45:48 New 10k PB I missed out on this last year. So I made a point of it this year. I really enjoyed this race. It was well organised, traffic free (almost) and bloomin fast. I say almost, because for the first time in my short running history, I ran a race that included wheelchair competitors. They were set away about 10 - 15 mins in front, so were finishing as we were starting. We overlapped a bit on their last lap. Top of the bill for them was Dame Tanni Grey Thomson. High light of the race has to be smashing my Newton Aycliffe PB by 58 secs. Dave (my Father in law) was with me on his own on this occasion, it being a Wednesday night it was a bit late for some of the posse. (William had school next day). I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a fast PB. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Garmin Data :- HERE 2009 Pitstop 10k
This is my second time running at this event. The first time I set my 10k PB. So I was a bit dissapointed with todays times. No excuses for a slow run. I went out to smash my 10k PB and failed miserably. Once again, like last week, I think the heat was a major factor although I remember last year being hot too. However as always I enjoyed it and the full Posse turned out for me today, which is always nice. I did manage to just beat the two lads in the picture. Pos:- 194/374 Time:- 48:21 Garmin data Here 2009 Newton Aycliffe 10k
Another first for me.
The 2009 Mizuno Blaydon Race. This is the biggest field of runners I have run with. It was as expected very crowded at the start. Around 4000 runners descended on the Cloth market, outside Balmbras. There was quite a buzz in the air. Live music and can-can dancers and an air of nostalgia as the lord Mayor stood there in all his finery with the starting bell, down on Collingwood St. ready to set us on our way.
I managed to catch up with Frankie from work and his daughter Emma, just as we were ready for the off. Half of my posse was up the other end at Blaydon waiting to see me in.
At 19:17 we were off, a bit later than expected. Elbows and ankles flailing, dodging, ducking and swerving for a bit of space. There was a lot of support from people along the route.
All except the ones waiting to cross the road at the Arena, on they’re way to see Boyzone. Then before you know it we were on Scotswood road passing the first live band belting out the Blaydon races. Brilliant. As we headed over the Scotswood Bridge I kind of lost my bearings as we went down under and turned back on ourselves a few times. Apparently to make the race a tad longer. Lots of speculation about the distance these days. What with GPS watches and the like. My garmin puts it at something like 6.1 Miles, but I did start it half way up the Cloth Market to try and get the start time right. Whereas the actual start line was in Collingwood Street. As we headed into Blaydon, I was well aware by then that Superman had been trying to pass me. The crowd were egging him on “come on superman” they yelled. It was to no avail as I kept my head down and beat him across the line.
If I can beat Superman there’s still a chance for me yet.
Huge wedges of Black pudding, large Pickles, ham and peas pudding Sandwich, Bottle of Broon,
Race certificate and a fab running shirt to finish a great night at the races!
Oh! me lads, ye shud a' seen us gannin,
Passin' the folks upon the road just as they were stannin'.
Thor wis lots o' lads and lasses there, all wi' smiling faces
Gannin' alang the Scotswood Road to see the Blaydon Races.
I could'nt resist putting than in.
1343rd of 3426 Finishers
Time :- 48:16 Garmin Data:- Here 2009 Blaydon Race
This is the first time I have ran this race, and its only in its second year.
Today must have been the hottest day of the year.
Even with an early start the temp must have been in the lower 20’s C.
My son and his cousin also ran today in the junior race. This formed part if not the whole of my warm up session.
I bumped into Vicki (Graceless whippet) and had a bit crack, she had a chat with the posse whilst I made my way to the start with the kids.
This is the second time out for my son. He was up against some good competition in his age group. He still managed to bag a medal and proud of it too. His cousin also managed to get a medal but was also rewarded with 3rd prize in her age group, so scored for a £5 sports voucher.
As per usual in the 10k I started off way too quick. (6.47 min/mile) So I had to calm it down some and soon settled into a good rhythm, a more sensible 7.5 - 8 min/mile. Then about half way nature called and I had to stop for a pit stop. At which point Vicki passed me. I then had a target to go for (sorry Vicki) I caught up with her as we entered the wood, which was fantastically cool and a welcome break from the sun. I struggled with the terrain in there, and watched Vicki carefully picking through the trail of weed, root and other lumpy stuff in front of me. On leaving the woods we had to climb the large hill we had been up before, once again.
I had passed Vicki by this point thinking she would sail past me on the hill. To my surprise the gaining footfalls were not hers but some bloke giving it large. With the hill fast approaching, I decided get the head down and switch to auto pilot.
My rather small but effectively fast strides up the hill had him done for. His footfalls no more in my ear, I coasted in to the finish slightly disappointed that I had no one to challenge to the finish line for the posse to get their moneys worth.
Vicki came in First in her category F35. Well done to her.
