I've recently seen that there is likely to be a third Commonwealth Mountain & Ultra Distance Championships. The organisers have invited countries to submit bids with a view to staging the races in 2015. The long term aim is still to have mountain races and ultra distance races at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast, Australia).
I represented England at both of the first two Commonwealth Championships (Keswick 2009 and Llandudno 2011) and they were extremely enjoyable events at which the camaraderie amongst the athletes of different countries and disciplines was second to none.
I will definitely be aiming for a place in the England team for 2015 and 2018 ...
... but reading the tender document put together by the Commonwealth Association of Mountain and Ultra Distance Running to help with prospective bids I see there is no mention at all of 24 hour races except on the final page. And that solitary mention is a bit ambiguous in that it could mean that the 24 hour race has been omitted from the document by mistake. Maybe. Hope so.
As you probably know I'm now running on two consecutive days (well, running and walking) and it seems to be going well. No problems at all although I sense that the walking bit is still necessary at the moment. Getting there though.
Keir finally arrived home on Sunday. He was due to arrive on Friday evening but his flight was cancelled until lunch time on Sunday. That flight took off OK and made it all the way to Yorkshire before circling over Leeds Bradford Airport for 30 mins or so. We did wonder about that but we were then even more shocked to learn that it was flying back to Manchester as there was too much snow to make a safe landing in Yorkshire. He finally arrived home at about 4.00pm on Sunday. Normally the journey from Ulster University to Otley would take him about 6 or 7 hours ... this one took an amazing 51 hours.
Hope the weather is better when he flies back at the end of next week.
Before I go, well done to Debbie M-C on her win at the Thames Path 100 mile race at the weekend. Apparently the weather was atrocious and the race was diverted from it's normal route. Personally, I wouldn't race 100 miles (161 km) only seven weeks before a 24 hour race but recovery rates vary enormously between runners and I'm sure she'll have a brilliant race in Steenbergen - and come away with another pb and Scottish record.
And finally ... all the best to those taking part in the Anglo Celtic Plate 100k in Perth [Scotland, not Australia] in a few days time. Hope the temperatures increase slightly.
Showing posts with label Anglo Celtic Plate 100k. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anglo Celtic Plate 100k. Show all posts
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Sunday, 3 March 2013
40 minutes ... and a UK team
On Friday, and today, I ran for 40 minutes. Non stop. I managed 7.6 km and 7.8 km respectively but the pace wasn't important in the slightest.
The important thing was that that 40 minutes was the longest time I've been able to run since last September. Although 24 hours is a bit longer than 40 minutes.
Feeling good at the moment though. And next there's 50 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday and then 60 minutes on Saturday - which will incorporate a 5k race.
And now I can also begin strength training with the legs. Very small weights at first though, but it is progress.
The UK team for the European Championships 100km has recently been announced and I was amazed to find that no men have been selected. Four women but no men. After thinking about this for a few days perhaps the reasons are:
- the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km is only weeks before the European Championships
- qualifying times are not easy to come by, especially as there are very few 100k races in this country
- few races partly because of the increased difficulty in staging road races (stringent licencing requirements, etc)
- few races also because ultra trail races seem to be ever more popular, more people enjoy those apparently
- many runners capable of achieving the required standard would rather run an enjoyable ultra trail race in the UK than a long road race abroad
I'm not sure what can be done to reverse this trend but I do believe we should be represented (men and women) in all championship events. Congratulations to Emma Gooderham, Susan Harrison, Karen Rushton and Helen Taranowski.
The important thing was that that 40 minutes was the longest time I've been able to run since last September. Although 24 hours is a bit longer than 40 minutes.
Feeling good at the moment though. And next there's 50 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday and then 60 minutes on Saturday - which will incorporate a 5k race.
And now I can also begin strength training with the legs. Very small weights at first though, but it is progress.
The UK team for the European Championships 100km has recently been announced and I was amazed to find that no men have been selected. Four women but no men. After thinking about this for a few days perhaps the reasons are:
- the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km is only weeks before the European Championships
- qualifying times are not easy to come by, especially as there are very few 100k races in this country
- few races partly because of the increased difficulty in staging road races (stringent licencing requirements, etc)
- few races also because ultra trail races seem to be ever more popular, more people enjoy those apparently
- many runners capable of achieving the required standard would rather run an enjoyable ultra trail race in the UK than a long road race abroad
I'm not sure what can be done to reverse this trend but I do believe we should be represented (men and women) in all championship events. Congratulations to Emma Gooderham, Susan Harrison, Karen Rushton and Helen Taranowski.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
The last few days
Yesterday's long run went without hitch. I decided to run two separate 18 mile (29 km) routes with no rest between them - mainly to avoid carrying lots of refreshments. It could have been a bit boring but by choosing the routes wisely that was avoided.
