Runner who loves the off road

Im feeling 100% again and really enjoying hard training at the moment producing some good times in tempo runs and intervals.I had 3 choices for races tommorow but decided as it was 35mph winds i would stay in training mode.Another reason is that Calzaghe/Jones Jnr is on the box and im hoping joe will finish his career undefeated.Ive entered some different races for the start of 2009 Alsager 5,Wilmslow half,Snake lane 10 and got good deals on local travelodges only costing £9 per night.

Nearly over the stiffness and getting back into the training.Looking forward to doing lots of speedwork which will hopefully result in improving my times for 5k,5mile and 10k.Recently ive taken in a lot of information about training and realize my base mileage pace is too quick so ive begun to do my morning short run over cross country where you cannot fail to run slower.Monday gone i done some 90 second intervals (60r) and ran really quick on tired legs.Im now off to the Running club for a Pyramid effort session.Fingers Crossed.

At Yesterdays Amsterdam Marathon i got a pb by 1.40 and in the circumstances i really was pleased with how i done.In the build up i got a heavy cold/flu and on the Friday Evening i felt i couldnt do the race.On the Sunday Morning with the help of Vicks and Paracetemol i felt better and as the Mile flew by at an even pace i was well on course passing 10 miles in 1.00.34.The next 4 miles were into quite a headwind but i still felt good picking people right off until 18 miles where my left calf began to tighten quite a lot.I shrugged it off as you get nowhere quitting and even on 20 miles in 2.01.36 and was on course for a 2.40-2.41 but running on my own coupled with the wind as well as hitting a little bit of a wall AND my calf developing into a pull or tear my pace dropped 25-30 secs per mile.This is when i became most proud of myself as i showed good resilience to persevere finishing in 2.43.22 a pb by 1.40.I now know i can knock large chunks off my pb in the future starting at London

only 6 days to go before my 2nd Amsterdam Marathon and as last year the doubts are creeping in.Reminding myself that ive done all i can.Into 2nd of Carbohydrate Depletion/Loading and dont feel too clever but worth trying out after a few of the Morpeth lads and and few of older Blyth Marathon Runners reckon it really works.

That time of the year again and the Blyth Running clubs annual Autumn Relays at the Kitty Brewster industrial estate.3 on a team of different ability.Our team was in effect out of it after leg1 but i really gave 100% and managed 12.19 for the 2.35 mile course which worked out at 5.14 ave per mile.This really was quite encouraging and gives me hope for the spell of winter speed training i intend to do after the Marathon.It was the 2nd quickest on the night and although some of the older members of the club always go on about the past glorys i believe Paul Whalley,Ash Henderson or my self will beat the relay fastest leg time of 11.42 by Andy Brown.

At yesterdays Great north run i enjoyed the day but my time was disapointing 1.17.44 which although its the quickest ive done in 2008 it was a pb i was after.The course itself is in my opinion not a pb course with all them inclines.It was great however that me and Paul Whalley from Blyth RC both finished in the top 100 and Dave Kirkland finally done his sub 2.30 target at the Loch Ness Marathon.

At saturdays 6 stage relay at Hartlepool Blyth doen really well and even got a mention for a "superb" performance to come in 34th of 84 teams in the local rag The Evening Chronicle.I done the first leg in 18.22 for the 3.4 mile course and was pleased with my time considering im not traing for the short stuff.Hartlepool has been much improved since i was last year in 1997.As i ran the 1st leg i went on the course to watch the runners in full flow and some of them were superb making it look so easy especially Hudspith(Morpeth),Walsh,Bilton and Grice(leeds) and many more.Me and my teammates were discussing how lads like Peter Newton(Claremont),David Kirkland(Alnwick) dont get a chance to do the relays as there club dont have really 6 solid runners.The next day at Norham i made my annual trip up there to do the 10k and jsut ran as a GNR pace run and felt solid enough and enjoyed the day.

Trainings been going really well recently and seem to have a balance between maintaining a bit of speed with endurance.Long runs especially are going great and todays 22 miler felt really easy on quite a hilly run managed to average 6.34 average without trying.All in all feel really confident to do 6.08 miling or 2.41 in Amsterdam after hopefully getting a morale boosting pb on my Great North Run debut.Double header this weekend Saturdays 6 stage relays then the Norham 10km.Funny thing is dont really want to do them but would like to help my club on saturday where as the Norham 10k is becoming an annual thing and its really good to catch up with some of the family.As always ill give 100%.

