10km Race - Whipsnade Zoo Stampede

Training has been mostly non-existent over the past 2 weeks.  I did manage a long run last Sunday, but should have been preparing for today’s race.  I’ve been working in France, travelling home at weekends, so the training has been on the back-burner.

Whipsnade 10k consists of 3 laps of the main road through the zoo.  The first mile of the lap is mostly downhill, the second mostly up.  Last year I found it incredibly tough - mentally and physically.  Thinking I wouldn’t beat my PB of 00:53:25, I thought I’d still give it my best shot!

I headed out for my first lap trying to keep slow…  well when I say slow, I mean backed of a bit on the pace.  On the run up to start lap 2 I was already feeling my legs like they were concreting up!  I tried to keep the pressure on for lap 2 and started to really zone out.  Ignoring what was going on around me and just controlling my breathing and forcing my legs to move around.  The run up hill to lap 3 and I was feeling spent!

Lap 3 was tough, I had to back off when I started the downhill because I was just spent.  Here I was overtaken by a few people that I’d been ahead of for quite a while.  Kept forcing myself around until I got to about 8km and then just lost it!  Walked!  Then realised quickly my mistake and started slow jogging.  I had to recover a bit, my legs were gone and I was feeling sick.  Forced onward and onto the finish, where I did manage to speed up a bit, no sprint finish today though!

All in all, good race, shame I lost it at the end, but PB

10km in 00:50:35

7 miles

I skipped my run last week - popped to Bognor Regis to support my wife and a friend run their 10km. Last week I couldn’t run either, work took over - was in Paris

This morning I was expecting it to be a little hard. I was right! Set off in the rain, which was ok, the weather was so hot the other weekit was a refreshing change.

We ran from home, along the railway path to the Aquaduct at Bradwell/Woverton, over the footbridge and along the canal. Popped back on the railway path by the Black Horse and back home. We had a quick stop at about 2 miles in, but that was about it.

Other than the rain it was an ok run. It was good to be running again although I really felt it. Far too long a gap since my last run. I have a race next Sunday, so should really be training harder - too much stuff going on.

7.18 miles in 1:05:07

5km moderate

Gym run tonight.  Didn’t have a lot of time, I had to fit in a run and a shower before they shut (our bathroom is being retiled).  After a longer run on Saturday I thought 5km would be enough.

I set off aiming at a sub 25 minute time - although after a slow start (had to get the notPod going), it was obvious I wasn’t going to make that time.  It was hot!!  I did manage to claw back some of the lost time by running for 800m at 13km/h, but then had to drop it back down again.

Stressful day (deadline and working late) meant I just couldn’t relax.  Might have been too much caffeine, I have the same muscle tightness.  I’m sure it all added up to my struggle.

Another run done though!  Feel good for going!

5km in 00:25:16

9 mile long run

Tough weather this morning! Very hot and humid!  We set out to run 8 miles…

With no sitter, H came along with his bike. He did really well, it was quite a nice pace for him to pootle along to.

Set off from home, something haven’t done for quite a while. Got onto the railway path then headed across to Tongwell Lake. Went the more direct route around Tongwell, through the industrial estate and onto Willen.

No football at the park this morning at Willen, but it looks like they are extending the pavilion quite a lot…

Cut through to Willen Lake and started to take the straight route towards the hotel. It was getting tough, so were thinking about cutting back on mileage. Go to the cut between the north and south lakes and decided to go for it, adding in extra mileage by going right around the south lake then into the wooded area.

Headed up to the canal near the back of Gulliver’s Land and followed the canal path back along to Giffard Park. I was wishing at this point that we’d driven and parked at Giffard like last week, but instead we had to push for the last 1 1/2 miles home!

I actually stopped 1/4 from home and walk/jogged the last bit - H rode into a lamppost (too busy watching a Fire Engine!!). We also stopped after 6 miles, at a park, so that H could have a break from riding. I left my watch running for all stops (hence the slow time!)

9.07 miles in 1:34:20

Search Engine Hit

Noticed somebody searched for

i feel really drained after 10 mile run

and hit my blog…

my answer: so do I!

In fact running for > 1 hour requires additional fuel.  Gels, raisins, sweets.

5 1/2 mile plod

5.69 miles in 1:00:02

Nothing to see here… move along please

4 miles

Tough run!!! Usually I’d be in gym running late, but being a bank holiday, I went this afternoon.

Problem with running outside was the sun! It’s been a lovely day today, been out in it for the most part, but for running, too hot!

We ran from Willen’s Pagoda car park and headed back towards home along the canal. When we got to Great Linford we headed into the estate in a loop before heading back to the canal. We had to run as far as Campbell park to hit our target distance. Between 2 and 3 miles I actually had to stop and walk - this is very unlike me.

Lots and lots of people about today. Luckily there wasn’t too many incidence of people getting in the way. It was a bit akward when we met some bikes on the zig-zag bridge, but wasn’t too bad.

4.01 miles in 00:35:09

7 1/2 mile long run

Long run day - outside!

J and I had to bring H along today with his bike, I’m glad to say that he doesn’t whine as much these days as he used to.  He can also manage slightly further now he has a new bike and is a bit older.

Drove to Giffard Park and ran the canal broadwalk to Campbell Park and down towards Willen Lake - the far corner.  We also had a drink stop for H, before getting to the lake.  We then followed the lake, stopping for another break by the Pagoda, almost all the way around and back up to Campbell Park.  Back along the other side of the canal and back to the Giffard Park.  We stopped at the park and let H play while we stretched.

It was a really hot morning to be running.  I have 4 weeks until my 10km race, which will be more hilly and probably hotter *gulp*.

7.67 miles in 01:12:15

4 miles tempo

Another treadmill session!  I had it in mind that I wanted to test 5 min/km pace for a full 4 miles.  The idea being that I would be able to see how viable that pace would be for 6 mile race.

I managed it…  this hopefully means that when I run Whipsnade 10km I will manage a sub-50 minute time, for the first time in my life.  This assumes I don’t get an injury or screw up on race day by starting off too fast.

I’m finding music increasingly useful to help move my mind away from phantom pain…  phantom because it is just a manifestation in my mind because I want to stop or slow down, although I know my legs/breathing/heart rate are all fine.

4 miles in 00:32:11

4 miles treadie session

Treadmill Monday!  Treadmills are boring - so this post will be equally so:

1. Fiddled with MP3 player whilst walking for a minute or so
2. Cranked treadmill up to 11.5 km/h
3. Ran until I hit 5km
4. Pushed speed up to 12.5 km/h (Tool - 10,000 Days helped lots here)
5. Run until I hit 6km
6. Slowed up momentarily (11.5km/h for 200m) then back to 12.5km/h
7. Stopped running at 6.44km (4 miles)
8. Walked until hit 7km

See - boring!

6.44km in 00:33:40