Great West 5k

I arrived pretty early as the person who took me up there, was doing the HM which started elsewhere.

After finally finding some toilets, we were called over for briefing. We were asked that we observe a 1 minute round of applause. Last year, a man sadly passed away during GWR.

And then we were off. Despite starting fairly close to the front, I wasn't passed by that many people during the first km.

The second km came and I'd been passed by many people. On the second lap, (2 laps of 2.5km) I was stuck behind some people who were walking and using all the pavement and there was no way to pass them. Please, if you're going to do that, move out the way to let others past. I looked at my watch which said I'd done the first lap in around 18 minutes - just a bit higher than my target time of 35 minutes.

By the time I was starting my second lap, I could see people finishing the race and the crowd were cheering people on.

I had now reached the third km and felt a slight pull in my knee.:'( Not wanting to pull out, (don't want another DNF) I decided to carry on, knowing that we only had 2km to go.

KM 4 came and at this point, we saw loads of people cheering others on. I also realised that for the first time since Plymouth 10k, I wouldn't be last!

Almost at the finishing line now. Knee was playing up slightly. Not wanting to walk across the finish line, I decided that I would run the rest.

Came across the finish line to be greeted by a crowd and the announcer person calling out my number.:)

We were then given t-shirts and medals. Not that keen on the medal, it's a bit, well, bland.

Very well organised I thought. Not sure if I'll be doing it next year - not that keen on laps.

Chip time - 36:50, Cat pos. 19.

No London 10k for me

Ok, the plan is to do 12 races in 12 months. Originally, I had planned to do the London 10k at the end of May.

Unfortunately, I was having injury trouble and hadn't trained enough to even think about running this weekend.

The Tuesday before, I was at club doing hills. I managed 1km before I felt something go in both knees. I was told by my coach to stop running and that I shouldn't run that weekend. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I've only had one pain free run since Great West on May 6th.

I went up to London that weekend anyway; as I'd paid for travel and hotel. It was so hot. I am glad that I didn't run. The weather for running was awful. It was bad enough just walking around; let alone running 10k!

Maybe next year...

No half marathon for me

I've spent the last 3 weeks training for the Torbay half marathon at the end of June.

Unfortunately, during the Great West 5k last Sunday, (race report will follow later) I felt the back of my click and it started hurting.

I decided that there would be no running on Tuesday and would see how I was on the Wednesday. I was ok. I then went out on Thursday and at around the 3 mile mark, my knee clicked again and hurt a lot.

I went out for a run yesterday and managed 400 meters before it started protesting.

I hope I'm ok for the London 10,000 in 2 weeks times.

Making progress

About 2 months ago, I was informed that my running partner at running club would be away for 6 - 7 weeks and that when he comes back, we can start half marathon training.

He came back on Tuesday - that was a wonderful surprise. Anyway, we went for a run together and with a few others. During the run, he said that I'd come very far since he last saw 2 months ago.

We met up again at club on Thursday. Unfortunately, his knee was giving him trouble and he had to pull out after 100 yards. I went for a run with a few others. I then came back and he asked how I did. I told him that yet again, I did no walking at all.

He informed me that I may regret agreeing to him helping me with half marathon training. 2 months ago!

Saltram 5km race report

Decided at first to have a quick walk around Saltram; having never been there before. What a lovely place it is.

10 minutes before the start, we got asked if we knew where the start was. If we didn't, we should start heading over there.

I lined up and tried to see if I could spot anyone else from club. There was a grand total of one person there; whose name I didn't know. There was a scary amount of people from Plymstock Road Runners.

The race started. A load of people passed me and I was determined not to walk any of this race. The marker said 1km; but my watch said we'd only done .75km. The second km took ages to come up. By this time, we were in woods. Not overly keen on running in woods. The ground is so uneven and not always possible to run on.

We then got to 3km and had to pass a field and part of the ground was covered in pebbles. I tried (and failed badly) to run over this. A man from Plymstock RR shouted hello at me as he passed. Before I knew it, he was miles ahead of me.

4km came and we were still on grass / woods. I had to walk some of this; as it really was difficult to run.

After running for a bit longer, I came to the car park and knew I was almost there.

According to my watch, it was 4.4km in 39:22. Spoke to race direction and they said that the signal sometimes goes in woods.

Not planning on doing this one again. Not overly keen on running through woods.

A new PB finally!

I set myself some goals at the start of 2012. They were:
- 12 races in 12 months
- Sub 37 5k
- Sub 1:15 10k
- First half marathon
- 750 miles

I completed race 3 a few weeks ago. Last night, I went out for a run with club. The plan was 3.16 miles. We did 3.4 miles in 33 minutes. This gives me a 5k personal best (PB) of 29:59.

A personal best - finally!

The start of 2012 saw me set myself the following goals:
12 races in 12