Archive for the ‘Running’ Category

Blood, sweat and tears

Tuesday, October 31st, 2006

212We had an uneventful flight up to the OMM and were only delayed briefly at Prestwick airport whilst Alamo tried to find the keys for a car (we said we didn’t mind if it wasn’t clean!). It was still well and truly dark when we arrived at a caravan on the outskirts of Newton Stewart. From there it was a short drive to the event centre to register and indulge in some last minute shopping.

(more…)

All set for the OMM

Friday, October 27th, 2006

This afternoon I’m flying up to Prestwick for the all new Original Mountain Marathon (previously the KIMM), set to take place in Galloway Forest Park over the weekend. In a repeat of two years ago I’m running the B class with fellow Tuesday night runner Neil (whose Aussie passport also helps guarantee us an entry). Back in the Brecons Neil was the one struggling but, whilst I’ve become less fit over the intervening years, Neil has only got faster so we’ll see who’s trailing behind this time. The weather forecast doesn’t look too bad at the moment in terms of wind, rain and temperature although lack of visibility may make navigation interesting. The previous week’s rain is likely to make the legendary terrain even boggier and stream crossings fun. Full report when I get back on Monday but you can watch the action unfold on SleepMonsters in the meantime.

A new take on head torches

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006

Yesterday evening was the last Tuesday night run of the year in the New Forest as the clocks go back at the weekend. As has become traditional in the last few years, we had a torch lit run from Fritham. Top marks for innovation go to Martin who, being more on an ironman than an orienteer, didn’t have a suitable head torch and, instead, he had gaffer taped a bike light to his chin! Sadly the sweat took its toll and the light came detached two-thirds of the way round so I don’t have the photographic evidence to show off this feat of ingenuity. Martin also had to confess that it did make breathing slightly harder than usual!

Slow start to the cross country season

Saturday, October 7th, 2006

The Hampshire Cross Country season kicked off today at a sunny Farley Mount. As is traditional, my legs were still pretty knackered from last weekend’s exertions. I decided to try a new tactic: rather than starting near the front and hanging on for dear life, I started further back, intending to pick up the pace on each of the three laps.

(more…)

Running the Clarendon Way

Monday, October 2nd, 2006

203Went to Winchester yesterday to start my third Clarendon Way Marathon. This is a mainly off-road race from Winchester to Salisbury following the Clarendon Way footpath. Having finished in just under three hours (and second place) last year it was going to be interesting to see how I faired 12 months on.

(more…)

Pacing the Test Way

Saturday, September 9th, 2006

160It was the Test Way relay today and, unlike previous years, I’d had no last minute callup for the men’s team. Instead, I was acting as ‘minder’ for Nala McRobert on the Stockbridge to Mottisfont leg for the Southampton Running Club women’s team. I have to confess that I found it extremely difficult to keep a constant pace for Nala, not helped by meeting a group of eight or so horses travelling in the same direction! Still, with a great finish Nala put in a very respectable time of just over 42 minutes.

(more…)

Sedbergh Hills Race

Monday, August 21st, 2006

There’s nothing like a good fell race to remind you how unfit you are! We attended a misty Sedbergh Hills Race yesterday. With over 350 starters (it was a British and English Champs race) navigation was never really going to be a problem but the 14 miles and 6000ft of ascent/descent certainly took it out of me physically.
(more…)

Second and last RR10

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006

Went to my second RR10 of the year tonight. Sadly it is also the last in which I’m eligible to participate so no overall ranking for me this year. Despite all the time I’ve been away in between the two I still managed a respectable performance finishing in 18th position. The chastening part was that there were two Winchester women in front of me and a third breathing down my neck for the entire course. Also, over 8km my time was down 30 seconds on the same race last year – that’s what a life in consultancy does for you!