Recently in Events Category
Roger managed a very impressive 1:34:51 for his first triathlon. I was especially impressed by the fact that he beat his 5k PB by a couple of minutes. This demonstrates the work that he's put in recently. Now he has something to aim for in the next one!
I managed to beat last year's time by 2 minutes (1:0:56), despite the organisers extending the run by a few hundred metres! More exciting for me, though,
I managed to beat last year's time by 2 minutes (1:0:56), despite the organisers extending the run by a few hundred metres! More exciting for me, though,
Continue reading Newbury triathlon results.
I'm competing at Newbury triathlon tomorrow for the 3rd time. As well as being a good benchmark for people like me (hoping to beat 1h 12m of last year), it's an especially good race for triathlon beginners: well organised, friendly, short pool swim (300m) and a mostly flat bike and run. My friend and colleague Roger is undertaking Newbury as his first triathlon. Good luck Roger!... and everyone else competing in this, the 20th running of this great event.
"Mostly Harmless" was how the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy describes Earth, and the same can largely be said of the Headington 10k. Flat and featureless, the race starts and ends at Wormihghall airfield in Buckinghamshire (see map below). Around 4k is run on the airfield and the rest is on the roads surrounding it. It's not the most scenic, exciting or challenging, but it was still a good run for a Sunday morning.
There was a good turnout this morning of around 15 Roadrunners, and probably a couple of hundred others. It was not too hot, but with thunderstorms forecast for later in the day it got gradually more humid, until rain started at about 11 o'clock.
My previous 10k runs at Eynsham, and at Windsor Triathlon were right on the button at 52 minutes, but I have been doing a lot of running over the past few months - mainly slower running with my various newcomers, but also a little speed work at the gym. At the Oxford Motavation last week I managed 30:40, so on that basis - about 7:40 per mile / 4:50 per km - I was aiming for sub-48 minutes. This would be a significant increase over my previous times, but I guessed I could manage it.
I hit the first, second and third kilometre markers bang on the money at around 5 minutes per mile. My aim was to stay at this pace, and stay with Jane for the first half of the race, then put in a faster second 5k. My 5k time was 24:33, but I felt OK.
At the water station just after 5k, I took on some water and almost by accident sped up a little to pass Jane. Once past her I thought "might as well keep going", so I tried to keep a stronger pace. I managed to kick past quite a few people over the next few kms. I had a bit of a 'funny' at around 7k, where I'd convinced myself that I'd already done 8k, and at that point I started to lose track of my time and what I needed to do to hit 48 minutes.
I hit the nine kilometre mark at 43:35 - only 4:25 to go. I'd been starting to flag a little, but now had to put the hammer down for the last few hundred metres. I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but I started to hear the finish-line crowd and managed to kick for a final time.
I almost threw up on the finish line - again (am I doing something wrong here?!) - but was delighted to finish in 47:51. It shows that the training is paying off - even the slow running must be helping, and hopefully I'll start to catch some of the real ERR runners who can do sub-40 minutes. Perhaps a little way to go before that, though.
There was a good turnout this morning of around 15 Roadrunners, and probably a couple of hundred others. It was not too hot, but with thunderstorms forecast for later in the day it got gradually more humid, until rain started at about 11 o'clock.
My previous 10k runs at Eynsham, and at Windsor Triathlon were right on the button at 52 minutes, but I have been doing a lot of running over the past few months - mainly slower running with my various newcomers, but also a little speed work at the gym. At the Oxford Motavation last week I managed 30:40, so on that basis - about 7:40 per mile / 4:50 per km - I was aiming for sub-48 minutes. This would be a significant increase over my previous times, but I guessed I could manage it.
I hit the first, second and third kilometre markers bang on the money at around 5 minutes per mile. My aim was to stay at this pace, and stay with Jane for the first half of the race, then put in a faster second 5k. My 5k time was 24:33, but I felt OK.
At the water station just after 5k, I took on some water and almost by accident sped up a little to pass Jane. Once past her I thought "might as well keep going", so I tried to keep a stronger pace. I managed to kick past quite a few people over the next few kms. I had a bit of a 'funny' at around 7k, where I'd convinced myself that I'd already done 8k, and at that point I started to lose track of my time and what I needed to do to hit 48 minutes.
I hit the nine kilometre mark at 43:35 - only 4:25 to go. I'd been starting to flag a little, but now had to put the hammer down for the last few hundred metres. I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but I started to hear the finish-line crowd and managed to kick for a final time.
I almost threw up on the finish line - again (am I doing something wrong here?!) - but was delighted to finish in 47:51. It shows that the training is paying off - even the slow running must be helping, and hopefully I'll start to catch some of the real ERR runners who can do sub-40 minutes. Perhaps a little way to go before that, though.
Sorry I've been quiet for a while (Emma)! I've so much to tell you all: Blenheim triathlon hell, triathlon heaven at my first Olympic distance in Windsor, and how my running recruits got on (hint: they did well), and much, much more.
