Review Of 2010

Hiya,

A better year for running, firstly a review of the goals set last year;

•Pollok 10k- sub 41 (I am allowing for my age now)- MAY- (42.13 which I am quite happy about as enjoyed the race)


•Dumfries 1/2 - sub 1.35- SEPTEMBER- (achieved 1.34.54, with a 5 year gap, pleased and again felt good throughout the race.

•Tinto Hill Run- sub 45- NOVEMBER- (49.12, terrible race wrong training, nothing worked out- always next year)

•One Other Hill Run- (didn't do this instead did strathaven 10k in 41.24, pleased with time.)

•1000 Miles- (didn't manage this, although wasn't as obsessed as last year)

Overall a good year injury and health wise.

1 stomach bug
1 cold

1 sore foot (3 days) 1 coxix bone (6 days)

Next Years Goals

The main target is the ultra marathon in July


Pollok 10k - Sub 42  (May)
Carluke 10k- Sub 44  (June)
Ultra Marathon- Finishing  (July)
1000 miles- with a 3 month rest (July-Sept)

cheers

allan

Clyde Stride- My First Ultra!!!!!!!

Hi,

That is me know signed up for my first (and maybe my last) ultra marathon.  It has also been a goal to run a pretty long race.  Initially thinkin about the west highland way- a tad ambitious.  Then the Devil Of The Highlands, but a new race practically on my doorstep started last year, The Clyde Stride- so I have signed up.

It is my intention to race funds, possibly for the fertility unit at Monklands Hospital.

Serious structured training will start in January....

Any tips welcome...

regards

Tinto Hill Race

I ran the Tinto race yesterday and found it very tough and was 3 minutes slower than last year.  I could provide a list of excuses; a tough 10k the week before, a lack of specific long hill training, poor running technique, lack of training runs up Tinto.

The good news all of those can be fixed for next year.  Specifically the running technique which lead to my back hurting after 5 minutes as I was too crouched over.

My legs and back are pretty sore today, will have a few days rest, befoe I head out.

My time was 49.12, I did have a fast finish!

Strathaven 10k

Hiya,

Did the Strathaven 10k today, in atime of 41.32, although not a PB really pleased with the time, given my lack of speed work and the knowledge that I definitely pushed hard!

It was a close call as I upped the pace very early with half a k to go to beat a few runners and my sicknes which is usually reserved to the finish line came about 200 yards from the finish!

All in all a great race, well organised, soup and a roll at the end and a nice tee shirt and a running bottle in the goody bag.

All in all an excellent and enjoyable day- bring on Tinto next week!!

cheers

allan

October Review

Hiya,

A quieter month for running as the total will show- only 50 miles, however that was also including a week off after Dumfries.  Therefore it has been quite consistent, maybe not as focussed with speedwork for the 10k next week, but I am quite relaxed about it and just enjoying my running rather than putting lots of pressure on.

My PB for strathaven is 40.50, however, I will be happy with sub 43 and delighted with sub 42.

The following week is Tinto and any improvement on last years time would be good, even better if Liam is there to see me finish.

regards

allan

Dumfiries Half Marathon

Hiya,

I ran the Dumfries half yesterday- my first half since 2005, after I got quite sick of overly pushing myself for a sub 1.30, not getting it and feeling disappointed.  This time 5 years older and 5 years wiser!!  I was very relaxed.  Aiming for a sub 1.44 (worst case scenario) and then sub 1.40 (best case scenario).  However, two of my running mates recently run Glasgow in sub 1.37 which put a bit of pressure on.

However, the race went well and I followed a similiar strategy as Lochness Marathon in 2003, chips and beers pre race meal!

I did the first 7 miles in sub 7mins, feeling good, which I had calculated I could do the last 6 in 8 min miles and still do a good time.  The last 6 were done in 7.30s, which left me with a time of 1.34,(54th) which I am chuffed about.  That was also with my MP3 battery running out at 7 miles!!

Now aoming for Strahaven 10k and the Tinto Hill race in November.

Cheers

allan

August Review

Another better month- 79 miles in total, following the plan kindof- including speedwork, hillwork and my long sunday run.

Hoping for sub 1.40, quite confident although will see how the day goes- no pressure.  Three weeks to go.  I have a cold which is perfect as it will be away for the race in 3 weeks time.

No accidents to report

cheers

allan

July Review

A better month, but with a few mishaps.  I am now followng a training plan- which has been going well with about 3-4 runs per week.  A better mileage- 79.49. a bit short of the 100 mile target, which would have been reached bar the injuries.

Considering the fall with the bandages and my latest injury caused by a tough hill session where I strained my coccyx bone- I hadn't run since last Thursday.  Did a tempo 4 mile tonight and it was pain free- so back on the training plan.

Bring on dumfries!!  - Target I would be delighted with sub 1.40

First Fall of July

Had a bit of a fall yesterday- over a wheel trim at the side of the road and did a goalie dive across the pavement!!!  Resulting some deep cuts to my palms- they are now swathed in bandages wnd dressings.  (would have been safer doing the crieff 10k) will have to take a few days off training until the cuts heal a bit.

