Aborted Run

Distance: ran 2.8 miles (should of been nearly 4)
Time: 27 minutes to 2.8 miles
MotionBased

I had to abort tonights run a mile from the end because of pins and needles in my feet. This has only happened twice before on 2nd of June. Then a few minutes before my heart problems in Canada, so obviously I decided to walk. I walked from 2.8 miles (last arrow) for half a mile then stopped the timer on my watch it then shows a straight dotted line to end (not the exact path). I was trying to beat this run and was on course to do so, I was feeling OK. This is the hardest I have pushed my heart since the problems.

I think I can explain why the pins and needles happened. The Atenolol stops my heart beating so fast, but because I was pushing hard my heart was having to work more but was being blocked by the tablets from beating as fast as it needed to. So it couldn't pump enough blood to my extremities (my feet). This isn't good when I'm trying to improve my times and get fit for the Great North Run but fits with what the doctor told me, that will be in another post.

Short Test Run

Distance: 1.88 miles
Time: 19:09
Motionbased

I went for a very short run today, I set off thinking about doing a long run but I quickly realised that wasn't going to happen. It was hotter than I had realised, I always struggle when its hot. I decided it was best to do a short run, see how everything looked and felt. Then if all was well I could go out again tonight when its cooler and I have woke up.

My heart rate looks a lot better than it used to before taking Atenolol, more where you would expect it to be :-)

First Run After Hospital

Distance: 3.07 miles
Time: 38 minutes
Max Heart Rate: 156 bpm
Average Heart Rate: 134 bpm

I decided to go for my first run since my heart problems, I went out running with Neil from work around the regular dinner time run. He'd done it about 3 times while I was away.

I wasn't sure how I was going to hold up but got a huge surprise when my heart rate stayed low, at a rate that you would expect someone at my fitness level to have. My heart has always been really high above the normal heart rate zones. Today though it barely got into zone 4, this must been due to the beta blockers, I didn't run as fast as I normally would either but even so my heart still would of been beating a lot faster in the past.

I still think the beta blockers are making me tired though, still feel totally worn out :-(

Link to MotionBased

Toronto Run

Distance: 3.23 miles
Max Heart Rate: 206 bpm
Average Heart Rate: 192 bpm

This was the only run I managed to do when on Holiday unfortunately. My heart rate dropped a long way then rose again nearer the end because I had to stop for traffic lights, then I walked a short stretch before starting again.

I wish I had managed to get another run in Toronto and one in each of the other places I stayed, next time :-)

Run Off

I decided a few days ago that I probably wasn't going to do the 3M Newton Aycliffe 10K. I'm entered, but I've felt so worn out this week and have done no training that I'd just get frustrated with myself.

It's a shame but know its the correct decision. Today I actually felt a lot better after having about 10 hours sleep last night. I sat down and watched a movie and ate popcorn while drinking a few bottles of bud. No way I'm running now, lol.

Another 10K

My last post was about having a few days off exercise, but what I forgot to mention was that I entered the 3M Newton Aycliffe 10K which is on the 17th June (3 days before my birthday!)

I'm gonna have to get back into training, serious training. The race is all on the flat and is supposed to be good for setting personal bests. I would like to approach 50 minutes which looking how I ran the Raby 10K (conservatively) should be achievable.

Raby 10K

Distance: 10K
Time: 58:05

I wrote a quick report for this yesterday with the result, map and heart rate on. I'm not going to add too much extra. The official times and results are up on the website now and they have reported exactly the same time as I recorded on the Forerunner (58:05). Which means I came in 327th out of 415, doesn't sound great. It doesn't matter though, I achieved my target (under 1 hour). Next time I do a 10K, I know what I can achieve. Just to make me feel better I did some calculations :-)

There were 415 runners, 318 of which were club runners (77%). So they all run regularly, I don't so I now feel much better, lol. Seriously though I felt a little uncomfortable at the start with 3 quarters of the field being proper club runners and me stood there like a tit on my own. It didn't matter though, I enjoyed the run and achieved my target and know that I could knock quite a bit off that time.

The run wasn't too bad with 1 long steepish bank (ran twice), not as bad as I sometimes run up to Stanley though. At no point was I really out of breath and legs felt fine. The only problem I had was feeling sick again, I thought I was going to puke a few times but slowed a bit each time. I have come to the conclusion its lack of food and/or drink. I only had a bowl of cereal 3 hours before the race and 1 glass of orange about 90 minutes before. I forgot to take a drink with me for just before the race. I needed a wee at the start, I went when I first got there but by the start I needed the toilet again. Ran needing the wee but didn't really think about it (luckily).

