Archive for May, 2009

Race: Coventry Northbrook 10k

May 31st, 2009


View Coventry Northbrook AC 10 Km in a larger map

I think this is the route that the Northbrook 10k took us through.

My first 10k race today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The race itelf starts part way up a hill and the undulations continue throughout. The route is through traffic free, country lanes – nice scenery on the way round. Not a very populated area but locals were out supporting the race. The run was well marshalled, water stations well signed and well manned. Good atmosphere, well organised, a medal and welcome goody bag at the end. Great race!

Northbrook 10k medal

Running route – single lap taking in part of A Coventry Way

May 19th, 2009


View Running route – single lap taking in part of Coventry Way in a larger map

So I ran this route last Sunday- luckily in time before the heavens opened. I did this as a single lap route starting at Warwick University.

To start head up Gibbet Hill Road and at the crossroads with the Kenilworth Road go right and head towards Kenilworth. The Kenilworth road becomes the Coventry Road and you’re on this from the traffic lights for about a mile.

Just over a mile down from the traffic lights you’ll find a sign post for a Public Footpath – this is part of A Coventry Way.

Your run this path right to the end up until Berkswell. There are lots of turn offs if you fancy a detour but I just ran straight through first time around. There aren’t too many hills but there are a few muddy patches on the route. Towards Berkswell you’ll come to a t-junction where the path appears to end. Bear left down the path then right accross the field and you want to head towards Berkswell train station.

IMG_1035

The t-junction toward the end A Coventry Way

This takes you onto a road/footpath section of the run starting on Truggist Lane. Follow this until you see a right turn onto Hodgett’s Lane. Take the left onto Cromwell Lane. Turn right onto Westwood Heath Road and you’re back down to Gibet Hill Road.

A great run – lots to see on the way round, more bridges than i’ve ever seen!

Bridge over A Coventry Way

Bridge over A Coventry Way

Sports massage

May 18th, 2009

This is partly a follow up to my recent posting Chosing your running trainers

During my training for the marathon I came across similar problems to previous injuries. I got to the point where I couldn’t run without being in pain. I went along to Fire and Earth UK for a sports massage (one of a range of treatments that they offer). Following a couple of treatments and conversations with them I was back training within a week.

A couple of lessons learned here: It’s all very well getting kitted out with the correct running trainers  but do keep an eye on you’re everyday footwear – I found mine had little support in them which I believe caused my injuries.

I’ve never been for a sports massage previously. For anyone who is able to I would recommend this – particularly after an event. Post-marathon my recovery was a couple of days – previous half-marathons have left me heavy legged for at least a week. I also found that they can give valuable advice and highlight any problem areas.

Chosing your running trainers

May 13th, 2009

Running is a relatively cheap sport to get into. At the most basic you need a top, shorts, socks and trainers and you’re away.

When I first started running I went to the big sport store in town and picked a pair of trainers that looked good and had lots of technical terms in the leaflet attached.

My first few runs were good but then things went a little pear-shaped. I started having all sorts of pains in my feet and injuries to my legs.

When this didn’t clear up I went to the doctors. I was partly advised to go to a specialist running shop.

So I took a trip to Coventry Runner - no affiliation to them but I found their enthusiasm and knowledge excellent and I believe it’s the only specialist running shop in Coventry.

So what do they offer that’s different to a larger store?

  • For a £10 fee they scan your foot – the fee was waived when I purchased a pair of trainers – you walk along a pressure pad and this then shows them what type of shoe you’re best suited to. (there’s links to articles on pronation below)
  • They’ll then recommend a number of trainers for you.
  • They have a treadmill inside the shop so that you can try out the trainers and see how they feel when running – your feet expand after your run for a while. Coventry Runner will watch you as you run – they’re checking your gait to make sure that there aren’t any obvious problems.
  • Knowledge and experience – everyone i’ve spoken to in a speacialist running shop is a runner so they should know what they’re talking about and be able to offer advice and suggestions

Other tips:

  • It really doesn’t matter what the trainers look like – go for comfort over fashion
  • Bring a pair of running socks with you so you’ll get the right fit
  • If the trainers don’t feel right then tell them
  • You don’t need to spend a fortune – £50+ should get you a more than decent pair of suitable trainers
  • I think current thinking is that you should replace your trainers every 450 – 550 miles (but remember to have replaced them by the time you really need to get rid of them so you can break them in easily).

Further reading on this:

What to consider when buying a running shoe
The Anatomy of a running shoe
What is Pronation?
Choosing a Shoe: The Very Basics

Back to it

May 11th, 2009

So I went for my first longish run since the marathon on Sunday morning – Running route – Single lap round Canley, Westwood Heath and Warwick University (7.4 miles) – great day for it. Heavy going for the first half an hour – felt like I hadn’t run for years! But then my body got back into the swing of things and the rest of the run went well. Rather than getting carried away I managed to stick to the plan and not take any detours or extensions to the route (though I was tempted).

Encouraging response from other runners too. You know – when you’re on your run and you pass a runner coming in the opposite direction and say “Hello”  or “How’s it going” – went 4.5 out of 5 today – one runner had headphones on but I got a nod at least. Could just be me but a response always give you a bit of an extra spring in your step. Very friendly route indeed.

Is it just me or does anyone else get those days when a “Good Morning” is just completely ignored or you’re looked at like you’re from another planet?

Running route – Single lap round Canley, Westwood Heath and Warwick University (7.4 miles)

May 11th, 2009

This is a fairly straight forward run. It’s a single lap mainly based on footpaths. It takes you from flat to mid-range in terms of hills. It starts in Canley onto Westwood Heath and finished by running the outskirts of Warwick University via Kenilworth Road.

View Running route – Single lap round Canley, Westwood Heath and Warwick University (7.3 miles) in a larger map

Going cold turkey

May 3rd, 2009

It’s been a week since the marathon and physically i’ve never felt better. I had a couple of days of my legs muscles feeling heavy but apart from that i’ve had no complaints.

I’ve been following advice and not been out running for the past week. I have, however, been tempted to put on the the old faithfuls and head off out. This urge mainly comes from the fact that i’ve been running, fairly religiously, up to five times a week for the past four months and running has become a bigger part of my weekly routine than previously. Stopping this suddenly is a bit like giving up chocolate for lent.

I have entered into two more races – a short term ‘fix’ to keep my body happy with the promise of more training and more racing to come. I’m back out for a run tomorrow – nothing to strenuous – with the current weather it would be a crime not to get out there in the sun – just for a nice easy slow run to get back into the swing of things.

Event t-shirts

May 1st, 2009

If you’re running out of room for all the race event t-shirts that you’ve collected then have a look at Event T-shirts for a great idea.

The post also links to an interesting take on Proper T-shirt Etiquette