So, overall I ran 36.4 miles (58.6 km) in five hours exactly. Very pleased with that as the weather has decided to give us something resembling summer ... at last. Very warm and sunny towards the end (23.8 C/74.8 F).
Only strength work today but tomorrow it's an 8 mile (13 km) tempo run and on Thursday it's the club's annual 1 mile track race over in Keighley. Looking forward to that.
And congratulations to Simon Anderson on joining the Bob Graham club at the weekend. His time of 22 hours 33 was fantastic and well deserved.
Also well done to all the runners at the Anglo Celtic Plate who successfully proved their fitness to the selectors for the World 24 hr Championships. Especially the English women who retained the team title.
So, overall I ran 36.4 miles (58.6 km) in five hours exactly. Very pleased with that as the weather has decided to give us something resembling summer ... at last. Very warm and sunny towards the end (23.8 C/74.8 F).
Only strength work today but tomorrow it's an 8 mile (13 km) tempo run and on Thursday it's the club's annual 1 mile track race over in Keighley. Looking forward to that.
And congratulations to Simon Anderson on joining the Bob Graham club at the weekend. His time of 22 hours 33 was fantastic and well deserved.
Also well done to all the runners at the Anglo Celtic Plate who successfully proved their fitness to the selectors for the World 24 hr Championships. Especially the English women who retained the team title.
Friday, 20 July 2012
stuff ...
Yesterday evening Otley AC had one of their monthly handicap races. This one was 2.9 miles (4.7 km) around woodland to the south of Otley. With one large hill at about half way.
Having ran 28 miles (45 km) the day before and 6 miles (10km) eleven hours before the handicap I wasn't expecting anything fantastic in terms of time. In fact, I wouldn't have been surprised if I'd finished last. Especially with all that mud.
I started with three other runners [Lloyd Best, Simon Toyne and Richard Smith] and they immediately sped off into the distance, as expected. After about a mile (1.6 km) I realised that I was actually closing quite rapidly on one of them. Passed Lloyd going up the hill and then closed the gap significantly on Simon and Richard. Unfortunately they took a slight wrong turn just after 2 miles (3.2 km) and I passed them both at that point and stayed in front. Shortly afterwards I began overtaking many of the runners who had started before me although I was never overtaken by any faster runner who started behind me.
So, a very good run be me ... and an excellent time too. 19:18 is just one second slower than my best on that course which dates back to June 2007.
This event was followed by a much enjoyed barbecue at Otley Cricket Club where it was good to see and catch up with long standing member Phil Robinson who's still recovering slowly after a horrific cycling accident about 12 months ago.
Also in news ... best wishes to Simon Anderson on this weekend's attempt at a Bob Graham Round. And then there's the Anglo Celtic Plate 100k in south Wales on Sunday - all the best to those runners (especially the England team, of course).
And finally some sad news for music fans. Jon Lord - keyboard player with The Artwoods, Deep Purple and Whitesnake - died earlier this week after suffering a pulmonary embolism. His work with those bands was outstanding (especially with his Hammond organ) but he has also been quite prolific in recent years as a writer of classical music. BBC Radio 4 aired an obituary this afternoon during which someone mentioned that Jon Lord was the only person ever to have been #1 in the classical music chart and #1 in the pop music chart.
Having ran 28 miles (45 km) the day before and 6 miles (10km) eleven hours before the handicap I wasn't expecting anything fantastic in terms of time. In fact, I wouldn't have been surprised if I'd finished last. Especially with all that mud.
I started with three other runners [Lloyd Best, Simon Toyne and Richard Smith] and they immediately sped off into the distance, as expected. After about a mile (1.6 km) I realised that I was actually closing quite rapidly on one of them. Passed Lloyd going up the hill and then closed the gap significantly on Simon and Richard. Unfortunately they took a slight wrong turn just after 2 miles (3.2 km) and I passed them both at that point and stayed in front. Shortly afterwards I began overtaking many of the runners who had started before me although I was never overtaken by any faster runner who started behind me.
So, a very good run be me ... and an excellent time too. 19:18 is just one second slower than my best on that course which dates back to June 2007.
This event was followed by a much enjoyed barbecue at Otley Cricket Club where it was good to see and catch up with long standing member Phil Robinson who's still recovering slowly after a horrific cycling accident about 12 months ago.
