Wrexham Freedom 20 Mile Road Race - March 8th 2020

I'm remaining positive about London going ahead, despite the 'C Word' , I am hopeful the situation will improve or be sufficiently delayed by the time Manchester, Boston and of course my dance London come around, I'm 100% focused on London and training hard regardless, I've taken out an insurance policy of entering the UK Boston Marathon in Lincolnshire as a potential back up race the week before, so all being well, I'll still be running a Marathon come the end of April....remaining hopeful it's the big one.

Training has been going really well since the start of the year, following a meeting with coach Dom Sexton and Joe in the local micro pub Tweed Tap to discuss 2020 goals, involving probably more beer than tactics it's fair to say, we came up with a few tweaks to the training from my Chicago training block. Just small changes, but changes all the same. I've dropped in some proper speed sessions thanks to Mark Collier and Salford Harriers on Tuesday nights, I've also added some additional speed to the end of my long runs whilst also adding 10 - 15 seconds per mile average on longer runs. More recently I have added some hill reps curtesy of Tony Hillers Hyde Running Community groups on Thursday, something I'll look to continue and overall increasing the base mileage, currently tracking about 70 miles per week, set to peak at 80 in late March Early April. Only thing I'm not doing which I should be is tempo runs, so I need to try and fix that....

The Wrexham Freedom 20 mile road race came around, finally an event to test the training, after the Village Bakery Half was cancelled due to bad weather this was my first race since early January in the North Lakes Half Marathon, read about that here. so I was really looking forward to this one.

The event is organised by Run Wales, it's been going for a few years now in various forms, in the past it's been called the Wrexham Festival of Run, combining a marathon, a 20 mile run and a half marathon. It's struggled a couple of times with flooding and some poor feedback on the route being a lot of industrial estates . But for me, the event is marketed as a marathon training event , hence it's set in early March to align to Spring Marathon Training. I myself would recommended it, yes the route is a little bland, no there isn't much support, but it's well organised, nice medal and T Shirt and perfectly timed for your marathon training, so long as your not expecting the Las Vegas Marathon this is a good event and well worth a look at. I've been turning up in it's various forms since 2013, so it must be ok.

All about the bling ….

It was a fairly early start, I picked up Hyde club mate Joe from Stalybridge at 7am in order to arrive about an hour before the race started, the weather was pretty good for running, cool, light winds and the odd light shower. We landed lucky with parking and found a free spot just outside the main event parking and headed straight into race registration. It was hand shakes all around with any COVID-19 concerns off the menu this morning as we bumped into various friends from the Northern running community. What I quickly noted was the start list published here didn't match the start list on the website, with Gavin Hill of Sale Harriers and Martin Green of North Wales RC standing out as I examined the list, both excellent runners and indicated a strong field I thought.
The event base is the Queens Way Athletics track in Wrexham this year, which works well as a base and organisation was good, with number collection and bag drop pretty slick. It also gave me and Joe a good place to warm up, so we got set and did a couple of steady laps to get the legs warmed up. Joe is just back from injury, so throwing caution to the wind and looking to treat today as a well paced 20 mile training run, for me today was all about running at my goal London pace , 6 min miles and just about the 2 hour mark. So for us both a big day really.

After a short warm up and tactics discussion we lined up on the start line, I squeezed into what looked like a good spot a couple of runners from the front. The race started and we took in one lap of the athletics track before leaving the track and heading out onto the country lanes. As is now customary in my runs my first few miles were a bit hot, 5:45, 5.52 and 5:53 , despite my quicker first few miles the lead pack were moving far too quick to chase so dropped back and settled into my planned 6 min mile pace.

Early stages of the race - the train

I'd actually hoped that I would have some help today, but literally no one seemed to be running 6 min miles , the runners ahead were 5:15 - 5;45's whilst no one behind me seemed interested in running with me today , in fact the whole field seemed to form a spaced out train rather than work together which was odd, so after just 4 or 5 miles I was all alone on the road, just the odd marshal to keep me company. What was pleasing however was I felt comfortable , I felt I could have lifted the pace but wanted to keep my powder dry on what was potentially a long day at the office. The course is two laps returning to race HQ and then heading out for a second loop to make the 20 miles , whilst also offering those running the 10 miles the same finish area as the 20, so mentally I broke the course down into four 5 mile chunks and tapped away the pace on my own. Surprisingly I managed to work away on my own ok, normally I like to work in a group but today was content solo, I could see some runners behind me in the corner of my eye on bends but felt comfortable and not pressured by them, in fact I was hoping someone would catch up and offer me help and some company!
 It became apparent however the second 5 miles back towards race HQ were tougher than the first 5, being into a headwind and slightly up hill, so I had to dig in a bit here to keep the pace in the target zone. In the distance I could see a runner I was gaining ground on, , its always a mental boost to have a target, the first one I'd had all day to be fair, just before returning to HQ I caught him and after a brief chat I pressed on, as I approached the track and turn around point I saw the lead bike heading back out closely followed by Gavin Hill of Sale Harriers, all alone and flying! at least a mile ahead of me and having an impressive race.

