16 miles with a hangover in super hot weather testing my full ultra-kit for Race to the King.
Mile five up the woods hayfever kicked in like a motherfucker.
Eyes streaming tripped over a root and faceplanted.
Wasn't feeling it.
Still got through it. Bit of walking. The time on feet was important. As were the hills.
Bring on the King.
Monday, 4 June 2018
Thursday, 17 May 2018
Important advice no runner can afford to ignore
The
PAST PARTICIPLE of RUN
is
RUN
It's not "ran". You don't say "I have ran the London marathon", it's "I have run the London marathon".
PAST PARTICIPLE of RUN
is
RUN
It's not "ran". You don't say "I have ran the London marathon", it's "I have run the London marathon".
Anyone else live in always uphill bizarroworld?
When I leave my house for a run
When I'm returning home from my run
Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Bracknell Half - Lemsip Special
The Bracknell Half has been running for 34 years.
I've lived in the area for 40 years.
Seems odd that I've never run it before.
Oh hang on up until a couple of years ago I wouldn't even run to the end of the road. Forgot for a second. It makes sense now.
Anyway this was the first year I'd give it a try. I'd heard it was hilly but so what? I plod round these roads all the time, I knew what to expect, and feeling confident following my first ever sub 2 at Thorpe back in February I was confidently predicting a new pb. Didn't quite go according to plan.
Initially I'd planned to run at least 5k every day for the duration of May, but by day 10 I realised I was pretty fatigued and if I wanted to enjoy the half I'd better take a couple of days off. Cue the world's shortest taper.
Day 11 and my throat is feeling a bit scratchy. But I've got tickets to see the incredible Brothers Osbourne in Camden and that's going to be a party and a half. Made the most of that.
Day 12 and I can't even drag myself out of bed. Hangover didn't help but we are talking proper manflu. Start dosing up on Lemsip and preparing myself for the disappointment of not being able to even start the race. Get my kit together but don't really believe I'll run.
Day 13 is race day. Wake up feeling not toooooo bad so I Lemsip up, leave the house at the last minute telling Serena that I'll probably take about 2 and a half hours so she won't have any rush to meet me for lunch.
I get to the start which is in Bracknell's newly redeveloped town centre known as The Lexicon. After my standard fifteen or twenty trips for a wee before the start (it's not just me right? Is it?) I shuffle my way to the back of the pack as I'm really not feeling it and definitely don't want to go off too quickly.
At 9am we set off and of course I immediately need another wee. Well stupid bladder will have to wait until I finish or run past a big enough bush.
We head from Waitrose up through the pedestrianised area in town and out through one of Bracknell's many underpasses. Start to think I was a bit cautious in opting to start so far back as the bottleneck meant we basically started walking. My Garmin told me my predicted finish time was around 2h20m but I'd mentally checked out of any targets and just decided to enjoy the run in sunny but not too hot conditions. Good job too as it's not a fully roads closed event so you have to stick to the pavement and getting past people in the first couple of miles is a chore, especially as there is a slow uphill section in the first couple of miles. I wasn't paying attention to my watch but I was playing ping-pong with the 2h15m pacers so I had a vague idea what I was on for my the time the second mile marker came around.
The course itself is nice if unremarkable, although maybe that's because I'm so familiar with the area. What does stand out though is the level of local support. The route runs close to a lot of residential areas and it's very much a locals event so people were out along almost the entire route offering support, jelly babies, and kids wanting high fives. Top tip - if energy is flagging mid race high five a child.
It's also worth mentioning the marshalls, there were apparently 250 of them making sure we didn't take any wrong turns or get hit by cars as we ran across junctions. Bracknell can feel like a bit of a maze so having them out on course pointing the way was essential. The organisers had also ensured that there were more than enough water stations dishing out paper cups of water and wet sponges. I always carry my own hydration but the sponges in the later sections as the day warmed up were very welcome.
And guess what? By mile 10 I wasn't feeling the effects of the manflu at all and I dared check my Garmin (I knew I'd dropped the 215 funbus ages ago) - couldn't believe it I was close to hitting a 2 hour finish. The final 5k would need to be solid by my standards but with Maiden's Rime of the Ancient Mariner kicking in I figured I was up for it. Didn't figure on there being a couple of extra uphill sections to deal with though, nothing major but enough to put a drag on your pace, ah well it was worth a shot, really enjoyed the run anyway and considering the fatigue and the lurgy it was a good day's running...
...
... except ...
...
As I entered the Lexicon for the final L shaped stretch through the town centre the support from the crowd was brilliant and I found myself sprinting to the finish line. Honestly if you asked me to run 100m on fresh legs I doubt I'd be any quicker. I was flying. It was like I'd robbed Fenwicks and was making my escape while being chased down by the rozzers. I was Mo Farah, Daley Thompson, and Zola Budd rolled into one...
...Chip time 1h 59m 58 sec! I'd only gone and nailed my second ever sub 2!!
Feels good man.
And in case you're wondering I didn't even need to stop for a wee in the end, although was was tempted to nip in and use the facilities as we ran past my gym. Glad I didn't though or I'd never have seen this sweet Strava notification.
I've lived in the area for 40 years.
Seems odd that I've never run it before.
Oh hang on up until a couple of years ago I wouldn't even run to the end of the road. Forgot for a second. It makes sense now.
