By Kate Webb
With apologies to Frank Sinatra.......
And now, the end is near, and so I face the final Park Run
The bin, was our start line, and off we ran, into the bright sun
We’ve done Get Started now, we’ve travelled round St Albans’ highways
And now, just look at us, we’ve done a 5K
Blisters? I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention
We did what we had to do, and saw it through, with some exhaustion
Week 1 around the lake, then up some hills, and roads, and by ways
And now, here in the park, we’ve done a 5K!
Yes, there were times, today I saw, that dogs and ducks were running faster,
But through it all, with marshalls’ cheers, I buckled down and faced my fears,
We lapped the lake, ran to the end, and did a 5K.
We’ve jogged, warmed up and stretched, with Becky’s help, and tips from Helen
And now, while warming down, I have hopes for the next park run
To think, six weeks ago, I wouldn’t run, not in a fast way -
But now, in Autumn’s sun, we’ve done a 5K!
Massive thanks to Helen, Becky and all the Striders who’ve made the Get Started course so enjoyable. And for making sure it never rained!
See you Tuesday.
Kate
Monday, 24 October 2011
Week 5: There’s strength in numbers
By Kate Webb
So we are entering the home straight which means I can look back to where I started and reflect on what I now know, such as:
#1 – there are lots of runners in St Albans. Not news to the Striders maybe, but I’ve not really noticed before. Whenever I’ve been out I’ve always seen someone else running.
#2 - you need never do the same route twice. This is especially good if you get bored quickly, which I do.
#3 – I really don’t like running on my own. I’ve tried it and it’s just not as good as running with others.
Heading out at weekends, with my supportive husband for company, has been good. But when I’ve gone out on my own, I’ve found it much more difficult. I really value the chance to run as part of a bigger group on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I’ve found that numbers are helpful in other ways. For instance there’s running time – for the Green Team week 1 meant 5 minutes, while week 5 saw us run over half an hour. We can look at it in terms of miles covered too, though to be honest, here the records are less accurate. Garmins are still on our wish lists. But we are running further, definitely.
Having built up these stats I feel that there's still room to improve, and the end of next week promises more numbers, with an answer to the all important question: ‘What pace you do you run at?’
A few weeks ago when I was asked this, the best answer I could give was a shrug of my shoulders and a bit of a demonstration! Being able to answer confidently will give me something to build on in the future – for me, there’s definitely strength in numbers.
So we are entering the home straight which means I can look back to where I started and reflect on what I now know, such as:
#1 – there are lots of runners in St Albans. Not news to the Striders maybe, but I’ve not really noticed before. Whenever I’ve been out I’ve always seen someone else running.
#2 - you need never do the same route twice. This is especially good if you get bored quickly, which I do.
#3 – I really don’t like running on my own. I’ve tried it and it’s just not as good as running with others.
Heading out at weekends, with my supportive husband for company, has been good. But when I’ve gone out on my own, I’ve found it much more difficult. I really value the chance to run as part of a bigger group on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I’ve found that numbers are helpful in other ways. For instance there’s running time – for the Green Team week 1 meant 5 minutes, while week 5 saw us run over half an hour. We can look at it in terms of miles covered too, though to be honest, here the records are less accurate. Garmins are still on our wish lists. But we are running further, definitely.
Having built up these stats I feel that there's still room to improve, and the end of next week promises more numbers, with an answer to the all important question: ‘What pace you do you run at?’
A few weeks ago when I was asked this, the best answer I could give was a shrug of my shoulders and a bit of a demonstration! Being able to answer confidently will give me something to build on in the future – for me, there’s definitely strength in numbers.
Intervals
By Kate Webb
9 October
Week four and I had to skip a session. I missed running, tea and cake on Tuesday as I had tickets for a play. I made up for it with butterscotch ice cream in the interval.
