31/12/07 - Ely New Year's Eve 10k (00:58:49)
Yes, this may have been my second slowest 10k race, but as this was my first proper run in over two and a half months because of injury, and I have had "man flu" over the whole of Christmas, I am more than happy with the run. Felt fine up to 5k, but return 5 there was nothing left in the tank and I really struggled. Still, the knee seems to be OK, so looking good for Ramsey Frostbite in a week and a bit.
14/10/07 - Great Eastern Run (01:55:24)
Brilliant - at last I have managed to break through the 2 hour barrier! The first 10 miles went really well, clocking under 9 minute mile pace throughout. Struggled the last 3, but still managed to keep under 9 minute 30 pace. Legs very heavy at the end, and they know they have been in a race!
07/10/07 - St Neots Frostbite (00:44:27)
First run since GNR and legs felt really heavy. I thought I was struggling on this hilly off-road 5-mile race, but was pleasantly surprised to find I had clocked my fastest time ever on this course. Even better was the news that the club had finished a superb 6th out of 15 - our highest position for many a year.
30/09/07 - Great North Run (02:09:18)
First time running this prestigious race which is billed as the World's biggest half marathon. Joined a crrowd of over 36,000 runners and was feeling quite apprehensive as this was my first half marathon since the ill-fated Milton Keynes Half back in July and my left knee was still giving me some concern. Felt pretty good up to around 8 miles when I really started to struggle, especially the climb up Marsden, and came pretty close to walking a couple of times. However, once down on to the sea front for the last never-ending mile, there was no way I was going to walk - the crowds were brilliant. Pretty pleased with the time as anything under 2:15 was going to be acceptable due to the vast numbers running. Overall position, 17,053.
01/09/07 - Derwentwater Trail 14k (01:37:21)
Second time running this event and it is definitely one of my all time favourites. Despite a sore knee (thankfully no more races before GNR at end of month), managed to knock nearly 7 minutes of last year's time. Wet underfoot, and cloudy drizzle high up made for interesting conditions. First time using Montrail Highlander trail shoes, and they were great!
19/08/07 - Thorney 5 (00:42:13)
Knee still troubling me, so was doubtful about running right up to the start. However, took it nice and steady and knee felt OK. Reasonably pleased with time, and knee feels OK.
16/08/07 - Peterborough 5k Series (5) - Werrington (00:24:48)
Last race in the current series, so had to do it, and I'm glad I did. The rain held off during the run, although it was a bit humid. However, really enjoyed the run and managed 2nd fastest 5k time, despite my knee still giving me some trouble.
05/08/07 - Harlow 10 (01:44:21)
Like the Stamford 5k, I was thinking of pulling out of the race due to my knee. However, I gave it a go on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year to date (31 degrees!). This was one undulating course! Started off pretty steady and felt quite comfortable up to 5 miles. Started to struggle with the heat from 5 miles, and following the drinks station @ 7 miles, I had to walk most of the distance to 8 miles (up an especially steep hill in the park!). Last 2 miles were "trotted" but very slowly. Another PW and one where I have had to walk. Not good....
01/08/07 - Peterborough 5k Series (4) - Stamford (00:26:05)
I wasn't go to run this event following the problems @ Milton Keynes. However, a week of no running left me frustrated and feeling somewhat better. An interesting 2-lap hilly course - I actually enjoyed the run, although I took it fairly steady and there was still some residual pain in the knee. A PW, but at least I finished, and I wasn't last!
22/07/07 - NSPCC Milton Keynes Half Marathon (02:13:53)
This was a total disaster! I have had a niggle in my left knee for a couple of weeks, but thought I would be OK. Race went well to half distance - on target to break 2 hours for the first time - but second half just fell apart. At around 9.5 miles I developed a really bad pain in my lower back, due, I think, to my subconsciously adapting my running to help my knee but putting extra strain on my back. In the end, I had great difficulty in running at all, and especially on any inclines, so I ended up walking (never done before in a race, or even training) or a very slow jog. This race is not flat, despite the advertising blurb, with dozens of underpasses and bridges to negotiate.
18/07/07 - Peterborough 5k Series (3) - Ferry Meadows (00:24:20)
A lovely evening (a bit warm) and a return to Ferry Meadows, and a determination to have a good run! Worked really hard, with a fast start, and then tracked Sharon Toms of Yaxley Runners up to 3k. Passed Sharon @ 3k and pushed on as hard as I could. Sharon managed to outsprint me on the run-in, but still managed to smash my PB.
12/07/07 - Whissendine 6 (00:55:01)
A really enjoyable but hard race over a very undulating course in quite hot and humid conditions. A good Club turnout made for some good banter. Struggled from about 3 miles on, mainly due to having run over 10 miles the night before (not ideal race prep!). A nice bottle of beer and an engraved glass as a memento.