Ages since i last updated my blog.Have really been training hard putting in some quite monstrous sessions but beginning to think i can do it in training but not in races.At the Ray Harrison 10k i ran well but blew up and disapointingly done 35.35 but this has not swayed me from my belief that ill run a pb at GNR 2008 and Amsterdam 2008 then beat all my pbs again by April next year.Started training with Ash Henderson and have to say we are working together well really pushing each other.I have heard a lot of stuff about the eccentricy of Ash but i have to say a lot of things are absolute bollocks and people have got him wrong.6 Stage realays at Hartlepool on the 27th then maybe nexy day Norham 10k the following day.

Done my first fell run in 3 months today at a sunny pinchinthorpe in one of the North York moors races.The course itself was a trail race and i looked forward to testing myself gainst some good hands including Bulman and Lowe of NYM,Tom Danby of new marske and my teammate Phil Sanderson Nfr.The first 2-2.5 miles it was myself and the 4 people i mentioned together but once on the tricky pull up Little Roseberry Lowe and Bulman pulled away and i dropped off the back.Whether this was my lack of fell running(ie:Climbing)or the fact id run 91 miles without a rest day i dont know but i was happy to run strong on the run in nearly reeling in Phil to finish 5th in 44.16 for the app 6.9 mile course.1.Bulman 42.10 2.Lowe 42.38 3.Danby 43.37 4.Sanderson 44.14 5.Me 44.16.Later on done a 7.1 mile run in the strong rain averaging 6.15 so all round a satisfying day.

This week has been a mixed bag but i was pleased to run another 90+ mile week.The links 10k was a bit of a downer but the next day having run 14.5 mile in the morning i ran a 6.7 mile evening run which included a 16.53 5k tempo interval which i didnt set out to do!!.This amazed me and made me think is it just nerves when it comes to racing.Once i get this Marathon out the way i intend to do a lot of short intervals and tempo runs over the winter to try to get my 5k,5 mile and 10k times down.My road running is really baffling me at the moment as some days i feel ive got a fair bit of talent and then the day after i feel im wasting my time.The other particular gripe ive got at the minute is that Blyth running club have a decent group of runners who just wont train and help each other when i know we could do well.2009 maybe for me is at Morpeth,Heaton or North Shields Poly.

Last nights links 10k was on a blustery night on the out leg but tail wind coming home.My race was ruined by an upset stomach for the 2nd half of the race.The race was won by Michael Dawson of NSP quite easily but the battle behind was between an increasingly familiar group of Waterston and Walker of Morpeth,Myself,Whalley and stott of Blyth as well as Moore of Nsp.On this occasion 2nd place was Moore in 34.50 followed by Waterston in 35.02,Whalley in 35.11,Walker in 35.20 then myself 6th in 35.40 closely followed by Stott in 35.44.After the initial dejection at a poor time i certainly hope to be near pb by the Nissan 10km on the 7th September.

Started to do yoga with my lass and slowly realizing how un flexible i am!!.Read somewhere that this can help my running so im going to perservere with it.If anything its prooviding a right laugh at home with my son crying with laughter at my feeble attempts at the positions.On the running front ive continued to train really hard last week clocking 95 miles.On Saturday i done the Albert park tt 5km run on the back of a 90 miles week and still clocked 17.00 so quite happy.Looking forward to tommorow night at the Blyth Running clubs annual Links 10km where weather permitting i hope to run well.with the mileage high i hope to run the last 2-3km strong.

Done some really good sessions last week and the start of this week.Total miles last week 91.2 miles including a 7 mile 40.30 (5.50) tempo run the day after the 5k pb then on friday done a 15 mile 3 stage tempo run doing the first 5 miles in 31.30 (6.18 pace) then the next 5 in 30.57(6.11 pace)then finally the last 5 in 30.01(6.00 pace).My long run of 24 miles went well feeling strong taking 2.40.30.Then finally on monday done some 300m intervals with a 100m jog recovery and it was good to catch up with the blyth lads.feeling good with amsterdam 8.5 weeks away.

Despite not feeling great at the start(probably due to the high mileage marathon training) i went into this race believing id beat my pb.It was a typical british summer day with the rain coming down and the pace was fast from the off so it was good to get in a group with Waterston(Morpeth)Moore (NSP)Tomlinson(chester-le-street)me and 2 other lads. As we past the halfway stage i felt really strong and pushed the pace on and the group was down to the first 4 i just mentioned.A slower 300m spell around the twisty pond meant tomlinson pushed on and it was me against 2 runners(moore and waterston) who i often battle with me getting the better of moore at last but a strong finish from waterston meant i couldnt catch him.Another pb though so reasonably happy.Thinking about training/joining Morpeth harriers again.