Anyway this was the first year I'd give it a try. I'd heard it was hilly but so what? I plod round these roads all the time, I knew what to expect, and feeling confident following my first ever sub 2 at Thorpe back in February I was confidently predicting a new pb. Didn't quite go according to plan.
Initially I'd planned to run at least 5k every day for the duration of May, but by day 10 I realised I was pretty fatigued and if I wanted to enjoy the half I'd better take a couple of days off. Cue the world's shortest taper.
Day 11 and my throat is feeling a bit scratchy. But I've got tickets to see the incredible Brothers Osbourne in Camden and that's going to be a party and a half. Made the most of that.
Day 12 and I can't even drag myself out of bed. Hangover didn't help but we are talking proper manflu. Start dosing up on Lemsip and preparing myself for the disappointment of not being able to even start the race. Get my kit together but don't really believe I'll run.
Day 13 is race day. Wake up feeling not toooooo bad so I Lemsip up, leave the house at the last minute telling Serena that I'll probably take about 2 and a half hours so she won't have any rush to meet me for lunch.
I get to the start which is in Bracknell's newly redeveloped town centre known as The Lexicon. After my standard fifteen or twenty trips for a wee before the start (it's not just me right? Is it?) I shuffle my way to the back of the pack as I'm really not feeling it and definitely don't want to go off too quickly.
At 9am we set off and of course I immediately need another wee. Well stupid bladder will have to wait until I finish or run past a big enough bush.
We head from Waitrose up through the pedestrianised area in town and out through one of Bracknell's many underpasses. Start to think I was a bit cautious in opting to start so far back as the bottleneck meant we basically started walking. My Garmin told me my predicted finish time was around 2h20m but I'd mentally checked out of any targets and just decided to enjoy the run in sunny but not too hot conditions. Good job too as it's not a fully roads closed event so you have to stick to the pavement and getting past people in the first couple of miles is a chore, especially as there is a slow uphill section in the first couple of miles. I wasn't paying attention to my watch but I was playing ping-pong with the 2h15m pacers so I had a vague idea what I was on for my the time the second mile marker came around.
The course itself is nice if unremarkable, although maybe that's because I'm so familiar with the area. What does stand out though is the level of local support. The route runs close to a lot of residential areas and it's very much a locals event so people were out along almost the entire route offering support, jelly babies, and kids wanting high fives. Top tip - if energy is flagging mid race high five a child.
It's also worth mentioning the marshalls, there were apparently 250 of them making sure we didn't take any wrong turns or get hit by cars as we ran across junctions. Bracknell can feel like a bit of a maze so having them out on course pointing the way was essential. The organisers had also ensured that there were more than enough water stations dishing out paper cups of water and wet sponges. I always carry my own hydration but the sponges in the later sections as the day warmed up were very welcome.
And guess what? By mile 10 I wasn't feeling the effects of the manflu at all and I dared check my Garmin (I knew I'd dropped the 215 funbus ages ago) - couldn't believe it I was close to hitting a 2 hour finish. The final 5k would need to be solid by my standards but with Maiden's Rime of the Ancient Mariner kicking in I figured I was up for it. Didn't figure on there being a couple of extra uphill sections to deal with though, nothing major but enough to put a drag on your pace, ah well it was worth a shot, really enjoyed the run anyway and considering the fatigue and the lurgy it was a good day's running...
...
... except ...
...
As I entered the Lexicon for the final L shaped stretch through the town centre the support from the crowd was brilliant and I found myself sprinting to the finish line. Honestly if you asked me to run 100m on fresh legs I doubt I'd be any quicker. I was flying. It was like I'd robbed Fenwicks and was making my escape while being chased down by the rozzers. I was Mo Farah, Daley Thompson, and Zola Budd rolled into one...
...Chip time 1h 59m 58 sec! I'd only gone and nailed my second ever sub 2!!
Feels good man.
And in case you're wondering I didn't even need to stop for a wee in the end, although was was tempted to nip in and use the facilities as we ran past my gym. Glad I didn't though or I'd never have seen this sweet Strava notification.
Thank you Bracknell, definitely one I'll be including in my list of regular races from now on. It starts a couple of miles from my house, rude not to.
Sunday, 6 May 2018
Don't concentrate on the finger
Anyone who has seen Enter the Dragon will be familiar with this quote from Bruce Lee
It's a great metaphor for running. You can obsess about pace too much and forget the simple joy of just getting out there and exploring. I realised recently that a lot of runners seemingly concentrate on the finger all the fucking time. Strava makes it even worse. You see these fuckers on there making excuses for their "slow" pace in the run name all the time.
I was the same for a while, broke myself of that habit early though.
Yeah I'll have some finger races, really concentrated to get a sub 2 half at Thorpe this year (nailed it by 17 seconds), and if I manage to get an uninterrupted 16 week plan completed before Brighton next year I'll be setting a marathon goal but for the most part don't forget that you can make running fun and fulfilling without chasing a pb or feeling that you are training for something.
Look at me. I tend to be grinning most of the time when I'm out for a run. Especially on days like today when it's sunny weather and a long weekend. Smiley twat that I am...
Thing about this playlist is it has everything from Disney soundtracks to Norwegian black metal. Shuffle it and you could be singing along to Tina Turner then all of a sudden some narly death metal kicks in and you choose the hilly path. Brilliant. At one point today I found myself sprinting up a really steep hill to the Rocky soundtrack and yes I punched the air and span round at the top.
Took some photos too. Can't do that if you are segment hunting.
Sunshine, woods, music. Would have been a shame if I'd just focussed on the finger.
