I should do this more often really.
On the 1st of December, myself and club-mate Kieran travelled down to Cardington, Shropshire, to run in the Cardington Cracker, a 9 mile, 2600ft fell race. For once, it wasn't either 2 feet deep in snow, or covered in sheet ice. My best time previously was 1:31, and somewhere around 30th, and I had heard that it was the final counting race for Mercia's championship, so I wasn't hopeful. Also, couldn't let Kieran beat me!
Managed, for once, to get a good start and not get baulked up the first incline, with Kieran just in front. A short sharp climb, a small descent then it's straight up the side of the Lawley. Damn near vertical, so lucky it's not that big! Somehow kept close to Kieran (he's pretty epic up the side of a hill), then it's a lovely descent, where I nipped past him. A slog over couple of fields, then up the side of Caer Caradoc. Not as steep as Lawley, but goes on a bit longer. Kieran in front again, but not getting away (Amazing how, out of the 200 people there, the only one I was really focused on beating was my club-mate...). Down the ridge, then down the side (bloody steep), vaulted a fence (thankfully nailed it as there were witnesses), to the stream, across then a looooooong runnable climb. Or at least, should have been runnable. This is where I lost any hope of getting in the top 10. Downed a TORQ gel, but still had to walk most of it (although did pass someone who was "running" up it).
Down a road/bridleway thing then up Hope Bowdler hill, towards Willstone Hill. It's undulating along the top, and hard work. Spotted Simon White from TORQ on the top. Vaulted another stile on a descent to keep close to Kieran, then passed him on the steep downhill from Willstones. Tried to push it up the other side, but my quads weren't willing. Pushed it all the way along the top, then down the final fields to the finish.
Managed to get in front with 2 fields to go (superior stile technique), and managed to hold it over the line. 12th place, in 1:24:43. Kieran in 13th place, 1:24:45. Extremely happy with the time, and my performance up most of the hills. Definitely wouldn't have achieved the time or place if I wasn't racing with Kieran, top10 next year!
The 8th of December was my yearly road half marathon, the Keyworth Turkey Trot. I quite like it, it's scenic, not flat, and The Derby Runner do a stall there that I make my yearly road shoe purchase (this time, Mizuno Ronin 5, £30, stoked). Had no idea what was going to happen in this race, as my last real road race was back in February, where I achieved a 5 mile pb. I made no targets, no goals, just to run. I stuck with that until I saw a pack of 3 Long Eaton runners in front, a couple of which had been lording it over me for Notts AAA Summer League whilst I was feeling "off". Sensible thoughts out, race on.
By the time mile 3, and the "hill of doom" had passed, we were down to a group of 3 - Mark Boot, from Long Eaton, and the eventual V45 1st place (10th or 11th overall). We stuck together until mile 10, where Mark fell off the back of me,and I fell off the back of the other bloke (also, at this point recorded my fastest ever 10 mile time of just over 1 hour!). Overtook 2 more runners between there and the finish, crossing the line in 1:19:54, cracking the 80 minute barrier and coming in 13th out of 850 or so. Also, only 5 minutes behind 1st place.
Almost makes me want to do a flat one, just to see how fast I could go.
Mondays sports massage, however put me off - the most painful ever. Even after 40 miles, my legs feel loads better than after 13 on the road.
Things up and coming. I have a VO2 max test tomorrow (Saturday 14th), with a 16 week training plan to follow to get me sorted for the Highland Fling. A week on Saturday, (21st) I have the Tour de Helvellyn. That's going to hurt, as I'm up against nearly the who's who of British Ultra-running. Ed Catmur, Marcus Scotney, Steve Birkinshaw, Forest Bethell, Andy Mouncey. It's going to be hell just to get into the top 10!
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