June 2013

[glaconman]

Post 3 Peaks running has been sporadic but I have managed a few races.

The Bluebell Trail was a 10 miler who's name betrays a vicious profile climbing out of Halifax up some cobbled 1:4 switch-backs. Went out too fast. Again.

The Kildwick fell race was a shortish 5 miler with a couple of climbs. I just about judged this one but had to wait for a group of runners about a mile before the finish because I didn't know which way to go. Bit annoying that in the heat of battle.

Then there was the Pen-y-gent fell race last Saturday. The first chapter of the 3 Peaks but this time a quick return to Horton at just 6.6 miles. But I still managed to overcook the climb and not eat properly before the 3 O'Clock start. I reached the summit in 36th and finished in 58th! Another memorable bonk. Incidentally, the guy behind me at the summit finished in 12th. That's the way to do it.

So I'm just continually trying to learn the same lesson (pace judgement) and failing on most occasions.

Next-up The Full Bronte tomorrow night - a 5 mile road race in Haworth that's a couple of laps on a big hill. The perfect course for negative splits if I can engage my brain.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Good on yer G'man for keeping the RC flag flying when many of the rest of us are having ... a bit of a "rest".

Looks like you've re-learned some of those lessons many of us also forget: don't go out too fast, get your nutrition right and, erm, know the way before you race! And the biggie of course - pace yourself. Hmm, can't say I've quite got that one figured out yet either.

But at least you're running. Good man!

[glaconman]

You're right MLCMM!

During long bouts of enforced rest, due to injury, I would have been very happy to have the opportunity to be able to turn up and trot around these wonderful events.

What terrible memories we have!

I did tonight's 5 miler a couple of years ago in 31.52. I can't really see me beating that; but I'll be interested to see where I am in comparison. Maybe a more even-paced approach could make up the shortfall in pace?

[glaconman]

The BRONTE 5 ended well on a hot, balmy night in Haworth. Abit of restraint paid off and I came in 21st at 32:01. That's only 9 seconds shy of my time 2 years ago.

I also managed a classic BOFRA race on Sunday. These tend to be the shorter 'up-and-down' races that go to a trig somewhere in The Dales. KETTLEWELL is one of the shortest races at 1.5 miles. Surely I could avoid bonking on a 1.5 mile race?

It's steep and intense. The winner (local farmer Ted Mason) managed the feat in 11:42. It took me alittle longer (15:21). I probably summited somewhere around 20th but came in 38th. That's the nature of the beast. Abit frustrating at the time, but the task is to improve on the downhills and one day I might hold-my-own. If I don't break my ankle first.

A good day though with Junior Glaconman out and about in the U12 and most people throwing themselves into the river after finishing. A picnic on the hill rounded things off nicely.

Next stop Leg 5 of the Bradford Millenium Way Relay over Ilkley Moor to Bingley on Sunday.

[marathondan]

Lookin' good on the flat there, GM. Kettlewell looks absolutely bonkers in both direcrtions - seems they've printed the photos at the wrong angle...

[glaconman]

It was MD. A few lost it on the final descent and came tumbling down like rag dolls. Then there was the junior who face-planted on the tarmac at the start after only 2 strides. Race over.

Character building stuff