I entered the Hatfield Broad Oak 10K with some trepidation. Although this race is based in a nice village with a great atmosphere, loads of locals running and everyone in a festival mood, the last couple of times I have run this race I have got soaked. Last time we were seriously worried that the car would not make it back out of the field (our little red Yaris is not really designed to be an off-roader!) and I recall getting soaked as far as my underwear.
Anyway, this year it seemed we would be ok as we set off on a dull but dry day. On balance, I've enjoyed this race in the past. On the plus side it has a nice atmosphere and there is a fair mix of runners meaning you don't get too lonely at the back. However, I have always found this race hard, not really appreciating the downhill finish as I have always been too tired plus I've never had 100% confidence in the results and large amounts of PBs this course always seems to produce (maybe I am just jealous, it's over 10 years since I set my 10K PB!!!).
Of course, given my current "condition" I had no plans or aims as usual for this so I set off at a leisurely pace, watchless and determined to enjoy the view en route. The course runs through country lanes before coming back through the village (where there is loads of cheering and encouragement) before looping back round some lanes again and finishing a bit lower than you started. I enjoyed the part of the course where I got to see some of our faster runners and cheer them on up the incline out of the village although I have to admit by the time I got to the aformentioned incline I had to walk to make it to the top in one piece...that was where Sibbo caught me walking but at least I do have an excuse these days!!
So, how did I fare? This is the first race in a while I had to walk and I did find it hard going, especially in the second half of the race when having to slog up hills. My time (01:06:32, 1051/1120) was a good few minutes slower than previous efforts (mainly due to walking) but I did enjoy it and I didn't get soaked!
Monday 25 May 2009
Thursday 14 May 2009
MWL Race 1@Stevenage
The first race of our annual summer midweek league took place in sunny Stevenage on 14 May. We're in division 1 again this year and we're desperately hoping to avoid relegation (as we are the West Brom of the MWL). The best way to avoid this is to get as many people to run as possible (increases the odds of the super speedies being there) and we got over 50 people out, what a success!
I went there straight from work with Karen kindly offering to pick James and I up from the station (plus a lost St Albans strider, running is a very friendly sport!) and my kit being transported by Gazza and Christine.
The course was a measured 10k and a new route. Statto had done some research and warned of a tough second half to the race...I took heed of this (unlike the man himself!) and set off nice and steadily (something I am getting better at).
All sorts of people seemed to be overtaking me in the first few km which worried me but as I couldn't go any faster it wasn't an issue! I actually found the first few km much harder than I expected and I didn't much enjoy slogging along next to busy roads. Just after halfway, the course turned into Fairlands Valley park and it got a lot more enjoyable. I was able to catch up a few people (but I was still being overtaken by hoards of others) and I was getting into a nice rhythm. It did start to get tougher as it dragged uphill but soon the dependable NHRR supported started to pop up en route which was well timed as I needed it.
A quick plug for Julia Stroud here, she stormed past me a couple of km from the finish and got miles ahead of me, what a good finish! I was struggling to keep myself going (I even had to content with a quick football dribble as one was kicked into my way in the last 500m) and eventually I cruised over the finish line in 1:01:18 (which I was pretty pleased with). Hardly an amazing time (and certainly not one where you would expect the person running behind you to be encouraged by a loud, repeated shout of "Take her out" (her referring to me I suppose and for the record she didn't) but not a bad time all things considered.
Sadly the water ran out at the end and the evil Fairlands Valley park gnats struck again but otherwise it was a successful run. The results worked out really well too, 3rd for the men, 2nd for the ladies and 3rd overall on the night. Our vet men also came first which I am sure they are very proud of. All in all a top night for NHRR!
I went there straight from work with Karen kindly offering to pick James and I up from the station (plus a lost St Albans strider, running is a very friendly sport!) and my kit being transported by Gazza and Christine.
The course was a measured 10k and a new route. Statto had done some research and warned of a tough second half to the race...I took heed of this (unlike the man himself!) and set off nice and steadily (something I am getting better at).
All sorts of people seemed to be overtaking me in the first few km which worried me but as I couldn't go any faster it wasn't an issue! I actually found the first few km much harder than I expected and I didn't much enjoy slogging along next to busy roads. Just after halfway, the course turned into Fairlands Valley park and it got a lot more enjoyable. I was able to catch up a few people (but I was still being overtaken by hoards of others) and I was getting into a nice rhythm. It did start to get tougher as it dragged uphill but soon the dependable NHRR supported started to pop up en route which was well timed as I needed it.
