Just come across David Tittle’s blog post on Week 8 – Not the Coventry Way . It’s part of his blog on completing the the ‘A Coventry Way Challenge‘ which is a 40 mile challenge. I came across this challenge a few years back but unfortunately i’ve had bad timing in terms of other races being on at the same time – that and i’d want to run in and needed to build up to it a bit first.
Definitely one i’d like to do in the future!
Firstly, Happy New Year to you!
As another year passes I wanted to make a few notes of what I want to do in 2010. I’m not going to do a look back at 2009 but just a look forward to what I hope 2010 will bring. These aren’t resolutions - just a list of things that I want to refer back to and to gauge how my year is going – purely related to running and fitness. Staying healthy and fit will be my main goal, but i’d also like to:
I’m also hoping to blog more regularly which is something that i’ve been a bit remiss in lately.
We drove up to Snowdonia on the Friday and stopped overnight at a travellodge just outside of Bangor.
Saturday morning we walked out to autumnal weather. It was a bit blustery but nothing major. So we drove up to Llanberis. Very scenic drive – about a half mile out we drove in to the wind and the rain.Parking up was easy enough and it was a quick walk to the electric blue building to get under cover from the rain.
About a quarter to nine we joined the queue for the bus to the start of the race in Nant Peris. At quarter past ten we were still stood in the pouring rain and wind and it was announced that spectators could no longer be transported to the Start. So i left my support crew (very wet but understanding wife) and got on the next bus. The start of the race was delayed by about 15 minutes but this seemed to be taken on well by all the runners. Within a few minutes we were all penned in and ready for the off.
Miles 1-4 were up a gradual hill that was fairly easy going. The waterfalls and rivers had been well fed by the rain which was now easing up – but it was still windy out there.
Around the 4 mile mark you reach the peak of the first climb and then it’s a long descent all the way until mile 12. The scenery on the descent was just breathtaking, and i did slow down to take in some of the views.
Miles 12 – 14 were a steeper all up hill but nothing too major. This leads into miles 14 – 20 which are a gentle descent with a few undulations thrown in to the mix.
All is going pleasantly well. I’m fuelled up, hydrated and making good time. Mile 21-24 is some of the hardest running that i’ve ever done. The first part of this I put my head down and made slower but steady progress up the hill. It’s at this point that you start catching up with people who’ve already started to walk up the hill. I carried on running for a short while but found it just too hard going to keep this up. So I slowed down and eventually had to walk for a while. A bit of a jog/run/walk and it looks like you’re at the top. But you’re not there’s a little dip/and then a final climb. It’s around this point i think that you’ve moved onto slate track and then softer ground. Then you are at the top.
Now you have to descend into Llanberis. All the climbing that you’ve done has to be countered by a two mile run-in to the finish line. This was not an easy run in to the finish. The descent’s obviously very steep and I just went for it – I’m leaning backwards and taking shorter steps but it seems to work. I just let my feet get on with it and I find myself in site of the 26 mile mark. It’s here that i get my first bout of cramp – probably related to the newly developed running style i’d just been trying coming down the hill. A few encouraging words from a fellow runner and a couple of stretches and i’m past 26 and heading to the where the cheers of the crowds are. (Even an encounter with a pothole doesn’t phase me at this point) . It’s the final stretch running through the crowds to the finish line. It’s a super way to finish the race.
Exhausted and elated at the end of it all! Missed out on my finishers prize as I think I went the wrong way somewhere
The support along the route was surprisingly good. It seems you’re in the middle of nowhere but there are people out giving their support. In the villages that you pass through the streets are lined with people. The drink stations are manned – cadets, scouts and other volunteers all giving their time to make this a smooth process. Gels, isotonic drinks and (homemade?) chocolate available at the latter stages. The scenery was just superb and this is definitely one marathon i’ll be doing again
Snowdonia marathon course map
Snowdonia Marathon course profile
Ok, so last weekend was the longest run of my current training plan. It was 22 miles and from there on in i’m officailly on a taper until the Snowdonia marathon on 24 October. Basically over the next days i’ll be running less, eating more and generally resting up as much as possible.
I’m running every day this week and next week but complete rest days on Thursday and Friday. I’ll then make way over to the race on the Friday and have a look over the course before heading to the registration.
The run itself went well – just over 3 hours of me, myself and I running. There was a bit of confusion on the route which I think meant that it was over 22 miles bit it’s all good. I used energy gels on the run and have a fair idea at what points along the course that i’ll use them. I also made a few small decisions about what kit i’ll be using on the day. It might not sound too important but if i’m confident about my kit, my fuel, my refuelling on the route then all that’s left for me to have to think about is the run itself.
It wasn’t a bad week of running. Managed to complete all my training runs and have been making sure that i’ve been resting up when I can.
It’s been a beautiful autumn week whilst out running. Which can often make the running a lot easier. The colours of the trees, the mists hanging over the fields, the sun rising – how can I not be enjoying the runs!
The months have fast disappeared, the summer’s near enough gone and September is almost a blur. This soon brings us to October which means that i’ve got three more long training runs to put in before the Snowdonia marathon. I’m not daunted by this – i’m hoping the training will continue on plan which means that on the day i’ll have enough inside me to be able to finish and enjoy myself.