I am looking at doing another 10K next month, probably the 3M Aycliffe 10K.

To analyze the run look at the MotionBased log.

Hungover Run

Distance: 1.88 miles
Time: 19 minutes

I went out for a run today because I needed to do something. Although I really just felt like lying on the couch, but with only a week today until I run the Raby 10k. I had to make sure my feet were going to be OK.

It was really hard running not because of my feet but because of the hangover, even though it was tea time I was running. I was trying to go very easy but I still ended up doing more or less all the run in Zone 5 heart rate or above. I'm not sure if this is because I'm not exactly a 100% or just because I constantly run too hard but I don't think that's the case.

MotionBased
MapMyRun

Test Run

Distance: 1.57 miles
Time: 14:23

I went out for a run today because I couldn't sit around any longer or my knee would start playing up. My feet still hurt but they weren't too bad over the very short run and carrying nothing other than my skinny ass.

I also couldn't put off testing my Forerunner 305 any longer which came while I was away. It's a lot better than running with my etrex and tells me my heart rate, pace, distance, etc while I'm running.

I found the run very hard because I am full of cold, another reason I decided not to complete the WHW besides for the feet. I had to go out though because I'm running the Raby 10K in just over a week!

The map above is a lot more accurate than the old GPS and I've added a heart rate graph which shows just how hard I was working. I'm above zone 5 and above my max heart rate which should be 194 for a short while at the end. I think this may look slightly worse than normal because of being under the weather.

I will probably go out at the weekend and run by heart rate and try to keep it in zone 3 and 4. Very impressed so far but not exactly an extensive test though!!

Nearly forgot here's a link to this run on 2 of the sites I'm testing:
MotionBased
MapMyRun

Smashed Dinner Run Time

Distance: 3.15 miles
Time: 29:34

Today I smashed the time for the regular dinner time run. Mandy and Helen went out at 12 and didn't really mention they were going until they turned upstairs with their gear on. I got caught up doing work, so decided I would go on my own a bit later.

I wasn't sure whether to go or not, being bit worried about my knee with the WHW days away. I went out anyway and set off at a fair pace. When I got to the Police HQ a couple of blokes ended up behind me so kept the same pace I'd ran down the bank. I kept this up all the way to crossing over the railway line, when I slowed to let them pass.

I struggled a bit past Crook Hall and could feel myself getting really hungry and thirsty (it was hot). I kept going and walked up the steps to the road. Then ran up the bank to the turn in for the DLI, just before the turn in I walked about 20 yards (struggling from the early pace). I ran the next lot and decided I needed to walk just before the football pitches. Then again I set off and ran all the way to the overflow car park but once I reached the car park I thought I was gonna be sick. So had to walk for 20/30 yards till the feeling passed. Then I realised the time and sprinted the last few hundred meters back to the door.

I beat the previous best time my 5 minutes, I know I could knock even more off that if I'd been properly hydrated and had eaten a snack an hour before. I had no fuel near the end, not exactly the wall on a 5K, lol but it felt like it.

I wanna, I gotta, I need to..

...Run the Las Vegas Half Marathon.

I saw this mentioned in an advertisement in Runners World, they wanted £1200 for 4 nights in Mandalay Bay. I'm sure I could do it for 5 nights at a lot less money than that, this would be absolutely fantastic, running along the Las Vegas Strip being set off by fireworks and Elvis "Viva Las Vegas".

Before I even saw this race I had said that I really wanted to go to Vegas in December. I can't really afford it but it would be absolutely fantastic. I wonder if Kay fancies Vegas, the Half Marathon would only take up 2 hours of the 4/5 nights/days.

It sets off at 6am (what the hell), suppose its the only way they can let you run the strip by doing it early.

The Marathon would be great but not ready for that, but the Half.

I gotta do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunniside Run

Distance: 8.26 miles
Time: 1 hour 26

I went out for a run as soon as I got home tonight and had a rough idea in my head where I wanted to go but wasn't sure if I'd make it as far as Sunniside or not. I just decided to see how I felt as I was running. When I reached Sunniside I thought about continuing on to Tow Law and Thornley then joining on to the A68 but decided against. I'm pleased I did because by the end I was quite tired which is to be expected with very little running recently and not much to drink or eat before running.

This is the furthest run I have done since the Great North Run last year, I didn't go out for a fast run as can be seen from the time but it was actually faster than I expected to be honest with the nasty hill up to Stanley.

I really enjoyed the run, looking down over Roddymoor and Crook from the church at Stanley was probably the highlight and realising just how much height I'd gained. I don't think the elevation profile gives a true sense of what it looks and feels like.

