A visit from 361 degrees running this morning showing me shoes for Spring Summer 2023. Some great new product! So no prelunch...out later! More sublimation orders going out this afternoon. We offered a selection of items for WEST NORFOLK AC and with track and field events coming up they went for vests and crop tops.

LEEDS MARATHON 1984

 

MARATHON? NEVER AGAIN! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?

MARATHON? NEVER AGAIN......ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Quite a few FB running friends saying (as always) "Never again!" after toiling around the streets of London in the hottest ever marathon there; whilst others were battling wind and rain on Blackpool promenade. What a contrast! and I've done both. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FINISHERS! Whatever the time. Many seemed to falter at the 35 K point succumbing to the heat in London today. Heat that came hard understandingly to the body having training mainly in the cold and dark of our British winter.
But did anyone else record negative splits other than the formidable Hannah Oldroyd?
Never again? Having run 2:25 and bits (London 1983), won a couple of regional marathons and several others around 2.30, I thought the BLACKPOOL MARATHON in 1988 would be my "swansong". It was a scorchingly hot day and having run solo from 14 miles to eventually cross the line in 12th placein 2:36 I said "enough was enough" as you do!
But the intriguing thought lingers doesn't it? There's still a buzz about the distance and you think , what if?
So lacking real preparation (and 'cos I was there!) I ran london again in 1994 finishing 1501st......2:56.25. That'll do. 25 run. Enough is enough.
Except I find myself in Amsterdam with an offer of a place in their marathon and you think, why not? Just one more before I'm 50.........it goes quite well until the last 5k when the weather turns nasty......2:50. Enough id enough, I say for one final time...and it was.
That's when I drew the line! 26 run under 3 hours.
Nearly 50.Time to concentrate on maintaining my speed at the shorter distances. Confident doing the long runs was blunting my speed.
I would continue to run halfs and tens of course.
But a 10K in 34.58 at age of 50 is one of my best performances ever......and would not have been possible if I'd have continued to run marathons. 26 was indeed enough.

194th 10K done and dusted BAY GATEWAY 10K

Thanks to Billy, Mark and all team at Lancaster Race Series for yet another enjoyable event. THE BAY GATEWAY 10K. An interesting combination of flat riverside cycle path, a challenging incline up to and along a pleasant stretch of the Lancaster canal ending with a tootle along the new Bay Gateway road north of the city. Not the fastest of courses but hey good to notch up another!

Great to be back on the Strid trail on the Bolton Abbey estate but what would previously have been described as "gently undulating" is nowadays proving quite challenging! But the lure of the spring bluebells is always strong. Early morning wind and heavy rain gave way to a bright, but still chilly morning. Another 5 miles in the bank.

 

RACING THE DAY DIANA DIED.....BNFL KIRKHAM 10K

RACING THE DAY DIANA DIED....20 years ago today.....
....still half asleep I walked into the kitchen with thoughts on the race ahead but was severely made to focus on the tragic news coming through on breakfast TV. We heard that travelling from the Hotel Ritz in Paris with Dodi Fayed to his apartment in the early hours of the morning their driver Henri Paul had crashed into a pillar in a tunnel.
       After 2 hours of unsuccessful surgery Diana was pronouned dead at 4 a.m.
Travelling without seat belts Fayed and the driver  Paul (3 x over the French alcohol driving limit) had also died in the crash.
As we drove through to the BNFL Springfields site north of Preston more details came through with the paparazzi implicated.  Naturally as we arrived at the BNFL Springfields site the crash was on everyone's lips rather than the race ahead.
184 runners stood down the narrow lane for the 2 minutes silence called for on the race start line with thoughts still on on the events which had happened just hours before. It was solemnly observed.
The race, won by Preston's Steve Smith in 31.40, witnessed the continuing emergence of over 40s with 21 in the first 50. Lisa Gore of Wigan was first lady 37.52 but only good for 57th place.
  My 36.44 at 48 was good enough for only 6th M45 with 2 M50s Brian Gore and Stuart Calderbank in front also in front.
Many are still competing of course. Jason Parker, Warren Crook, Alan Hudson, Alan Appleby, Colin Davies

George Kennedy, Phil Leaver, John Bertenshaw Mike Robert Walsh amongst others. Some of course are sadly no longer with us. Most notably Ken Moss in 10th place here. A constant rival over the decades.