It's a great metaphor for running. You can obsess about pace too much and forget the simple joy of just getting out there and exploring. I realised recently that a lot of runners seemingly concentrate on the finger all the fucking time. Strava makes it even worse. You see these fuckers on there making excuses for their "slow" pace in the run name all the time.
I was the same for a while, broke myself of that habit early though.
Yeah I'll have some finger races, really concentrated to get a sub 2 half at Thorpe this year (nailed it by 17 seconds), and if I manage to get an uninterrupted 16 week plan completed before Brighton next year I'll be setting a marathon goal but for the most part don't forget that you can make running fun and fulfilling without chasing a pb or feeling that you are training for something.
Look at me. I tend to be grinning most of the time when I'm out for a run. Especially on days like today when it's sunny weather and a long weekend. Smiley twat that I am...
So what's the secret of this running nirvana? Simple. Just switch off and run. Today I had a vague idea where I was planning to head but I set out with no goal in mind, just let the music, weather, and feel dictate my pace and direction. So load up the "Really Long Runs" playlist and off we go.
Thing about this playlist is it has everything from Disney soundtracks to Norwegian black metal. Shuffle it and you could be singing along to Tina Turner then all of a sudden some narly death metal kicks in and you choose the hilly path. Brilliant. At one point today I found myself sprinting up a really steep hill to the Rocky soundtrack and yes I punched the air and span round at the top.
Took some photos too. Can't do that if you are segment hunting.
Sunshine, woods, music. Would have been a shame if I'd just focussed on the finger.
Saturday, 28 April 2018
Revival of the daily 5k for May
So a colleague who just completed her first marathon was inspired by the 5k every day for a month concept that kicked off this blog and how I described it as the thing that made me love running. She decided to try it herself this May.
From conversations in the office the whole thing has ballooned and now we have a little crew of us doing it - and yep I'm back in the streak game from May 1st!.
When I did this in October 2016 my total for the month was over 200km. Wonder what I'll manage this time? Training for Race to the King ultra while running every day should see the miles rack up.
In other news my mile times are consistently back in the low 9mins so I'm more or less fully recovered from Brighton. Got the Bracknell Half mid May, hoping to shave a couple of minutes off my pb and get solidly inside 2 hours after hitting 1h59m43s back in February.
Sunday, 22 April 2018
Running dreams
So, last night I had this dream about all sorts of disjointed plots. A weird holiday in a brutalist architected city, old friends, poltergeist activity, excess baggage, and a side plot about running hill reps on an old dirt road called Devil's Highway.
The thing is, unlike most things from that dream, Devil's Highway is actually a place that runs right up into Swinley Forest. And it's actually about a mile from my house.
Well that's all the encouragement I needed. Off I went.
I know Devil's quite well, not only because I run round that part of Swinley Forest quite a lot in the summer but also because it was where we'd all meet up to *ahem* smoke mindbenders back in the day. So I'm familiar with it's undulations and knew there would be 3 decent sized hills for me to run up. As I ran a nice easy pace up to the start of the the Highway I decided my plan of attack would be get to the first hill, lay a marker down (jabbing a stick into the ground for the non-technical amongst you), sprint as hard as I could to the top of the hill, turn around and do a very easy pace back to my marker. Do this 3 times I each hill and I'd have gone for 9 blasts up some fairly rude inclines. After that just a little plod round Caeser's Camp in Swinley Forest and back home.
Wow. Sweaty workout that. If you saw Sir Mo at the end of the London Marathon today that's basically what I looked like after the third time up the third hill. Well like that but fatter, whiter, and with more hair. I was sweating and had to stop to catch my breath is what I'm saying. Also did some pissing about with the runselfie before uploading it to Strava to keep it in with the theme of the run.
Speaking of London I guess I need to resign myself to the fact that I'm never going to run that marathon.
The thing is, unlike most things from that dream, Devil's Highway is actually a place that runs right up into Swinley Forest. And it's actually about a mile from my house.
Well that's all the encouragement I needed. Off I went.
I know Devil's quite well, not only because I run round that part of Swinley Forest quite a lot in the summer but also because it was where we'd all meet up to *ahem* smoke mindbenders back in the day. So I'm familiar with it's undulations and knew there would be 3 decent sized hills for me to run up. As I ran a nice easy pace up to the start of the the Highway I decided my plan of attack would be get to the first hill, lay a marker down (jabbing a stick into the ground for the non-technical amongst you), sprint as hard as I could to the top of the hill, turn around and do a very easy pace back to my marker. Do this 3 times I each hill and I'd have gone for 9 blasts up some fairly rude inclines. After that just a little plod round Caeser's Camp in Swinley Forest and back home.
Wow. Sweaty workout that. If you saw Sir Mo at the end of the London Marathon today that's basically what I looked like after the third time up the third hill. Well like that but fatter, whiter, and with more hair. I was sweating and had to stop to catch my breath is what I'm saying. Also did some pissing about with the runselfie before uploading it to Strava to keep it in with the theme of the run.
Speaking of London I guess I need to resign myself to the fact that I'm never going to run that marathon.
- I'm not generally lucky enough to win a ballot place (I know this is superstitious bullshit and I have as much chance as everyone else but I never seem to win things like that so I'm claiming it as fact)
- I'm not fast enough to get a Good For Age time and I can't imagine that I ever will be. Right now I'm about 1h45m away from the GFA for my age bracket, and now that they've changed the GFA from guaranteed entry to entry into a different ballot essentially then see point 1.
