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

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