 The Springfields club based at BNFL had already broken up by this time. Thier members going to several local clubs. One being NORTH FYLDE which in turn merged with BLACKPOOL to form BLACKPOOL WYRE & FYLDE AC.
 Gerry Spink , one of Bingley's mst successful vets, once told me that I would slow down by 30 seconds for every year passing as I continued to race. In my case, all things considered, I'm not too far off that 20 years later but others seem to have fared  a lot better looking at their times.

40 YEARS AGO TODAY...FIRST MARATHON

EASTER MONDAY APRIL15 1974.   
THE HUDDERSFIELD "CHIPPENDALE" MARATHON
I'M SAT,  yes sat, on the floor of the showers in the changing rooms at Leeds Road playing fields,Huddersfield.  With the soothing water bouncing off my head and pouring down onto my back.
 I'm asking Why? Why? Why?
  Why?  Did I choose to race over 26.2 miles in the first place.
I knew the answer. The same reason I ran a 15 mile road race ILLEGALLY at the age of 15. I was to born to race long distances. Having not made the under 12s 100 yards final at he school sports, I quickly leant the longer the race the better I performed.
  Why?  Choose Huddersfield? Why choose such a pig of a course?
  A roller coaster tour of the "Last Of The Summer Wine" countryside in West Yorkshire. I don't suppose I even thought about the route and whether it was flat or not. Essentially it was just another race. Another afternoon of sport.  This was a time without GPS, a time before gels, a time when water was allowed in races below 10 miles.  I presume there would have been water on the course; but most of generally raced by. We might have taken the odd sip. Sensible? Who knows. We were there to race.
  Why? Why do another one?  Being content to sit in the showers rather than stand was an indication of the impact of the event. The course and distance had taken its toll but there was the question of what could be achieved on a flatter course. It wasn't a case of "never again!" I felt there was more to come.
 I hadn't particularly targeted the race. There had been no tune up races of half marathons and 20 milers as today.  I raced the Northern XC and the National XC and a leg for SALE HARRIERS in the Northern 12 stage road relay.
 I don't recall even changing training routine particularly. We always did long runs of over 2 hours on a Sunday (most races were on a  Saturday).  In hindsight I suppose we were a bit naive and ignorant. "Just another race.....we'll be OK" sort of attitude.
 The race, on the Easter Monday, started at 1.15 after lunch. he aim was to have everything done and dusted by "teatime" around 4 and back home for the football results.  There would be no one running over 4 hours certainly.
 64 runners were on the prerace programme plus a few late entries. Runners who decided at the last minute that a 26.2 jaunt would pass the time on a holiday afternoon  All male ,of course.  But 51 actually started.  KEITH DARLOW (Bolton) led after 10 miles in 53.06 shoulder to shoulder with Wakefield's JOHN NEWSOME. I'd shot through the first 5 in 30.06 (2:37 pace). and at the 10 mile point I was running solo back in 31st place. 62.30 (2:43.52 pace).
 At 15 the leaders were still battling it out. Behind them as the hills took a toll, 7 had dropped out. I was now up to 27th in 93.50 (still running for a sub 2:44)
 A further 8 pulled off the course between 15 and 20. Up front, John Newsome had moved away from Keith Darlow and oped up a lead of over a minute.  I meanwhile ploughed on going through 20 in 2:06.31. I'd overtaken another 7 but it was beginning to hurt....a lot.
 But it was even more painful for others.  Another 6 were passed by the time I crossed the line at the Leeds road track to finish 14th.
 25 minutes earlier the slightly stooped, bespectacled Wakefield Harrier Newsome , aged 32, had won his 6th Yorkshire marathon title by over a mile in 2:22.56. Clear by over a mile from COLIN HUNT (Wolverhampton and Bilston) Keith Darlow had hung for 3rd. Hunt had been over 4 minutes behind at 20 miles.
 FINAL TIME.....2:47.23 for 14th. place on a testing course.  
Could I run faster on a flatter course? I would find out just a few weeks later.
I decided to race the PRESTON TO MORECAMBE marathon on AUGUST 24.
        That couldn't possibly be hot, could it?