- Charity places aren't really viable. The organisers charge charities so much for their entries that they then have to pass it on to the runners in the form of minimum fundraising contracts. Yes in theory I could get a charity place but having run a few marathons and an ultra already without asking for sponsorship people I know generally reckon a marathon is a stroll in the park for me (it so fucking isn't btw just look at my PBs and splits) and that perception would make fundraising really hard. I'd have to do it dressed as a fucking anvil or something to make people perceive it as a challenge worth sponsoring and that isn't why I run.
Seems like I'm quite bitter doesn't it? To be honest I'm not really, there are plenty of brilliant races around but I do get a bit envious of people who get to run "The Marathon". I'll keep doing the ballot and maybe one year it will come up for me, and if I really really really wanted to run it that badly I'd find a way to fundraise.
The folks I do feel really sorry for though are the GFA qualifiers. I can only imagine the years of dedication and the intensity of the winter training, not to mention the good fortune to stay free of injury when pushing so hard, to hit the current qualifying times and to go through that and not even know whether you have a guaranteed place - brutal. Even worse if you just sneaked in with a GFA in Brighton or Manchester this year thinking of London 2019 - well soz you are shit outta luck my friend as they changed the goalposts literally the day after those races.
So not only is the London Marathon a massive charity fleecing scam but it's quite happy to take the piss out of the very runners who feed it. Fuck you London, I still want to run you though!
Monday, 16 April 2018
This was 2 years ago today
And now I'm on the train home after completing my 4th marathon yesterday.
If you've ever said "I can't do running" so did I and I was wrong. What I meant was "I can't run like other people seem to".
That parkrun took me 42 minutes btw - you don't need to have any talent to enjoy running.
Marathon 4 in the bag
So that's my fourth marathon done if you include last year's 2 tunnels ultra (which of course I do). Numbers 5, 6 and 7 already booked with 5 & 6 happening on the same day in June.
What am I thinking? 18 months ago I'd barely laced up a pair of trainers since school and now I'm planning to run 53 miles.
Anyway I'll save you the detailed race report. Marathon running is hard and that's why I enjoy it.
Brighton was especially emotional for me as last year's was my first 26.2 but the achievement was overshadowed by my partner Serena being admitted to hospital a couple of days before the event with a kidney infection that turned out to be cancer. Fortunately she recovered and was able to join me in town for the weekend this year, but it goes without saying that last year was a stressful time and running was a helpful distraction at times.
The whole thing hit me a bit around mile 9 as a runners high kicked in, the soundtrack on my headphones, the sunshine, the memory of how worried I was running that same route a year ago, and knowing that Serena would be there at the finish line this year. I definitely shed a tear or two at that moment.
So there we go, Brighton marathon has become pretty special to me, and not just because it was my first. Don't think I'll ever have a good time through the power station segment but I've already signed up for 2019 and with another year's running under my belt who knows?
Saturday, 14 April 2018
It's Brighton Marathon Weekend!
Sat on the train heading down to Brighton for tomorrow's marathon and I remembered that I have this blog.
It's pretty timely really as although the five k every day concept was what kick started my running it was training for this race last year that really made me feel like a "runner". Whatever that means.
I found it a bit of a struggle keeping this updated beyond the intended purpose of logging my 5 k every day runs as there are so many more experienced runners out there producing so much quality content What could I add? Well it just occurred to me that adding the voice of inexperience is valuable too.
So here are some random thoughts from my first year as a runner, a year in which I completed 2 marathons (slowly) a 50km ultramarathon (slowly), ran a trail half marathon on the hottest day of the year (very slowly!), and finally broke the 2 hour barrier for a half. In no particular order 10 chunks of wisdom
1. Don't worry about pace - goals are good but running should be enjoyable. Save the pb hunting for big races.
2. Running is fun. If you aren't finding it fun slow down and run until you enjoy it.
3. Parkrun is brilliant. Do them as often as possible.
4. Running Commentary Podcast is also brilliant. Listen to it while running.
6. Endorphins are addictive
7. Your brain will work better
8. You can run much further than you think. Especially if you stop and take in the view from time to time.
9. If this patient zero sniffy fucker across the aisle infects me with whatever lurgy he has I'm not going to be happy.
10. You can learn a lot from the online running community, but you can learn a lot more just by getting out there and finding your running mojo.
With a bit of luck I'll keep this updated a bit more often, especially as I'm working my way towards the 53 mile Race to the King in June. Or maybe I'll forget and won't update until I head down to the Brighton marathon next year.
Either way be cool
Dan
Saturday, 7 October 2017
Parkrun today, marathon tomorrow
Facebook just popped up with a memory about this blog. Amazing to think that one year ago I was a week into my 5km streak with no idea if I was up to the task. Now a year later running has become such a big part of my life that so far this year I've joined the 50 parkrun club, completed 3 half marathons, one full marathon, a 50km ultramarathon, a couple of random 10km races and I've got another marathon tomorrow.
Bit surprised how hooked I've got really.
Bit surprised how hooked I've got really.
Monday, 21 August 2017
Ran my first ultramarathon yesterday
Yesterday morning I found myself stood at the start of the Relish Running Races Two Tunnels course in Brickfields Park. Over the course of the day it would see some 1500 runners cross that line covering various distances from 5k upwards, but for now at 8.30 on a Sunday it was reserved for the 50 or so of us mad enough to tackle five laps of the 10km route ultra styley.