Heading out for lap 2 11 miles in

The route runs around the track again before heading back out, and into the 3rd 5 miles. On the way back out I passed Laura from Salford Harriers, who shouted "your in 7th if I've counted right" , great update. I felt I could try and push on a little when the opportunity came, after almost being wiped out by a van which completely ignored the marshals and drove straight onto the route and into my path I regained my composure, now armed with a tailwind and slightly downhill along with a bit of adrenalin curtesy of the van driver I was now moving at sub 6 min miles again, although no one in sight to chase! It started to rain and hail a little which at least was something else to think about, and made me feel a bit hardcore (so long as it didn't rain too hard mind )

 

I soon hit the 15 mile point, 4th stage of the race and the hardest, the head wind and incline was back. My HR date on the Garmin wrist strap is always off, but I could certainly feel I was working harder on the ups now and took on my first gel a this point. I afforded myself a couple of quick glances over my shoulder on the way in, and just tried to concentrate on my running style, trying to get the 'pop' going, chest out, chin up etc.  I couldn't see anyone behind, breaking into the final 5k I actually still felt good and probably had one of my easier ends to a race I've experienced. As I entered the athletics ground I heard someone shout "brilliant , sub 2 hours!", bloody hell I thought, he's right. I knew I wanted 6 min miles but didn't really do the maths to realise I could run 20 in sub 2.





I finished the race in 7th place (well reported Laura) in 1:59:50, my average pace was 5:59 min per mile, I couldn't be more pleased with that and how I controlled the pace over the run. I've written some gritty blogs in the past, and reported the occasional melt down, so it's nice to write this up, I turned up and ran exactly as planned with no dramas. I quickly got some warm clothes on and got my recovery drink in and waited for Joe who came in at an impressive 2:14:49 , considering this was his longest run since Yorkshire Marathon due to recent injuries it was certainly a good day at the office for Hyde RC. Unsurprisingly Gavin Hill won the race in 1:46;10, with Ryan Davis and Martin Green coming in close together in 2nd and 3rd in 1:53:08 and 1:53:13.

Once Laura had finished looking strong also we headed back to the car to get going, it's about an hours drive, much of that was filled with conversation about pacing and recovery strategies,  Pizza, beer etc.

Overall a great day out, I love it when a plan comes together!

Run Wales will have a Wrexham Running event on next year early spring, hopefully they'll see this new format as a success, I felt it was, perfectly timed marathon training event with a good field of runners at all abilities, nice medal and quality T-Shirt, check it out here!https://www.runwales.com/

Next up is the Coniston 14 mile road race in a couple of weeks, then it's the big countdown to London Marathon, assuming the Coronavirus doesn't scupper London, if it does, I'll feel I may never get to run London! But we need to do what we need to do I guess, so here's to hope!

Thanks to everyone for the support as always! gets me out the front door when it's pissing it down and I can't be arsed, but delivers me days like these!

North Lakes New Year Half Marathon - January 5th 2020

New Year new start? I felt a bit uneasy about leaving 2019 behind me from a running prospective, it was such a good year for me, PB's at every distance including the Chicago Marathon, not to mention winning the Langdale Marathon. I'd had dreams about how Chicago would go, none as good as it went in reality. I'd actually ran better than I'd planned in 2019. It was good to kick the New Year off quickly with my second visit to the North Lakes New Year Half, because I knew the enormity of the training block required to run my 2020 goal at London Marathon, along with relaxing the miles a bit over Christmas I was struggling to get motivated and this race was just what I needed.

Deciding to try and run sub 3 hours in Chicago all started 12 months ago at the North Lakes New Year Half Marathon 2019, when a slightly robust version ran myself 'on reflection' ran my very first sub 1 hour 30 min half Marathon in 1 hour 29 mins finishing 24th overall,  see the pic below taken 12 months back. I thought, if I can run sub 1 hour 30, I can run sub 3 right? Now I know there is a bit more to it than that, but in principle yes I thought. So off I went.

Last Years Race



So here I was back again, and I wanted to do the same again. Provide myself the confidence that I can run a half marathon at my planned London Marathon pace, 6 min miles or just under. I'd decided to drive up on the morning of the race from Hyde, 137 miles, but being early on a Sunday morning only took me 2 hours 15, and that's with a mandatory coffee stop. I arrived at race registration for about 8:20am, registration is held in the dinning room of the Graysonside B&B farmhouse, quite a unique feel to this race, I really like it to be honest. It's only in it's third year now, but when registration opens in August it sells out quickly with a field of about 400 runners and growing in popularity. There is always a few transfers knocking about in late December as people realise the festivities have done too much damage , so you can be lucky and pick up a late entry on the Facebook page.

I headed back to my car, made some porridge and coffee on my stove and got ready to go, took a mandatory picture of my race number as you do. It was cold, but actually quite mild for the time of year, about 8c, so I decided it was just a vest today with no arm warmers or gloves, in particular as I was here on business today and always get too warm when racing. I bumped in to Laura from our training group back in Hyde now running for Salford Harriers, I'm always banging on about Lake District races when training and Laura had taken me up on my recommendation to enter this race, it was good to see a friendly face and chat for short while before we warmed up.

It wasn't long before we were all asked to assemble under the starting banner for a race brief, I chatted to Chris Holdsworth who's won this race for the past two years and here today to make it 3 in a row. He was pretty modest about his chances today, but with local runner Ricky Lightfoot not present this year I didn't think anyone here was going to challenge him to be honest and I was right, Chris ran a race of his own winning in 1:08:21 and just three seconds shy of the course record.....which he holds. I positioned myself just one row from the front, I wanted to try and get a top 10 finish and perhaps challenge for the V40 so wanted a good start position.

