Runner who loves the off road

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.