Also in news ... best wishes to Simon Anderson on this weekend's attempt at a Bob Graham Round. And then there's the Anglo Celtic Plate 100k in south Wales on Sunday - all the best to those runners (especially the England team, of course).
And finally some sad news for music fans. Jon Lord - keyboard player with The Artwoods, Deep Purple and Whitesnake - died earlier this week after suffering a pulmonary embolism. His work with those bands was outstanding (especially with his Hammond organ) but he has also been quite prolific in recent years as a writer of classical music. BBC Radio 4 aired an obituary this afternoon during which someone mentioned that Jon Lord was the only person ever to have been #1 in the classical music chart and #1 in the pop music chart.
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
bad weather and no UK men in Seregno
Apart from today, training this week has been hard work. Not because of the training itself but because of the weather ...
Monday afternoon was a scheduled 21 mile (33 km) fartlek session. I chose quite a hilly route up the valley and back. A few decent hills but the heavy rain and strong winds made it harder then usual.
Tuesday morning was another long run. Twenty three miles this time (37 km) ... this time I ran up the valley almost to Bolton Bridge on narrow country lanes. At times it was so narrow that cars had trouble passing me. Very enjoyable though, even if the rain was heavier and the winds stronger than the previous afternoon.
Two good character building runs.
This morning it was just a steady 7 miler (11 km) carrying a weighted bag. Much better weather too but still a little chilly though.
Just seen the entry list for this year's 100 km World Championships and disappointed to find that there are no UK men taking part. We have some good women though runners - Lizzy Hawker, Emily Gelder and Karen Rushton - who should do well. But no men. I seem to remember that it was a similar situation at last year's Anglo Celtic Plate when the selectors even phoned me to ask if I would run.
Why no UK 100km male runners ? It could be because of the massive increase in popularity of ultra trail races. But 24 hour races don't seem to have affected by that. Hmmm.
Monday afternoon was a scheduled 21 mile (33 km) fartlek session. I chose quite a hilly route up the valley and back. A few decent hills but the heavy rain and strong winds made it harder then usual.
Tuesday morning was another long run. Twenty three miles this time (37 km) ... this time I ran up the valley almost to Bolton Bridge on narrow country lanes. At times it was so narrow that cars had trouble passing me. Very enjoyable though, even if the rain was heavier and the winds stronger than the previous afternoon.
Two good character building runs.
This morning it was just a steady 7 miler (11 km) carrying a weighted bag. Much better weather too but still a little chilly though.
Just seen the entry list for this year's 100 km World Championships and disappointed to find that there are no UK men taking part. We have some good women though runners - Lizzy Hawker, Emily Gelder and Karen Rushton - who should do well. But no men. I seem to remember that it was a similar situation at last year's Anglo Celtic Plate when the selectors even phoned me to ask if I would run.
Why no UK 100km male runners ? It could be because of the massive increase in popularity of ultra trail races. But 24 hour races don't seem to have affected by that. Hmmm.
Friday, 25 March 2011
coming along nicely
This morning I ran some hill reps for the first time this year. Felt good, ran well, used a different hill. I usually use a short steep hill of about 250m but earlier this year I decided to use a much longer hill (about 700m) but less steep. That's because of the hilly nature of the 100 miler in June.
For those of you who know this area, Farnley Lane in Otley is still quite a serious hill and for my first time I ran up and down six times. Quite pleased with that because, including the 1.6 mile warm up and cool, down my average pace was 8:15 per mile. That's OK ... better than expected. Over the coming months I'll increase the number of reps up to twelve.
Congratulations to Simon Anderson on his new pb in the Rome marathon last weekend. I think he'll be slightly disappointed to just miss out on a sub 3hr time though. He bettered his old best by seven minutes though so that's excellent.
All the best to the runners in this weekend's 100k in Perth (Scotland). Hope the weather holds out, it's been excellent here this week and today I ran without gloves for the first time in 2011. Wish I could be in Perth.
For those of you who know this area, Farnley Lane in Otley is still quite a serious hill and for my first time I ran up and down six times. Quite pleased with that because, including the 1.6 mile warm up and cool, down my average pace was 8:15 per mile. That's OK ... better than expected. Over the coming months I'll increase the number of reps up to twelve.
Congratulations to Simon Anderson on his new pb in the Rome marathon last weekend. I think he'll be slightly disappointed to just miss out on a sub 3hr time though. He bettered his old best by seven minutes though so that's excellent.