Done 93.1 mile this week and have really felt the benefit of training both more miles and more runs at a good pace.really feeling better about my running and now look forward to see if i put my training to good use in a race.

Having completed my high mileage 90 miles week as in the last post and having done most of my base miles at sub 6.30 pace i felt really comfortable on my 21.5 long run today completing the relatively flat course in 2.23.56 .This was 6.41 pace but it felt slower.Hopefully i can now keep on building towards my next races where i hope to run in the 34's again for 10k at the great Yorkshire,Norham or the Blyth Links as well as running sub 57 at 10 mile at Tynedale and a cherry on the top would be a sub 1.16.30 half at the Great North Run.

This week ive started my Amsterdam Marathon Preparations for 2008 a long 12 week schedule.Week 1 ive done 90.5 miles my most miles ever in a week including a 28.42 5 mile tempo,12 quarter mile reps and the Bupa Great Wales 10k.I feel as if im getting stronger and look forward to building up to 100 miles per week.Its funny sometimes this running game as sometimes my confidence is garbage and i think i cannot get anywhere whilst other times something clicks in training which makes you think"god i must have ability to do that".Onwards and upwards as they say!!!happy days

This was my first visit to Wales and i have to say what a lovely city Cardiff is.It has had a lot of money and modernisation and the bay in particular is very impressive.I tapered well for this event but i was slightly wary of a pb as the temperature was 81 with no wind.I ended up doing 35.39 which is my best of 2008 but still some 41 seconds down on my pb.The winner was a kenyan(for a change!!) in 27.45(wow0 and the top 17 lads were sub 30 minutes including quite a few british lads.

Tonight i finally done my first 17 minutes at Silksworth in Sunderland.I set off far too quick doing mile 1 in 4.47 and after that i gradually died a slow death and was past by my Blyth teamate with 10m to go.i now know that i can dio sub 16.30 if i dont start to fast.Impressive winning time of 14.45 by Hood of Sunderland followed by Buckley,Massingham,Newton then Williams who all were under 15.11,The womens race was won by Freya Murray of Chester le Street in a good 16.13.I now know i can get some where near my pb for 10k on Sunday.

This week i have 2 important target races with the Sunderland 5k and Great Wales 10k on Wednesday and Sunday.Since the Albert park time trial i done a disapointing 35.50 at the Tynedale 10k (2/70 but beat the Blyth Running Club summer cup corse record which was good.In the last 4 weeks i have upped my mileage to 72 miles and im tapering this week beforre starting my Amsterdam preparation on 27th July.I done a short race of 1.3 miles in Berwick and covered the hilly course in 7.05 coming 2nd.My recent interval sessions have been good including some sub 5 minute mile intervals.

Following on from the east kilbride half i have ran really well this week.On tuesday i done some mile efforts averaging 5.11 per mile.Then on thursday i done some kilometre efforts averaging 3.06.I then rounded off my week doing the Albert Park Time trial coming 1st in 17.06 just 2 seconds outside my pb.I feel if i continue training hard i can improve a lot.

Today i travelled to a windy Glasgow for the Diet Coke East Kilbide half Marathon.There was a big field but i guessed most of the runner were fun runners.I started well and ran very even paced which pleased me a lot.Although i faded a little towards the end especially the 1.5 mile incline into a headwind i was pleased to finish 7th in 1.18.34 inside my 1.19 target and my Gps half time was 1.18.12.

Did last nights Elswick harriers newburn river run around flat trails on the banks of the Tyne.The race was 10.5k or 6.5 miles and it was a blustery outward 3 miles.I once again fell into the trap of setting out too quick doing mile 1 in 5.15 but settled in the next 2 passing 3 in 16.43 but as we turned back on ourselves i had a bad 1.5 mile stretch and was past by 5 lads and was really fighting all the way to the end and although i beat my target of 38.30 by 30 seconds exactly i felt as i reviewed the results i was beating quite a few of these lads ahead last year but pehaps as i have done mostly fell races this year im very strong but lack the cutting edge needed for these fast races.After Sundays East Kilbride Half Marathon where i have set a modest sub 1.19 target i intend to really work hard on my speed building up to the Sunderland 5k (23/07) then the Graet Wales 10k (27/07).

