Track Closed - Training in the snow

It's a new year and the London Marathon is just over 3 months away. So, time for some serious training? Well it would be if the weather wasn't cold enough to freeze your bits off.

The track (above) is closed and the streets are covered in ice (none of the neighbours seem to have any salt to lay on the pavements). Running on ice seemed a bit silly, so I considered postponing my efforts to later in the week. However on seeing a couple of runners out facing the elements, I felt inspired. With that, and the forecast being more snow all month, I thought a short run might be a good idea to do risk the ice. And I'm glad I did. I've managed a couple of good runs. And the snow is falling again.

Christmas Partying meets Cross Country

What a weekend! What a week!

Before yesterday morning's Sunday run we were discussing the demons that runners have to cope with. Alcohol was mentioned. And, from the last week's experience, and more so this weekend running, I wholeheartedly agree.

It was Christmas party week. As ever, this involved a touch of booze. Or more correctly, a big bucket of booze.

My employers managed to find £1000 of sponsorship for the bar tab for Thursday's party. Not a huge deal if you work for a big company. However I work for a small company of 14 people, and only 10 of us could make it to the event. That made it £100 to spend on beer, spirits cocktails. etc. And, boy, did we go for it! And I paid the price.

Saturday's 5.6mile cross country was a disaster. Still feeling rough from Thurday, and having eaten nowhere near enough I set off on my second proper cross country race. Ugh!! I felt ill from the start. Cut a long story short they were taking down the finish line when I crossed it. What an embarrassment.

Sunday's run was mildly better, but I am staying well away from beer for the foreseeable future.

South of Thames 5 Mile XC + Running Club meal = Sore Head

I ran my first proper cross country this weekend. The race was the South of Thames 5 Miles at Sparrow's Den in West Wickham in Kent. It took forever to get there (tube, train, train, tram and train), but it was worth it, even if I did have to run in normal running running shoes.

Running cross country without spikes isn't easy. I had hoped to buy some shoes before the race, but to cut a long story short, I didn't get any. So I had to run in the mud, slipping about all over the place. Luckily I managed to not fall over once :-). Didn't quite win tho. LOL.

Then back home and out to the club formal. Lots of speeches and things. Lots of beer too:-) It was good fun, but Sunday was a washout. I ached like a fiend, legs and head. Ugh... My usual Sunday run was out of the question. And it rained too, so I stayed in bed.

Silver Comet Half Marathon - 13.1 miles of rain

Back to the USA, this time to run the Silver Comet Half Marathon in Mableton, Georgia. This was easily my wettest race yet, but without doubt, the best half marathon route I've run to date.

We arrived at the start area at the Mable House Cultural Arts Centre. We received our race numbers and waited. It was pretty to cold so, with over an hour until the start, we warmed up. Luckily the weather warmed up too as the race approached.

We were off! 1.5 miles to the Silver Comet Trail then the remaining 11.6 out and back. It should have been fairly straightforward. Then, the skies opened. From being a lovely autumn morning, the weather instantly turned, a hideous downpour drenching everyone. Nobody was about to give up at this early stage so we carried on.

Then we reached the trail. I'm not a huge fan of out-and-back races, but this was an exception. The trail was flat. A PB was not out of the question. It was pleasant too: tree-lined with autumn leaves colouring the scene, crossing over rivers and streams as we ran. And, the rain having stopped, it turned into a really enjoyable race.

I didn't quite manage a PB. However I finished with a time 1.43 and placed 188th out of about 1800 runners. A respectable result, helped by an enthusiastic crowd and encouraging fellow runners. All in all a lot of fun a great experience.

If you have the chance, run this race. Even with the rain it was a whole lots of fun.

Richmond Riverside 10K - Sibling Rivalry Decided

I ran my fastest 10K this year. 45:41 is not too shabby by anyone's standards, and I'm feeling ready for the half marathon in two weeks time. But was it enough to beat my little brother, Fraser?

No! I've been training loads recently. 3 times a week plus races. So I was hoping it'd be enough to give me an edge. Not so. Having led for almost all the race I was beaten, when, in the closing seconds, Fraser sprinted past to beat me. F....! Fraser wins 2 races to my 1:(

BTW, the race was pretty good, if a little expensive. I recommend.

Streatham Common 6 mile cross country - a killer race

My second cross country race, on Streatham Common, was just 6 days after the first. I didn't expect it to be easy, cross country never is, but I was shattered!

Streatham Common is basically one big hill. The race wasnt ALL up and down, but most of it was. And not being the biggest fan of hills, I struggled just a bit. The race started, heading down, down and down. That was good while it lasted. But then there was pay-back - uphill. And this went on for 6.3 miles.

I made it to the end! How, I barely remember. The time was just over 49 minutes, which is not too shabby, and it was great practice for the 17th (10K against my brother).

Then, after-race beers:)

Croydon Switchback 5 - My inaugural cross country race

Today was my first cross country race. The event was the Croydon Switchback 5 - a 5 mile race through Croydon's Lloyd Park and surrounding hills.

As I found out, it was tough. Having thought it was going to be more of 5 mile race round the park I wasn't prepared for the hills 2 miles into the race. We seemed to be running up and down constantly. I was almost getting dizzy. Fortunately they didn't last too long, and then it was back to a flatter course.

The last 2-3 miles was more forgiving and I made up a few places. The final result was 44th out of 103 with a time of 38:31, a nice sub-8-minute per mile. Sweet!

The club did well too, taking 5 awards, including second placed runner and first place women's team. Not too shabby.

Next, Streatham Common cross country 6 miler? I think so.