But I have no time! I'm busy packing - or at least thinking about packing - to head off to Paris by bicycle. That's right, myself and 14 other fools will be cycling the roughly 350 miles from Eynsham to Paris starting on Friday. We're aiming to arrive in Gay Paris on Monday, and with Le Tour in full swing by then we're hoping for a good welcome as we roll into town in our Eynsham Road Runners cycling jerseys!
But I witter.. I must go now, but wanted to say à bientôt before I went. I will be trying to do some blogging or photo logging whilst I'm away, so you might hear more from me. At the very least I will do something with my Facebook profile. And I'm possibly going to be using Bliin to track my progress (on my brand new Nokia phone - that I won at the Windsor triathlon! But that's another story, which I don't have time for!), so you may or may not be able to see my current location on the trip by checking out my bliin.com homepage, and/or on the image below.
But I have no time! I'm busy packing - or at least thinking about packing - to head off to Paris by bicycle. That's right, myself and 14 other fools will be cycling the roughly 350 miles from Eynsham to Paris starting on Friday. We're aiming to arrive in Gay Paris on Monday, and with Le Tour in full swing by then we're hoping for a good welcome as we roll into town in our Eynsham Road Runners cycling jerseys!
But I witter.. I must go now, but wanted to say à bientôt before I went. I will be trying to do some blogging or photo logging whilst I'm away, so you might hear more from me. At the very least I will do something with my Facebook profile. And I'm possibly going to be using Bliin to track my progress (on my brand new Nokia phone - that I won at the Windsor triathlon! But that's another story, which I don't have time for!), so you may or may not be able to see my current location on the trip by checking out my bliin.com homepage, and/or on the image below.
This is a big weekend for my three runners, and also for me. Rosie, Katie and Roger are running the Race for Life and Run for Moore in Oxford South Parks (Katie at Silverstone racetrack), and I've got the Blenheim Triathlon. 
It's their first running event, and I'm sure they're all a bit nervous - I'm nervous for them! But I know they'll all do really well - I'm expecting Roger to do a sub-30 minute 5k (maybe even 25 minutes?), and Rosie and Katie won't be too far behind.
Blenheim is one of my races from last year so I have something to compare against. I'm definitely much stronger this year and should be able improve on my rather pitiful 34 minute "run". Overall I think I can shave 20 minutes off last year's time. With Sophie and parents in attendance, and a new Oxford Tri club tri-suit to show off, I am hoping to perform well.
Good luck to all us!
It's their first running event, and I'm sure they're all a bit nervous - I'm nervous for them! But I know they'll all do really well - I'm expecting Roger to do a sub-30 minute 5k (maybe even 25 minutes?), and Rosie and Katie won't be too far behind.
Blenheim is one of my races from last year so I have something to compare against. I'm definitely much stronger this year and should be able improve on my rather pitiful 34 minute "run". Overall I think I can shave 20 minutes off last year's time. With Sophie and parents in attendance, and a new Oxford Tri club tri-suit to show off, I am hoping to perform well.
Good luck to all us!
14th - 22nd June 2008 is National Bike Week. During the week, people will be encouraged to ditch the car or that pesky walking and get on a bike - possibly for the first time since childhood. This year organisers are promoting family-oriented cycling and there are literally thousands of great events to get families cycling together and enjoying the Great British Countryside (let's hope for good weather in the Great British "Summer"), and so there are rides for all ages and abilities.
If you want to know more, or want to take part, check out the website and find an event near you. Go on, get on your bike.
If you want to know more, or want to take part, check out the website and find an event near you. Go on, get on your bike.
I'm very happy with my PB at the Charndon 5k last night. 22:39 is pretty good for me - especially since I was expecting to do a 24 minuter. The race was mostly flat - a few bumps - and was very busy (maybe 200 people in total?). The weather was perfect for running and I really enjoyed it on the whole. A few cooling pints of IPA afterwards topped it off nicely!
Anyway, nuff said. Map of the route here (it was 5k honestly, despite my poor measuring...)
Anyway, nuff said. Map of the route here (it was 5k honestly, despite my poor measuring...)
Today I ran my first cross-country since I was an 11 year old, and boy was it an eye opener! No shortcuts, no fag-smoking bullies, no running in your underwear, and no hot tea and buns at the end (I didn't get these at school either but I was hoping for them today. In the end Lesley and Marie had to go off to get some teas for everyone).
Organised by Woodstock Harrier's running club, the event was held at Clanfield in Oxfordshire around a few farmer's fields. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perverse point of view), the weather had been 'rather inclement' over the past few days, and all night last night, so the ground was very wet and muddy. I bought myself some new Mizuno Wave Ascend 3 since they're designed for trail running and are more grippy than my normal running shoes.
It was a relay-style race, and I was in a mixed team of 4 from Eynsham Road Runners (I'm finally an official member), with Jane, Linda and Anthony. I was out first and so didn't really know what to expect. The ground at the start was pretty muddy and claggy, so I was expecting it to be hard going, but I wasn't expecting 6-inch deep water around most of the course! The rain held off for most of the way, but the wind really kicked in at the end and that was a real killer.
It was good fun though, overall. As ever, it's always fun once you've finished. I was happy with my 27:30 for the 3 mile course (it was meant to be 5k but they apparently cut it short because of the weather - no idea what they cut out though as they obviously didn't avoid any 'wet bits'). I'll definitely do more cross country (as Graham pointed out, I have 6 or so months to come up with an excuse before the season really takes off again!), but maybe next time I'll wear warmer clothes.