GREAT NORTH WEST HALF MARATHON 2014..race report

With a "bank" of 4 weeks training  after the INSKIP HALF on January 19 completed,  I'd spent nearly everyday prior to the GREAT NORTH HALF on the grass at the local hockey club.  An 8 x 1K track session the previous Saturday had left the legs battered and I wanted to recover well for Sunday's Blackpool race.
 As many compettitors, no doubt,  I had been checking the BBC WEATHER site for forecasts of race day conditions since midweek and it wan't looking good.  They were forecasting  rain throughout the day but more significantly... near gale force southerly winds.  A forecast which didn't change by Saturday morning. Not good at all.
 As I posted on my Facebook page,  as a very lightweight 65 year old asthmatic I was less than enthusiastic about the prospect of being battered by 29 m.p.h. winds on the concrete Blackpool promenade.  Makes breathing somewhat difficult!
 I mooched around all Saturday morning uncertain about whether to race or not,  but decided to leave options open by doing my normal prerace jog of 3 miles on the grass.  A wind blown jog after which I'd decided NOT to bother for reasons of health and safety.
 It wouldn't be good for my health and I might get blown into the Irish Sea!
But  the more I thought  about all the training I'd done over the 5 weeks since INSKIP.....and the £20 entry fee......the more I was inclined to change my mind. I decided to go. The forecast might change overnight. Just how bad could it be?
 A study of the race route, a 2 lap course, would at least mean that the first miles would be wind assisted.  I would  then be looking to shelter behind young big guys (hopefully) for the next 3 or so miles into the gale then revert to wind assisted race pace for miles 7, 8, 9 and repeat.  Sounds like a plan!
 Arriving at the Blackpool Hilton ,we managed to secure our normal spot in a side alley just minutes from the start and walked onto the promenade. The forecast had been correct.  Rain and strong winds from the south.
Perhaps they would bus us own to St. Annes and we could run back.....gale assisted.  Chance would be a fine thing!
 Complete with hat, gloves and windproof gilet over race vest  I set off with 1350 others but wind assisted with opening miles of 7.32, 7.23, 7.25 I was overheating. The hat, gloves and gilet being shed after lap 1.
 Managing  to find the planned shelter for the 3 miles back down to North Pier were still a trial. Not surprisingly the pace dropped .  7.45, 7.49 and 7.57 to 6 miles. but not disastrous.

 What a relief as we turned now and pushing hard again, at more like 10K pace,  miles of 7.14 (uphill) 7.06 and 7.02 resulted.  I was starting to think the end result might be so bad after all.
 But the wind strength on the second lap was even worse than the first.  Now a case of survival.  No apologies for using young guys for cover but watching the pace doesn't drop too dramatically.  Miles of 7.56. 8.11 and 8.08 resulting.
 
It was clearly going to require a great effort from 12 miles to get under 1:40.  I'm urging the group to keep going for the sub 1:40 but they are mainly wearing headphones so they can't hear anyway!

  A 7.13 13th mile  and I go on to record a gun time of  1:39.12 ,chip time 1:39.01.  106 half marathon done an dusted.
I turn at the end of the funnel and shake hands with those in the group who have shared the ordeal and pushed the pace along.
 Over 30 minutes slower than my PB for a half but after 51 years of racing I'll take that.
  The race was won by IAN Mc BRIDE; well clear in a moderate 74.01. But clearly today was more about tactics and  coping with the conditions rather than times.
 CARLY NEEDHAM (Rochdale) was first lady in 85.09.
  I managed to win the M65 category but cold and battered we headed off home. It wasn't a day for hanging around.

MALTA MARATHON 1986....a personal view.