Intervals can mean different things in different circumstances. For me, until Get Started, the interval only happened at the theatre. It meant queuing for the loo or trying (usually in vain) for mobile reception to get an update on a ‘very important’ football match or something similar.
Over the last few weeks, intervals have been different. There’s been less ice cream for a start. The gentle and considered Green Team intro to running Striders-style has majored on intervals: run, (power) walk, run, (power) walk, repeat, until you’re back at the track for a warm down.
And then, in Thursday’s session, there was no interval.
Now, at the theatre in my experience ‘no interval’ isn’t always a good sign, for at least two reasons. First, there’s no chance to spend too much money on a small tub of ice cream. Second, there has been the odd occasion when I suspected that it was simply a way of stopping me walking out of a bad play.
‘No interval’ at Striders means something else entirely: we keep on running. On paper, given our sessions so far, this was a big step. The intervals were always a chance to catch up and get your breath back.
I suppose I knew this day would come, but the week 1 butterflies made a short reappearance as I wondered through the warm-up whether I’d manage to make it through to the end without stopping.
But to my amazement, ‘no interval’ didn’t leave me in an exhausted heap, and I coped. Okay, so we observed the Green Cross Code all the way round, and from time to time we jogged at a traffic light, but by the time we got back to the track we’d clocked up nearly 32 mins! It’s been years since I managed that and I was very chuffed as I made my way home.
Would it have been right to celebrate with an ice cream? Probably not. I’ll save that for another time, maybe after the 5k in a couple of weeks time.
9 October
Week four and I had to skip a session. I missed running, tea and cake on Tuesday as I had tickets for a play. I made up for it with butterscotch ice cream in the interval.
Intervals can mean different things in different circumstances. For me, until Get Started, the interval only happened at the theatre. It meant queuing for the loo or trying (usually in vain) for mobile reception to get an update on a ‘very important’ football match or something similar.
Over the last few weeks, intervals have been different. There’s been less ice cream for a start. The gentle and considered Green Team intro to running Striders-style has majored on intervals: run, (power) walk, run, (power) walk, repeat, until you’re back at the track for a warm down.
And then, in Thursday’s session, there was no interval.
Now, at the theatre in my experience ‘no interval’ isn’t always a good sign, for at least two reasons. First, there’s no chance to spend too much money on a small tub of ice cream. Second, there has been the odd occasion when I suspected that it was simply a way of stopping me walking out of a bad play.
‘No interval’ at Striders means something else entirely: we keep on running. On paper, given our sessions so far, this was a big step. The intervals were always a chance to catch up and get your breath back.
I suppose I knew this day would come, but the week 1 butterflies made a short reappearance as I wondered through the warm-up whether I’d manage to make it through to the end without stopping.
But to my amazement, ‘no interval’ didn’t leave me in an exhausted heap, and I coped. Okay, so we observed the Green Cross Code all the way round, and from time to time we jogged at a traffic light, but by the time we got back to the track we’d clocked up nearly 32 mins! It’s been years since I managed that and I was very chuffed as I made my way home.
Would it have been right to celebrate with an ice cream? Probably not. I’ll save that for another time, maybe after the 5k in a couple of weeks time.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Lucy Waterlow: Give Cross Country a go!
If you think running is all about pounding the pavements or circling the track, then think again. You could improve your endurance, competitive spirit and enjoy a run in the great outdoors, by taking up cross county. And lucky for you, St Albans Striders compete in a plethora of off-road events between October and March.
Many people think cross country is not for them if they are targeting a road race like a marathon but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are countless examples of top athletes who incorporate cross country racing into their training regime. To name but a few, top athletes like Seb Coe and Paula Radcliffe grew up taking part in cross country events, while Mo Farah competed in them at the start of the year before taking World Champ 5k gold in the summer.
Many people think cross country is not for them if they are targeting a road race like a marathon but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are countless examples of top athletes who incorporate cross country racing into their training regime. To name but a few, top athletes like Seb Coe and Paula Radcliffe grew up taking part in cross country events, while Mo Farah competed in them at the start of the year before taking World Champ 5k gold in the summer.
