Ok it’s not til mid-September but I’ve just entered this The Yorkshireman Half Marathon organised by Keighley & Craven Athletic Club. It starts and finishes from Haworth, Bronte country. that’s an area of the country I know nothing about so why not spend a few days up there, knacker yourself, then eat cake and drink beer.

Well a lot’s happened since my last posts in March last year. I won’t dwell on it but suffice to say I’ve now got all the time in the world to devote to my two favourite pastimes.

I finally achieved my aim of running a sub-40 10K at Brighton in November. Perfect conditions coupled v little training after an injury meant I was really fresh for this one. Excellent post-race beerage with the usual suspects plus a guest appearance from Richard and Ash. Chris got us to the Basketmakers Arms and almost managed to get us chucked out after overdoing the pub-singing.

Almost forgot about this one – might as well have done because I felt pants. I ran the 2.1 mile leg of this 4-leg relay marginally quicker than my pace for a 10 miler or half-marathon. Reason again to try and better my mile and two mile times. Cadged a lift home from new-girl Josephine who ran really well – as did Justin and Matt M. The first time I’d ever been to Box Hill. Lots of bikers and black sheep.

On a bit of high after Hastings I managed Chris’s speed session on Tuesday – just about. Tired legs though. Decided to rest up after that and lined up bright and early for this 10 miler on Good Friday morning. A sprinkling of Striders adorned the grim Nortel industrial estate for the Maidenhead Easter 10. A harsh wind blew but we were pretty lucky with the weather. I started off slowly once again, as this had worked so well at Hastings. I tucked in behind Chris between 3-5 miles until my cough gave me away. We then helped each other through the second half of the race – managing to achieve a good negative split and not be passed. I was really pleased with my 1:08:05, kicking away in the last mile to get away from Chris – who is currently on a bit of a running downer. Let’s hope he gets his spring back soon.

Good runs from Damian, Simon and Colin – new V60 club record holder. Also good to see Justin coming back. Darren started off way too fast and just doesn’t have the endurance – that must have hurt. Even though I’m running well I still don’t feel I’m running that fast so I’m going to rein in the longer distances and focus on speed during April and May. Who knows where that will go

Thoughts though are with the Vale of Aylsebury AC runner who was ambulanced away at the finish – just a reminder of what we put our bodies through – scary.

Some good running news at last. I decided to do this after completing the hour and a half club run the week before. Calling on the generosity of Striders once again I expertly scrounged a lift from Robin. We arrived in plenty of time but failed to find the pre-race portaloos – instead walking up to West St Leonards station.

The start was pretty chaotic – they do have to do something about the positioning of that changing/late registration tent. Without Chris to pace me I attempted to start conservatively and went through the first mile point in 6.50 – a touch too fast. As most of you know the first few miles, in fact the first half of the race, is mainly uphill. Despite this I passed 3 miles in just under 21 mins.  The very long slow drag between 3-5 slowed me down – very over-cautiously worried about taking too much out of the legs too early.

Not a race I want to remember. I started off well, running alongside Chris – advising me to not do my usual trick of going too fast. It felt like I was dawdling along but I have to say it must have worked. I let Chris get away from me between 2-3 miles but felt very strong at half way. I went through 8 miles in 54m something – feeling pretty good despite running back into the wind. Just after 8 miles though my left knee seized up. I tried to carry on but decided against it – my first DNF.

Lots of PBs for other Striders, including Simon, Ian and Matt O’Hare. A few pints of Guinness in the Pitcher & Piano, followed by 2 pints of Dark Star’s Brown Ale in The Evening Star

Southern Railways did their best to try and spoil the day. A 6.50 train in the morning, followed by standing all the way back. Perhaps I’ll try and get a lift in future.

Perfect running weather greeted the 500 or so runners for this year’s October Croydon 10K. Lots of Striders lined up with yours truly in a fetching, Ambrosi go-faster cap.

As the route was deemed a little short last October the marshals were strictly enforcing the pavement rule – which got a little tiresome at times.

Despite practicing the finish in our speed session the previous Tuesday I don’t think I had much of an advantage. The good news I managed another PB of 40.36 and ‘ll just pretend not to hear that it was also possibly a fraction short this year. Congratulation to Bob & Pat winning their respective age groups. All results here.