After the usual countdown from 10 we were away, the route swings quickly left out of the driveway from Graysonside Farm and heads down hill for the first half a mile or so, the pace was hard initially with one or two runners chasing Chris down, but it didn't last and he quickly disconnected the pack and ran up the road at sub 5 minute miles opening up a significant gap. The pack then regrouped and settled down a bit. I think my first mile was about 5:30 min, I wasn't too worried, if you've read my blogs before you'll note I always run the first mile quite hard, bit of nerves, finding some road,  not wanting to get dropped by the runners I want to race etc, I don't think it does much harm so long as you settle in after a mile or so and that's what we did. There was myself, Julie Briscoe lead lady and Wakefield runner,  a Keswick runner and one other sitting in 2nd, 3rd 4th working together quite nicely for the first few miles of undulating roads. The pace felt tough and I was blowing a bit so tried to play it cool. I couldn't quite live with the two male runners by about mile 5 and they moved up the road, but never out of sight. From nowhere an Inverclyde AC runner just drifted past me like I was going backwards, I normally like to try and jump on the tail of runners that are going quicker, but he was moving quite a bit quicker, good early pacing and fair play I thought. So by my calculations I was now 5th on the road with the lead lady Julie and one other runner close behind.

Whilst I was getting battered by the wind with no one to hide behind I wasn't struggling anymore, I'd gotten my breathing under control and was running with a nice 'pop' as I call it , I felt in control of the race I was now in by mile 8 to hold 5th, whilst I could the see two runners ahead I didn't quite have the legs to chase them down, and already pacing at sub 6 min miles it felt just too quick to try. The route gets to a point then circles around the stunning Lorton Valley before heading back towards Cockermouth, the undulation is quite draining but the down hills allow you to pull the time back in, I knew by mile 10 we only had one more climb, so I deployed by 'only a parkrun to go tactic' and dug in. I knew Julie was still close behind as I could hear her so really just focused on my running style. As we got closer to the finish line more people were about to support the race , I still felt pretty good  but my hamstrings were hurting a bit, shouldn't  have run that bloody park run yesterday I cursed....

We hit the last long but steady climb at about 12.5 miles, I really had to push up here, a lot of the supporters were shouting for Julie to close me down, which really pushed me on and I ran hard up the last climb and managed to open up a bit of a gap and hold 5th, I didn't realise but I had a couple of runners for company so I was really pleased I could make one last push to hold out. I crossed the finish line in 1 hour 17 mins and 46 seconds!  It was only whilst checking the stats the next day I realised this was a Half Marathon PB for me beating my Conwy time by a few seconds.

The finish sprint!

I headed back to the registration area and visited Fellside Physio who were supporting the race again for some treatment on my hamstrings , always seem to get sore hamstrings at faster paces, I'll need to look closer at this over the next few weeks. There is also a bacon buttie and coffee on offer for all finishers which was excellent and very much apricated after my early start this morning. I got some warm clothes on and waited around for the presentations, as I mentioned Chris Holdsworth took the overall winner with Julie taking the woman's race and setting a new course record , high kudos to those two! I won the V40 and took 5th overall, felt very pleased and proud of myself to pick that up. The Inverclyde runner drifted past everyone into second and took V45, brilliant pacing!

Incidentally, Laura enjoyed the race, despite me telling her a load of bollocks about the course being pretty flat which it isn't , my brain must have cancelled the hills out from last year. So I've committed it to writing this year so I don't forget.

The whole day felt like last year, in that, I'd set a new half marathon PB and run just a bit quicker than my intended marathon pace for my 2020 goals.....if I can run a 1 hour 18 half I can run a sub 2 hour 38 Marathon right? In principle yes, but I know there is a LOT more to it than that, but that's the goal. So here we go again, 2020 lets do it.

If you fancy joining me at next years race you can sign up here from August 2020, join up to their Facebook page also for updates. Its a great race, but not flat... North Lakes New Year Half Not Flat

After the presentation I headed back to the car, got the heated seat on my poor hamstrings and set off on the long drive home, felt like a long but rewarding day, was nice to get home and see Sarah, we headed off to Tweed Tap a local micro pub for a couple of recover beers before Pizza at home, nice end to a nice day!


Happy New Year everyone and if you've lasted this long well done and thanks for reading !

Langdale Road Races - Brathay Xmas Pud 10k - Dec 7th 2019

Not Pretty...but running isn't just about running

 

This month brings to a close my first full 12 months running for Hyde, I'm not new to running, not at all, but I have been re energised since joining up to the club late last year, and really enjoyed the journey of 2019. The cherry on the cake was being presented with the Strider of the Year Award at the clubs annual ball, never did I imagine I'd win something like this, I wasn't even sure I knew enough people at the club to attract the votes! But just goes to show how supportive the running community is, and really couldn't have had the year I've had without it.

 

The Langdale Christmas 10k was my first run for Hyde in December 2018, so I was looking forward to going back 12 months on an improved runner. All Brathay events have a special place in my heart, since taking part in the Brathay 10 Marathons in 10 Days in May 2018 (read about it here Brathay 10 in 10 ) , they organise the famous Windermere Marathon, Brathay 5k, Langdale Marathon, Langdale Half Marathon the Langdale Christmas Pudding 10k and recently the Ambleside 60k Ultra as well as multiple cycling, hiking and rowing events all in aid of changing young lives in support of the Brathay Trust Charity.

