14/12/08 - Hunts AC Frostbite (00:45:16)
First time a Frostbite has been held in Hinchingbrook Park, Huntingdon, and this was a vertitable mud path!  Very difficult conditions, and very grateful I had a pair of trail shoes to run in as those running in ordinary road shoes really struggled.  A fairly slow time, but I felt I had a steady run and no ill-effects.  Probably spent more time cleaning my kit afterwards than in the actual running!  It was, however, an enjoyable run....

09/11/08 - Bushfield Frostbite (00:40:42)
A cool but breezy day and a large field of runners heralded a painful run!  Painful because my mate, David (Fenland Runner) Mould had said that he was going to pace me to a new PB.  The run itself went fine.  The first mile we settled down to a slightly faster pace than needed to PB, but I wanted to get some time "into the bag".  By the time we left the woods at the 2 mile mark, my breathing was definitely getting heavier, but I still felt pretty good.  The next mile (not the prettiest - along Wistow Way, past the Chequers, and up to the Marriott Hotel) soon passed, and we were back into the trees for the run to the 4 mile mark.  I was staring to tire, but was just managing to keep the pace going.  However, once we left the wood at 4 miles and tackled the last strect over the bridge and through tghe underpass, I was really struggling.  Managed to hold it to the line, finishing in a new PB for 5 miles by 13 seconds.  As this is a Frostbite run, i will not count it as a PB, but it certainly gives me confidence for a "proper" 5 miler!

26/10/08 - Fenland 10 (01:26:23)
With really manky weather and a sore neck, I was not really in the mood for this one.  However, once the race started, I quickly got into my stride, and I hit the mile marker in 8 minutes - a tad on the fast side for me!  I eased off the pace slightly and found it quite easy to keep a steady pace.  Hitting the 7 mile marker in just under 1 hour, I knew a PB was on, and I eventually crossed the line, smashing my PB by nearly 5 minutes - well chuffed!  No ill effects from the run.

05/10/08 - BUPA Great North Run (02:07:25)
The weather was brilliant, if a little on the warm side!  Starting a couple of pens further back, it still only took only 10 minutes to cross the start line and I was soon able to get into a running rhythm.  Felt pretty good all the way around, but couldn't really go fast because of the sheer number of runners.  Finished in a faster time than last year, albeit not one of my fastest half marathons - position, 17,399.  Still, a crackin' day, and no injuries.

14/09/08 - Grunty Fen Half Marathon (02:06:36)
I hadn't intended to run this race, but with Derwentwater Trail being cancelled, it seemed a good idea!  First HM since Great Eastern Run 11 months ago.  The weather had changed dramatically from the cold and wet of previous weeks, and it was very hot and sunny - this certainly caused me problems later on in the race!  First hour and 7 miles I ran with a friend, and it seemed fine, although my right quad started to hurt after about 5 miles.  Last 6 miles were a real struggle, and I had to walk a couple of times (at the drinks starion).  Time was about what I expected, but was totally knackered at the end.  Right quad is quite sore - hope this is only temporary!

17/08/08 - Thorney 5 (00:41:50)
OK first 2 miles, but then struggled with breathing and heat.  Whilst a disappointing run time-wise (could/should have done better), I still ended up running this race faster than the previous two times.

01/08/08 - Wibbly Wobbly Log Jog 5 (00:45:07)
First time running this off-road race in Brandon Forest, and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The course is very demanding - lots of twists and turns, climbs & descents, and very sandy underfoot in places.  One long climb between 3-4 miles.  Twisted ankle early on, but soon ran it off.  Course emasured 479 rather than 5, but what the heck, a good race.

30/07/08 - Peterborough 5k Series (5) - Werrington (00:25:23)
Back to Werrington for the last in this year's 5k series of races.  Very hot and humid conditions.  Fine to 3k, but struggled last 2 with the heat.  Slowest time of the series.

22/07/08 - Werrington Joggers Guestimate 5 mile (00:44:07)
First time running this race, and found the whole business of no watch/GPS/distance markers quite disconcerting!  It was also running a route I had not done before.  My guess was for 43:20, but was still tired fromSunday's 10k.  Still, a decent run, although tired last mile or so.

20/07/08 - Dairy Crest St Ives 10k (00:54:12)
Ran this 2 years ago which turned out to be my PW course!  Conditions better this year, but return leg on RAF Wyton airfield the sun was reflecting off the tarmac and I could feel myself burning.  Modest time overall, but pleased as I hadn't run for 10 days.  Legs/knees held up well.  Post-race massage with Sue B.

10/07/08 - Whissendine 6 (00:52:53)
3rd time running this race, which is my Club's handicap race, and previous 2 were bad runs.  It was therefore really good to have a decent run.  Felt good throughout and pretty pleased with the time.

02/07/08 - Peterborough 5k Series (3) - Eye  (00:24:52)
Not a bad run - OK to 3k, struggled on the slight bincline 4k-5k, and then finished fairly strong downhill.  Not a PB, but faster than this race last year.

21/06/08 - FetchEveryone 1 Mile Challenge (00:07:03)
An informal gathering of East Anglian Fetchies.  Not run a mile race in probably 40 years, nor run on a track for as long, so this was a new experience!  Calculations suggested a time of around 00:07:30.  Went off really hard trying to keep up with the leader (Canary Yellow), and struggled for first 2 laps to keep within 20 paces of him.  Lap 3 and I started to pull him back in, and finally passed him just before the start of the final lap.  Managed to keep the lead and finished in a staggering (literally!) 00:07:03!  Thankfully no after effects, other than tiredness!