It works for them, and it can work for you, because running off road improves your stamina and endurance, making you a stronger runner when you return to the road. This is because the uneven surface under foot and the up and down hill sections makes your muscles work harder improving your muscle strength and core stability. Running on a softer surface also makes you less likely to get injured as it gives your body a break from the impact of pounding hard surfaces like the road and track.
As well as the physical benefits, cross country racing is also good for your mind. No course is the same which means you can never get bored or feel like you’re running the same old route around the block. From running through woodland to skirting farmers’ fields and going through pretty parkland, the scenery certainly beats most road races. It’s also an event where you can truly experience the childlike joy of running – pace per mile and kilometre splits are all irrelevant here - it’s just about running as fast as you can and beating as many people as possible in the process. While you can’t track your progress in terms of a pb time, you can still measure your success by how your position compares throughout the league races or year-on-year in events like The National.
If you are new to running or don’t consider yourself to be speedy, there’s no reason to dismiss cross country. It’s suitable for all abilities and ages. And if you finish outside the top 50, 100, or 200, your contribution still counts. Just like the Mid Week Road Race League, the cross country competitions we compete in are team events. The first to the last scorer all make a difference to where the team finishes.
So if I’ve convinced you to give it ago, these are some of the races the Striders will be competing in this season and what you can do to join in…
THE LONDON CITY RUNNER MET LEAGUE: Comprises clubs from Herts, Essex and Middlesex. Women run approx 6k (start time 13.55) and men 8k (start time 14.35). It’s for all abilities from elite athletes to beginners and snooker champ Ronnie O’Sullivan has even been known to take part.
When:
As well as the physical benefits, cross country racing is also good for your mind. No course is the same which means you can never get bored or feel like you’re running the same old route around the block. From running through woodland to skirting farmers’ fields and going through pretty parkland, the scenery certainly beats most road races. It’s also an event where you can truly experience the childlike joy of running – pace per mile and kilometre splits are all irrelevant here - it’s just about running as fast as you can and beating as many people as possible in the process. While you can’t track your progress in terms of a pb time, you can still measure your success by how your position compares throughout the league races or year-on-year in events like The National.
If you are new to running or don’t consider yourself to be speedy, there’s no reason to dismiss cross country. It’s suitable for all abilities and ages. And if you finish outside the top 50, 100, or 200, your contribution still counts. Just like the Mid Week Road Race League, the cross country competitions we compete in are team events. The first to the last scorer all make a difference to where the team finishes.
So if I’ve convinced you to give it ago, these are some of the races the Striders will be competing in this season and what you can do to join in…
THE LONDON CITY RUNNER MET LEAGUE: Comprises clubs from Herts, Essex and Middlesex. Women run approx 6k (start time 13.55) and men 8k (start time 14.35). It’s for all abilities from elite athletes to beginners and snooker champ Ronnie O’Sullivan has even been known to take part.
When:
· Claybury,Saturday 8 October 2011
· Trent Park,Saturday 14 January 2012
What to do: Turn up on the day (details of times and venues will appear on the message board, at club announcements and via email), collect a number from captains (Ed Blake for the men and myself for the women), run!, hand your finishing position ticket to captain, go home and eat well-deserved cake!
For more details visit:www.metleague.co.uk
THE CHILTERN LEAGUE: Comprises clubs from the North West Home Counties. Unfortunately all but one of the dates clash with the Met League this year. Currently the Striders’ priority is getting teams out in the Met League but we also take part in the Chiltern League to give people greater opportunity to race over cross country. This friendly league is suitable for all abilities and particularly appealing to club members with sporty children as St Albans AC compete in it.Approx 6k for women and 8k for men.When:
· Luton, Saturday 8 October 2011
· Watford, Saturday 12 November 2011
· St Albans, Saturday 3 December 2011
· Slough, Saturday 14 January 2012
· Wing, Saturday 11 February 2012
What to do: As with the Met League but see Deborah Steer who will be there with the St Albans AC squad for numbers. She will post details of each event on the message board beforehand so, if you can, let her know if you are attending so she can look out for you.