The importance of the race was also increased 10 months ago on a night out in Manchester,  Sarah my wife and Rick my Brother had made a deal (beer involved) that they were both going to take up running and entered the 10k also, a deal supported by photo evidence and reminded continuously throughout the year, the deal was honoured , and both arrived fully trained and ready to race on a wet morning in the Great Langdale Valley, Sarah had even joined Hyde Village Striders and completed the Stride Out Programme, whilst Rick had trained on the streets of Gee Cross himself. I was so proud of both their efforts to get here ready to run and another reason to look forward to the event. So this wasn't 'just' a 10k,  it was a 10k which meant a lot to me, also one I felt with my recent times I could compete in.  Cue a nasty chesty cough taking hold in the few days leading up to the event...…

The Deal

We arrived at registration about 10:30am and collected our race numbers, I still was not sure if I was going to race at this point, we grabbed a quick coffee and went back to the car to get changed, fix numbers etc. It was cold and rainy, perfect conditions for a cough …. I decided to have a warm up and threw in some pretty hard efforts to see how my chest reacted, ok actually, coughing a bit, but not as bad as I thought. I'd been checking my heart rate all night also which was normal, so I thought fuck it, I'm going against all the correct and sensible advice and I'm running today, lets do it. And I'm going to try and mix it up at the sharp end for good measure. We sat in the car as long as we could to stay warm before finally moving over to the starting line, we wished each other luck and Gem took our final warm layers and we got set in the starting area. I positioned myself right near the front, just one row of runners ahead, I was freezing as I waited for the final race briefing to be complete by Scott Umpleby Race Director, unusually for races they called us forward to the start line early, and a quick count down we were away!

You can probably just make me out in the above picture in the pack, the Helm Hill Runner and eventual winner Pete Harrison at the front went out bloody hard and put in a 5 min mile against the undulating road,  with or without a cough I couldn't live with that pace and tried to settle into the chasing pack group. I managed to jostle around a bit and soon settled in and brought a few runners back settling in about 5th on the road, but I was suffering.

I sat in with a couple of Ambleside AC runners, one being Sarah McCormick who was first female and second overall last year, something she went on to repeat this year. I was hoping to stick with her for longer, it's well known in running that women generally pace races better than men, men tending to go out hard and fade. So it had been my intention to learn from her pacing, but just couldn't hang around for the lesson and got dropped by the Ambleside duo about 3k in.  My first few miles were 5:33 and 5:50, ok it was undulating, but no more than I was used too, I just felt shit. I really felt like stopping, which is not usual to be honest, but my moral took a bit of a punch when the two Ambleside runners left me. It wasn't pretty either, I was slavering like a race horse, the amount of slobber I was producing was actually embarrassing as I ran past supporters and photographers, I was obviously having a clear out by putting my lungs under pressure whilst carrying a chesty cough.

I got my self together again and managed to settle in, as we ran into Elterwater the route climbs sharply, it's amazing how hard hills are after 4 miles of fast road racing, the route is lose stone under foot at this point. I did manage to stick with the runners around me up here however, and even gained a place or two which I'd previously lost. We then make a noticeable turn and head through some farm land on bridle tracks, which thankfully had now levelled off, I hit the 8k mark and was feeling as good as I'd felt for the whole race, I could even see I was closing in on one of the Ambleside Runners.

The final 2k was simply a battle across the undulating roads to the finish, trying to close down a couple of runners ahead which I couldn't quite do, whilst preventing anyone passing me, which I did manage to do. Once I could hear the announcements of the finish line area I just gritted my teeth and pushed all the way in whilst trying to sort my face out,  I came in at 37 mins and 20 seconds 6th male and 7th overall from about 800 starters. Putting that into context I finished 58th last year in 43 minutes . So a real mixed feeling when I crossed the line.

I felt awful on finishing, was presented with my Christmas Pudding by Aly Knowles of Brathay, then headed to get warm. I was glad to see Gem waiting to tell me my face needed wiping ! My attention then immediately turned to the other Warburtons out there today, once I had some warm clothes on we waited for both Rick and Sarah to appear over the horizon.

It was great to see Rick coming in smiling and looking comfortable at 50 mins and 2 seconds, brilliant effort for his first 10k road race and a very lumpy course, and certainly not looking out of place.

Then a short time later Sarah came in absolutely buzzing and waving her arms about, cars beeping and people clapping in 1 hour 27 minutes and 6 seconds! I know how hard Sarah has worked for this and fully deserved this excellent result! In fact, from the three of us I looked the worse for wear on finishing, maybe I'm the one who needs to learn to enjoy races from time to time

This was my last race of the year, and what a year its been, super pleased with my times, but running isn't just about running and times. It's about enjoying it,  community and support, as well as seeing others getting involved and the change it has in them is unbelievable. I can't wait for next year, some big dates in the diary and will we see more from Sarah and Rick? I think we will.  But for now, that's me for 2019, I'm full of a cough and cold now so will take some time off running this week and try and get myself fit. The only thing left to do in the lakes after the race was of course, Beer and Pizza.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all

Wilmslow Festive 10k - 24th of November 2019

The event was sold out, so it was a long shot, but started asking around and got lucky to pick up a spare place from Elizabeth Mason from the club Hyde Striders, (thanks Liz), and it was on, it was nice to have a surprise race in the diary, one I'd forgotten all about and not entered, so had no time at all to over think it and worry etc.