A quick plug for Julia Stroud here, she stormed past me a couple of km from the finish and got miles ahead of me, what a good finish! I was struggling to keep myself going (I even had to content with a quick football dribble as one was kicked into my way in the last 500m) and eventually I cruised over the finish line in 1:01:18 (which I was pretty pleased with). Hardly an amazing time (and certainly not one where you would expect the person running behind you to be encouraged by a loud, repeated shout of "Take her out" (her referring to me I suppose and for the record she didn't) but not a bad time all things considered.
Sadly the water ran out at the end and the evil Fairlands Valley park gnats struck again but otherwise it was a successful run. The results worked out really well too, 3rd for the men, 2nd for the ladies and 3rd overall on the night. Our vet men also came first which I am sure they are very proud of. All in all a top night for NHRR!
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Running with a bump
As I mentioned a couple of posts ago I am pleased to announce I'm having a baby at the end of September. In true Lindsay style, I thought I had better investigate if this running business was a good idea in my current state!
To start with, the standard advice to pregnant women re exercise is to continue with whatever you are doing, don't change anything and certainly don't embark on a new fitness regime! That said, when you tell people you are going running they do look at you with a certain amount of shock, running, in your condition?
As far as running is concerned, as it is a good workout then it seems a good idea although running can be tough on joints and with the hormone relaxin loosening joints there is a greater chance of injury. OK, so I think that souonds like it is probably OK. It is important to remain well hydrated and not to over-exert yourself (no worries there then...)
There are some well known elite athletes (cos I am obviously one of them) who continued running while expecting, Liz McColgan said "...I trained all through my pregnancy. I was three and half months pregnant before I knew that I was pregnant and I was training 100 odd miles a week... I trained right up until I had her. I think it was about the week before I had her I was out for a run and I took a really sore stomach and I said 'Well, that's nature telling you stop running,' so I stopped running then... But I just love running. I think if I'd stopped I just wouldn't know what to do with myself." As for Paula Radcliffe, she trained a lot but her husband admitted "People were looking at her as if she was crazy". Apparently she only went for one run a day whilst pregnant instead of two!
A bit further back, Ingrid Krisitiansen trained throughout her pregnancy and Fanny Blankers Koen won the 4 gold medals in the 1948 Olympic games whilst 3 months pregnant.
I've even found a training plan for pregnant ladies!
So, that's all very well in theory and I am hardly as fit as my examples were so what about the practice. Well, luckily I've been feeling really healthy and well so I've been pottering on at 2-3 runs per week. I am definitely feeling more tired (in general not just in running) and more recently I have started to get out of breath more quickly (apparently that is due to high levels of progesterone supposedly cause a heightened sensitivity to C02). I am also suffering from having to carry some excess ballast and more frequent trips to the loo which will only get worse!
The next thing is where do I find suitable running kit and does the NHRR kit secretary do (even) larger vests than the one I own! Answers on a postcard please...
To start with, the standard advice to pregnant women re exercise is to continue with whatever you are doing, don't change anything and certainly don't embark on a new fitness regime! That said, when you tell people you are going running they do look at you with a certain amount of shock, running, in your condition?
As far as running is concerned, as it is a good workout then it seems a good idea although running can be tough on joints and with the hormone relaxin loosening joints there is a greater chance of injury. OK, so I think that souonds like it is probably OK. It is important to remain well hydrated and not to over-exert yourself (no worries there then...)
There are some well known elite athletes (cos I am obviously one of them) who continued running while expecting, Liz McColgan said "...I trained all through my pregnancy. I was three and half months pregnant before I knew that I was pregnant and I was training 100 odd miles a week... I trained right up until I had her. I think it was about the week before I had her I was out for a run and I took a really sore stomach and I said 'Well, that's nature telling you stop running,' so I stopped running then... But I just love running. I think if I'd stopped I just wouldn't know what to do with myself." As for Paula Radcliffe, she trained a lot but her husband admitted "People were looking at her as if she was crazy". Apparently she only went for one run a day whilst pregnant instead of two!
A bit further back, Ingrid Krisitiansen trained throughout her pregnancy and Fanny Blankers Koen won the 4 gold medals in the 1948 Olympic games whilst 3 months pregnant.
I've even found a training plan for pregnant ladies!
So, that's all very well in theory and I am hardly as fit as my examples were so what about the practice. Well, luckily I've been feeling really healthy and well so I've been pottering on at 2-3 runs per week. I am definitely feeling more tired (in general not just in running) and more recently I have started to get out of breath more quickly (apparently that is due to high levels of progesterone supposedly cause a heightened sensitivity to C02). I am also suffering from having to carry some excess ballast and more frequent trips to the loo which will only get worse!
The next thing is where do I find suitable running kit and does the NHRR kit secretary do (even) larger vests than the one I own! Answers on a postcard please...
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