Now I know its early days but, I am starting to find my times are sliding. I have noticed this even in training, although I have shifted my goals from speed to distance as the GNR approaches. So not all bad.
I still thoroughly enjoyed this race for a whole stack of reasons. The obvious being it is such a beautiful location. We had lovely weather, even if it was on the hot side and, I was in really good company. As well as the usual posse, we had a good friend of ours who was also running. She was running for charity and a few other personal reasons. She also brought her posse with her, which was nice.
I did not take up the offer this year for a pre-race massage, as last year I did, and the sand loves the sticky oil they rub on your legs.
The race went well for me but, as ever I forgot about the few rather long hills this race has. The beach this year was also a bit of a struggle for me as unlike last year the sand, although wet, was rippled instead of smooth. Ouch! The heat was indeed an issue. It was pushing about 20 deg C . with not much of a coastal breeze. It claimed one poor guy about 100 yards from the finish line. I had just finished and heading back to the posse when I saw him collapse. I dont think it was anything more serious than having a few too many the night afore, although he did require medical attention. So I hope all is well. Looking forward to next years already. Great Race meeting.
Position :- 345/980 finishers Garmin Time :- 54:51 Official Time :- 56:53
The 2009 Pier to Pier. I will remember this one for quite a while. This is my second time running this race. The first time, I started on the start line like everybody else. This time, due to the laid-on transport being late, I started from the car park at South Shields. Not impressed with that at all. By the time I got to the start line the whole field had gone, ... offski,....vanished! Just a shimmer in the distance. I now know how Formula 1 drivers must feel when penalised and told to start at the back. So off I went - all my plans out the window - just went for it. I was soon passing the ones at the back of the pack, who must have wondered where I came from. Before I knew it I was 2 miles into the race and catching people content to run 8 - 8.5 min miles. Plodded on to the drinks station and made up about 15 places by not having a drink. Feel at this point I must have passed half the pack! The race had the usual dilemma of which track to follow for the best gain. I checked on the map and I don't think there is much in it. Tide was quite far in at the finish line so there was a mad dash in the soft sand (not easy) and managed to be passed by John Davidson, who I passed a few times in the course of the race and I thought he had had it. Not the case apparently. (Although I did pass 635 runners). Still a great race and of course the Posse were all there (thank you for your support). I will e-mail the organisers about the duff transport arrangements though, as I was at the bus stop around 09:50. The bus arrived at 10:15. So 5 of us missed the start. The rest of the crowd at the bus stop used there own cars. See my Garmin Data here 2009 Pier to Pier .
This race was ran on firm traffic-free paths around a country park in Longbenton.
(Just behind the Asda)Billed as a 5 Mile trail, it was as expected. quite an undulating course. We were well warned at the start that underfoot conditions would rapidly deteriorate. Well that never happened. Unless they were talking about the mountain's of dog poo on the trail!
5 miles is a strange distance for me cant quite get my pace even.The race started on a very narrow pathway where you had to put up with the flying limbs of others.It was a 2 lap race which I dont really know if I like. There's the fact that you know whats coming in the second half of the race, or another way to see it, if that floats your boat,is why not just do laps of a track.
Never mind I enjoyed the day as always.This was my first race using my Garmin 405. Which quietly did what it does best, logging all my data as I ran.( see link to data)I had it set to the overview screen so only had to glance to see pace,time,distance etc.
I had the posse with me, minus my mother in law, who was busy packing for her holly jolly's. The weather was suitable for racing. Cool to start and sun coming out later. Nice play area for the bairn. So much so, I think he prefeered it to watching the race. The finish line was hidden away so the posse missed the finish, in which I did a mad sprint at the end to catch up with and pass 2 runners from Blyth RC. ( I'm No55 in the pic)
This was the Inaugural run in memory of Ann Johnson, who died last year. Ann was a member of the Billingham Marsh House Harriers. The race was great. Made even better by the adverse weather we have had recently. Think 5 Mile Mud bath! What great way to spend a Sunday morning.
This was a five mile trail race that really required proper trail shoes or spikes. Most of the time I was slipping and sliding all over. I found it difficult to keep track of where I was geographically. I was too busy keeping an eye on the trail to find the best route through the mud. Around the halfway mark the trail went through a ploughed field. Good quality deep mud in there. The posse were there with me of course. Unfortunately not much there for the wee fella to do, except cheer his auld da on.It must be the first time there has not been a play park in the vicinity of the race.They did have a duck pond and swans.
I think the inlaws enjoyed the atmosphere and they managed to find a vantage point atop a hill for veiwing.
Welcome to my Blog. This is a quick summary of races I have taken part in since taking up running, around October 2007. The main Blog appears in reverse order i.e. First race at the bottom, most recent at the top. Use the list below to access a particular race without the need to scroll to the bottom of the main Blog.
45:48