For more details visit: www.chilternccl.co.uk
THE SUNDAY CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE: Slightly lower key and not as high standard competition as the Met and Chiltern League so a good introduction if you have never done cross country before. Clubs from the local area take part with men and women competing in the same race which is approx 5 miles.Suitable for all abilities. If you take part in four or more races you will be in with a chance of winning an individual age group prize at the end of the league. Individual trophies are awarded as follows: Senior Men, M40, and M50 - first five places. M60 - first three, M70 - winner.Senior Women, W35, and W45 - firstfive places. W55 – first three, W65 – winner. All races start at 10.30am.
When:
THE SUNDAY CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE: Slightly lower key and not as high standard competition as the Met and Chiltern League so a good introduction if you have never done cross country before. Clubs from the local area take part with men and women competing in the same race which is approx 5 miles.Suitable for all abilities. If you take part in four or more races you will be in with a chance of winning an individual age group prize at the end of the league. Individual trophies are awarded as follows: Senior Men, M40, and M50 - first five places. M60 - first three, M70 - winner.Senior Women, W35, and W45 - firstfive places. W55 – first three, W65 – winner. All races start at 10.30am.
When:
· Broxbourne, 23 October 2011
· Trent Park, 20 November 2011
· Watford, 11 December 2011
· Digswell/Tewin, 15 January 2012
· Royston, 19 February 2012
What to do: As the Met League except you don’t need to wear a number.
For more details visit:www.runherts.com for results. The Watford Joggers website www.watfordjoggers.org.uk/sundayleague.phpalso has some good information on the courses but please note at the time of writing, the site hadn’t been updated to say that this year all races will start at 10.30am, not 11am.
HERTS COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY: Individual and county medals up for grabs here and the chance to qualify to represent Herts in future races.Approx 8k for women and 12k for men.
When: Stevenage, Sunday 8 January 2012
What to do: You must have been born in Herts or have been a resident in the county for at least nine months prior to the race to compete. Captains have to enter teams in advance so look out for details on the message board or via email. On the day, collect your number from captains.
For more details visit: www.hertscaaa.org.uk
SOUTHERN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS: Regional event made up of clubs from the south of England.Approx 8k for women and 15k for men.
When:Stanmer Park, Brighton, Saturday 28 January 2012
What to do: Open to all club members of all abilities but you must be pre-entered by captains.
For more details visit: www.seaa.org.uk
THE NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS: Prestigious and historic event which clubs across England take part in.Approx 8k for women and 12k for men.
When: Parliament Hill, London, Saturday 25 February 2012
What to do: Open to all club members of all abilities but you must be pre-entered by captains.
For more details visit:www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk
For more details visit:www.runherts.com for results. The Watford Joggers website www.watfordjoggers.org.uk/sundayleague.phpalso has some good information on the courses but please note at the time of writing, the site hadn’t been updated to say that this year all races will start at 10.30am, not 11am.
HERTS COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY: Individual and county medals up for grabs here and the chance to qualify to represent Herts in future races.Approx 8k for women and 12k for men.
When: Stevenage, Sunday 8 January 2012
What to do: You must have been born in Herts or have been a resident in the county for at least nine months prior to the race to compete. Captains have to enter teams in advance so look out for details on the message board or via email. On the day, collect your number from captains.
For more details visit: www.hertscaaa.org.uk
SOUTHERN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS: Regional event made up of clubs from the south of England.Approx 8k for women and 15k for men.
When:Stanmer Park, Brighton, Saturday 28 January 2012
What to do: Open to all club members of all abilities but you must be pre-entered by captains.
