Wednesday 27 June 2012

Samphire Hoe 5K Series

Day 2 of going to Samphire Hoe with less wind. Was so windy yesterday.  There was a good turn out tonight, there was Tim, Rona, Yvonne, Dave Weekes, Daves Smyth and Kevin. Having a poor run Sunday even though I got a PB I should of got a better PB, so tonight was hopefully the night getting the time I wanted.  I was aiming to finish in 24 minute something.  We did the same route as last night, difference being at the start running the other way down the seafront and back again along the relay route.  Was less wind tonight and there was hope of getting a team prize with the ladies, Rona and Yvonne which was exciting. I ran well and got my pb!!! Finished 24:44.

Distance 5K
Time 24:44
Splits 7:25, 8:22, 7:56, 7:37
Position 4th Lady



We then went up to see the prize presentation.  Dave W was awarded 1st Prize and Vet 40, Rona 1st Lady, Dave Smyth Vet 50 and me 4th Lady.  I got a prize, a bottle of wine. I was really surprised, couldn't believe I got a prize.  I don't like the wine though!!!  Then Folkestone got the winning mens team which consisted of Dave W, Tim and Kevin and we also got the winning Ladies Team which consisted of Rona, Yvonne and myself.  Now it was time to party with all those bottles of wine.  

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Dover Relay Samphire Hoe

Tonight was a different venue for the relay. It was at Samphire Hoe. The past two years was at Deal seafront.  So it was my first run at Samphire Hoe. I was running in the B Team running with Kirsty and Natalie. I was running first leg which was a change. The route was along the seafront and then around the back of Samphire Hoe onto a track.  There was a shot sharp hill on the gravel and then we went around a bend and up a winding hill and then downhill.

Distance 2.24
Time
Splits 7:58, 7:58, 7:47

Sunday 24 June 2012

Podplus 5K around the Lakes

During the week Tim and I decided that we wanted to do Podplus 5k around the Lakes. At first we decided to enter on the day as we were going out in Canterbury the night before and thought we see how we feel in the morning. But seeing the price a few days before to enter on the day it was nearly double the price!!! Usually I feel fine after a night out so thought take a chance and just book it.

I woke up this morning to heavy rain and thought great, this is going to be a wet one!!  Also I wasn't feeling my best, oh well.  We got to the Julie Rose and I was feeling rough and very close to the verge of being sick. Still we had an hour to go.  We then met up with Yvonne. Tim and I did a couple laps of the track to warm up and did some dynamic stretches.

We were at the start line and the Race Director said 4k of the course was off road and was muddy.  We set out and very soon we came across puddles and then onto the grass which was uneven and was quite muddy in places.  During the run I was wasn't quite feeling my best but I was able to battle through at a decent pace.  As I entered back into the Julie Rose, time was tight for getting a PB.  It had remained dry throughout the race which was good and was ideal temperature.

I crossed the line at 25:56, which is 6 seconds off my PB. Tim's watch had died before the start of the race so he had to run without but Tim did well and got a PB and believes he got around the 20 minute mark or under and also got a position, being in the top 10.PB King and Queen strike again. I got chatting to a lady who came 3rd who had past me and after her I don't really remember being over taken by any other ladies or if I did it can't of been by many so hopefully I have got a good position.

Splits 7:49, 8:35, 8:48,8:03
Time 25:58
Position 5th

Next race is Samphire Hoe 5k, hopefully better terrain.

Sunday 17 June 2012

Staplehurst 10K

Another sunny day for racing.  Tim and I decided to do this one as it was a fast course and wanted to get my sub 50 and Tim's sub 40.  Also I would be happy getting a PB beating 50:40.  It wasn't chipped time so Tim and I along with Will got near to the front.  We did a lap on the grass before heading out in the country lanes.  Going out we were running towards the wind and it was very hot.  Again I was aiming for under 5 min Km's to reach my sub 50.  All was going well until just under 7km where I was on target for sub 50.  Just after 6km I reached a long hill and I struggled and ended up having to stop and walk for a bit.  I soon picked up but again had to stop and walk again.  On about 9km I was close to getting a PB but knew it was going to be tight.  As I approached the bend to the finish line I began to heave but I had to just keep running and I was heaving at the same time.  Then I saw Tim at the side line and I just couldn't stop myself from heaving, oh dear!!! When I reached the finishing line, I stopped and stood against the taped fence where the crowds where standing and I just couldn't stop.  The poor people who were standing there!!! I didn't quite get a PB, watch said 50:55 and later found out my time was 51:00. I then got my medal and collapsed on the ground where Tim could find me.  Eventually I was able to muster up to ask Tim how he got on.  Tim got his sub 40 which I was very pleased for him. He did it in 39:17, so quite a few seconds under 40.  We later found out Tim came 9th out of the whole race which was amazing!!! Well done Tim x

