My 7th Newcastle Parkrun

New All Time 5k PB   21:28

In the words of Victor Meldrew, "I don't believe it".
Today thanks to Stephen Curry and Martyn Thorpe I managed to skim another 22 seconds off my Newcastle 5k and 14 seconds off my all time best 5k.

I started playing cat n mouse with MT in the first mile as we completed the mini loop which is new at the start because of the hopping's. I realised his running stance was very similar to mine, so he was not going to be a pushover. After the first Mile he was sat comfortably behind me. As we left the moor through the first gate, I became aware of SC on my right hand side. The cat and mouse chase began again. Him edging ahead me taking it back from about the 1.5 mile to the 2.5 mile. Now at this point I was aware that I had been running sub 7 min/mile from the start, and I really was struggling. My legs were fine but my chest felt like it would burst. Then both MT and SC were either side of me, half a mile to go. I could see the finish across the moor, through the cows. MT pulled ahead of me, as I contemplated my lungs bursting out of my ribcage. He surprised me by encouraging me to get on his shoulder, and telling me my PB was in sight. SC was right beside me now too, he was also full of encouragement, telling me to keep going as he passed. So I focused on the task ahead. It was only a half mile to go. I wasn't going to catch MT or SC but, I still managed to put in a last minute sprint to the line behind SC. MT managed a PB today too.(21:19) SC was 21:25 (PB 21:19)

Results : Here
Garmin Data : Here

My 6th Newcastle Parkrun

New PB set for Newcastle 21:50

I can't believe I have beaten my PB here on a damp and windy day like today. The wind was blowing fiercely across the moor as it always is. They also changed the course, as the "Hoppings"have taken up residence on the Moor.
Now, I thought that was the reason for a quicker time, but no. The temp. course is actually longer than the original, according to Nyck (race co-ordinator) and my Garmin.
But I have a plan!
After studying previous data, I worked out that my pace at the start was too fast (06:40), and my pace fell away rapidly, after that. So I concluded I was starting way too fast. Rocket science, it is not.
So today I purposely started off gently. The first mile went by in 06:55, the second mile 07:25. Now that would be the 21kph head wind. The third mile, wow. 06:48. I'm not sure if this was the tail wind and/or the competition., as Ted Baty and John Harvey Marshall passed me at this point. I did regain a lead over them and thought I had nailed them. No chance. Once again they passed me, one either side.
I then heard the footfalls of Gina Howorth rapidly approach. I decided enough was enough and got the head down, encouraged by my father in law (the posse of one) I gave it my all. Sorry Gina I know you can but not today.
23/62 Finishers

Results : Here
Garmin data: Here

My 7th Sunderland Parkrun

A new PB for Sunderland. 21:58.

I went to Sunderland today with purpose.

I had to try to get a sub 22:00. After all I managed to achieve 21:42 at Middlesborough.
So "no slacking" was the mantra for today.
I did a bit of studying last night. Taking full advantage of the data my Garmin dumps on the net after each run.
Looking closely at Sunderland, I found the second mile to be unexplainably slow.
This is where I had to focus my efforts. Everyone has kind of found their sweet spot by this point and it is the second lap of the lake. So I think I must relax that bit too much at this part of the race.
There was no-one in front, that I was near enough to challenge and I was far enough ahead of the runner behind me for them not be a threat.
So I decided to have a burst of speed for the hell of it, and sustained it till I hit the hill at the end.
My thinking in the past was to keep some energy for the hill, but there is no point. You’re knackered when you get there anyway. You are always going to go up it slower than your normal pace.
Well it seemed to work for me. Well chuffed with the result.

Results : Here
Garmin data : Here

Twas on the Ninth o Joon

Blimey that came around quick. Cant believe a whole year has passed..........

That's me in the middle.
It was Lashing down when we started and was still raining at the end, but 4000 people still took to the streets of Newcastle to run all the way to Blaydon for a sandwich, a bottle of beer and a tee shirt! Such a shame for the spectators, who still turned out, that the weather which,as much as it didn't bother the runners, could have been kinder for them. My posse of one (father in law) turned out too. Now that was handy. It meant he could drop me off at Newcastle, near the start, and  then bomb it back to Blaydon. I arrived there about half an hour before the start. So not too long to hang about. Even though the weather was miserable, the atmosphere still had that carnival feel about it. It was the usual carry on at the start, where it seems that all the slower runners managed to line up in front of me. I spent the first mile trying to get passed people, before finding a bit of breathing space and a bit of speed. My target was to beat last years time which was really poor. 47:05 by my Garmin. By the time I was gannin alang the Scotswood road, the rain became a relief as I was getting warmer by now. Mile 2 and 3 my pace was 6:40 and 6:45 respectively. Bang on the 4th Mile, I got an encouraging shout from Vicki Thompson across the hairpin down by the riverside. I couldn't see her (must get window wipers for my specs) but after a mile or so I managed to catch up. We were getting near the finish, and I am always amazed at the amount of people who turn out to support us, especially when its as dreary as this. I feel like I need to give them something worth standing in the rain for, so I put a bit of effort into the last few hundred yards. I could hear vicki telling me to go for it, as I was being caught up. I managed to fend of one of the guys who was chasing me, only for him to pass me in the funnel to nab a place off me. I was in no fit state to argue and I did not give a doody anyway. I had achieved what I came here for. I broke my record.
No broon ale this year. Had to make do with Fosters. I also missed the nosh at the end.  I had to go find the posse of one or I was not going to get home. A great night.

2010 Blaydon Race Full Results

PB set for Blaydon 43:08 Official
                                42:25 Garmin
Garmin data : Here