I'd arranged to pick up a couple of club friends Joe and Dylan, on the way down we chatted a bit about 10k tactics, This was only my second 10k road race, with the other being the Langdale 10k in the Lake District last December clocking 43 mins, so whilst I was sure I would be quicker than that, I really wasn't sure how to approach it. I thought perhaps double my 5k pace, add a bit and go with that, I arrived at about 35 mins with that crude calculation. Also, after listening to Joe's race tactic of  "just go out really fast and try and stay fast" , I thought that sounded like a solid enough plan for me, so tactics were drawn around that statement and those calculations...

We hung around a bit and had a nosey in the Run North West shop who organise the event, I was amazed by the scale of the event, thousands of runners knocking about. It was like the who's who of local running with some top runners and well known names about. About 10 - 15 mins before the start we headed back to the car to get changed and moved to the start area. It felt like a really big event once in the starting area.

I don't know what it is about races, but you get yourself set and suitably positioned so as not to hold up the faster runners and so not to get penned behind steadier runners, yet once the start is imminent it seems you've been shuffled back 5 or 6 rows....  I can only think people join the pens from the front, does anyone know ? We didn't have time to complain or worry however, there was no messing about with announcements or delays the race gun went and we were away, and away fast! It felt like the first 300m or so we had to bob and weave a bit to find some space and move past a few other runners before settling in, I needed to jump on the kerb for a short while before rejoining the road once there was a bit more space.

I checked my Garmin, I was moving @5:25 pace which is a bit keen I thought, but thinking of the 'go fast and stay fast' tactic myself and Joe were deploying I guess this was spot on. I caught up to the lead woman group and sat with them for a short while, they were getting huge support from the crowds which had turned out to support the race, I hesitated about pressing on, but felt good so moved on from the group hoping to stay ahead. I had to run straight through some pretty deep water puddles in order to take the best line on the corners, but my wet socks were becoming less and less of a problem and the run heated up. I went through 5K in 16:49, with my 5k PB being 16:40 I was really moving. I felt ok through, I was picking up some runners who were starting to drop off which always helps if you can do it, I sat with runners for a few seconds before pushing and trying to catch the next

.

About 8k in I was in-between runners trying to make the jump when  I started to feel the heat, my hamstrings were feeling sore, I thought they'd recovered from Conwy, but the pace of this race was highlighting the cracks. I'd gone from racing aggressively to trying to survive in just a few seconds. The little voice in my head started visualising reasons I could stop, I thought if I can just make the gap to the next runner I can hold on and just sit in a while. Suddenly the runner in front of me stepped off the road holding his hamstrings, that runner was my goal! I very nearly stopped myself and held my hamstrings. I was now on my own with the next runner even further up the road. The course starts to undulate a bit and the runners ahead seem to slow, this allows me to get back amongst something of a group, it felt like I'd been rescued and I gained my control again. All of a sudden a 400m to go sign appeared! Wow I thought, I'd been that involved in my own mental battle to continue I'd forgotten about the battle with the distance and we were nearly done, I just about managed to muster a sprint finish with a Sale Runner and we were home. 34 mins and 06 annoying seconds. Blimey, 10k's are hard, basically just as fast as 5ks and twice as long. Seems obvious that, but true....

I was amazed by my time, running hurts, but I'd surprised myself today , I'd beaten 35 mins which I'd have more than taken if offered before the race. The top seven runners ran sub 30 minutes today, which is unbelievable. I finished 38th and v40 7th, from over 4000 runners very pleased and very shattered. Joe came in not long after in 37:20, also a great time.

If I look at what was missing from my training this year it's 10k and track work, so I'll be looking to improve on that early next year for spring marathon training. The Wilmslow 10k was a brilliant event, they do a summer event also. So if you are looking for a fast 10k, look no further! It gets very crowded near the end and a bit chaotic , so I think next time I'd arrange to meet back at the car rather than the race end. But having said that it's nice to cheer other club runners on and have a catch up with friends.
I've got another 10k in the Lakes in a couple of weeks, at least now I know how I can go about a 10k with this experience under my belt...that's right, double my 5k pace, add a bit and just survive.

race results

Conwy Half Marathon - November 17th 2019



I'd really been looking forward to this race since recovering from Marathon Eryri, this would be my third Conwy Half and it's always a great weekend, me and Sarah normally make a weekend out if it and travel down on the Saturday and visit the Christmas Markets, do a bit of shopping, then after the race enjoy a few beers and some food in Llandudno. After the glamour of Chicago followed by the brutality that Langdale and Snowdonia hit me with it's been nice to get back to normal training and return to a race I know well in the Conwy Half organised by Run Wales.

The race is now in it's 11th year and attracts a large number of runners of all abilities and increasingly strong field of runners chasing times, about 3000 runners and growing. It starts and finishes at the stunning Conwy Castle on the harbour and heads out of Conwy along the coast to Llandudno and around the Great Orme, so it's got a pretty long climb up around the Orme before returning to Conwy along the coast, it has just under 1000ft of climbing overall, perhaps not one you'd consider a PB course, but a stunning one and I think already becoming an iconic race in the calendar.