I finished off the week this morning with a 20 miler. I had a struggle last Sunday and only did 17 of the 20 miles I wanted to do. Last week the legs felt tired but i’m more than sure that the problem was mental – I had a lack of confidence in myself which is very strange. I’m not the fastest of runners but i’ve never before not finished a distance that I set out to do. So i’ll take that on as experience.
This morning’s run was a two looper:
View 2 loops in Canley -Westwood Heath (20 miler) in a larger map
Up out and at it by six this morning. Decided to take a longer than normal run. Legs not hurting from the weekend’s run – bonus, but still not as smooth as the best of runs. But you can’t have it all.
It was dark on this run to start with. Most of the places on the route are lit by street lamp but not all which led to some pretty good foot finding in the dark.
About halfway round i see a man walking his dog on the same path as me so decide to give them a wide berth as I had plenty of time and didn’t want to hamper their nice walk. So i’m running along and as I make my move to go around them i lost my footing on the grass next to the path. I start to stumble. It’s ok i’m still standing. Oh it’s looking like a fall now. I’m still on my feet, but then my feet tie up and it’s hello road. I break my fall with my hand and my knee. The dog walker apologises, I tell him it’s really not his fault – i lost my footing but thanks anyway. So up and off the floor within a few seconds and away.
The rest of my run was a dream. My pace, my breathing all felt good (apart from my hand and knee). I finished the route off in good time. A bloodied knee and a bruised hand were worth it for that second half of my run. It’s just making me feel even better about running at the moment.
So last week has been a bit of a blur. I’ve been down with flu until Thursday and to be honest still feeling the effects. But went out for a run Friday morning. It has certainly got a lot darker in the morning since I last ran and the temperature has dropped too. But the run was ok. I was expecting a lot worse so pleasantly surprised that just a bit of resistance from my legs as they got me round.
Based on that i’ve decided to go ahead and run in the Robin Hood Nottingham half marathon on Sunday. I’m glad to say that there shouldn’t be a problem with me getting round. My fitness and past training should get me through that. Not sure whether i’m going to aim for a specific time though i would be most happy if i come in under an hour and forty minutes. But i will be listening to what my body tells me as I go round and not push things too hard. I’ve heard this is a good race so am looking forward to it. Much pasts and bed for me and here’s hoping it’s a little cooler in the morning.
Got back to my long run yesterday. It was supposed to be around the 18 mile mark but i really didn’t fancy fiddling around sorting out a precise route so plumped for a few laps of Draycote Water instead.
Draycote Water is about 25 minutes from the centre of Coventry. Make sure you pay and display at the machine as you drive through the entrance or you’ll be trekking back to get your ticket.
The route is fairly straight forward. Each lap of the reservoir is approximately 5 miles. Pick your start point and off you go. The paths are well kept and there are facilities (3 portaloos) at intervals along the route as well as those in the main visitor centre. There are many other people out walking, running, cycling the route but there’s plenty of room for everyone (do keep your ears/eyes open on some bends for cyclists/other runners).
The route is flat along two sides of the route and the others are, to me, hilly – a few fairly short, steep climbs up and then back down again. I didn’t think this at the time but this mix of flat/hills are a great route for training on.
I ran 3 laps coming in at a well paced 40 mins for each one. I took 5 minutes break between laps as this was supposed to be a long and slow run. Didn’t feel that I was at a race temp but think I should still be going at a slower pace. I also tried out some energy gels at the end of each lap. I seem to get on better with the
I also took a rucksack with me this contained a hydration pack and my camera so this was a new experience for me running with any sort of weight on my back.
I toyed with the idea of a fourth lap but after a well argued debate between my head and my legs I decided to call it a day. I warmed down and just took in the views for a while before heading back to the car and home.
View Draycote water park in a larger map
I took a trip down to the Black Park parkrun on Saturday. It’s massively out of the way I know but it looked the closest parkrun to the midlands. I was on a bit of a fact finding mission as i’m fairly keen to see one started up in Coventry and wanted to know what was involved. I have to say I was very impressed!
I arrived fairly early and there were a few cars in the car park. I took a bit of a wander to warm up and returned about 15 minutes later to a much fuller car park and a buzz in the air. I made my way up to where the runners were gathering around the enquiry desk (handily located picnic bench) and just soaked up the atmosphere. There was about 80 people taking part in the run. A pleasing mixture of young and not so young, male/female.
Everyone lined up for the start and we were off on a well signposted, simple route on a gravel track around the park. Four lefts, two rights and before I knew it, it’s over! and i’m heading to the finishing line – ushered on by an encouraging cyclist. On the line your time is recorded and then you’re given a position token.
It took a couple of minutes to queue to register my name against my position token on the computer with the run organisers, but nothing off-putting. It gave me a chance to take some much need breath. Once that was done that was it, a well organised process from start to finish.
I stood and watched the rest of the participants finishing off and then headed home again.
Some of the other runners headed to a nearby cafe but I had to start the trek home.
A few hours later I recevied an email detailing my time for the day’s run and then a couple more hours later and all the details are up on the site ready for viewing.
I took my camera out with me yesterday. I don’t do it as often as i’d like partly because on some of the runs i’d be spending all my time taking photos and partly because I need to carry a rucksack which is just an extra thing for me to be thinking about when i’m running.
Anyway just a couple of pictures from a fairly gloomy morning.
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