Its the first run I can remember my legs starting to feel like they have done something which is good because normally they are barely warmed up. I'm not sure if I should increase the mileage until after running the Raby 10K at the end of the month. Instead I might try to increase the pace over slightly shorter distances and work in some more hills to increase my pace and stamina.

It's always good when you achieve a target and this has been one of them for some time :-)

5K Base Run

Distance: 5K
Time: 29 minutes

That's close enough to 9:30 miles which is what I was aiming for. I could certainly run the 5K faster than that, although I did step up the pace a bit more that normal. It's harder runner when you first jump out of bed and there is nothing to race against.

The hardest part of this was I wasn't sure exactly where the end of 5K would be, so had to constantly keep an eye on the GPS and adjust the route to where I thought 5K would end.

The 5K ended above the woods, actually just before it, but I didn't stop running until I reached the steps down through the wood. I walked down the steps, then had a steady run back to the start to cool down.

The speed profile below the map has a few blips on it where the GPS lost the signal which I can see the same wrong places recorded on the map. There is no way I ran 10.5 mph half a mile in or 17.5 mph near the end of the 5K.

the 9.5 minutes miles gives me a base that I can work out a training program from. I'm fairly certain I could get that down to 9 or 8.5 minute miles without totally killing myself!

Deerstalker Update

I finally found a couple of pictures from the Deerstalker run I did last month, although there is only 1 picture with me on. I have included the picture below along with a few others of some of the obstacles.

(Above) Me in black with the white stripe down the arm, Helen jumping over the bails in the background with the Deerstalker hat on.

(Above) A runner crawling through the Reborn tunnel

(Above) Runners clambering up the stairway to heaven

(Above) The Treehugging obstacle

(Above) One of the many water obstacles (The Sump?)

(Above) The First Obstacle of the race, the pond!

Early Run

Distance: 3.6 miles

I went for an early run today at 6am, it was probably just after by the time I got ready. It always good to be out at that time in the morning when there is hardly anyone around. I never saw anyone on foot until I got to Billy Row and that was only 1 person. There wasn't many in cars either.

The run wasn't the easiest when I'd had nothing to eat since 7 last night, A couple of times I was seeing swirly things (a bit like seeing stars) while I as running and more so at the very end.

The run itself was actually quite easy once I woke up, I never pushed myself at all which is why it took about 38 minutes.

Wolsingham to Tunstall Run

Distance: 6.75 miles
Time: 1:18

I went for a run from Wolsingham up the road to Tunstall reservoir then back down the road to Wolsingham after work tonight. I think its best to go straight after work, it seems to be my best time of day to run.

The last time I attempted this I got about a mile into it and just didn't feel right so turned arounf and came back. I felt a lot better this time and could easily of kept running after I had finished. I know the time is very slow but at the moment I'm not aiming for times, just want to get my fitness up. Then I will start to push for times.

Deerstalker Run

(Above) official route map (erm borrowed)

(Above) computer drawn route I did

(Above) Elevation profile of route

Actual Distance: 5.5 miles (8.85 km)
Highest: 1378 Feet
Lowest: 455 feet

Checkpoint Punch Split
Checkpoint 1 00:41:56 00:41:56
Finish 01:16:57 00:35:01

Time: 1:16:57
Position: 34 (provisional)

Yesterday I completed the Deerstalker with Helen and Mandy from work. When we got their I was a little worried looking up at the hills around us and after looking at the map which is the top image of this post (we borrowed it) it didn't make me feel much better. But I was determined to do it.

We registered and got our SPORTident tags, then we had a quick wander around and sat in front of Traquair House in the sun relaxing. As the starting time approached we went to get ready, we started to wonder where Mandy had gone because she wanted to get changed in the toilets rather than the car.

We made our way down to the tents and stood about for a while before we noticed people heading to where the start obviously was. We were stood around at the start for a while looking up the bank at the first obstacles a wall of straw bales.

Eventually we set off at about 5:15pm and ran to the bales which I leaped straight on top of then had to teeter on the edge because a lass had fell on the floor on the other side. I lost Helen and Mandy over the bales so slowed down to wait for them for while the caught up.

