Kernow Recce

A weekend in my home county proved a prime opportunity to reacquaint myself with part of the first day of the ACC, so we headed off to my folks who still live on the outskirts of Newquay.

Following a sleepless Friday night (I've no reason why? Seem's to be happening a lot lately!) I was up at 06:15 and on my way by half past towards the coast. My folks live only 10 minutes away from the sea so it didn't entail too much tarmac running, expecting the terrain to soon give way to something a bit softer. However, on hitting the path it became evident that the weeks of dry weather had baked the coastal path rock solid which made the relentless divots quite unforgiving.

It was an overcast morning but pleasantly warm with a slight onshore breeze which blew away much of the humidity that we had endured during the week back home in Wiltshire. With only rabbits and seagulls as company I got into the groove and a few miles on was soon on the downhill to Watergate Bay. There was a bit more activity here due to the Hotel complex, so I hurried on and upwards craving for the solitude of the coastal path.

(Note to self - Public toilets in Watergate Bay to avoid going al fresco!)

Watergate Bay to Mawgan Porth (the latter being the first check point into Day 1 of the ACC) was more akin to the terrain that I was wanting; more remote with greater 'undulations'. I'd set out to run just 10 miles as I had a full day lined up on the beach with the family, so the 5 mile turnaround was just before the beach at Mawgan Porth.

The route back was as equally pleasant with stunning views of the weather fronts making their shadowy paths in from the sea (thankfully the weather turned for the better later on). If anything, apart from a quick 'pit stop' at Watergate bay (see note to self above) the return leg was quicker and I found myself getting stronger as I neared the end of the run.

I eventually got back in a comfortable 01:45:45 working out at around 10:35/mile which is the sort of pace that I'd set out to achieve, although this will work out slower come October for the ACC.

Swiftly followed by a day on the beach!

Perfect Company for a Half

A half marathon training run was the order of a beautiful Sunday morning! My folks were staying for the weekend and were only too eager to look after the kids whilst Ellen jumped on her bike and joined me for the full distance (and impressive she was too!)

With the company came the ability to carry my water, and for the majority of the run my t-shirt too, and it felt fantastic to run unhindered.

For a 09:30 start it was surprising to see so many cyclists and horse riders out and about on a route where you can run for miles and miles without generally seeing anyone.

Anyway, it was a slow one, mainly due to the heat and being tired from a weekend full of nights out and gardening but I managed to shift my arse around averaging 8:55 minute miles; slow but pleasantly satisfying!

Downlander with plenty of ups!

Sunday morning (27th June) was my second time of entering the Downlander 10 challenge. 10.2 miles on the Garmin, not yet worked out the total climb.

I never would have thought it could have been hotter than last year's event but how wrong could I be? Hottest day of the year so far, not sure of the temperature but well into the high 20's!!

It became apparent at the start that the number of competitors was down on last year (178 in 2009 but only 135 this year) and maybe the weather was a bit of a deterrent. Anyway, strict pacing and water stops was on the cards.

01:35:25 was last year's time to beat. It's not a fast course due to the 'undulations' so my aim was to dip under 01:30, any quicker and I'd risk writing off a good part of the day recovering. The first few miles were kept sub-8min/miles and from then on (funnily enough coinciding with the long dragging hills) gradually slowed to around 8:30 and 8:45ish. The heat was pretty intense and I became involved in a sprint finish with a club runner (I lost!) but I eventually came in at 01:29:59 for the course. Really pleased with a finish in the top third of the field (42/135) and enough in the tank for a frantic bit of gardening/tidying up for friends coming round to watch the football!

Same time, same place next year. Highly recommended.

Running V Decking

After a 1:20 10-miler last week, which I was pretty pleased with, the running has taken a bit of a back seat with Zachary's 2nd birthday weekend and a new decking project.

I am currently focussing primarily on the ACC training and so building up the distances on the back to back runs. Last week was the starting point at 5 miles on three consecutive days; all sub-8 minute miles. The pace will obviously gradually get slower as the distance increases, with 3 consecutive 10-milers over three days starting on Thursday 21st June (on the 16th I'll be busy demolishing a steak dinner and bottle of red with Ellen for my Birthday!)

I'm aiming to get to around the 3 x 20-mile mark by around mid-September'ish (ACC 2010 is 1st October) and then taper to the start.

Busy months ahead......

Revisiting the ACC

All's going well on the running front at the moment. A new lease of life has arisen following the 2-week self-imposed rest, and I'm focussed again and raring to go.

I am consistently running comfortable sub-8 minute miles at the moment on all distances up to 10 miles, although I've not tried on anything beyond that for a while so need to pick up the mileage to test it out.

We're heading back home to Newquay for the bank holiday weekend and I'll be heading off on a 10-mile coastal run which follows the route of Day 1 of the ACC. Really looking forward to it, just hoping for a bit of sunshine. I plan on heading out early morning so I can get back for breakfast and spend the day on the beach with Ellen and the kids.

Next race is the Downlander 10 in Marlborough, a really great course and some lung bursting hills to contend with. Better crack on with some decent weekend big runs!

All gone couch potato shaped!

Stop, hold the press! Everything's changed.

You may have noticed the slightly (!) negative tone in the last blog entry, primarily down to the sickness bug that I carried for weeks which totally drained my energy levels (re: Paris). Well, I was supposed to be taking part in the Neolithic Marathon back on the 2nd May; it was one race that I was really looking forward to all year. As it happened I ended up deferring my entry for next year. No energy, heavy legs and STILL a dodgy belly made the decision for me. I'd never dropped out of a race up to that point and it seemed totally wrong to do so.

It ended up that I only did one 10 miler over the next 2 weeks, giving my body a well earned respite from the tarmac. Anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable 2 weeks which initially took a few days to empty the brain of the desire to get my trainers on. Unfortunately, the ability to eat what I want and not put any weight on whilst training did not apply, hence the need to now lose a few lb's.

An important development has been my registration for the ACC 2010!! I needed the focus for keeping up the training for the next few months and there's also the important factor of raising more money for Ataxia UK. Therefore, training has begun in earnest...watch this space!

I have also entered the ballot for next years London Marathon. The successful entrants are notified in October, so fingers crossed; I have unfinished marathon business on the road.....

Back to the Stone Age

With the Paris Marathon shocker almost 2 weeks ago, my thoughts have now turned off-road to the Neolithic Marathon; that is, Avebury to Stonehenge cross-country, just over a week away. I've slowly started to get back into my running although not back to normal by a long way. I did a 10 miler in glorious evening weather last night which raised my confidence a little, but it's beyond the 13 mile point that is unknown and whether my body is going to have recovered from the bug I had before Paris.

The weather recently has been stunning and last nights run was no exception. Beautifully clear skies and warm weather (although I became a fly magnet!), the type of run that makes you glad you're a runner. However, I hope it's not too hot for the Neolithic as there will be limited shade over Salisbury Plain!

I think there'll be a few suffering the heat during this weekends' London Marathon; 22 degrees and sunny by all accounts........phew!! Good luck to everyone who's taking part. I hope to be successful in the ballot for next year's race.

Anyway, pumps on, fingers crossed and until the 2nd May..... let's get running!