04/07/07 - Peterborough 5k Series (2) - Eye (00:25:06)
This was one cr@ppy race! Very wet & windy, a congested and confused start from a wet field, and the finish over wet, muddy ground. Did not enjoy! Roll on next 5k race when we are back in Ferry Meadows.
24/06/07 - Yaxley 7 (01:00:50)
This 2-lapper was really quite tough - legs still feeling heavy from the mid-week 5k race. Mildly undulating, with the climbs at the end of each lap, this makes for a tough finish. Still, a pretty good time (now p'ed off I didn't break 60 mins!). Super support all the way around the route. Will definitely try and run this next year.
20/06/07 - Peterborough 5k Series (1) - Ferry Meadows (00:24:56)
I wasn't going to enter this race as I have always considered 5k as a sprint not suitable for a plodder like me. Anyway, nagged into it by Sheila and Graham, and in the end, found it an enjoyable run although ruddy hard work! Pretty pleased with time - let's see if we can improve....
07/06/07 - Eye Charity 5 (00:40:55)
Well, what can I say.... An absolutely crackin' race in ideal conditions, and I smashed by PB - OK, so only one previous "official" 5-miler, but still a good time.
28/05/07 - Brandon Forest Half Marathon (02:01:53)
Wet, windy, muddy, and b***y cold! Still, an enjoyable, if somewhat interesting run through Brandon Forest - all off-road (brought back memories of school cross-country runs!). Felt quite good despite struggling to see where I was going. Managed a PB in the end.
13/05/07 - Eye 10k (00:52:32)
That's more like it! Light drizzle and overcast, and temperature just right. Kept the pressure up all the way around, although struggled a bit on the cross-country leg. Still, only 10 seconds slower than my PB and a good 2.5 minutes faster than the last 10k.
29/04/07 - Breckland 10k (00:55:00)
Crackin' race, crap time. Felt really good to 6k, then really struggled to maintain any sort of pace to 9k. Funny though, last k was fastest of all! The weather was very warm and the tree-lined roads trapped the heat. Still, a really good race and will be back next year.
25/03/07 - Thorney 10k (00:52:22)
What a difference decent weather makes. After the last 2 races being in pretty awful conditions, today's was a sheer pleasure - and I got a PB to boot! Gloriously fine, some sun, and very little wind made for good condiions on a very flat course. Felt good throughout the run.
18/03/07 - adidas London Half Marathon, Silverstone (02:04:31)
If the weather was bad at Huntingdon, it was atrocious in this race! Gale force winds and two hail storms do not make for good running conditions. Mind you, Nigel Mansell also took part, and I beat him (OK, so it was not in cars, and it was his first ever half marathon, but what the heck, it's still a result!). Not a bad run, though, although I still cannot break the 2 hour barrier - still, nearly 3 minutes faster than last year's race. Felt quite good, given the conditions, up to 11 miles, but found the last 2 hard going with little left in my legs.
04/03/07 - BRJ Huntingdon Frostbite (00:44:01)
Last race of the current series, so of course it has to pour down just as the race starts! Still, a decent work-out and the time was better than I had hoped for, given the bug I have had for the past few weeks. Time down on last year, but given the conditions, still OK.
04/02/07 - Bourne Frostbite (00:45:22)
Definitely one of my favourite Frostbite courses - this is set in Forestry Commission woodland and is a glorious mix of trail running and cross country. A lovely frosty day, and a decent club turnout made for a pretty good run. Time fractionally down on last year's race, but still satisfied.
22/01/07 - Folksworth 15
Furthest distance ever run, and my legs feel it! This is a tough, undulating course over two laps. First lap and bit felt good, pinging away at around 9:30 minute/mile pace, but between 9-11 miles on the second lap (where the steepest and longest hills are) the wind picked up and was blowing straight into your face - this really took its toll on me. By the ned, not much running left in my legs as I felt totally spent. I was hoping to get around 2 hours 30 minutes, so very pleased to scrape in just under this. A hard race, but will probably be back next year.
14/01/07 - Ramsey Frostbite (00:47:29)
Still having sinus problems, and not having run for over a week, I was not particularly looking forward to the Ramsey Frostbite - this 5.22 mile multi-terrain course is very exposed, and the biting wind certainly lets you know it is there! As is was, I completed the race in my slowest ever Frostbite time, albeit at just over 9 minute/mile pace. Still, at least I finished the course and I wasn't last! Not ideal preparation for the forthcoming Folksworth 15, so I am expecting a fairly torrid race next time out.