After the bales we ran along the road towards the Pond, on the way there was some guy telling another how he should be running, as he was some sort of personal trainer (could of been) he was doing my head in. We got to the pond and I think everyone got a shock, before the race the guy had mentioned about waist deep water (thought he was joking), it was almost waist deep and several people fell over (including Helen I think). From here I lost Helen and Mandy I looked back for them but couldn't see them. They had told me to just leave them if I had wanted to, so after a minute or so of trying to spot them I decided to just go. I kept quite a steady but very slow pace up the bank (most were walking). I walked 2 short sections up this bank and caught up to the guy giving the running lesson, he was telling the bloke with him to keep running and basically looking a prat waiving his arms from side to side (does that help?). I was gonna ask the guy he was ordering about if he was getting on his nerves but decided better of it.

Eventually we came to a flatter section (slightly) with a gradual bank that stretched for a fair distance but then I noticed people heading off to the right straight into the wood where normally there would be no path. I followed them up but unfortunately everyone was walking or better description would be sliding going up here. I wanted to run up but couldn't get past them. I thought this was going to be be where the first checkpoint was (I was wrong) we then headed back down the the track I had been looking along and carried on around the corner.

Again the track went to the right and up a steep hill I managed to run past a few people up the beginning of this hill, but we then came onto an area where the woods had been chopped down and it was very uneven underfoot so had to follow the path, everyone was walking in front so I had to as well. After what seamed an eternity the path become wider just as we entered the trees again, I ran past a few people here. Then the next obstacles were ahead. The first obstacle was tree hugging, there was wood around the trees that you needed to step from between each tree and a rope overhead to hold onto. You could only go as fast as the person in front of you and she looked quite unstable ;-)

The next obstacle was balancing over several thin logs and blanks, some people avoided these but I wanted to do them as its part of the fun. There was a badger run I think they called it next, it was basically a tunnel you had to crawl through in the mud. Then a bit further and I scrambled up a wooden frame (wall) and had to jump from the top (about 7 foot), I could here some people saying it was too high. I might of got the order of the obstacles muddled up!

Then a short run up the bank and there was some strange music playing as you scrambled through the trees I'm sure there was some sort of obstacle here but can't remember what it was. Then there was a clearing and the checkpoint was straight ahead. I put my Dibber (SPORTident tag) into the checkpoint but couldn't hear if it made a noise as someone else did it at the same time. So I had to do it again to make sure and the Marshall checked it with me.

It was a short run along the track before there course went to the left and down a mountain bike trail, where we turned left there was 3 bottles of Lucozade and I was wondering if this was what they were calling the drinks station but decided against picking one up as it could of been bottles of piss for all I knew.

I enjoyed this next section running down the hill and followed some lass with "The Outsider" on her back before I eventually decided she as going too slow and over took her. I then followed another lass for a while before deciding again she was going at slightly too slow of a pace. We joined back onto the trail we had been running along earlier but about quarter of a mile further along it. The route then headed down through the trees where the wasn't any normal path it was just a route through the trees, again I really enjoyed this but got stuck behind a few people. A lass appeared from the trees to the left, everyone thought she had been for a wee but she had got lost (so she said). We headed down towards the road where there were some nets but we were directed around them (for some reason), a couple of people slipped down the bank here (Mandy too I think).

Once over the road I slid under the crash barrier and down the little bank to follow the river to the foot bridge then bank along the other side of the river this section was quite long and I pulled a lead out from the people behind me (not that I was really trying to). I could see someone in the distance ahead of me but they must of been at least quarter of a mile ahead. I think I went wrong at the next section just before the river crossing, I went a little further than I needed to, oops. I waded through the water which was shallow compared to the earlier pond.

Then it was through the trees to the drinks station, picked some up as I ran but it was in a cup (why when its a run). I took a sip but it tasted horrible (High5), I forced some down to keep my hydrated. The next section wasn't too bad it was still flat, I then approached the sump and a couple of people directed me the right way. It was through a tunnel under the road and the water was waist deep here, it was quite stagnant as well. I clambered out of the beck (up a gate I think it was) then over Tweed Bridge. I knew I couldn't be far from Traquair house because I could remember us driving over the bridge on the way there.

As I ran through the next bit totally alone with no one in sight, suddenly the house appeared ahead and I knew it was nearly over. I still didn't feel too bad considering what I had just covered. I ran along the side of the house and thought I could hear someone approaching in the distance behind. Once I joined the road there was someone sat down having a breather before the last slight incline. I could see a load of people gathered ahead near the toilets, the slapping of feet behind me got louder and I could tell there was someone on my shoulder. Someone at the side of the road shouted "you can take him". I wasn't having that so I increased the pace slightly and the slapping of the feet behind increased too. The people only looked to be 100 yards, so I sprinted at the top speed I could manage, which was surprisingly fast. I couldn't hear the slapping feet anymore. I got to where the people were standing and started to slow slightly then I realised it wasn't the end. I had to run into the field and around a taped finish (shit). I ran still fast towards the taped run in and the bloke on the mike said something about me sprinting so I ran even faster around the corner past everyone. Everything was a blur at this point because I was feeling dizzy and sick. I got the finish line and the lass was pointing to the checkpoint machine. I waved my had past but of course I have to put the dibber into it. I struggled doing this as my sight had gone blurry and felt like I was going to puke.