We'd travelled over as planned on the Saturday and settled into the accommodation , this year Sarah's dad Bill had joined us as I'd booked a good sized self catering home, booked really early and got a good deal. Once settled we headed over to the Llandudno Christmas Markets for a bit of shopping and food, I had a chicken wrap and an outrageous amount of caramelised cashew nuts, I'm sure the elites would have been doing the same......
The next morning after porridge we headed down to the start, it was a cold and murky morning so I stayed wrapped up as long as I could.

I'd been thinking about how to approach this race in the week or two leading up to it, should I take easy or go for it, it's a hilly course and I wasn't sure how much I would get out of it if I attacked it, or if I'd recovered from other events. But I'm already thinking about 2020, and my time goal for London, so with that in mind I thought stuff it, lets have a go, so the cap went on backwards and the Nike Vaporfly next % shoes went on.
I got myself warmed up and positioned near the front, perhaps about 20/25 runners in front of me in the start pack. There were lots of friendly faces from Hyde here this morning, and it was good to line up alongside Andy Hadfield and have a good catch up while we waited for the start gun.

I took my warm layer off and chucked it and suddenly we were away!  I wanted to try and run most miles sub 6 minute today and so went out accordingly and perhaps a little hot @5:35 minute miles, I tried to correct it by dropping a touch but soon settled at a more sensible 5:50 mile pace as we headed out of Conwy towards Llandudno and the Great Orme climb.

 

As we ran along the coast through the first three miles I was glad it was a calm morning with little wind, I was running with a runner from South Cheshire, there was a pack of runners ahead and another behind and we were in something of a 'no mans land' . I was actually finding the pace tough going, it felt more like a 5k pace than half marathon pace, although didn't want to crack on this was the case to my fellow runner so just ticked along and suffered as quietly as I could, I thought to myself I really don't want to get dropped here or I'll be all alone! The problem with 5k pace is almost every time I've run one I have a moment where I feel like quitting and look for an excuse! So I was able to focus on the battle not to quit for the next couple of miles and try and discover some rhythm. I've never quit yet, but the battle goes on, so if you ever see me drop out of Park Run or another 5k with some crap excuse like I've got cramp or a stitch, just tell me to get on with it would you please.  

Every group of supporters we ran past I heard calls of 'come on Cheshire!' and 'Go South Cheshire' , which strangely was pissing me off a bit. He was a really nice lad and kept replying thanks to all the shouts, but I was just thinking 'what about come on Hyde!' And just kept working to stay in touch.

 

 

Believe it or not I was glad when we hit the bottom of the Great Orme climb from mile 5, which really ramps up come mile 7, the climbs took the sting out of the pace and the groups which were ahead and behind broke up, It was hard going but I found my rhythm here and just kept using other runners as mini targets to pull myself up the hill. I've put about 1kg on in weight since running Chicago Marathon a month ago, and I was starting to feel that a bit climbing the Orme Road, I was also starting to regret eating so many caramelised cashew nuts last night,  I could just make out Gwion (Bobo) who I met at Hyde Park Run a few weeks back a little further up the road and made it my target to catch him up, which helped take my mind off the hill for a short while, exchanged a few knackered words to each other and we pressed on.

 

 

 

Once over the top of the climb I recovered my breathing and heart rate and I was away again, it felt good to be moving quick again and the views were now stunning. I manged to get my pacing back to sub 6 again into my target area, which in comparison to the hill climb actually felt pretty comfortable.  Once at the bottom of the descent I felt good and decided to hit the gas and go for at, my usual mental game came into action and I thought, "just a park run to go"  and managed to maintain 5:40's right the way in.

 

The final stages of those Park Run miles I really pushed on to keep my pace going, it was great to hear a few shouts of 'Go on Hyde!' which I really apricated, with the occasional GO SEAN or SEEN as it seems to be pronounced for some, but all appreciated the same so thanks if one of them was you! There must have been a very small undulation in the road which caught me out and my legs just had a little wobble, but managed to stay up right with no drama's, just 'concentrate!' I thought

 

 

 I crossed the finish line in 18th position and second place V40, I also had a new Half Marathon PB of 1 hour 17 mins and 54 seconds! I was really pleased and little surprised to PB on this course. So perhaps caramelised cashew nuts and a pint of wheat beer is the way forward after all? My hamstrings were as tight a Yorkshire mans wallet after the race so I did a few stretches before having my recovery drink and  getting some warm clothes on, after another catch up with Andy we headed back to the accommodation so I could have a shower and get changed.

 

I ran this race last year in 1 hour 32 last year, which at the time was my half marathon PB! What a difference a year makes, especially when you make a few changes to your routine and join Hyde Striders!

 

I'll absolutely be back here next year, this along with Langdale and Windermere Marathons are now on my list of Mandatory Races , can I temp you to sign up and perhaps join us for a weekend in Llandudno in 2020?  Conway Half Marathon

 

 

 

 







Snowdonia Marathon Eryi October 26th 2019

After Chicago and Langdale Marathons in the last two weeks I'd tried pretty much everything to encourage Sarah to talk me out of running Marathon Eryi, I'd dropped hints such as "legs are feeling it" and "hope this doesn't make me poorly". I'd even gone as far as not booking any accommodation, so as not to waste any money in the event I didn't run. But nothing, she's been here before you see, and just said, "it's up to you" with a caveat of "you'll be disappointed if you don't do it" Which I knew was true. Also, Marathon Eryi is an iconic race, so much so it's own popularity has meant next year will be a ballot entry system, so this could well be my last chance given my record in race ballots is worse than United's form this season.