And what a great event it was. Of the 50km route 20km was underground in converted railway tunnels. The out and back 10km laps meant that we'd cross the other ultra runners at various points, which was a great morale boost in the later laps as we offered words of encouragement and the odd high five.
Mentally it was pretty tough at times in the long tunnel as in the later stages it seemed to go on forever and the piped classical music took on a bit of a horror film edge
Although being able to break the race into 5k trots between the feed stations really helped, and oh my were they well stocked - bananas, oranges, cakes, at least 3 different drink options, gels, jelly beans, flapjacks...everything you could want to refuel and then some. The marshals were great too, offering personal encouragement as they saw you running/trotting/hobbling towards them sporting your ultra bib.
All in all such a great, friendly, well-organised event - definitely a good pick for my first ultra and one that I'd certainly consider running again in the future.
Anyway here are the stats...
And what a great event it was. Of the 50km route 20km was underground in converted railway tunnels. The out and back 10km laps meant that we'd cross the other ultra runners at various points, which was a great morale boost in the later laps as we offered words of encouragement and the odd high five.
Mentally it was pretty tough at times in the long tunnel as in the later stages it seemed to go on forever and the piped classical music took on a bit of a horror film edge
Although being able to break the race into 5k trots between the feed stations really helped, and oh my were they well stocked - bananas, oranges, cakes, at least 3 different drink options, gels, jelly beans, flapjacks...everything you could want to refuel and then some. The marshals were great too, offering personal encouragement as they saw you running/trotting/hobbling towards them sporting your ultra bib.
All in all such a great, friendly, well-organised event - definitely a good pick for my first ultra and one that I'd certainly consider running again in the future.
Anyway here are the stats...
Sunday, 13 August 2017
Strava routes on the Garmin Fenix 3. A whole new world!
This year with the Brighton Marathon back in April and the Bath Two Tunnel 50km coming up next week I've been pretty much cycling on and off 16 week training programmes since January. This means almost every Sunday has been a "long run" day and as you can imagine by this point in the year I'm really lacking in inspiration when it comes to leaving my house and picking a route. I've gone every direction so many times it's just sooooo fucking boring and I often find myself just on a plod as a result.
So I was lying in bed this morning wondering where to run. Ten miles-ish was needed. Would I kill my legs on the Swinley Forest hills, plod round the bike paths and underpasses, head off along the Berkshire roads? I knew if I headed out without a plan I'd just be focussing on the route and working out the distance as I ran which connects your mind a bit too much to the distance and makes the run feel like hard work, so I needed to take that away from me and have the thinking pre-done.
That was when I looked at my wrist and remembered there is a navigation mode on the Fenix3 (great watch btw, really bigly uuuuugely good watch, Garmin have the best watches). So if I could just find a way to plot a route, copy it to the watch and see if I could follow it I might end up with more variety in my runs and Garmin said...
So there we go. Had a nice 10 mile run. Came home. Ate a slice of cake. Hashtag Sunday mofos.
So I was lying in bed this morning wondering where to run. Ten miles-ish was needed. Would I kill my legs on the Swinley Forest hills, plod round the bike paths and underpasses, head off along the Berkshire roads? I knew if I headed out without a plan I'd just be focussing on the route and working out the distance as I ran which connects your mind a bit too much to the distance and makes the run feel like hard work, so I needed to take that away from me and have the thinking pre-done.
That was when I looked at my wrist and remembered there is a navigation mode on the Fenix3 (great watch btw, really bigly uuuuugely good watch, Garmin have the best watches). So if I could just find a way to plot a route, copy it to the watch and see if I could follow it I might end up with more variety in my runs and Garmin said...
Gee thanks Garmin, you are a pal.
So how do I work out a route? I could go to something like mapmyrun and download a gpx but the problem is a lot of the runs on these sites start and end in inconvenient places (people's houses that aren't me and such) so that's annoying. Plus other people are not me and I'm a bit control freaky about these things. So how do I make my own?
Strava in a web browser. That's how. Log in, go to Dashboard > My Routes > New Route and you can start clicking on the map to build a run. The beauty of Strava is it has so much data about where other people are running that it will build a route between two points based on where other people tend to run so the chances of you being directed down a motorway or train track are pretty slim.
Anyway five minutes of clicking about and I had my nice 10 mile loop planned, it was a route I've never run before, and even took in a footbridge that I never new existed despite having driven under it about 1000 times. Nice.
So next challenge. How do I get it on my watch? Well the Fenix3 makes it so easy.
- Dock it in the USB
- Plug it in to your mac/pc
- If/When prompted enable Mass Storage mode on the Fenix3
- When it appears as a drive open it and then open the Garmin folder
- Check that there is a folder called Newfiles - it's hidden so if you can't see it ask Doctor Google how to view hidden files on your operating system
- Open your running route in Strava
- Click Export GPX and save it to your desktop
- Copy it to your Newfiles folder on the Fenix3
- Safely eject the device
- Garmin will say it's updating
- Route (Course in Garminspeak) is now saved to the device
Good. So how do you use it?