I dibbed my tag then walked 5 yards further on before puking up for the next minute just after the finish line. I was sick because I had ran so fast over the last 200-300 metres.

I handed the tag in and was given my print out and I got a total shock when I found out I was 34th (1:16:57) I had no idea I had done that well, I was expecting to be towards 100 or something. I picked up another free drink, that horrible High5 stuff but ended up throwing away. I waited at the finish line for a while for Mandy and Helen but there was no sign so decided to stand near the toilets where I had thought the finish was when I was running in. After another 5 minutes or so I saw them come into view, Mandy looked to be struggling while Helen looked fine (well, maybe OK). I jogged around the corner to meet them (still had plenty of energy), a couple of people tried to direct me through the run in thinking I was finishing the race but waved my finish ticket at them, lol.

When I got the finish where Mandy and Helen were I saw them getting a medal, I hadn't been given one. I must of missed it when I was being sick. So went and asked the lady for one :-)

The sum up for the day was that we all thoroughly enjoyed it and I was certainly surprised how well we all did. It was a lot better than I expected and was great fun going over, under and through the obstacles. I will be back next year I hope (10K maybe?).

Oh we did the 5k but according to the computer it was 8.85K (5.5 miles), the computer sometimes shows slightly more but not by much, it will be at least 5 miles. The times look incredibly slow for something that long but it ain't no road race and there were many obstacles.

We all agreed that we were pleased we weren't doing the 10K, you can see the route of the 10K on the the top image if you click on it. It goes up a nasty mountain in the dark. I may attempt this next year if I can continue to improve my fitness (not sure yet).

I will keep an eye out on the official website for the full results as well as photos. Helen and Mandy finished 82nd and 83rd in about 1 hour 30 I think? well done :-)

Another running partner

Distance: 3.15 miles
Time: 36 minutes

I went for a run tonight with Hayley around the normal dinner time run. I'd had no break all day and was shattered and pissed off, so decided I would go for the run just after 4:30.

Hayley was asking how far my run was on Saturday and said should we not go around the route twice then if its only just over 3 miles. I said trust me NO.

There was no way she was gonna get around there twice she found going around once hard, it was good to run with Hayley as she runs more of an even pace rather than sprinting off then walking.

The time wasn't too bad considering it was the first time she'd been around.

I have felt really good running this week, never needed to stop and hardly been out of breath. Felt like I could of probably done it twice tonight :-)

Regular run in reverse

Distance: 3.15 miles
Time: 34 minutes

I went out for the regular run today but decided to do it on my own in reverse. The others never want to do it the other way around because they say its harder. I'd never tried it, so set out today and just kept a nice steady pace. I expected it to take longer than it did, considering I never ran fast at any point. I never walked any section, which tends to happen when I'm running with others because they try to run too fast up the hills and end up shattered, no such problems today :-)

I think this way is slightly better, although will try the normal way around on my own and see how quick I do that. I know I could do it in under 30 minutes if I kept an even pace. I'm not sure this is the week to try it though with the race on Saturday!

Run with Jeremy

Distance: 4.86 miles
Time: 54:40

I went for a run this morning with a mate I used to work with (Jeremy). I wasn't sure how fit he was going to be, luckily he was OK. I had shown him a few of the runs I had done a couple of weeks ago and he fancied doing the above route (Brancepeth - Willington - Oakenshaw - Brancepeth).

When I got to the car park, Jeremy was already there and there was a few cars there. Theer was some horse event going on.

We set off and I tried to keep a steady pace, I think Jeremy at first wanted to go a bit faster but I knew he would struggle if he did. We kept a slow but steady pace until we got to Willington and started up the hill towards Oakeshaw. Jeremy struggled up the hill and when we got to the top of the first he asked me to stop, so we walked for a 100 yards or so before setting off again. After that we kept running all the way back. I walked the same section when I did the run last year although I walked for further then. I fet so much better today and didn't need to walk at all.

When we got near the very end I totally upped my pace and sprinted the last 300 metres or so, leaving Jeremy behind I thought he would of done the same but he must of been more tired than I realised.

I enjoyed the run and hopefully he will want to go out again. Feel a bit more positive about next weeks run now :-)