All the best to the runners in this weekend's 100k in Perth (Scotland). Hope the weather holds out, it's been excellent here this week and today I ran without gloves for the first time in 2011. Wish I could be in Perth.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
rehab stage 3
The last few days have gone extremely well and, beginning tomorrow, I feel able to progress from alternating running and walking to continuously running.
Starting with 35 minutes in the morning and slowly building up to 60 minutes and if all goes well I can go back to 'normal' training on 12 February.
Still cycling, stretching and using weights almost every day - and that's doing me good. And I'm enjoying it.
A couple of things from other sites to mention:
The England Athletics website has a good photo on this page which was taken about 5 minutes before the 24 hr race at last year's Perth Ultra Fest. The article is about the forthcoming Anglo Celtic Plate 100k which will also be held in Perth this year. Before injury struck I was seriously considering entering the open race as part of my build up to the Commonwealth Championships later in the year.
Steve Quick recently posted a short piece about nutrition on his blog. I know there's a lot of interest on various blogs at the moment about nutrition and he seems to be saying something along the lines of: if one doesn't use carbohydrates to fuel long training runs then one's body won't know what to do with the carbohydrates it receives in a race. Seems sensible to me.
Helped Fay look after 13 young scouts [beavers] yesterday evening when they all went to the pantomime in Burley. The show itself was quite good actually but everything else proved to be a nightmare. There was a group of cub scouts there from Otley and together we bought 31 tickets ... but they only sent us 26 and we didn't realise until ten minutes before showtime. Frantic negotiations ensued to ensure we weren't turned away ... the children would not have been happy.
We sorted that out but as a result we would not be able to all sit together. And I had to sit between a very old couple who refused to sit next to one another !!! That's right, the old woman was sat on seat C1 and her husband on seat C3. And neither of them would move. They hadn't had a row and they weren't arguing ... just talking around me as I was in seat C2. I couldn't believe it.
And why do old people think the youth of today are bad mannered ?
Starting with 35 minutes in the morning and slowly building up to 60 minutes and if all goes well I can go back to 'normal' training on 12 February.
Still cycling, stretching and using weights almost every day - and that's doing me good. And I'm enjoying it.
A couple of things from other sites to mention:
The England Athletics website has a good photo on this page which was taken about 5 minutes before the 24 hr race at last year's Perth Ultra Fest. The article is about the forthcoming Anglo Celtic Plate 100k which will also be held in Perth this year. Before injury struck I was seriously considering entering the open race as part of my build up to the Commonwealth Championships later in the year.
Steve Quick recently posted a short piece about nutrition on his blog. I know there's a lot of interest on various blogs at the moment about nutrition and he seems to be saying something along the lines of: if one doesn't use carbohydrates to fuel long training runs then one's body won't know what to do with the carbohydrates it receives in a race. Seems sensible to me.
Helped Fay look after 13 young scouts [beavers] yesterday evening when they all went to the pantomime in Burley. The show itself was quite good actually but everything else proved to be a nightmare. There was a group of cub scouts there from Otley and together we bought 31 tickets ... but they only sent us 26 and we didn't realise until ten minutes before showtime. Frantic negotiations ensued to ensure we weren't turned away ... the children would not have been happy.
We sorted that out but as a result we would not be able to all sit together. And I had to sit between a very old couple who refused to sit next to one another !!! That's right, the old woman was sat on seat C1 and her husband on seat C3. And neither of them would move. They hadn't had a row and they weren't arguing ... just talking around me as I was in seat C2. I couldn't believe it.
And why do old people think the youth of today are bad mannered ?
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Yesterday - ouch, today - much better
Yesterday I had planned a 24 mile run where each mile was to be quicker than the previous one. After about a mile I put my foot down awkwardly on the kerb and went over on my ankle - the right one. The immediate pain wasn't too bad but the next four or five miles found me running with a limp - not good. The following couple of miles were much better but I decided it would be wiser to stop at eight miles instead of treble that distance.
Back home I applied ice immediately and took some ibuprofen. Will continue with this course of treatment for at least a few days even though my ankle feels almost normal again now.
In a slightly unrelated development it seems that Les Hill of Dumfries RC has signed up for the Hull 24hr race. Les is obviously a decent runner having taken part in the last six editions of the Round Rotherham 50 mile trail race and finished 14th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th. He also competed in this year's Anglo Celtic Plate 100k in Cardiff, finishing ninth in 8h 37.
Although he's much better than me over the trails, 8 hours in the mud hardly compares to 24 hours on the track. I also believe I'd have finished one place ahead of him over the 100k had I been fit. Still, he's a definite threat though.