Well it couldn't be simpler
- Hold the Up key
- Press Down until you get to the Navigation option
- Press Start
- Select Courses
- Select your new course
- Select Do Course
- Choose your profile (e.g. Run)
- Wait for the GPS to find the satellite
- Run like normal but instead of looking at the pace and shit on your wrist you can now look at a funky route plot like this
OK so it's hardly Google Maps, it won't show you where the nearest pub is or even the roads you are running along but it does do a very good job of keeping you on track. I tried tricking it a couple of times with detours and within a few seconds of heading off course it vibrated on my wrist to warn me. It really did achieve the primary goal of taking all the thinking about the route out of the run. So I could just enjoy the sights like the Bracknell Alps
 |
| Lillehammer has nothing on the John Nike |
 |
| I just want a fondue now |
So there we go. Had a nice 10 mile run. Came home. Ate a slice of cake. Hashtag Sunday mofos.
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Rage Gains
So I was expecting to run the Wimbledon Common Half today. Was really looking forward to it, particularly hoping to spot a Womble or two.
Now I knew that 30,000 cyclists were due to ride round London today, all earnest faced and lycra clad (seriously why do so few of them look like they are enjoying themselves?) and I knew there would be road closures so I set off stupidly early to cover the 25 miles from my house to the event parking.
Not early enough it seems. Despite the best efforts of Google Maps I just couldn't find a way through in time to make the start. I was so pissed off. Especially as this was the first half I would have done where I didn't have some sort of nagging issue going in so pb potential was high.
Ended up running round Dinton Pastures in Wokingham instead. Covered 10k in a time that (for me) was pretty rapid. Burned off the rage, so now I can get on with my day which involves lunch with my parents and then cooking up a big old pot of Carne Gobernada.
Fwiw I'm not anti cyclist, I enter the ballot for the Ride London 100 every year, and more people on bicycles the better. I just didn't pay enough attention to mitigate the risk of being caught I the road closures. Still think a lot of the hardcore Sunday gear collectors need to look like they are enjoying themselves a bit more though ;)
Saturday, 29 July 2017
The Gypsy Shit Benchmark
I'm fortunate enough to have a Bracknell Parkrun 5 minutes walk from my back gate. This means I have to have had a really heavy Friday night not to attend.
Now the thing about Bracknell is it's always been considered one of the tougher Parkrun courses locally and it got even harder in January this year when they changed to a new layout with extra technical woodland and spongy woodchip underfoot. Now I like the new route much better but it did take me six months to get inside the PB I'd set on the old course.
So I've been thinking for a while, especially since I did a bit of Parkrun tourism and easily destroyed my Bracknell time, what time I would get if I ran the old course now? Thing is it was 3 dull laps that I've just not been able to bring myself to try on my own. Maybe one day we would get an organised run round the old route, just for old time's sake. Well that day was today.
But why?
Well we've had a lot of traveller activity in the area this last week. Honestly I've never seen such a concentrated collection of white vehicles in one place. What is it with the white cars? Anyway at one point during the week they decided to take over Great Hollands Rec where the Parkrun occurs and a cancellation was likely.
Fortunately they moved on / were moved on by the authorities in time for the Parkrun to go ahead. Unfortunately they have used one of the new parts of the course (if you are on Strava the bit known as "Allotment Drop") as a toilet. Didn't fancy checking it out in person but based on the descriptions on the Facebooks it sounded like rivers of human shit down there. Nasty.
Sooo the organisers had no choice but to run us round the old route which avoided Shit Mountain for the most part and gave all of us that were doing Bracknell last year the chance to see how we've improved in the proper context.
I'm pleased to report that I cruised to time 2 minutes faster than I was running the same course at the end of last year. The problem is when we switch back to the normal route next week it will probably take me another 6 months before I dip under the Gypsy Shit Benchmark.
Oh well. Goals.
In other news my amazing new running vests have just winged their way from China. Led Zep and a collage of band logos. These can go in rotation along with my all over print Number of the Beast running vest which gets random people throwing horns as you jog past them. Reckon I'll get a good 5 seconds per mile boost from these new ones. Especially when combined with this playlist!
Metal. \m/ \m/
Now the thing about Bracknell is it's always been considered one of the tougher Parkrun courses locally and it got even harder in January this year when they changed to a new layout with extra technical woodland and spongy woodchip underfoot. Now I like the new route much better but it did take me six months to get inside the PB I'd set on the old course.
So I've been thinking for a while, especially since I did a bit of Parkrun tourism and easily destroyed my Bracknell time, what time I would get if I ran the old course now? Thing is it was 3 dull laps that I've just not been able to bring myself to try on my own. Maybe one day we would get an organised run round the old route, just for old time's sake. Well that day was today.
But why?
Well we've had a lot of traveller activity in the area this last week. Honestly I've never seen such a concentrated collection of white vehicles in one place. What is it with the white cars? Anyway at one point during the week they decided to take over Great Hollands Rec where the Parkrun occurs and a cancellation was likely.
Fortunately they moved on / were moved on by the authorities in time for the Parkrun to go ahead. Unfortunately they have used one of the new parts of the course (if you are on Strava the bit known as "Allotment Drop") as a toilet. Didn't fancy checking it out in person but based on the descriptions on the Facebooks it sounded like rivers of human shit down there. Nasty.
Sooo the organisers had no choice but to run us round the old route which avoided Shit Mountain for the most part and gave all of us that were doing Bracknell last year the chance to see how we've improved in the proper context.
I'm pleased to report that I cruised to time 2 minutes faster than I was running the same course at the end of last year. The problem is when we switch back to the normal route next week it will probably take me another 6 months before I dip under the Gypsy Shit Benchmark.
Oh well. Goals.