Splits 7:33, 8:06, 8:14, 8:09, 8:33, 8:31, 8:41

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Ashford Relay

Tonight was the relay at Ashford. Each year they tend to change the route and distance.  Last year I took note of the distance which was 2.60 and was pleased to hear they kept the distance same but slightly a different route.

I was running in the B Team with Nikki and Kirsty and I was running third leg.  The route was two laps.  When I finished the first lap Folkestone Running Club cheered me on when I went past.  They were shouting that Tim was behind me but he was finishing but I had another lap to do.  I went round the corner to the far side and I still could hear my name.  Then I saw Rona who had ran across the grass and was cheering me on and was running with me giving encouragement.  After that I was heading at the back part of the course and then saw John and again he was cheering me giving me encouragement.  Then when I got to the end, Folkestone Running Club were there cheering me and then I heard some footsteps behind me and thought, no way that person is getting past me and made him run hard and I sprinted hard at the end and I got there first!!!

Was a good run, completed it in about 20:27, which is about 2.30 mins off last year.

The guy who was behind me and sprinted with me came over and shook my hand.

Distance 2.63
Time
Splits 7:38, 7:55, 7:48

Last year
Distance 2.60
Time 22:50
Splits 8:18, 9:05, 9:04


Tuesday 5 June 2012

Club night - Three Kings

Whilst waiting around at the club I was persuaded to do the Three Kings and was told it was going to be steady run as many are doing the 3000 metres at the track. So I agreed to join them.  There was a nice big group of us tonight, there was Tim, Will, Lauren, Mark, Andy, Dave and Kevin and a few others. Before the first hill I was running with Kevin and having a catch up and then when we reached Remembrance Hill a gap started to form, I wasn't worried as I was running at a good pace.  Then when got to Hospital Hill I was running with Tim up the hill and when reached the top of the hill we had all re-grouped. At this point a pb was on the cards, I wanted to beat 1:10 and at this point I could finish in 1:08.  I was able to keep my good pace going and felt strong.  I got back to the club and finished 1:04:12 a 6 minute pb from the last time!!! A good run.

Distance 7.5 miles
Splits 8:38, 8:33, 8:39, 8:10, 9:00, 9:07, 8:17, 7:41

Last run 1:10:12
Distance 7.5 miles
Splits 9:24, 9:25, 9:11. 8:53, 9:24, 9:51, 9:25, 9:21

Sunday 3 June 2012

10 miles with the fast guys

Sunday morning and going out for a 10 mile run at 8am.  There was a good group of us that met at Chambers. Today there was Nikki,(birthday girl), Dave, Will, Mark, Steve, Rona and John.  We ran through town and down the Old High Street and getting onto the seafront.  I was surprised how comfortable I felt and was running 8 min miles, I wasn't able to hold a conversation but was able to say the odd few words.  We were approaching 10k and was close to a pb, so the gang helped me to push it but I was just outside my pb of about 30 secs.  The next mile mark for me for 10 miles and wanted a pb.  I was still running 8 min miles and was really pleased with myself. Everyone was supporting me to get there. From about 6 miles was thinking I could do 10 miles in 1:25 which is loads off my pb.  Now I was getting nearer and nearer and now 1:22 was on the cards, so I was doing well and the gang helped me along.  Well I have now reached 10 miles and did it in 1:22:38 which is fantastic, absolutely smashed it. My last 10 mile race was Great South and I did it in 1:34:48 and when I did Thanet 20 and reached half marathon I did that in 1:29, so I got loads of minutes off!!!  Then just after 10 miles came the zig zag path and decided to call it a day when I reached the top.

Time 1:22:38
Distance 10 miles
Splits 8:23, 8:16, 8:19, 8:20, 8:13, 8:01, 8:09, 8:21, 8:22, 8:10