21/06/08 - FetchEveryone 100 metre Dash (00:00:18.97)
Not content with the 1 mile challenge, we also had a 100 metre dash!  I am not a sprinter!  However, pleased with the time.  We also had a 4 x 100 metre relay (3 adults + 1 littley).  No timings for this, but against all the odds we won!

18/06/08 - Peterborough 5k Series (2) - Ferry Meadows (00:24:26)
Did not expect to run that fast, as still quite stiff from the Abbey 10k PB.  Weather was that bit cooler with quite a decent breeze, so conditions were actually very good.  Managed to run at sub-5 mins/k other than 3-4k when tipped over to 5:09 (was the marker in the right place and the last k was easily my fastest but I thought I struggled).

15/06/08 - Abbey 10k, Ramsey (00:51:45)
What a surprise!  Just a few days after a hard 5 mile run, and on a multi-terrain course, I go and pop a PB!  Much credit must be given to a fellow Club runner who picked me up at the 5k mark and pushed/paced me through to the finish. This was a hard run, and the last 3k were not pleasant.  However, really chuffed at getting under 52 minutes for the first time.  Knees a wee bit sore afterwards, but nothing serious.

12/06/08 - Eye Charity 5 (00:41:24)
A surprisingly good and enjoyable run.  Felt pretty good throughout, and produced a fast time - not a PB, but faster than any Frostbite, for example.  The bottle of beer at the end was good!

04/06/08 - Peterborough 5k Series (1) - Ferry Meadows (00:24:59)
Another warm run!  Hard work but quite pleased with the time - just 3 seconds slower than last year's race.  Legs ached in general afterwards from the effort, but there does not appear to be any adverse reaction with the knees.  The start of a busy month!

11/05/08 Eye 10k (00:55:26)
The heat (25 degrees) made this a tough race on the exposed Eye course.  I was a bit worried before the race due to my left knee playing up again (different problem, though!).  First 6k went pretty well, and I was feeling quite comfortable.  However, from 6k on, the heat took its toll and I really struggled all the way to the line.  Pretty poor time, but good news is that the knee feels OK.

04/05/08 - Breckland 10k (00:54:16)
This is certainly one of the friendliest races, and one of my favourites.  Not quite as hot as previous years, but still very warm!  Had a good run (the fastest I have run this course) and knee held up well, although a few twinges later on back home.

30/03/08 - Thorney 10k (00:54:34)
Whilst it may be a flat course, it is very exposed and when the Fen winds blow....!  Still, a nice day for a run and I am pleased with the time (although not a PB).  Kept a good pace throughout, but struggled between 6k-8k.  Knee has held up well.

02/03/08 - BRJ Huntiongdon Frostbite (00:44:56)
Things are starting to look up!  Although about a minute slower than last year, I felt comfortable throughout and the knee held up well.  Kept a steady 9-minute/mile pace throughout.  No after-effects either!

03/02/08 - Bourne Woods Frostbite (00:47:11)
Another race under my belt, and although it was a hard run and my slowest  time for this course, I still enjoyed it.  Legs felt heavy throughout, and the cold weather didn't help.  No real problem with legs, although some pain during the run - none afterwards.

13/01/08 - Ramsey Frostbite (00:48:49)
Nice to get another run under my belt.   As usual, this race was very wet and muddy, with heavy winds making the going tough.  Took it steady, starting right at the back, but managed to dig deep for the run-in.  Not a great time, but at least got around with no problems.

06/12/08 - FetchEveryone Mile Challenge (00:07:16)
Another trip to Bury St Edmunds for a repeat of the 1 mile Challenge, although this time not so successful!  Having been struggling with a bad chest infection for the previous couple of weeks, confidence was not high.  Started off far too fast, and completed the first lap in around 01:35, and lying second with the main pack a good 30 feet behind.  Started to struggle second lap, and then developed a really bad headache (not pleasant!).  The others then started to pass me, but I battled on and MXHornet paced me for a while.  Finally crossed the line some 13 seconds slower than last time, and feeling very rough!  The chest infection/virus obviously hasn't cleared, hence the headache.

06/12/08 - FetchEveryone 400 metres (00:01:35)
Having run the mile, we then did the 400 metres, and this hurt!  The headache hadn't cleared and confidence was very low.  However, I managed to complete the run and wasn't last!  The good news from both these runs was that the legs held up well.

23/11/08 - Hereward Relay - stage 3 March to Welney (01:47:18)
With not having run for 2 weeks following a fall and then a chest infection, I was not looking forward to this run, especially when I woke up to snow!  Fortunately the weather improved for the start of my leg from March to Welney.  First 3.5 miles were OK and footing was quite good, despite the snow & ice.  Mind you, lots of runners were passing me, which was dispiriting!  Conditions underfoot deteriorated once we turned away from the river and tackled the farmland tracks and fields.  Struggled to keep an even pace, and finally lost all energy at aroung 6 miles - nothing left in the tank!  Battled on to finish in a disappointing time, totally knackered and coughing for England!  Quoted distance for the leg is 10.3 miles, but my Garmin registered 10.95 miles.  Now need to clear the chest infection before next run!