31/12/09 - Ely New Year's Eve 10k (00:59:31)
Right knee problems again hampered race prep as I had not run for nearly a month prior - the problem appears to be a medial ligament strain!  Anyhow, decided to give it a go but run at a steady pace, hopefully finishing in around 60 minutes.  Started off reasonably well from back of pack and for 1st 6k was fine.  Between 6-8k pace picked up a bit running with friends, and by the time I hit the one climb on the route I was starting to struggle.  I was shocked when I looked at the HR monitor during the climb - 178bpm (110% maxHR).  Finished just under the hour, but legs and knees very sore next few days.

11/10/09 - Great Eastern Run (02:00:06)

Preparations for this race had not been good due to problems with right knee. However, on the day of the race, the knee felt fine so I was targeting a time of around 2 hours. Got off to a good start and was soon into a decent pace. First 8 miles went really well and i was looking at being below 2 hours and a possible PB. However, I struggled on the slight incline at mile 8 and my pace slowed. However, I reached mile 10 in 88 minutes, so a sub-2 hour was still on the cards. Unfortunately the wheels then fell off the wagon! I really struggled the last 3 miles and my pace dropped off alarmingly - it was a real effort not to walk. Finlly crossed the line 6 seconds over 2 hours - bummer! In restrospect though I am pleased - second fastest HM to date, fastest HM of the year, and 9 minutes faster than Great North - all this and no training for 6 weeks prior. I need to look at my diet though as I suspect that one of the factors for hitting the wall was insufficient fuel.

04/10/09 - St Neots' Frostbite (00:44:09)

Glorious weather conditions were a really pleasant change for this race, which is usually very wet! The right knee was still sore, and a pre-race jog to warm-up gave me some concerns as it felt quite painful. However, decided to give it a go. This is a deceptively tough off-road course with a number of climbs and descents. Given the hard conditions underfoot, it also felt hard on the legs. I felt OK for the first 3 miles, but then the knee started to be quite noticeable. I battled on to cross the line in what I first thought was a very disappointing time. However, on checking my records, I was very surprised to find that this was the fastest I had run this race in 4 go's! The knee didn't feel too bad the following day, but I will rest it before the Great Eastern Run.

20/09/09 - BUPA Great North Run (02:09:10)
Third time running this event, and this was the toughest!  Had been struggling with a very sore knee for 10 days prior to race, so quite concerned I would not complete the run.  However, managed to keep going in very warm conditions.  Time was about a minute and a half slower than 2008, but finished higher in the placings, so others obviously struggled as well (there were plenty of runners receiving medical attention at side of road in the last 3-4 miles).  Knee still sore, but am due to see sports masseur later this week.

06/09/09 - Derwentwater Trail 14k (01:33:51)
Really enjoyed the run this year.  New trail shoes (Inov8 X Talon 212) were brilliant and I felt very secure all the way around, on mud/under water/on slippy rock.  Conditions were good with just a little light rain early on, although very wet underfoot given the amount of rain during the previous weeks.  Glenderaterra Bog was the messiest yet!  Felt good all the way around, although the last descent from Lattrigg was not brilliant due to my poor downhill technique.  No injuries, and a new course PB for me by almost 4 minutes!  Oh, and I nearly beat Ron Hill!  I passed him at 2k, but the little devil came bounding down the steep descent at 12k and left me standing - he beat me by 1 minute!

16/08/09 - Thorney 5 (00:40:43)
Although this is a totally flat 5-miler, it is very exposed to the elements, and these again played their part in the run.  For just over 2 miles you run out of Thorney village and, although very warm in the sun, the wind was behind you and good progress was made.  However, as soon as your made the 180 degree turn , the rest of the route was effectively straight into quite a stiff breeze, and this definitely took its toll. Although my pace did fall off somewhat, I managed to keep a reasonable rate up and was pleased to cross the line in under 41 minutes.  Initially i thought my old PB was 41:22 so had knocked nearly a minute of it - wrong!  My 5-mile PB (excluding Frostbites) was 40:55, so still a PB, but by only a few seconds.

