2012 Goal #4 Completed

So #4 on my 2012 goals list was:

Run to work (10 miles) (2011 carry over)

This morning I did just that:

Date: 12/04/2012

Weather: Cloudy. 7c.
Pace/Type: Easy
Course: Commute to work
Shoes: Invo-8 Road-X 255
Clothes: SS top. Thin wind jacket. Shorts.
Distance: 10.36 miles
Time: 1:44:49
Comments: Went well, started to tire at the 8 mile mark. Put some music on which I was carrying which helped me through the last 2.5 miles.

Bath Half 2012

Bath Half 2012 - Race Report



Pre-race
The train was on time and got to the venue in good time. The runners village was packed. I visited the toilet. I changed in to my running shoes and attached the timing chip. I decided it was chilly enough to put the long sleeve top on, so unattached the race number, put the new top on, and re-attached the number. Mrs Matt and I both visited the toilets. The sun came out and I decided the short sleeve shirt was now the best option. Unattach, re-attach the race number. I said goodbye to Mrs Matt who was on her way to a pre-arranged viewing point on the loop I would go round twice. I visited the toilet. Nerves? me? naahhh! I warmed up in a park opposite the road that my colour was queuing to the start. Lots of people were diving in and out of bushes for toilet. I took my place in the queue, which was around a bend from where the start was and all the action was happing. 15-20 mins later we were off. Round the corner, cross the timing mat, press the garmin. Game on.


Miles 1-4
I started next to a 6ft 5in oompa loompa. Not having been in a race with more than 250 people, 11000 was amazing. I was warned to fight against the pace early on, but it was about 8.40 which was about my target anyway, so I was happy. Saw Mrs Matt at mile 2, by the time she saw me, it was a picture of my arse. I had 2 dates at mile 3 with some water, hoping that having something early would pay off in the middle of the race. I pumped my arms on the uphill parts which really helped. The live bands around the course were amazing and people had their house music blaring, which was great.


Miles 5-9
At mile 5, I took a water bottle from a volunteer, took a big gulp and swallowed it the wrong way, choaking like I was drowning. Then I dropped the top and water was sloshing about all over the place. Poured some over my head and threw it away. Had the last 2 dates at mile 6 with some water. I felt like I still had metal in my legs which was reassuring. 8-9 I started to feel some jelly creeping in. A bloke with a massive boob attached to his chest, nipple n all (like a small bean bag) was going at my pace of 8.30-8.45. I told him he was doing well and to keep going. How he was doing that I dont know. Saw Mrs Matt again, I was 3 meters in front of her (no one inbetween) with thumbs up and shouting her name. She missed me. Another shot of my arse.



Miles 10-13
At mile 10 it was the last straight ish (the part I liked the most) leg of the 2nd loop. Another water, some over the head. A little further down I had a lucozade which was very welcome. The legs and feet were suffering, and I started to wonder if I was going to be able to hold this pace down for the last 3 miles. Mile 11 seemed like the longest of my life. My body was saying 'just stop man, walk for a bit, you've got time in the bank'. I didnt stop for fear of the effort it would take to start again. At mile 12 I was shot, all I could do was bargin with myself that if all the others around me kept going, so would I. Pace was holding, some how. There were atleast 2 ambulances coming up through the runners to deal with people collapsing. I came to the final hill which I was desperate to see. Saw Mrs Matt half way up, which also helped. Turned the corner and saw the finish. I was absolutely shattered, but kept going. Finish.


Garmin Time: 1:56:34
Chip Time: 1:56:39
Garmin Distance: 13.27 miles

Afterwards, we found a cafe with an upstairs seating area. We got a table by the window so we could people watch the whole square, it was lovely. A chocolate milkshake and burger and chips later and all was right with the world.


And.. not forgetting... that is 2012 goal #3 Completed!!!