My recent training has been going very well.Having kind of figured out how to train properly through amongst others the advice on a london club called Serpentine.My quarter mile intervals have come down to 67-68 secs and ive knocked 10-15 secs off my half mile times 2.22.This for some people is proberly easy but for me it represents a big breakthrough and cant wait for a spell of road races ive got lined up starting tonight at Newburn(6.7 mile).

Since my last post ive really developed my crap climbing skills through hill reps and the long cycles.Ive done 2 races since as well with 2 riggs fell race in Keswick which was a very runnable but i felt crap on my race.Then on 31st may i made my lakeland classic debut in the 1st of 6 Classics of 2008 the Duddon Valley Fell Race and i really exceeded what id hoped for finishing 10 minutes inside my 3hr 30 target in 21st position.

Since Ben lomond i have trained very hard in terms of Running and Cycling.I done the Snods edge 6 mile but i didnt run that well feeling a little tired but finished 2nd to my Blyth team mate Paul Whalley and felt alittle down as i won in 2007.a week later i did the tough Les Alcorn 10k and ran well but could only do 36.14.Cycling training included a very tough 63 miler on the hills of the North Pennines with Phil Sanderson of NFR.

This month its been a bit of up and down.After Guisborough Moors my hemogloebin level dropped badly again resulting in me being unable to finish the Anniversary Waltz.I decided to rest for a few days and in the next week i overloaded with iron and decided to do my road clubs Blyth 10k(27th April).My time was way down on where i should be clocking 36.09 when it should be around 34.20.The following week i opted for the Keswick Half Marathon rather than the Coniston Fell race and this resulted in a really pleasing 4th place in 1hr 20 mins which is not great but the 1st 3 were a good 4-5 mins down on there times.The following Wednesday(7th May)i done the Club handicap and completed the 6.6 mile course in 37.20 on tired legs which was ok.Buoyed by regaining a little confidence i drove the 430 mile round trip to Rowardennan to do the Ben Lomond fell race and came 8th having been 16th at the top so all in all my descending was very good and my confidence has increased again.

Today i ran the guisborough moors fell race in near still cold conditions.This was my first 10+ miler for a while and a good distance test before next saturdays Anniversary Waltz.I finished 7th in 1.33.25 which was up from 13th but only 30 seconds quicker than 2007.Howeverthe ground was a lot boggier and i was reasonably pleased with my climbing today.Also made the decision to Run Amsterdam Marathon 2008 as i feel i can do sub 2.40.Really gutted to see the London Marathon having had to withdraw but feeling a lot more positive.

Really looking forward to the running season getting underway.Ive been adding a bit of speedwork to my strength training at the Gym and Hill work and im starting to get back into reasonable shape after my shocking winter.I done a 7 mile trail race in county Durham coming fourth on sunday and although i finished 4th i was reaonably pleased to beat Joe Blackett.Monday (having been on a booze up sunday!!)i done 19 miles total in 2 runs and on the evening i done a 2 mile pace run doing 10.46 which i was hoping to do sub 10.40 but i felt comfortable enough.Tonight ive got the Blyth Winter Series (2.5 mile handicap0 and i start off with Andrew Henderson which is great as we can help each other run quick.

Last night did the Blyth Running Club 2.5 mile handicap and i planned on using this as a good midweek speed session as ive been neglecting speedwork through doing lots of hills and cycling.I ended up the quickest on the night clocking 13.20 (5.20 mile pace) but felt as if i had a lot more as i wasnt pushed.I now look forward to the Good Friday relays at Newburn but i dont fancy Blyths Chances as the other lads are injured or not 100%.

This weekend (After recovering from sore quads and thighs from the previous weeks exploits)i done the Really Wild Boar Fell race 5/1400ft near Sedbergh on Saturday and on Sunday i ran the Sedbergh Hills fell race route 16/6000ft.Saturdays race was the 1st counter in the NFR Championship and conditions seemed ok as we made our way up the gradual bridal path but at the top of Wild Boar Fell the peas soup came down and the race turned into a bit of a calmity as myself and 5 other lads (4th-9th places) took a terrible route and ended up doing an extra half-1 mile but eventually found the manned checkpoint only to find loads of runners ahead of us.The descent was great running with Gary Devine and after the results were worked out i ended up 10th and 1st NFR counter.On sunday morning having had a great St patricks Guiness session i ran the long run solo navigating quite well and gained more fell experience which was pleasing.

