigh shout so tried to move the weight over to the right foot, which worked but meant I landed on some baked dry silver sand which made the left foot slip away from me and I fell over. Landed right hand first and managed to do a hare like bounce back up and keep going. But then I was less strong and not a happy camper. I also realised around then that my gel was in the locker in the office and not in my tummy so no boost at 3 miles!
The first guy cruised past me at one mile and by St James' park I glanced behind me and they were queuing up behind me as I struggled to make headway on Mark in front. Martin finally took me at Green park far corner, I made an attempt to take the racing line and cut the corner as short as I could but it made no difference, he just breezed through. He was true to his word and not a thing I could do about it. Well done mate. By this time the heat was taking its toll I felt bad.
Coming back along embankment I went through a gap between a bomb-blast concrete block and a lamppost gouging a chunk out my right leg and leaving a large bruise that is throbbing away as I type this.
Managed to hold off a challenge in the last mile from a guy in a red top and was beginning to get into it as I sprinted the last section, but by then it was all over. Outside target by 31 seconds, time was 33:31.
Someone complained I was not wearing my trademark cap - was that the problem? Over training? Over resting? Who knows. Perhaps I'm just too old to go much faster.....
Friday, 28 November 2008
Worst ever Hound and Hare
I will do it.
I won't do it.
Wednesday I did jogging on the wii fit and survived.
Thursday I ran home from the station and did not die from coughing muck up.
So day of truth came round and who could resist the lovely rain, new pair of shoes, all the banter from the guys around and an adjusted handicap (up from 31:45 to 33).
I did 35.19, last over the line and 9th fastest out of around sixteen. Sill not that dire considering it was my first attempt at running since being out sick for four weeks.
Three guys set out with me on the 33 handicap, Martin is back on form and zoomed off storming in with a 31 something and the other guy, Rob pulled away and I just did not have the lungs to keep up.
My legs were pretty much up for it, no tiredness or lack of power, just shallow breathing and reduced lung capcity meant I could simply not get enough air into the machine to make it fly.
But hey - I'm back - and soooo much room for improvement. Can't wait for next week's reps.
I won't do it.
Wednesday I did jogging on the wii fit and survived.
Thursday I ran home from the station and did not die from coughing muck up.
So day of truth came round and who could resist the lovely rain, new pair of shoes, all the banter from the guys around and an adjusted handicap (up from 31:45 to 33).
I did 35.19, last over the line and 9th fastest out of around sixteen. Sill not that dire considering it was my first attempt at running since being out sick for four weeks.
Three guys set out with me on the 33 handicap, Martin is back on form and zoomed off storming in with a 31 something and the other guy, Rob pulled away and I just did not have the lungs to keep up.
My legs were pretty much up for it, no tiredness or lack of power, just shallow breathing and reduced lung capcity meant I could simply not get enough air into the machine to make it fly.
But hey - I'm back - and soooo much room for improvement. Can't wait for next week's reps.
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