"Charlie! Charlie!".    The distressed, anguished screams of  Charlie's wife,Bernadette sounded out loud and harshly throughout the foyer of the SLIEMA cinema. His daughter gripped tightly  her mother's hand. Tears poured down her face. She was equally distressed by the sight of her father who had been carried from the finishing line and now lay on his back on the tiled floor.
 He has finished 3rd in 2:32.50 in this inaugural MALTA MARATHON  and would later say he was "very pleased" but few looking anxiously on knew the real story of what had led to his post race predicament!
 Just 140 runners had set off from Santa Lucia, many of them from England, on a bright, sunny February morning,   slightly apprehensive of the strong winds which would inevitably create problems and make the 26.2 mile journey and even greater challenge for us all.
 I had led very early on but Charlie Portelli, the local champion, had edged by and pushed on; maintaining a lead towards the Ta' Quai national stadium.  But  Longwood's PAUL PICKUP  and GB international, Commonwealth and European marathon champion caught him and went by.  I was now adrift ,running solo, in 4th position.  But was suddenly aware of a lot of chattering coming up from behind.
 I looked around to see a very large group of pro cyclists rapidly catching me up.  Possibly 20 in total.  They quickly caught me, passed me and rode on towards the stadium......and the local Maltese  hero.
I ran on but could see them catch him before reaching the stadium.  From this high point we would turn down towards the coast and the wind would hamper our progress most.
 Except rather than pass the 3rd placed runner, the group of cyclists seemed to form a circle around him. They seemed intent on creating  a barrier against the wind.   Mile after after, it appeared they shielded him and encouraged him to maintain his position.
 I think driven on by annoyance at what I was witnessing,  I gradually closed the gap and as we reached the flat Strand in Sliema I thought I might just catch him. The gap was getting maller and smaller.  But I failed as i simply ran out of road.
I crossed the line and  jogged back down the course for a few minutes,  envious of  spectators sat drinking lunchtime pints in the promenade cafes.  When I returned to the finish line Charlie P. was being carried away indoors.   His wife and child followed, fearing the worse. It would appear the cyclists had forced him to run himself "into the ground"
 I followed inside. But I said nothing of what had gone on. What was the point.  I had had a  Fastrax vest especially made in Malta colours of red and white which I took off and gave to him, saying well done.
 The records show that PAUL PICKUP went on to win in 2:27.48 followed by IAN THOMPSON in 2:29.46  CHARLES PORTELLI (MALTA) 3RD in 2:32.50 and TERRY LONERGAN 4TH IN 2: 33.52.
A big gap then to GERALD MARRINAN (Stockport) 2:39.40 with  a disppointed RON HILL 6th in 2:43.09.
    But you'll find nothing in the reports of what happened in the second half of the race as we battled against those strong winds.
   I stayed for the race presentation.  There were prizes for the first 3.  Mr Portelli took away 3rd place prize and  first Malta runner. A large trophy and a holiday in England.  Perhaps he deserved it for what he had had to endure but I always be left with the feeling that thanks to those cyclists I had been robbed of the "thrill of the chase" and the chance of a "podium" place  in that inaugural MALA MARATHON. 1986.
  

RUN THE LANES 10 MILE ROAD RACE...105TH AND SLOWEST EVER

 

                    RUN THE LANES 10 MILE ROAD RACE JUNE 2 2013

The journey through into Lancashire and the Fylde coast has become something of a Sunday morning ritual this year.  All but one of the 7 races I've run have been in that area.  The drive is relatively uneventful. Few traffic lights , no towns to go through with the M6 and M55 speeding up the latter part of the trip. The events have much to commend them.    Flattish in general and  often devoid of traffic for much of the course.  Of course the westerly winds can tend to prove a handicap quite frequently and with small fields it's easy to become isolated and the racing then is against the clock rather than the runner on the shoulder.
 Last week , MAY  26 114 runners gathered at the Scout Hut in GREAT ECCLESTON for race organiser ALAN TAYLOR'S  "FAST 4".  An unusual race distance but it serve as a good "speed" exercise prior to the RUN THE LANES 10 MILE race of yesterday.   
 As always the first mile, not as flat as expected,  sorts everybody out and I'm in with a group of 3 or 4. But as I maintain the pace they accelerate away with the breeze behind. With no one coming through I'm left solo for the last 3 miles, working hard to reel in anyone coming back. There are a few and concentrating on their backs provides the concentration to maintain the pace around the 7 minutes mark.
 As I turn the corner with  half a mile to go there is one lone RED ROSE lady in view. I  felt I was almost sprinting to catch her but the mile split still only registers at 6.58. Having run 26.2 miles at 5.33 pace in days of old,  it's hard to take in.  
 On the positive side I'm just inside 28 minutes. A few seconds faster than 18 months ago on the same course.  
 

