The 2010 Watergate 10k

I did not get off to a good start today. My garmin 405 went into freeze mode and I couldn't remember how to reset it.(Hold both buttons in for 30 sec). There, now if it happens again I can consult my blog.
That aside, me and my son had a great race. First we both ran the 2k, then I went on to do the 10k. The whole posse were there today, even though the weather was not at its best.
We had just started the 2k when it started to rain. The wee fella wasn't bothered at all. I think he was more concerned that the whole field had ran away and left us. Not put off by that, seeing as all the other runners bar 2, were club runners we boldly plodded on. From the back we passed 3 runners from Low Fell RC Under 11's. Picking them off one at a time. He was even able to put on a sprint at the end when encouraged by his supporters, finishing in a respectable time of 12:58. It turned out the wee fella was 5Th in his age category! So well done to him. 17th out of 20 overall. Race Number 56.
I started the 10k with Vicki Thompson (Graceless Whippet) tucked in behind me, without the aid of a watch. Which is quite strange as I don't think I have ever ran a race without one. So no juicy data to upload or for me to pore over when I get home. I will have to manually input the data. Also quite hard to gauge how well/bad you are doing, no pace to go off. I did find that the k markers were invaluable, even though I had ran this race before. It wasn't an easy one to remember with it being so varied. There are 2 hills to climb , where I thought there was only the one big one. I don't remember crossing the river twice last time. This time I had to get my feet wet on the second crossing. Mind, the weather conditions were very different. Maybe the stream was not so full. I ran in the woods mostly alone, just as well it is well marked out and has 22 Marshall's. Vicki moved up on me about the 7k marker after coming out the woods the second time. She was doing really well and keeping my pace faster than it should have been. We had to split to go over the bridge by the lake. I took the lead as we powered up the big hill for the last time. I pulled away for a bit but I could hear her getting close again towards the end. She shouted at me to push on as there was another runner alongside us. He was too quick and pulled ahead. I kept up my pace as the posse yelled shouts of encouragement. I just managed to keep in front of Vicki to the end. Another PB set.
It had rained part way round the race, but I did not really notice it. This is a hard race on the legs and on the chest. I look forward to doing it again.
Well done to Viki. She was placed first F35 again, same as last year.

Position 35/53

Time 48:39  PB for Watergate.

No Garmin Data due to watch malfunction.
Oh No! They have spelt my name wrong on the results sheet, and I'm in the wrong age group! I'm not that old.
Edit : Quick email to low Fell sorted out the mistake.
Watergate Trail Race 2010 Results

The 2010 Pier 2 Pier

The Results are in, and guess what? It's another PB.This was my first race this year (apart from the parkrun series) and if you have read the rest of this blog you will know that this is where it all started.
Back in 2008 I ran this in 54:14, curious to see if I could get to the end. Then, last year after missing the start I had a poor result. Garmin time was 54:51. (Official time was 56:53).
Today I managed to shave 8 seconds off my PB. There seems to be a discrepancy between official and Garmin times again.
I recorded a time of 54:06, but the score sheet says 54:09. Either way a new PB.
My father in law dropped me off at South Shields where I met Barry Jackson. He, like me was sporting last years prized waterproof jacket. I think we were the only ones. Never mind we packed them away in our bag's to send them to the finish line via the baggage van.
At the start line I spoke to Mike Gill from the Blackhill Bounders. He told me there was about 15 Bounders taking part today.
Then as the forecast predicted, a huge black cloud appeared as if by magic. It did look as if we were going to get a soaking on the start line, but that never happened.
So it was a dry, if not breezy start.
I love the start of this race. It usually ends up a five deep, mile wide start line!
And away we went. As usual I started a lot faster than expected and was carried along with the front runners. The first 4 miles were sub 8 min/mile. Ranging from 7:30 to 7:45 min/mile. Magic! then something strange happened. My times dropped to 8:30 Min/mile in the 5th mile.
I couldn't understand it. I'd ran out of puff. Then I realised that it was probably because of the 5k parkrun's. I have got used to the shorter distance. It was soul destroying being passed by so many people at this point. Never mind, lessons have been learned. In the last mile Vicki Thompson passed me with an encouraging shout which did help a bit but I'd had it by then. She disappeared into the distance as did another 2 runners. Then out nowhere a guy in a red shirt passed me doing about a 5min/mile pace. He surely didn't start the same place as me.
Never mind I staggered over the line with a smile knowing I had beat my best.
Witnessed as always by the posse (my family and in laws) for which I am eternally grateful for their support. A great day out.
Vicki Thompson finished 229 official time 54:06
Barry Jackson finished 269 official time 55:12
865 finishers. Down 115 on last year.

Garmin data:- Here
Pier 2 Pier 2010

My 1st Middlesborough Albert Parkrun

Wow! What a day. 21:42 Best 5k time ever. Also probably the best parkrun to date. Over 200 people ran this the 100th race at Middlesborough. Unbelievable. Pushed most of the way round by Sarah Rogers from New Marske Harriers. Thats her in the green on my left. Thanks for that, Sarah.
Using Age grading I have come across this table that shows what I should expect my times to be for different distances based on my very quick PB.
Age graded Distances

This is really worth travelling to, as the atmosphere is really good. Sat nav did a great job finding Albert park. I really dont think I will better this time, although I wont stop trying. I had the support of my father in law of course, who really enjoyed the day.
Position 41/217
Position 37 Male
Position 48 VM45-49
Position 351 Top 500

Garmin Data :- Here

Parkrun 100 Middlesbrough

4th Sunderland Parkrun

Here we go again a new PB set today. 22:10.
This is my overall Fastest 5k to date. That's a 26 second difference on my previous Sunderland PB.
Vicki Thompson was 5 sec Behind me. Ideal condition's today. I do think I may find a bit more more pace here in the future. The posse of one was with me again today. Good Result.
Position 16/53
Position 14 Male
Position 10th in the VM45-49 Category.
Position 86 top 269.

Garmin Data:- Here
Sunderland parkrun 23

4th Newcastle Parkrun

New PB set today.
This was the 12th Parkrun for Newcastle, and as the title says, my fourth.
Conditions absolutely were Absolutely perfect. They have to be to get a good time here.
No wind across the Moor today.
22:13 is going to be hard to beat here I think.
I managed to find 41 seconds today. Is that how much the wind costs?

Position 19/57
Position 14 Male.
Position 10th in VM45-49 category.
Position 184 Top 404

Garmin Data:- Here


Newcastle 12th Parkrun

My 3rd Sunderland Parkrun

Another PB set here today. 22:36
I have decided not to report on all Parkrun's but just the significant ones like today. Joined of course by the posse of one (father in law) there to spur me on.

Position 11/35
Position 11 Male
Position 8 VM45-49
Garmin Data:- Here
Sunderland 17th Parkrun