For more details visit: www.seaa.org.uk
THE NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS: Prestigious and historic event which clubs across England take part in.Approx 8k for women and 12k for men.
When: Parliament Hill, London, Saturday 25 February 2012
What to do: Open to all club members of all abilities but you must be pre-entered by captains.
For more details visit:www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk
There will also be some Vets only cross country races (age 35 and over for women and age 40 and over for men) across the season including the Southern Masters Champs on Saturday 10 December 2011 in Croydon which you must be pre-entered in by the captains. The County Vet Champswill take place on Sunday 18 March 2012 but further details on venue etc is still to be confirmed by the organisers.
We also take part in various cross country relays which are good fun - see the message board or keep your eyes peeled for relevant emails!
All these events are completely FREE so it's a much more economical way to compete and keep fit over the winter.
Finally, here’s a list of essentials you will need for cross country racing…
Striders vest:You must compete in a club vest for all the above events.
Layers: Wrap up warm with hats, gloves and a waterproof jacket before and after the race. Some courses can be exposed to the elements and races will go ahead come wind, rain or shine (just one thwarted by snow last year and that was due to safety fears over people travelling and parking at the venue).
Shoes:Some courses early in the season will be suitable for trainers, but
as the weather gets wetter and ground gets muddier, trail shoes or spikes are
essential. If you only plan to buy one or the other, trail shoes are more flexible as they give good grip in muddy sections but are more comfortable on courses which include harder surfaces such as gravel. However, cross country spikes can be bought cheaply (around £30) so are well worth having in addition to trail shoes as they give better grip on courses which are entirely grass/mud. Invest in some different length spike pins to insert in them so you can adapt the spike length according to the course (12-15mmbest for very muddy courses like Parliament Hill).
All these events are completely FREE so it's a much more economical way to compete and keep fit over the winter.
Finally, here’s a list of essentials you will need for cross country racing…
Striders vest:You must compete in a club vest for all the above events.
Layers: Wrap up warm with hats, gloves and a waterproof jacket before and after the race. Some courses can be exposed to the elements and races will go ahead come wind, rain or shine (just one thwarted by snow last year and that was due to safety fears over people travelling and parking at the venue).
Shoes:Some courses early in the season will be suitable for trainers, but
as the weather gets wetter and ground gets muddier, trail shoes or spikes are
essential. If you only plan to buy one or the other, trail shoes are more flexible as they give good grip in muddy sections but are more comfortable on courses which include harder surfaces such as gravel. However, cross country spikes can be bought cheaply (around £30) so are well worth having in addition to trail shoes as they give better grip on courses which are entirely grass/mud. Invest in some different length spike pins to insert in them so you can adapt the spike length according to the course (12-15mmbest for very muddy courses like Parliament Hill).
Pins: For attaching your number.
Change of socks: The socks you run in might get wet and there’s nothing worse than travelling home with stinky, damp feet!
Wet wipes:Great for wiping all that mud off your legs (and arms and face!). Don’t worry about getting muddy, it’s all part of the fun and it all comes out in the wash!
Change of socks: The socks you run in might get wet and there’s nothing worse than travelling home with stinky, damp feet!
Wet wipes:Great for wiping all that mud off your legs (and arms and face!). Don’t worry about getting muddy, it’s all part of the fun and it all comes out in the wash!
If you have any further questions about cross country running or want to find out more, contact xc men’s captain Ed Blake at men@stalbansstriders.com or women’s xc captain Lucy Waterlow at ladies@stalbansstriders.com
Jack Brooks: MANY Marathon(s) Man: January to June 2011
100 Marathon Club AGM Handicap Marathon, Bromley: 9th January 2011:
This was the 2nd time I’d run this 5 lap part road and part off-road marathon. Having done no running over the Christmas period due to the snow it was hard work getting my legs moving and I was content to finish in 4:18:50
Fairlands Valley Winter Challenge Trail Marathon: 16th January 2011:
It was cold, damp and muddy. Furthermore I was too busy talking to someone at a critical turning point and we’d gone a mile before we realised that we’d gone wrong. By the time we’d retraced our steps a good many people had passed us. I eventually trailed in, 19th out of 44 in a time of 5:33:24. Still, everybody tells me that time on your feet is beneficial!