Yesterday I headed west yet again. Just 8 miles south for the RUN THE LANES 10 MILER from LEA TOWN, north of Preston.  With so many other events on this weekend just 65 toed the line.  
  I envisaged another solo effort.  I wasn't wrong.   But as usual there's a constant string of faster starters "dying" to be pulled back.
 Again targeting their backs provides the stimulus to maintain the momentum but it was hard work on stretches where we ran into the wind.  Mile splits proving much more erratic than last week.
  7.19    7.06     7.13   7.24  7.19  (36.19)  7.32  7.15  7.21 

At the 7  mile point the gaps in front look in surmountable but the 3 runners spread out in front aren't going away and it's a case of hanging in there and seeing what happens.  I catch and pass unattached runner, Brian Speake , catch and pass Derrick Marsh of Trawden.  Leaving just Eric Green  He's clipping along nicely but the gaps is closing but a last charge over the last undulating mile in 6.50 (!) proves enough to catch him and open up a 12 second gap. We pose for a picture on crossing the line.  One Valley Strider and an ex-Valley Strider.  

I'm over the 72 minute target I was hoping for and it's the slowest ever of my 105 ten milers, but once again I've enjoyed the morning and the competition.  There's an unusual prize of chicken and vegetables as category winner but I'm 4 minutes behind GEOFF CUMBER who ran 68.11  at the age of 66.
 It was good to see Sale Harrier, STEVE TOWNLEY make the trip up from Gatley and he was rewarded with 3rd place in 58.29 hehind winner Rob Affleck (Preston) in 53.35.  Just 6 runners broke the hour.
                  Geoff's wife SARAH CUMBER was first lady in 63.15. 

BEAVERBROOKS (BLACKPOOL) 10K MAY 12 2013 RACE REPORT

 

Nice to sit down and get some time on the key board!  It's been manic in the FASTRAX production room all week. Never been so busy.  Last order going today was 200 vests out to VEGAN RUNNERS in Germany. I thought Germans liked their meat!
   The old legs are only just coming around following what was the 3rd race BLACKPOOL race in 3 weeks. the BEAVERBROOKS 10K.   This mass participation "Fun Run"event starts at the Hilton hotel on the front and heads down to the Pleasure Beach,  where we turn and head back up past the hotel and then turn on the Lower promenade.  The way the race pans out very much depends on the prevailing wind direction and strength.

   Last Sunday's event was as bad as it gets! Cold , wet and a wind speed of 19 to cope with on the way down for the first 5K.  But with over 2300 in the race  (unlike the Blue Light 5 with just 90 in it) I was looking forward to sheltering behind some fast young men.
   Joining the assembled masses from my "secret" parking place just 30 seconds jog from the start line I  slipped back  a few rows behind the sub 40 runners and stood shoulder to shoulder with "non club "  runners already tuned into their music.

                                                                   Having run 43.48 the previous week inland around Stanley Park,  to be honest  I couldn't see me breaking 44 given the strong wind.  But the sheer number of surrounding runners did provide shelter and ensured that the pace never dropped.  Plenty of encouragement on the way down from early Sunday morning promenaders against a background of bingo callers and music from the arcades on the Golden Mile.
  Unlike the mile marked Fylde Coast Running event this chip timed BEAVERBROOKS 10K 2013 is kilometer marked but judging by the splits the markers seem a bit randomly placed.  4.40  4.17  4.28  4.25 3.56(?). I look across to the faster runners who have already turned back and 
I'm pleased to see that track partner GRAHAM CUNLIFFE (Wesham, pictured here is running well, on the way to  sub 40. the first for some time. The track sessions and increased mileage paying off,perhaps?)

What a relief as WE reach the turning point and head back northwards.  A good group has formed and we're working well overtaking slowing runners but the 6th K shows as 4.43.  Averaged out by the next in 4.05!  We're benefiting now from the cross wind but it's bringing in the rain ; not bad for us but getting unpleasant for fancy dressed "fun runners". At 7K I spot  a group of young men I was stood with at the start ...on their  way down at 4K. Hope they prepare better for their "A" levels!
 It's back up the hill, past the METROPOLE Hotel ,back up to and beyond the HILTON HOTEL. 
The weather continues to deteriorate the cheers from 

the waiting supporters is really welcome.  With a quarter of a mile to go, we turn onto the lower walk and the force of the late morning wind hits us again. 
 The gantry above the finish line ahead carries the timing  clock and to my amazement it's only just turning 42 minutes.  As I cross the line it's showing 42.35 in line with my watch.
With another medal for the collection in the pocket  I look back at the splits and see the last 2 K have been clocked in a rather swift 3.45 and 3.48. How have I been able to turn the clock back 10 years and regained the ability to race at 38 minute 10K pace! Amazing....or was the distance a tad short? 