In other news my amazing new running vests have just winged their way from China. Led Zep and a collage of band logos. These can go in rotation along with my all over print Number of the Beast running vest which gets random people throwing horns as you jog past them. Reckon I'll get a good 5 seconds per mile boost from these new ones. Especially when combined with this playlist!
Metal. \m/ \m/
Saturday, 15 July 2017
Getting Faster
When I was training for the Brighton Marathon my work schedule was a nightmare, with 5 hour total commute times most weekdays. I made sure I did at least part of them on the Brompton to get cardio but we all know cycling doesn't translate to running too well.
"Don't worry too much" I was told by more experienced marathon runners "forget a target time and just make it all about the long runs in training". This was kind of ok as I got through the mara and although I was slower than I'd hoped I was reminded by a spectator a couple of miles from the end that just the act of finishing a marathon makes you amazing.
Fortunately as I get ready for next month's 50km in Bath I'm now working just a few miles from home so I've no excuses not to stick to the training plan. This means a lot of extra speedwork in the middle of the week, particularly intervals.
Experienced runners will know this already but if you are more of a novice like me you might not realise how much of a boost you get from this type of activity. Essentially I've found it has resulted in a lot of seconds coming off my easy run pace without really feeling like I've altered the amount of effort I'm putting in.
Within a month of doing my midweek intervals (either 1 mile with 60 seconds rest times 5, or 10 minutes with 2 minutes rest times 3) I've knocked 100 seconds off my Parkrun time and I'm pretty sure there was more in me that day.
I've also found that the nature of intervals means you adjust where you set the "shit this is too hard I need to walk a bit" needle as you get used to pushing thorough that last 60 seconds of a ten minute interval.
Try it. Works well.
"Don't worry too much" I was told by more experienced marathon runners "forget a target time and just make it all about the long runs in training". This was kind of ok as I got through the mara and although I was slower than I'd hoped I was reminded by a spectator a couple of miles from the end that just the act of finishing a marathon makes you amazing.
Fortunately as I get ready for next month's 50km in Bath I'm now working just a few miles from home so I've no excuses not to stick to the training plan. This means a lot of extra speedwork in the middle of the week, particularly intervals.
Experienced runners will know this already but if you are more of a novice like me you might not realise how much of a boost you get from this type of activity. Essentially I've found it has resulted in a lot of seconds coming off my easy run pace without really feeling like I've altered the amount of effort I'm putting in.
Within a month of doing my midweek intervals (either 1 mile with 60 seconds rest times 5, or 10 minutes with 2 minutes rest times 3) I've knocked 100 seconds off my Parkrun time and I'm pretty sure there was more in me that day.
I've also found that the nature of intervals means you adjust where you set the "shit this is too hard I need to walk a bit" needle as you get used to pushing thorough that last 60 seconds of a ten minute interval.
Try it. Works well.
Saturday, 8 July 2017
OK so I'm reviving this blog, no more 5 k every day, lots more miles and some things to say
So it's been far too long since I've updated this blog. In fact the last time I posted was just before I tackled the Brighton Marathon back in April. What a scorching hot day that was! I finished it albeit an hour slower than I hoped for so I'm signed up again for next year because I've got unfinished business there!
So why am I suddenly reviving this blog now?
Good question, it's not like there aren't already a million blogs by running enthusiasts out there and most of them are far more accomplished runners than I. What the hell have I got to say that hasn't been written about in a thousand different ways already? Even the original concept of running 5km every day has been done and done and done. So why bother?
Well mainly as I'm well into my second year as a "runner" I'm pretty much committed, it's not a hobby that's going anywhere soon, not least because I keep signing up to events. I'm also thinking having my own log of my progress in more qualitative and subjective terms than the pure quantitative data in Strava and Garmin Connect might be interesting. And finally (and I suspect this is why there are so many of these blogs) when I'm out on the long runs (24 miles tomorrow btw) I sometimes need something to occupy my mind. Thinking "what would I write about this run" could be just the tonic. I've previously found myself drafting unwritten blog posts while plodding through the long miles.
So before I start getting back into this writing malarky a quick recap
So why am I suddenly reviving this blog now?
Good question, it's not like there aren't already a million blogs by running enthusiasts out there and most of them are far more accomplished runners than I. What the hell have I got to say that hasn't been written about in a thousand different ways already? Even the original concept of running 5km every day has been done and done and done. So why bother?
Well mainly as I'm well into my second year as a "runner" I'm pretty much committed, it's not a hobby that's going anywhere soon, not least because I keep signing up to events. I'm also thinking having my own log of my progress in more qualitative and subjective terms than the pure quantitative data in Strava and Garmin Connect might be interesting. And finally (and I suspect this is why there are so many of these blogs) when I'm out on the long runs (24 miles tomorrow btw) I sometimes need something to occupy my mind. Thinking "what would I write about this run" could be just the tonic. I've previously found myself drafting unwritten blog posts while plodding through the long miles.
So before I start getting back into this writing malarky a quick recap
- I started this blog to track a personal challenge as a very green runner to run 5km every day during October 2016 in aid of Cancer research. Read the old posts if you need any more detail than that.
- During that time I decided it would be a laugh to enter the Brighton Marathon so that's what I did.
- Shortly after the Brighton Marathon training started in anger (yep the traditional New Year 16 week programme) I thought to myself "be funny to do my first half, first full, and first ultra marathon in the same year" so I signed up for the Two Tunnels Ultra in Bath. I'm currently training for that one.