After the club run and AGM on Wednesday 19th I still felt pretty good, well recovered from Nottingham so provided we could drum up enough marshalls I was going to do the Switchback for the first time.

Seeing Chris as I crossed Lloyd Park to help set up the course, he told me that in fact the Switchback ‘5′ was in fact more like 4.6 mile. The XC race up to the Shirley Hills viewing point and up and down the switchback of 4 sharp up and downs on shale-like terrain was pretty tough. My stamina from the half helped me and I managed to catch a Croydon Harrier in the last half mile – which was nice. I must get a new watch or even a Garmin but I did something like 33.40 – excellent training for the XC season – just need to get some suitable shoes for when the rains come.

Coffee and cakes in the clubhouse and even a prize for the first team – one of the advantages of the fewer entrants this year. Speaking to Steve Smith and hearing of his plans to do the Brighton 10K on 18th November set me thinking that that could be one to aim for – along with the Croydon 10K on October 21st. However I won’t be joining him for the full Luton marathon in early December.

Sunday 16th dawned bright and sunny. A beautiful day but slightly warm for 13.1 miles. Mike, an old university friend, and I rose early and made our way to one of the car parks on the edge of Nottingham. A 20 minute stroll later and we were in amongst the burger vans and large tents of a major pre-race operation. We had an hour or more to kill so just got changed and conserved energy.

I really did try to get involved in the aerobic warm-up but co-ordinationally failed miserably., Think I’ll stick to running. Sensibly we made our way to the start in good time – around the 1.30 start marker. My biggest failing in races, bar none, is to start too quickly. I was especially careful not to today due to my beer prep. I went through the first mile in 7.17 and felt good. Miles 2 and 3 were slightly slower. I remember an incline around the first water stop around 3 miles. The next few miles I found pretty tough. I recollect going into the university grounds, another slight incline, and travelling alongside a lake and then another uphill stretch to come out of the university. A downhill half mile towards half way came as a relief. I think I got here just under 49 minutes. I wasn’t feeling too bad at this point but took a couple of energy gums for a little boost.

The next patch into Wollaton Park was very well supported – almost Tour de France like as you narrowed to a small peak in the park. Through an avenue of shaded trees and then out into the sunshine for the last 3-4 miles. This is where I felt like I was treading water. I haven’t got the miles in the tank to really press on at this point. I reached 10 miles in 73 something and despite the flat, almost downhill terrain couldn’t kick on. The last 3 miles were run at 8 min miles pace and I finished in 1:37:46. Disappointingly just 26 seconds outside Henfield. Outside 1.40 I’d have been upset so given the 3 weeks leading up to it I have to be content with that.

I hooked up with Lisa from work – injured but supporting some Serpentine team-mates in the full marathon. South African John completed his first marathon in 2.59.50 – so you can guess how happy he was with that. Less fortunately Lisa’s boyfriend dropped out at 25km. Apparently the second half of the marathon was pretty grim – into a headwind and fairly lonely. Of the 12,000 or so entrants only 1-2,000 do the full.

We limped back into the city centre and they trudged back to their hotel. I had an hour to kill before my bargain coach – £6 return to Victoria – so what better to do than have a beer. Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd was conveniently situated a stone’s throw from the coach station. A pint of Landlord was followed by a local brew and then a three and half hour coach trip back to London. Thankfully I hadn’t done the full like the Kiwi sitting next to me. He looked and spoke like death. A reminder NOT to do the full distance, Phil.

All in all a successful trip but have decided to limit myself to one in the spring and another in the autumn from now on.

After running the hour club run on Wednesday 15th and not feeling any after effects I thought let’s go for the Henfield half. Very fortunately Chris & I managed to get a lift from Damian & Serena. Pretty perfect weather conditions greeted us for the start. Less fortunately the recent rain made the first mile or so very slippery underfoot.
I decided to let Chris go and run my own race. Half way round i was on course for 1:30 but realised I’d gone off too fast so steadied up to grit my teeth and end in 1:37:20. Good performances too especially from Damian who managed 1:26 and Chris 1:32.
I wasn’t expecting much from this but found the run quite charming and different – with the tough run along the dyke alongside the river painful but strangley rewarding.