Yesterday done a great 21 mile Training run in the Lake District with some other of the Northumberland fell runners Dave Atkinson,Chris Little and Louise Wilkinson.Took in the peaks of Great Gable,Green Gable/Brandreth,Grey Knotts,Dalehead,Hindscarth,Robinson, then back around Maiden Moor and Highy Spy.Really beneficial Ascents and Descents in preparation for the Lakeland Classics.

Today i got some more valuable fell experience at Greys Pike Fell Race at Kielder,Northumberland.Although i was tired off yesterdays run i feel its always important to support local races.The quality of the field was good and the winner Ian Nixon of Pudsey and Bramley ran the 3rd quickest time ever in this race.I managed 4th and was over 1 minute quicker than last year and on tired legs was kind of happy with.The new protein/Carbohydrate shake im using seems to be working as on my 2nd(recovery run) i felt good.I now look forward to the next 2 sundays 6+hrs runs in the Lake District with The NFR guys.

Today i done the Noon Stone fell rce near Todmorden in Lancashire.This race is 2300ft and 9 miles of tough often trackless terrain and a 2 time English Championship Course.I managed to finish 14th of 213 runners and was really pleased with my climbing and also the way i tacckled the really boggy moor stretch between the unmarked route between the checkpoints.Havent found out my road clubs results in the North East Harrier League where a bad result could see them relegated but on a very good note my good friend from Blyth Running club Dave Kitching is out of hospital.

After 3 terrible months (December 1st-March 1st) i plan to start really training with more focus whilst pushing myself harder than ever to try to progress to a better level.The last 3 months with poor race performance,Injuries and hemogloebin level problems are hopefully now behind me and from Noon stone fell race in Lancashire on Saturday i can have a good 2008.

Today i ventured to Ambleside in the lakes for only my 2nd lakeland fell race.i decided between the Snake lane 10 (road) Maryport 10 (road) or this one and i really was pleased with my decision as i thoroughly enjoyed the run.My climbing seems to be improving with the cycling as discussed in my previous post and i managed 10th and although i finished a long way behing the first few i wasnt to bothered as they were top notch fell runners.Roll on Noon stone fell race next Saturday.

Recently been training hard with Cycling(lots of 2 hour + rides) as well as Gym Core work.Having been forced again not to run im also easing back into hard running.Sunday the 24th im undecided on hard 10mile road or fell race.

My energy levels continue to improve and have done some good training since the last post.Back on the fells again doing 14 miles (2500ft) on the Simonside hills on a lovely sunny day.Just need to get my weight down to 70kg and my 1 mile intervals down to 5 minute miles(currently 5.15-5.23)then ill be happier.

The last 3 days ive started to get my energy levels up again.(hallelulajah!!).Through taking iron supplements and eating lots of red meat my training is getting back to where i need to be.On wednesday done some 1km efforts and today some 1 mile efforts and was pleased with my pace.Hopefully i can build on this.Yesterday went to the NFR Dinner and was inspired by a local artic explorer Conrad Dickinson who trekked to the North Pole the long way without dogs just 1 year after doing the south pole.

Absolute disaster today at Dewsbury 10k.My recent fatigue has become a real problem resulting in a 36.44 10k.Perhaps this is to do with my blood test resulting in a low Hemogloebin level which affects how the oxygen is transported or just a terrible run on the day but what i do know is that it can only get better.

At yesterdays Winter series club handicap my recent fatigue hit a new low when i was unable to finish.I was hoping to run well as a last boost before Dewsbury but it wasnt to be and in a way i was pleased it happened there rather than the 10k.Read in the Chronicle(Local Rag) that young Ellis Hetherington has made the Inter Counties Cross Country Squad which is great for himself and Blyth.

Really tired today but really happy to train with the boys down at Blyth Docks.This was the first time for ages ive trained with my teamates for ages doing 20 1 minute efforts (30sec--Rest).Noticed Adam and Peter were running well tonight which was really great to see.

Just found out Iain Singer of my club Blyth achieved another pb at York Half marathon last Sunday.Really pleased for him as he is really dedicated and helps other Blyth Runners a lot.As for me i just done my first long run for 7 weeks (15 Miles) on the road but gutted not to be on the fells at Simonside with Rob Hall and Mick Golightly.

Today done a much improved Tempo Run after recent foot problems clocking 28.19 for a 5-Miler.Looking very much to Dewsbury 10k next week after good weeks training although disapointed to have to put London Marathon back to 2009.