The latter being more likely.
General opinion from those who employed GPS was that it was .1 mile short. 6.1 instead of 6.2.  So in my case perhaps 40 seconds short.  Disappointing given that the race was chip timed for the first time. (The chip being attached to the back of the number) But still it was a great race to compete in. I enjoy the cut and thrust with the young guns.  Several thanked me afterwards for keeping THEM going.  It should be the other way around, shouldn't it. It should be me being urged to hang on to them!  
 Even 40 seconds added to the offcial time of 42.35 means I can count it as my 140th under 44 minutes.The 151st in total.  
 As it's a "Fun Run" the results are published by age group. I'm in the over 55s where I finished  9th; not bad for 64,I suppose.
128th of the 2300 who "ran".
 Wearing our FASTRAX Elite vest STUART ROBINSON won the event in an official time of 31.39.  Racing largely unchallenged.  A fine time in the conditions. He will have taken all the force of the wind heading south; with no one to shelter behind as I had to some extent.
  So my 3 races in 3 weeks completed relatively succesfully, but the legs have taken a bit of a battering, particularly the hamstrings.  There will be no racing for me this weekend but I'll be seeking out more 10Kas soon to work towards that 150 SUB44  target.  
   

  
 

ALAN SEDDON (150TH) 10K

The plan was to race a 5 miler the week before tackling my 150th 10K on May 5 2013.  It was hoped that I would be able to go into the 10K race with the confidence gained from the shorter race.  Surely I could run 5 miles at the sub 44 minute target 10k pace?
  So, chaffeurless for once, I drove alone to the BLUE LIGHT 5 on the promenade at BISPHAM,just north of Blackpool. Leaving a warm and sunny Ilkley behind,  the weather, as forecast, deteriorated the further west I went.   Such that by the time I turned on to the M55 strong winds and rain buffeted the car.  Just what would it be like on the prom!
  Well,  let's just say that there are not many races where 50% of the field are seen huddled into a sea front shelter right up until the time when they are called to the line for the start of the race.
  As a nine and a half stone asthmatic the scenario could not have been any worse.  Nearly two miles into gale force winds between 25 and 30 miles per hour. Difficulty breathing. Difficulty staying up right!
  I actually considered giving it a miss with just minutes to go but then again I had travelled 75 minutes to get there.  I think the phrase is  "grin and bear it!"
  I desperately tried to hold on to runners for shelter in the first 2 miles but with such a small entry I couldn't find anyone and rather than being around  the 7's I went through the first mile in well over 8 mins and the 2nd in 7.40.  What a relief to have turned  and have the wind behind.  I was swept  past the dozens of Sunday morning promenade fisherman in more respectable 7.15 and 7.14 before having to endure the final uphill mile  back into the gale ....8.45!
  So  5 miles in 39.27.  A race which did not quite go to plan and did not do much for the confidence.
This was the first of 3 planned visits to BLACKPOOL on consecutive weekends.  The second was to run the ALAN SEDDON "THANK YOU" 10K IN Stanley Park.
  Alan  has dedicated much of his life to coaching dozens of Fylde runners and, organised by Sue Samme in conjunction with Fylde Coast running, this was their way of saying thanks for all his efforts. 35 of his athletes would be running the race for him.

  A  strong breeze replaced the gales of 7 days previous and  running shoulder to shoulder with a young man, somewhat overdressed in jacket and tights, it was  reassuring to see the first 3 miles knocked off in 7.01, 7.01 and 7.01.  Some of those we were overtaking included runners who had beaten me easily in last week's 5 miler.  Targeting 7.05s for a sub 44 it was going well.  

 I was good to have some company but my young "friend" drifted away from 4 miles leaving me the task of chasing slowing runners alone.  It was proving hard work. Miles of 7.08 7.06 and 7.05 meant  that there could be no letting up on the final lap around the track . But the line was reached with just 12 seconds to spare.....43.48.  
 Alan was on hand to greet each runner as they finished and clearly enjoyed the 
occasion; whilst I was clearly showing the strain.
                       So another milestone completed . 
                 Onward and forward to 150 under 44 minutes!