Gloucester Marathon : 23rd January 2011:
The last time I ran this was in 2007 and my time was 3:52:42. The start and finish have changed, but the 3 main laps appeared to be the same. I couldn’t remember how hilly the course was, but my friend Gary Wade advised Sally Onn and me that there was only one real hill per lap. Curious, as I counted 5 each lap and they were all considerably harder to ascend on the third lap than they had been on the first. I hope that this wasn’t a contributing factor to Sally having a hard race as it may have led to her setting off faster than she otherwise would have. She still finished 2nd lady in a very creditable 3:13:04 and 38th overall, with this vet 55 member of the club trailing in 191st out of 344 in 3:53:58.
Watford Half Marathon: 5th February 2011:
Whilst my timing chip didn’t work I struggled round in 1:47:21. Once again it was good to see so many familiar faces around the course.
Richmond Park Trail Marathon: 12th February 2011:
This was a small marathon comprising just under 4 laps of Richmond Park. For some reason my legs gave up on me at around mile 22 and I struggled for the last 4 miles.
The Punchbowl 30 Mile Trail Race: 13th February 2011:
I awoke to the realisation that the heavens had opened and it was blowing a gale. This wasn’t a good time to discover that I’d forgotten to pack a waterproof jacket and trail shoes. I spent the first 25 miles slithering over the mud and then wading through a 400 yard long swamp. By this time I was soaking wet and the wind along the ridges was making life distinctly uncomfortable. In addition my route description instructions had become so wet and torn that they were indecipherable and I had to resort to following one of the other runners to the finish. I was extremely grateful for the hot cup of tea awaiting me at the race headquarters.
Limassol Marathon, Cyprus: 20th February 2011:
Naively I though that February weather in Cyprus might be better than the constant rain and cold we had been experiencing in the UK, but race day started with torrential rain and the sort of winds that you have to fight your way through. At least I didn’t suffer as the Kenyans did when the lead car took them 2 kilometres past the point where they were meant to turn, but I didn’t have a good race and finished in 4:03:15, 90th out of 205.
Steyning Stinger Trail Marathon: 6th March 2011:
This is a trail marathon with a marked route. It has a reputation for being very muddy and hilly, but this year at least we escaped the worst of the mud and I finished in 4:39:51.
Bedford Clanger Trail Marathon: 13th March 2011:
Apparently a Bedford Clanger is a pie with sausage at one end and apple at the other end. The course was flat and the route description was excellent. Naturally there were Bedford Clangers available at the finish for competitors to sample. I had a leisurely run with friends taking 5:16:40.
Cotswold Marathon: 20th March 2011:
This is a 3 lap road marathon and there is one hill that is tough on the first lap and murderous on the third lap.
I had volunteered to take a blind runner round and after the first lap I started to wonder whether we’d beat the five hour cut-off time. Furthermore, I was so busy making sure that there were no obstacles in Paul’s way that I managed a spectacular fall myself over an uneven area of road. We actually crossed the line in 4:52:44 and there were still a fair number of runners behind us.
Waltham Forest Half Marathon: 27th March 2011: Almost from the start I was in excruciating pain where I’d hit my rib on the previous week’s fall. However, I soon became distracted as I had to apply all my concentration to not getting hit by cars or buses. I can honestly say that out of all the races I have ever done this was the most poorly marshalled and dangerous race by far. I finished in 1:49:17 grateful to still be alive.