So off I set to Llanberis at 4am in the pouring rain, I stopped for coffee a couple of miles away, and noted it was raining really heavy now and looked to be settling as snow on the higher summits of the Snowdonia National Park. I arrived at race registration at just after 6am, the race didn't start until 10:30am, but wanted to get parked and registered, so I headed back to my car and went to sleep for an hour or so, listening to the rain crashing on the roof of my car.  About 8:30am I fired up my stove and boiled some water to make my porridge, also went and bought a coffee and had some breakfast, it was still cold and horrible.

I bumped into a few friends, Joni, Gary were there along with Graham from the Brathay 10in10 in 2018, I also met up with Darren Jenness, it was good to see him actually as I knew he ran Langdale also, so I wasn't the only one who was going to feel it today. It was still raining and cold.

We headed up to the start line for just before 10:30, I decided to race in the vest despite the cold wet conditions, I've never been too cold running, so just suffered in the cold a bit waiting around. I passed an additional layer I was wearing to Darren's wife who held onto until after the run. Always good to have friends about at races.

10:30 and we were off, the race starts fast I was moving along pretty well, the race then quickly starts to climb up Pen-Y-Pass for a couple of miles, if you want to chase time on this course you have to push up here, it's far too long to walk, and too cold this morning. It's a tough climb, but I ran well up to the pass summit and it was down hill for a good few miles from here to Nant Gwynant.

Once through Nant Gwynant I formed a group with another 3 runners, really helped to work with some other lads and we ticked along nicely all the way to Beddgelert, the support in Beddgelert was unbelievable , really surprised me and felt great to be running in this strong group. The TV crews were back and forth past us for miles, the woman's race was taking place behind us and a real battle was also developing up the road in the men's race, so I was certain we'd be on TV so tried not to look to knackered.

The group broke up a little by the time we hit the bottom of the rapid climb of Waunfawr, it's here where wheels generally fall off and mine came astray about a third of the way up the biggest and steepest climb of the race, there was only about 3 miles to go, but I could only walk sections of this.

I was working with another runner going up, we kept pushing each other on every time one of us broke into a walk, this really helped, up until the point where I thought I wish he's just fuck off now and let me walk. See the brutal profile below...

The support at the top was immense, it was a horrible day for spectators, yet they were all there with fancy dress, bells, flags and ,music in the middle of nowhere, unbelievable. This fired me all the way down the treacherous downhill to the finish and my quads were suffering big time, I had a couple of slips and trips down here but came through unscathed but knackered in 3 hours and 6 minutes and 1 sec.

I finished 50 mins quicker than last year and 36th overall, which shows how much progress I've made since joining Hyde RC and making a few other changes, but I am knackered now and need a rest, it's been an amazing year and Marathon Eryi is the final Marathon of 2019 for me, a few weeks of reduced miles now before we look ahead to 2020. I have the Conway Half Marathon in November and the Langdale Road Races Christmas Pudding 10k in December to look forward too, especially as Sarah and my Brother Rick are running the 10k as their first 10k run!

The Ballot for 2020 Marathon Eryi opens December 1st, I'd highly recommend this race, only problem being it lands on the same day as Langdale Marathon in October 2020. So next year I'll have to miss Eryi, Langdale just edges it for me, just because of my connections with Brathay, love of the Lake District and of course winning this years race.

(We never did make the cut for TV...)

Langdale Marathon October 19th 2019

The Lake District is really hilly, not breaking news really is it, but it is really hilly. In fact, it's home to two of the most hilly road races in the UK, the Windermere Marathon with around 1700ft of elevation and the Langdale Marathon with over 3000ft of elevation.

The Langdale Marathon is a new addition to the portfolio of events run by Brathay Challenges in the Lake District. The event is in it's 31st year and is considered the UK's toughest road marathon, with some climbs of 30%! The event was originally run by Langdale Road Races pioneered by the legend that is Rob Berry aka "Rocket Rod" . They also host the Langdale Half marathon on the same day and the Christmas Pudding 10k in December. The Marathon also forms part of the Langdale Oktoberfest, so we normally make a weekend out of it and stay over, great weekend all in all.

This year was made more special as my friend Mischa Vliege had travelled over from Belgium to run the Marathon as his second Marathon and first road Marathon following his completion of the Tenerife Blue Trail Marathon earlier this year. He likes to do things the hard way it seems....

We had a quick drive over to the start area the night before to check out the logistics (and have a sneaky beer at the Oktoberfest). That evening we just chilled at the cottage with the log fire on, eating some pasta, nice relaxing evening catching up with Mischa , telling him all about Chicago (is there anyone I've not told, read about it here Chicago Marathon )

I woke up about 6:30am and started pottering about, made some coffee and porridge, took Benny (the dog) out for a little walk to get some fresh air. It was a bit wet and murky but otherwise a pretty good day for a marathon I thought. We got over to the registration and start area, it was great to see family and friends there, in the main they'd come to see Mischa run his first UK Marathon, he's done really well having only started running last year. But it was good for me also to see everyone, I also chatted to some friends from Brathay, 10 in 10 runners were everywhere.