Organised by Woodstock Harrier's running club, the event was held at Clanfield in Oxfordshire around a few farmer's fields. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perverse point of view), the weather had been 'rather inclement' over the past few days, and all night last night, so the ground was very wet and muddy. I bought myself some new Mizuno Wave Ascend 3 since they're designed for trail running and are more grippy than my normal running shoes.
It was a relay-style race, and I was in a mixed team of 4 from Eynsham Road Runners (I'm finally an official member), with Jane, Linda and Anthony. I was out first and so didn't really know what to expect. The ground at the start was pretty muddy and claggy, so I was expecting it to be hard going, but I wasn't expecting 6-inch deep water around most of the course! The rain held off for most of the way, but the wind really kicked in at the end and that was a real killer.
It was good fun though, overall. As ever, it's always fun once you've finished. I was happy with my 27:30 for the 3 mile course (it was meant to be 5k but they apparently cut it short because of the weather - no idea what they cut out though as they obviously didn't avoid any 'wet bits'). I'll definitely do more cross country (as Graham pointed out, I have 6 or so months to come up with an excuse before the season really takes off again!), but maybe next time I'll wear warmer clothes.
Results just in (thanks Lesley). I came 17th out of 31 and only 3 places behind Dan, which I'm pleased with. I also managed to keep about the same pace in Run 2 as I did in Run 1, which
is remarkable considering how hard it felt, so I'm very pleased with that.
This was a 3 mile/12 mile/1.5 mile duathlon, and my first duathlon ever:
Total time: 67.29
Run 1: 21:31
Bike : 34.17
Run 2: 10.46
This was a 3 mile/12 mile/1.5 mile duathlon, and my first duathlon ever:
Total time: 67.29
Run 1: 21:31
Bike : 34.17
Run 2: 10.46
I completed my first duathlon today (run-bike-run) with the Eynsham Road Runners. The email described the run as 'about 1 mile', so when I discovered it was 3 miles the first time round then 1.5 miles the second time I was a bit worried. But actually it went reasonably well, and I wasn't last (not even the last male!) My run training over the past few weeks has obviously paid off a bit, and the work I've been doing to improve my TT performance might also be helping.
The run route was 2 laps of Eynsham, then a flat 12 mile route out to Stanton Harcourt on the bike, then another lap of Eynsham. It was a perfect day for it with the sun out and little or no breeze.
The new bike felt good and I managed to pass many of the people that had gone dashing off on the run, and thankfully stayed ahead of most of them on the second run. Robin (the chap I'm doing the research study with) suggested when I did the initial 10 mile test with him that I change gear too often and that I should stick it on the big front chainring at the start, pick a reasonable gear at the back and then just aim to keep the cadence at about 85rpm. I tried that today and it felt right, giving me a good speed and a reasonable heart rate. I need to work on it a bit more though, as I ended the bike wondering whether I could have hammered it a bit harder.
Even though my bike legs felt good after 12 miles, my run legs suggested I had done quite enough already thankyou very much. It was really tough to get them moving and I felt as though I was barely plodding around the last mile of the course. It only lasted 10 minutes but it was bloody painful, and I can now see why Duathletes claim that their sport is harder than Triathlon.
The whole thing took 1:07:30 (ish - times to be confirmed...), which was 3 minutes slower than Dan, but he's a stronger runner than me so I'm quite happy with that. All in all a great new experience and a very fun day. A lovely cooked breakfast and some 'rehydration water' afterwards quickly flushed away any pain, too.
Oh, and I finally signed up as a member of the running club, so now I really have no excuses in future.
The run route was 2 laps of Eynsham, then a flat 12 mile route out to Stanton Harcourt on the bike, then another lap of Eynsham. It was a perfect day for it with the sun out and little or no breeze.
The new bike felt good and I managed to pass many of the people that had gone dashing off on the run, and thankfully stayed ahead of most of them on the second run. Robin (the chap I'm doing the research study with) suggested when I did the initial 10 mile test with him that I change gear too often and that I should stick it on the big front chainring at the start, pick a reasonable gear at the back and then just aim to keep the cadence at about 85rpm. I tried that today and it felt right, giving me a good speed and a reasonable heart rate. I need to work on it a bit more though, as I ended the bike wondering whether I could have hammered it a bit harder.
Even though my bike legs felt good after 12 miles, my run legs suggested I had done quite enough already thankyou very much. It was really tough to get them moving and I felt as though I was barely plodding around the last mile of the course. It only lasted 10 minutes but it was bloody painful, and I can now see why Duathletes claim that their sport is harder than Triathlon.
The whole thing took 1:07:30 (ish - times to be confirmed...), which was 3 minutes slower than Dan, but he's a stronger runner than me so I'm quite happy with that. All in all a great new experience and a very fun day. A lovely cooked breakfast and some 'rehydration water' afterwards quickly flushed away any pain, too.
Oh, and I finally signed up as a member of the running club, so now I really have no excuses in future.