The Great Welsh Marathon, Llanelli: 10th April 2011:
Who would have expected such a scorching hot day so early in April? This marathon is set within the Millennium Coastal Park and is traffic free, fairly flat and very well organised. It is also a good race for supporters as runners pass the start point on 3 occasions during the race. I was not in quite as much pain for this run, but could have done without it being quite so warm. My time was 4:03:26.
Limerick Marathon: 1st May 2011 and Belfast Marathon: 2nd May 2011:
I thought that Limerick Marathon was flat and fast, but Frank Dalton assures me that there were hills. Frank and I ran together up to about 20 miles. I eventually finished in 3:44:00 and Frank knocked over half an hour off his PB finishing in 3:56:09. As soon as we finished it was time to jump in the car and hurtle towards Belfast for their marathon the next day. I’ve never found Belfast to be an easy course and on tired legs I only managed 4:19:00.
Sheffield Half Marathon: 8th May 2011: I like this race, but only managed a mediocre run finishing in 1:48:42. Jill Jubb finished some way ahead of me.
Windermere Marathon: 22nd May 2011:
We had hail and rain prior to the race start, but the main impediments on this race were the wind and the hills. I did not feel particularly comfortable right from the start. I overtook Caroline Bailes at about halfway, but she soon came back past me and finished in 3:49:37. I was just happy to finish. My time was 4:02:32.
Kissing Trees Marathon, Stratford-upon-Avon: 11th June 2011:
This was a low-key trail marathon. I ran round with some friends just enjoying the scenery.
Vancouver Marathon, Washington, USA: 19th June 2011:
I flew out on the Friday, got the airport shuttle to my hotel and then met up with friends from Seattle. Vancouver is a pleasant little town nestled on the North bank of the Columbia river. It is also where the Hudson Bay Company was founded. The race went out through pleasant countryside with the last few miles following the river back into town and going past Fort Vancouver. There were a couple of sharp climbs, but generally the route was fairly flat. I finished comfortably in 3:50:56. The following day I’d arranged to meet up with a friend from North Carolina and we set off to tour the sights of Oregon. After visiting Seaside, Eugene and Crater Lake we arrived at our hotel in Bend ready to register for our next race.
Pacific Crest Marathon, Sunriver, Oregon: 25th June 2011: Sunriver is a pretty holiday resort at 4,200ft altitude. Their marathon comprises 2 laps following a well- paved path, which runs through the woods and fields that surround the resort. By the start of the second lap I was feeling the altitude and had to dig deep to finish in 3:57:34. Nevertheless, the route was extremely picturesque and all the other competitors were extremely friendly, so I really enjoyed the race. The following day we drove back along the Columbia Gorge back to Portland Airport and regrettably it was then time to head home.
Jack Brooks
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Halfway Point
By Kate Webb
3 October
3 October
Strictly’s back and we’re getting to the business end of X-Factor, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for the ‘Get Started’ half term report.
So where have we got to? Six Striders’ sessions completed and three pieces of weekend ‘homework‘ done. New bits of kit have been purchased, more miles have been covered, new routes found, and the pace is slowly but surely building up.
Progress can be difficult to judge when you are starting from scratch, but the continuing encouragement from Becky, Helen and the other Striders suggests we are getting better at this, and I have noticed that the sessions are slowly but surely getting easier.
It’s even enjoyable in places, running off the stresses of the day! Although I’ve lost two name badges to the streets of St Albans (and had my car broken into) I get to the end of a session wishing that there was time for another interval or two.
We've got three weeks to go, and something that began – for me - as a bit of a personal gamble is now a more of a guilty pleasure (not unlike Strictly in our house). As this stage, it is tempting to start looking beyond the twelfth session. I’m trying to work out how I will keep this up, finding time to run at weekends, and looking out for route ideas on walkjogrun and such like.
This isn’t what usually happens when I exercise, but then firing up the barbeque in balmy October while Brucie introduces another Waltzing celebrity isn’t usual either.
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