Back home I applied ice immediately and took some ibuprofen. Will continue with this course of treatment for at least a few days even though my ankle feels almost normal again now.
In a slightly unrelated development it seems that Les Hill of Dumfries RC has signed up for the Hull 24hr race. Les is obviously a decent runner having taken part in the last six editions of the Round Rotherham 50 mile trail race and finished 14th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th. He also competed in this year's Anglo Celtic Plate 100k in Cardiff, finishing ninth in 8h 37.
Although he's much better than me over the trails, 8 hours in the mud hardly compares to 24 hours on the track. I also believe I'd have finished one place ahead of him over the 100k had I been fit. Still, he's a definite threat though.
Friday, 23 May 2008
National Championships Unimportant
Enjoying a training free day today ... well, except for the eccentric achilles stretches and massage which is still ongoing.
Looked in Athletics Weekly for the results and/or a report from last weekends Anglo Celtic Plate 100k race in Cardiff which, as usual, was the UK Championships.
Of course (I should've known) there was no mention at all of the event. Obviously a national championship is not important enough. Not on the AW website either.
Then checked the UK Athletics website ... no news here either. How can the national governing body not have results for the national championship?
Found the results, at last, on http://www.athleticsdata.com. John Pares (my main rival in Hull) finished in 6th with 7h 50:07. I've never raced this distance but I guess I could do about 8h 20 ish (10th in this year's Anglo Celtic Plate)
Looked in Athletics Weekly for the results and/or a report from last weekends Anglo Celtic Plate 100k race in Cardiff which, as usual, was the UK Championships.
Of course (I should've known) there was no mention at all of the event. Obviously a national championship is not important enough. Not on the AW website either.
Then checked the UK Athletics website ... no news here either. How can the national governing body not have results for the national championship?
Found the results, at last, on http://www.athleticsdata.com. John Pares (my main rival in Hull) finished in 6th with 7h 50:07. I've never raced this distance but I guess I could do about 8h 20 ish (10th in this year's Anglo Celtic Plate)
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Head still hurts ...
Went for a run this afternoon. Up to 50 mins now and as my son is doing the Sport Relief mile next weekend I thought it a good idea that he came with me ... just in case, you understand !!!
He's actually doing the 3 mile version but he's never run so far before. Him being with me made sure I ran slowly and with care today.
Recently posted on the England Athletics website is the selection criteria for this year's Anglo Celtic Plate 100k (18 May - Cardiff). Basically performances since 1 Jan 2007 will be considered but candidates will probably have taken part in either the Epney Gloucester 50k, Draycote Water 35 or Barry 40 this year as proof of fitness [I hope I've interpreted that correctly]. The full article is at http://www.englandathletics.org/teams/road-running/anglo-celtic-plate-100k-selection-details/
I know I'm nowhere near fit enough at the moment for a 100k race in May but this information is useful for future years. And possibly can be used as a basis for selection for the Commonwealth Championships 24 hr event in autumn (?) 2009 by substituting dates and races in their statement.
Had a fantastic reply from William Sichel about compression clothing which I'm very grateful for (and also his concern about yesterday's incident).
And to anyone else who's reading this, no, I wasn't drunk. I've not touched a drop since my birthday about a fortnight ago.
I hope William doesn't mind me picking his brains every now and again but I find it really useful talking to more experienced runners about the intricacies of ultra running.
He's actually doing the 3 mile version but he's never run so far before. Him being with me made sure I ran slowly and with care today.
Recently posted on the England Athletics website is the selection criteria for this year's Anglo Celtic Plate 100k (18 May - Cardiff). Basically performances since 1 Jan 2007 will be considered but candidates will probably have taken part in either the Epney Gloucester 50k, Draycote Water 35 or Barry 40 this year as proof of fitness [I hope I've interpreted that correctly]. The full article is at http://www.englandathletics.org/teams/road-running/anglo-celtic-plate-100k-selection-details/
I know I'm nowhere near fit enough at the moment for a 100k race in May but this information is useful for future years. And possibly can be used as a basis for selection for the Commonwealth Championships 24 hr event in autumn (?) 2009 by substituting dates and races in their statement.
Had a fantastic reply from William Sichel about compression clothing which I'm very grateful for (and also his concern about yesterday's incident).
And to anyone else who's reading this, no, I wasn't drunk. I've not touched a drop since my birthday about a fortnight ago.
I hope William doesn't mind me picking his brains every now and again but I find it really useful talking to more experienced runners about the intricacies of ultra running.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)