2012 Goals

Right, I've had enough time to think about it. It's goal time. This is the 2012 list:

1. At least 15-20 miles a week (Consistancy)
2. At least 3 races (Competition)
3. A half marathon (Out of the comfort zone challenge)
4. Run to work (10 miles) (2011 carry over)

So there we have it. I've a couple of 10k's in mind and if the HM comes off I'll be well on the way to a good start to the year. I don't believe any of those to be unachievable. If the HM goes well, I might (and it's a big might) look at a full marathon later in the year. I've read that it's good to get 2-3 HM's under your belt first, but I think once I cross the finish line, I'll have a better idea what I'll need to do double the distance.

Come on 2012 (said twenty twelve, if you're down with it), I'd really like to go for it.

2011 Goal Review

Well it's been a difficult year for sure. The goals were:

1. Run more races than last year
2. Increase weekly mileage
3. Run to work (10 miles)

Due to injuries, I only managed 1.

There were good times though, where I felt I was on the up after a few 5 mile runs/races. Then there were bad times where injury would creep back in. Shin splints mostly.

The races I completed were:

1. 20th March 2011 - Highworth 5 mile - 42:56
2. 22nd May 2011 - Ramsbury 5 mile - 45:19

Here's to a better 2012. I'm still considering the goals.

Goal 1 Proof

The organisers of the 5K parkrun kindly take photos on the day. Proof I was there!

Getting a run down from the marshal before setting off

End of the first lap, the pain is clear to see!

At the end. A thumbs up for all the encouragement I was getting!

Goal Focus

Dear running diary,

Since achieving my first goal and signing up for a 10k, I've been thinking about my original goal list, and changed it as follows:

Original Goals:

1. 5K park run by 25th September (being able to run all the way)
2. Lunchtime run with the guys at work (4-5 miles at what looks like a medium pace)
3. 10K?

New Goals:

1. 5K park run by 25th September (being able to run all the way)... DONE!
2. 5M Lunchtime run with the guys at work
3. 10K at the end of november

Spoken to one of the lads at work, he does the 5 miler here in 37 minutes. Wow. He recommends that I start with them, take a short cut and end with them, should be about 3 miles, till I get better. One thing he did say was that he didn't get as quick as he is without having someone to push him. He said he recognises my current 10k goal and thinks I should definately come along. He's right as well, I might make the distance on my own, but if I want a respectable beginners time to go with it, I need to endure some pain along the way.
 
With work collegues like these who needs.... a trainer!

Goal 1 Achieved!

Dear Running Diary,

I am chuffed to say, I've achieved my first goal. I ran the 5k park run this morning.

They were very welcoming when I turned up. The was some nice encouragement from the stewards on the way round and lots of claps at the end. Although I had read blogs, I didn't appreciate how helpful those claps and words of encouragement were. 

Run:
Distance: 5K
Time: 31:09
Route: Gravel pathway
Result: Went well. I was warned by a friend I that everyone goes off fast, and not to pay attention to that. I did exactly that and got past by a lot of people on the run up to the lap loop. But it was my typical pace at the moment, and I didn't let anyone influence me for the whole first lap. Although I was being past by people. I wanted to keep something in the tank for the second lap. Start of the second lap went  OK but I started to wonder if I would have any energy left for the faster finish I was planning. By the time I reached the finishing straight of the run, I had it set in my mind that regardless of how much energy I thought I had, I was going for a quick finish. There were a couple of people in front of me that I knew I could pass. I started sprinting and did quite well for a while, came to a slight incline and had to take my foot off the gas just till the top. Breathing very heavily by this point rolled up to the finish. Massive thank you to the people who clapped, felt so good after the pain of putting my foot down!

It's continually fascinates me how a run eb's and flow's during it's course, even at my beginner level. Different pace's, thoughts going through you're head as you go along. I had a great time and once I'd recovered some what and done some stretching, clapped home the last few people. 

Felt quite tired through the mid-afternoon, I may need to investigate energy drinks or gels. I've never had to look at these things, but if I'm to continue 9am Saturday park runs, I cannot let tiredness make me grouchy, it's not fair on my family. 

The park run website http://parkrun.com/home.aspx, very much advocates getting to the run via any other route than a car for the environment. So I cycled 4 miles there and 4 miles back. It was a perfect warm-up but the second half of getting home was a bit on the fierce side! Still, it can only help prepare me for the 10K to come!