07/08/09 - Wibbly Wobbly Log Jog (00:44:55)
A run in the forest on a Friday evening is a lovely way to finish a week, and this is probably why I love this race down in Brandon Forest in Suffolk.  Although the weather did not look too promising on arrival, it soon cleared up and it was a warm and balmy night.  The run is a very twisty  and undulating run along narrow trails in the forest, and this year it was also quite muddy in places following the previous days' rain.  I managed to keep a pretty steady pace throughout, although did struggle between 3-4 miles.  Finished absolutely covered in sweat, but thoroughly enjoyed the run.  The race follows a different ropute each year depending on what the rangers allow, and this year's course measured in at 4.7 miles.

29/07/09 - Peterborough 5k Series (5) - Werrington (00:24:52)
Last year this race was blisteringly hot and humid - this year it was wet, very wet!  A veritable cloudburst shortly before the start suggested we were in for a difficult time.  Fortunately the rain eased off by the start, and apart from standing water, conditions were fine.  The run went pretty well despite my legs feeling very heavy from recent runs, and breathing was not a problem.  It actually felt quite comfortable up to 3k, and as in previous years, I then seemed to struggle between 3-4k.  The last click wasn't too bad as there is always loads of support.  Finished in a reasonable time - not my fastest for this route - but at least below 25 mins.

21/07/09 - Werrington Guesstimate 5 (00:42:50)
Running without timing devices or mile markers is strange!  After the trials of RAF Marham, I was planning a steady slow run, so estimated my time as being 00:46:15.  Set off at a steady pace, but legs felt very heavy.  A fellow Bushy caught me up going into Peakirk village and stayed with me to the end - whether this contributed to my time or not is debateable!  Anyhow, managed to finish the run, and then found out I had run nearly 3.5 miniutes faster than planned!

19/07/09 - RAF Marham 10 (01:29:16)
First time running this course, and having arrived at the start, was susrpised by the obvious climb we would have to get up to the airfield.  After a short run over a very mole-ridden field, it was on to road and up the long climb to the airfield - this certainly got the heart beating!  As I approached the security gate onto the airfield, I noticed the speed bump which I negotiated safely.  Unfortunately I hadn't spotted the concrete ramp and ended up face down on the concrete - ouch!  With a bloodied elbow, grazed knees and hands, I picked myself up and carried on.  The route meandered through the hangar and technical areas of the airfield and past a solitary Tornado - interesting.  The road around the airfield was good underfoot, and I was soon back to pace.  However, we then had a violent rain storm with heavy winds which made it hard going.  At around 5 miles the rain and wind ceased, and running was quite pleasant.  Another steep climb between 6-7 miles was a surprise, and hard work.  I then started to struggle and it was hard work to the finish.  However, time was the second fastest 10-miler I had done, so given the conditions and the fall, very pleased.  In addition, we picked up 3rd place prixe in the team event!

15/07/09 - Peterborough 5k Series (4) - Stamford (00:25:43)
Stamford is the hilliest of the 5k series venues but actually quite enjoyable.  Only 4 of us from the Club took part.  As with Whissendine, I had no real expectations for this race, and aimed just to take it steady.  I felt good all the way around and actually managed to finish quite strongly.  Overall time was fastest for this course, beating last time by 20 seconds.

09/07/09 - Whissendine 6 (00:51:24)
Although I love this very demanding and undulating course, I was not expecting much this time around - I would have been happy just to get around in a reasonable time.  I was unable to warm up properly before the start due to traffic, so decided to take it really steady at the start.  Once running, I found I was quickly into a decent stride and breathing was fine.  The downhill bit was soon over and then it was the first climb up past the church - hard work, but still felt good.  The first mile marker came up and pace was fast, but as I felt good, I just continued.  And so it went on...  It really turned out to be a lovely run and I felt pretty good all the way around.  I caught up another runner on the last climb and we helped keep each over going.  Mind you, he legged it on the downhill bit to the finish - I just couldn't go at his pace!  The biggest surprise was my finishing time - a new PN by 90 seconds!