And here we are, hooked on running, planning on writing about it from the perspective of a really unremarkable athlete. Here are some stats to prove it
- 1 Mile: 7m 43s
- Parkrun (5km): 25m 04s
- Half Mara: 2h 14m
- Mara: 5h 21m
If I remember I'll update these to chart my progress. Sometimes the online running community seems to be full of people banging out 6 minute miles on a slow day so maybe writing from the perspective of someone still learning might be interesting. And I've learned a lot, I've got half formed posts on running shoes, Tough Mudders, playlists, hydration packs, your first big races, being right at the back of the field, n00b training, and how to recover from injuries as a 40 something with shagged knees amongst other things.
Wednesday, 8 March 2017
So, how is your marathon training going?
You know how you buy a new car and all of a sudden you realise every other car on the road is the same model? It's like that but with marathon training.
Got to admit I've been pretty un-disciplined with mine so far. I had a stint of very long weeks with up to 5 hours commute each day until two weeks ago so I've been failing miserably to get the midweek runs in, although during that time I made sure I was commuting at least part of the way by bicycle. Big up the Brompton massive!
The only thing I was making sure I stuck at was my long runs. Every weekend. Whatever was on the plan would be run.
I'm now 5 weeks out from the Brighton Marathon and feeling good. Not least because I started a new job this week with only a few minutes commute so I'm able to run in the morning before work. Bloody luxury.
Also despite an injury preventing me from even walking 5 days beforehand I managed to get an encouraging 2h15m at the Thorpe Half, my target time for the Brighton Mara is 4h30m so with the extra final push in training and no longer feeling like I'm carrying any injury I'm hopeful that it's achievable.
For no reason here is a random run from this morning. Because I have time to do it now. Yay.
Got to admit I've been pretty un-disciplined with mine so far. I had a stint of very long weeks with up to 5 hours commute each day until two weeks ago so I've been failing miserably to get the midweek runs in, although during that time I made sure I was commuting at least part of the way by bicycle. Big up the Brompton massive!
The only thing I was making sure I stuck at was my long runs. Every weekend. Whatever was on the plan would be run.
I'm now 5 weeks out from the Brighton Marathon and feeling good. Not least because I started a new job this week with only a few minutes commute so I'm able to run in the morning before work. Bloody luxury.
Also despite an injury preventing me from even walking 5 days beforehand I managed to get an encouraging 2h15m at the Thorpe Half, my target time for the Brighton Mara is 4h30m so with the extra final push in training and no longer feeling like I'm carrying any injury I'm hopeful that it's achievable.
For no reason here is a random run from this morning. Because I have time to do it now. Yay.
Tuesday, 10 January 2017
Oh cack I've entered an ultra
Not content with making 2017 the year I run my first half marathon(Thorpe Park Half) and first marathon (Brighton) I've decided to add my first ultra to the mix too.
So in August I'll be heading to Bath and running the Two Tunnels Ultra. Looks cool as, a (hopefully) manageable 50km with 20km of underground running. http://www.relishrunningraces.com/bath-two-tunnels-ultra-marathon.php
No idea how that happened. I used to hate running.
So in August I'll be heading to Bath and running the Two Tunnels Ultra. Looks cool as, a (hopefully) manageable 50km with 20km of underground running. http://www.relishrunningraces.com/bath-two-tunnels-ultra-marathon.php
No idea how that happened. I used to hate running.
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Streak is over but I'm still running!
It's been almost 2 weeks since the end of the 5km every day streak and while I've allowed myself some rest days but I'm still getting out there and running. Got no choice really as I've got to keep at it to get ready for a half marathon and marathon in the new year.
So today I ran the latest in the Brutal 10 series, this one at the Spider Hill course in Aldershot. I woke up to torrential rain, and it probably tells you a lot about the type of running I like the most when I say I was pretty happy about that. I knew it was going to be a wet course anyway with a few mud and water crossings so as far as I was concerned the downpour was just another feature of the course. Turns out that not many people were put off by the weather as there were around 450 other people taking part today.
I've run about half a dozen of these events now all on different courses but all equally tough in their own way and one thing I noticed today, it being the first once since I finished the 31 day 5k streak was how strong I felt. There were a couple of people who I recognised as being usually on about the same pace as me who I breezed past. I also finished comfortably inside the top 50% which was a first for me. Guess there was something in this streak then.
These Brutal events are really well organised and great value so if you are in the area and fancy trying a tough fun trail run these events are ace.
Oh and special mention to the bloke who got headbutted by a deer. That doesn't happen at Parkrun!
So today I ran the latest in the Brutal 10 series, this one at the Spider Hill course in Aldershot. I woke up to torrential rain, and it probably tells you a lot about the type of running I like the most when I say I was pretty happy about that. I knew it was going to be a wet course anyway with a few mud and water crossings so as far as I was concerned the downpour was just another feature of the course. Turns out that not many people were put off by the weather as there were around 450 other people taking part today.
I've run about half a dozen of these events now all on different courses but all equally tough in their own way and one thing I noticed today, it being the first once since I finished the 31 day 5k streak was how strong I felt. There were a couple of people who I recognised as being usually on about the same pace as me who I breezed past. I also finished comfortably inside the top 50% which was a first for me. Guess there was something in this streak then.
These Brutal events are really well organised and great value so if you are in the area and fancy trying a tough fun trail run these events are ace.
Oh and special mention to the bloke who got headbutted by a deer. That doesn't happen at Parkrun!
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