Wasn't able to drive today, but will try tomorrow.

cheers

allan

June Review

Slightly better month 66 miles.  Given I have started a new job mid month and the showers at work have been out of use it is not too bad.

I am now following a 12 week training plan for Dumfries to give me a bit of structure.  Day 1 was today where I did a speed session 12x90 secs with 30-45 sec recoveries.  It was hard, but enjoyable.  It is amazing how you can kid yourself on that you are training hard and then you do a session like that and say now that was hard training!!

Have to look now what is in store for tmora.  I downloaded the training plan to my Garmin but i am unsure if yu use the watch during training or do you use it just when you upload and review it?

Meant to say I am 38 today, oh how time flies....
Anyway  Good night

allan

May Review

On the running front, a slightly better mileage with 63 nd I still have my Sunday run to do this should put me about 73.  One race this month the Pollok 10k which although wasn't my fastest nor a sub 40, still pleased and more importantly I enjoyed it.

It is for that reason I will give Carluke a miss next week I have loads of excuses- my leaving do at work is on the Friday, I haven't followed the training plan rigidly, Liam will be a better spectator next year- is that enough???

Just going to plod along June, July and up the mileage in August aiming for Dumfries half in September.  I have some new goals.  I wanted to do an ultra before my 40th and there is a new one practically on my doorstep, the clyde stride ultra.  Therefore, another marathon next year- will have to be a special one and the ultra the following year.

Looking forward to the Sunday run tmora, some new members have joined- so numbers are steadily increasing.

April Review

Hi,

April was a better month, the plan has certainly helped with the focus and commitment.  Currently at 64 miles will have done 80 by the end of the month.

Still on track for Pollok in May, maybe Carluke in June and definitely Dunfries in Sptember.

Cheers

allan

March Review

Hi,

A bit late with this update as I have started a new OU job which is taking up a lot of my free time.

However, March wasn't as good as I would have hoped- 50 miles which isn' too bad, although I have started to follow a plan which has helped with April figures.

Still on track for Pollok in May.

Feb Review

January's mileage was pretty low, however I am using the basis of an easy intro to the year.  34.6 miles for January and about 55 for Feb.  Although started my speed work this week.  So March will be the start of some good quality structured training- aiming for Pollok 10k in May.

That's Liam 2 now, I don't know where the time has gone!  However on the plus side he is getting to a good age for race spectating!!

allan

1st week in January 2010

Oh well what a week this has been, the first week of the year, sub zero conditions- non running weather at best.

I did plan to have a rest the first week in January after the 1000 mile achievement last year which I took to the wire. I ventured into the gym on Wednesday, which I enjoyed but I am still aching, so this will definitely be a weekly event to break the running up.

I have had a headache the last few days which I have prescribed (non medically) as a 'runners headache' so I went a 3.8 mile run today which I enjoyed and cured my headache. Next week I will get back to normal, I am still contemplating Sunay's run which will be off road and may be a bit of a challenge.

Review Of Year 2009

First of all- I forgot I created this two years ago, when Liam's birth was imminent. It may be symbolic that I haven't had time to add anything because of the changes in our lifestyles. However, I will do monthly entries now.


This review of the year seen a few goals met and a few not-:

• Races
  Sub 40 10k- Achieved at Pollok (although a short 10k)
  Sub 1.30 Half- Had to cancel at Dumfries as Liam didn't settle in the caravan
  Run Hill Race- Ran Tinto- enjoyed it with a placing of 164th out of 293
  Run 1000 Miles- Achieved despite the poor weather which lead to some treadmill sessions
  Run Strathaven 10k- Left booking it too late

Despite races less this year, it has been good as have been able to focus on a particular event and train for it. I took Phil's advice and moved awat from 10k- it was becoming an obsession the sub 40, have now run 21. A bit of variety was called for.

A few extras too;
Xmas handicap
5 miler in Nottingham

The xmas handicpa is always a nice way to end the year. An unexpected bonus was the opportunity to run a 5miler in the Grand Prix series when I was down in Nottingham, although I did intended running back to the Conference Centre after the race but this wasn't to be due to the motorway! Despite my best attempts to cadge a lift from other runners this wasn't to be- it turned out an expensive 5 miler and the loss of a fancy meal- but I enjoyed it.

Health
1 cold
1 chesty cough
1 Sickness bug

Healthwise I was much healthier, less colds which I think was down to less races and the extreme avoidance of anyone infected. This will no doubt change when Liam starts Nursery.

Injury
Knee injury in Feb

Overall injury wise I have been very fortunate which I think has been due to planning schedules to incorporate rest periods.


Therefore, for next year the targets are;

• Pollok 10k- sub 41 (I am allowing for my age now)- MAY
• Dumfries 1/2 - sub 1.35- SEPTEMBER
• Tinto Hill Run- sub 45- NOVEMBER
• One Other Hill Run
• 1000 Miles

I am also not ruling out a marathon because in 2011 I intend running the Highland Fling