24/06/09 - Peterborough 5k Series (3) - Eye (00:25:21)
Not my favourite 5k race this.  After a tight and very crowded start, you climb up through the village to the footbridge crossing the A47 (hard work as you are trying to get breathing right) before heading out to the turn point and coming back over the bridge.  Windy conditions didn't help either.  So, overall, a poorish time, but at least I did it.  Oh, and I cycled from work to Eye for the race, and then cycled home afterwards!

20/06/09 - Fetch Challenge - Cambridge
Third time meeting up for the Fetch Challenge - this time it was held at Cambridge University athletics track, so not too far to travel.  A goodly bunch of Fetchies were there on a grey and cloudy day - thankfully the rain held off until all racing had been completed.

First race was the mile.  Last time I ran this I went off far too fast and paid for it later.  This time I was determined to take it much steadier, and a friend agreed to help pace me.  The first couple of laps went fine, breathing was pretty good, and the pace was steady.  I started to feel it a bit on the 3rd lap, and the final one was hard work.  However, finished in a time of 07:01, knocking 2 seconds of my PB.

After a reasonable break, I decided I nwould have a go at the 5,000 metres.  OK, I regularly run 5k road races, but this was 13.5 laps of a running track after running my fastest mile!  With some trepidation I lined up with the rest, and we took bets on how soon we would be lapped, and how many times!  The first few laps seem to fly by and then, even before we had completed a mile, I was passed for the first time!  Ho hum - keep on plodding.  I battled on and managed to keep a pretty steady pace, although by 2 miles I was starting to struggle.  Eventually crossed the line in 00:24:26, some 7 seconds outside a PB.  Still, a good experience.

And then almost immediately it was time for the 400 metres!  This hurt!  Halwayway down the back straight my legs just seemed to go to jelly and it was a real effort to finish the race.  However, I was really surprised to find my time was 01:39, only 4 seconds off a PB, and this was after the hard racing before.

17/06/09 - Peterborough 5k Series (2) - Ferry Meadows (00:24:58)
What a difference a couple of days makes!  From the heat to wet and very windy.  Luckily the rain abated before this run, but the wind was still there.  Legs felt quite tired still after the Abbey 10k and the previous night's Club run.  A new race route for me - basically around all the lakes in Ferry Meadows.  Quite pleased really as this meant we did not have to run over the floating pontoon bridge and it was effectively one circuit rather than multiple loops.  Started off pretty well despite heavy legs and managed to keep the pace going pretty well throughout.  Slowed a bit between 3k-4k, but managed to pick up the pace in the last click.  Time slightly down on the last one, but still fairly pleased.  Legs are definitely tired at the moment, but no ill-effects (I think!).

14/06/09 - Abbey 10k (00:55:16)
It is official - I do not like running in the heat!  Despite this being my PB course (set last year), the heat took its toll and I finished some 3.5 minutes slower than last year (mind you, looking at others results, this seemed to be the margin others were running to as well).  I managed to keep a fairly even pace throughout, but it was tough! 

11/06/09 - Eye Charity 5 (00:42:57)
A new route which turned out to be surprisingly tough.  The section between 2-3 miles was in a disused brick/gravel pit and was quite twisty and undulating.  Finished in a fairly slow (for 5 mile races) time, but overall quite pleased - splits were pretty consistent throughout run.

03/06/09 - Peterborough 5k Series (1) - Ferry Meadows (00:24:54)
I was not confident going into this race on 2 counts - 5k's are usually short and painful (!), and it was only 10 days since the disappointment of Brandon Forest.  After the heat of the previous days, it was also damned cold!  I therefore decided to take it steady at the start and see how things progressed.  I was quickly into a decent running pace and it felt quite comfortable,  I tucked in behind one of the more elderly (!) Nene Valley Harriers who usually beats me on 10k's and allowed him to set the pace for the first couple of clicks.  I then sensed he was not keeping the pace up, so at about 2k I passed him and targetted a couple of Werrington runners ahead.  Before I knew it the race was over and although out of breath, I felt pretty good.  The time also turned out to be quite reasonable - only 30 seconds off my PB, and the fastest I have run the opening 5k of the Series.  Confidence is back!