There was some slight delays to the pre race briefing due to the traffic leading into the Great Langdale Valley, which had held up some runners, also some big queue's for the toilets, however about 10:25 they called all runners to the start, so myself and Mischa headed over to the start line. It was a very different atmosphere to 6 days earlier in Chicago. there were no Vaporfly next % shoes here, no sunglasses or fancy dress costumes , the Vaporflys and sunglasses had been replaced by beards and buff scarves , the fancy dress replaced by Keswick and Ambleside running club shirts, the sun of Chicago replaced by a cold wet day in the Great Langdale Valley.

But I know this course and wanted to get going, I had my secret goals again, I knew last years winner with 3 hours 7mins Mike Sprot wasn't here due to managing hamstring problem ahead of  New York Marathon, I'd looked around the field and could see friends Darren Jenness and Paul Brown , both sub 3 hour Runners, but so was I now, and I also knew Paul was heading out to run New York also. So my mind was made up there and then under the start line, I was going out fast today and see if I could do something in the race.

There was a count down by the crowd and Scott Umpleby Race Director 5,4,3,2,1 and we were away , I ran out with the half marathon runners who were moving about 6:15 miles through the Langdale Valley, I thought this was a bit quick to be honest, but when I looked around I had another Marathon Runner with me also so stuck at it. Just after the first mile we hit the cattle grid which signals the start of the brutal climb up to Blea Tarn , over 25% in places, the segment is called 'road to hell' on Strava which seemed accurate.

Two of the half marathon runners pressed on, far too fast to chase at marathon pace.  I continued to push hard up the climb, I heard my fellow Marathon runner whisper "for fucks sake' and eased off a bit, so I pushed all the way to the top knowing I had a long down hill where I could recover a bit. Once over the top I was away again and able to drop into a group of half marathon runners. The pace now felt good, and so did I , we continued to work all of the way around, the next big test was the climb from Skelwith Bridge, a brutal 30% start then steadily climbing for the next mile or so.

I ran back into the valley with the half marathon runners, nice lads and great to work with, just wish they were staying with me, but when we got back to the start they peeled off for the finish, we were on 1 hour 32 mins at this point for the half. Not bad on this course.

Now I was all on my own, the lead car sat in front of me, I've never experienced this and spent much of the next 13 miles wondering if this helped or hindered. I hit the cattle grid for the second time on the road to hell, and it began to hurt. I kept pressing on though and ran up about half way before looking back. If there is anything good about this climb it's the views, stunning views back down to Great Langdale. I could also see back along the course and could see the second place runner hitting the bottom of the climb, I'd broken in to a brisk walk by this point, and seeing the next runner chasing me pushed me up the hill and back into a run. Again once over the top I could hit a good pace once again.

Its a hard descent from Blea Tarn and my quads were in over drive, when I hit the undulating roads at the bottom and had to work again the road just sucked the life out of me, when the race car went out of view I stopped and put my hands on my knees, for a moment I thought my day was done.....I was just knackered. I had a look over my shoulder fearing I was being hunted down, no one there. I just started having a bit of a conversation with myself, "come on, ffs, all your family are there, I'll look like a right nob going out so fast if I can't hold out"  I started to run again, I don't know where it came from, but started moving pretty well.

The timing of hitting the support in Little Langdale was perfect, I really needed it right now, quite a crowd had gathered outside the Three Shires Inn to watch the race, and being led through the village by the race car....I felt like a superstar and the hurt was gone....for now. The next couple of climbs I ate up pretty well. As I dropped down to Skelwith I knew what awaited me, the brutal 30% climb again, fantastic support through Skelwith and great to see Chris Heaton supporting, a 10 in 10 runner and general adventure legend!  As I hit the climb, boom, it stopped me again, I had no choice at all but to walk up here, kept looking over my shoulder, every time I began to run again it just wouldn't happen. I normally use 4 gels in a marathon, I'd had 5 today and they were all gone, I noticed the race car kept having to pull in and wait for me, so I knew I'd slowed a lot.

I ran past the 23 mile sign, I just somehow got going again and over the top of the climb, felt like I'd lost a lot of time on that climb. Its a very steep descent into Elterwater , and my quads were paying the price, but I was happy again, 6:30 miles again now and just letting the hill do the work, I wasn't fighting it. I got to the last drinks stop with about 2 miles to go, they had mint cake! Grabbed a handful of mint cake and drank some electrolytes, mumbling 'fanks' and spitting bits of cake out I headed off, mint cake is brilliant, it gave me just enough to finish. I had one more minor melt down on the climb from Chaple Stile but I could hear the announcement of the finish line now , I came in 3 hours 11 mins an 1st place, so pleased but blimey that was hard work. It was great to have everyone there, my first Marathon win, and to do it here in this race, in the Lake District with family here was pretty much perfect.

  

This is one tough race, and really couldn't be happier to win it, but I know I can run better, and perhaps got a little lucky in the second half. Next year I won't have a marathon the week before and will be better prepared. I'll certainly be back, this run almost chewed me up, but this is marathon running, it's really bloody hard.

Mischa came in 5 hours 57 mins , I was so pleased for him as there were plenty of DNF's today and he said there had been some dark moments out there, but he got it done which is what it's all about.



Entries for next years race opens on December 1st 2019, I'll be there, will I see you for a great weekend in the Lake District and the UK's toughest road race?
see event details here  Langdale Marathon