25/05/09 - Brandon Forest Half Marathon (02:29:06)
First half marathon of the year, and given the terrain (off-road trails through the forest) I was not expecting a PB.  However, i felt really good and was looking for a time around 2 hours.  Conditions were very warm and sunny, with little breeze.  The first 4 miles went really well, averaging 09:15/mile, so well on track for around 2 hours.  However, from mile 4, more and more runners started to pass me by and I found myself struggling.  By the time I got to 10 miles, I was feeling really bad, and i had to stop and re-tie my left shoe lace as it was cutting into my foot (never happened before!).  Having stood up, i promptly went really dizzy and nearly fell over.  Oh joy!  tried to start running again, but found I could only run about 100 yards, and then I had to walk 100 yards - this continued to the end, and I finished in my slowest time ever for a half!  Not good.  First thoughts are that I made a mistake running in trail shoes, and given the conditions, road shoes would have been better and would have helped my feet to cool down more.  I took on plenty of fluids during the run, so do not think that was the problem.

10/05/09 - Eye 10k (00:53:54)
Wasn't expecting a fast time this year due to Breckland 10k the previous Monday and a heavy rtaining week in between.  Conditions were very warm, but no wind.  started off slowly through the noddy section around the houses, dodging cars etc.  Clicks 2 & 3 speeded up nicely and I fel "in the groove".  However, I started to slow down from 4k onwards - legs/lungs felt OK, i just did not have any speed!  Finished in a slower time than Breckland, which was disappointing as I had hoped to be nearer 52 minutes.  However, on checking previous results, found that I was about 2 minutes faster than last year.  So, on a positive note, whilst neither Breckland nor Eye 10ks were as fast as I had hoped for, I am faster than this time last year.

04/05/09 - Breckland 10k (00:53:30)
Previous Breckland 10k's have been extremely hot - this year we had the wind and the rain, and it was rather on the cool  side.  The run seemed to go OK although seemed to struggle from 6k to end.  Initially disappointed with time until checking previous results found this was the fastest I had run this course in 4 years.  So not so bad after all!

29/03/09 - Thorney 10k (00:52:41)
Another good run after a bad month - fell out of tree and injured ribs - in ideal conditions.  Tired after 6k, but still pleased with time - 4th fastest 10k ever.  No after effects, and legs/knees felt OK.

01/03/09 - BRJ Frostbite (00:41:42)
What a difference a month makes!  Although slightly nervous because of knee problems, I had a good run in ideal conditions.  First proper outing for the Gel Landreth %'s, and they felt very comfortable.  Managed a course PB and second fastest Frostbite time ever for me.  Downside was fellow Bushy beat me by 2 seconds!  Knee feels fine, so hopefully some sensible running this month will get me back on track.  Overall, an enjoyable run.

01/02/09 - Bourne Woods Frostbite (00:45:45)
A difficult run in cold, snowy and slippy conditions.  Felt OK durin g run, but left knee was sore afterwards.  Pipped on the line by fellow Bushy, so hope for revenge at next Frostbite!

18/01/09 - Folksworth 15
Having determined not to worry about time, I ended up getting a good PB by almost 7 minutes!  A cold and windy but dry day, this is definitely a challenging run.  Felt pretty good first lap, but found it hard second lap.  Overall a good run, but rather stiff afterwards!

04/01/09 - Ramsey Frostbite (00:47:14)
Having not run since the last Frostite on 14/12 due to being ill over Christmas/New Year, I was not looking forward to thi run (which is not one of my favourite runs anyway).  Managed to complete the run despite struggling for breath the whole way around.  Conditions wre actually not that bad - minus 1 with the ground frozen.  Was surprised to find later that this was the fastest I had run this course in the last 3 years.