 

SALFORD HARRRIERS INTERVIEW: TERRY LONERGAN

A section of SALFORD HARRIERS' newsletter is dedicated to an interview with a non club member.  They have featured  some of the very best GB athletes, LIZ McCOLGAN, ANDY VERNON,   for example  so I must confess to being a bit surprised when I received an email asking if I would similarly do the questionnaire.  I'm far from being a well known UK international, after all; but flattered none the less.  Here's how it went.....

Q1. PERSONAL BESTS

     880 yards (2.00mins)(Stretford 1967)

     MILE 4.26 (grass track barefeet)(Wigan 1966)

     2K steeplechase 5.59.2 (AAA champs 3^rd)(Liverpool 1967)

     5K track  15.18.6  (Leeds Carnegie) (1986)

     10K road  31.30    (Toronto) (1983)

     10M road  51.14    (York) (1983)

     1/2 Marathon 67.55 (York) (1986)

     Marathon  2.25.36  London) (1983)

Q2.What do you regard as your biggest achievement?

   Difficult! Torn between the 2:25:36 marathon PB, the 2 marathons I actually won, a 3^rd in a National championship (steeplechase) the 3:13 in the 3 Peaks. In terms of performance running 34.58 at the age of 50 in your own SALFORD 10K might well be my best performance as it equates  to 30.20 on age graded tables. In terms of longevity 114 10ks under 40 minutes.

Q3. After such a long and distinguished career, what is it about running and competing that keeps you motivated?

  I think old guys like me who refuse to stop running and racing are  “sticking to fingers up” to Father Time. We’re saying, “OK, we’re getting older but hey we can still do what we did as a teenager ,just a bit slower!”  We’re helped by the great numbers of novice runners taking up the sport,  as in races we’re still relatively high up in the field. But the key to it all is simply building enough variety into training that it remains enjoyable.

Q4.You have had your fair share of injuries and illnesses, was there ever a time when you felt like just packing it in?

  I have suffered setbacks, but there are countless years over the last few decades when I haven’t missed a day’s running (but I’m not obsessive about it.) I tend to deal with niggles a.s.a.p.myself rather rushing off to a physio.

 But,yes, the series of lung collapses I suffered at the age of 18/19 when I was just making my mark in senior competition were traumatic.

 I recall drinking a pint of Boddingtons Best in the Halfway House Pub at the corner of Cheetham Hill and feeling air coming out of the lung into my back. 10 minutes later I was in Crumpsall A.& E.

  The Morton’s Neuroma was very unpleasant to endure. It’s a very painful growth in the forefoot which I had to have cut out in 2002. Paula Radcliffe suffered similarly. Once it was diagnosed, I just wanted to sort the problem out and start running again.

 The asthma was more difficult to detect and before being prescribed the inhalers I did say I wouldn’t race again as performance deteriorated. But again it was overcome.

 A lot of runners, who have run much faster times than me, have stopped racing at their best. They have not wished to continue competing and record slower times. I’ve just accepted the inevitable; that, except for the late starters, we will slow with age. But I still enjoy competing, trying to beat the guys and gals I’m shoulder to shoulder with after the first mile!

Q5. What do you regard as the best period in your running career and what was so special about that time?

   Running is essentially an individual pursuit but I think when you’re part of a successful team and performing well individually at the same time it’s special.  I experienced that with SALE HARRIERS in the 1960s. We continually won the Manchester League, East Lancs Champs, the Northern and won the National Cross Country. Having said I still trained in Higher Blackley largely by myself. Being isolated I needed to develop SELF MOTIVATION and that hasn’t changed throughout my career. If a runner relies too much on group training it’s fine until the group breaks up.

   As a senior runner, my best period was the mid 1980s when I was aged

33 to 38 I would say. 

Q6.How would you explain/describe the differences/changes in the running community over the years?

   When I started running/racing in 1963 you could count the number of male runners on one hand and one finger for the lady who ran! Clubs recruited members largely by approaching the best kids in the schools cross country races. So the clubs were largely made up of quality runners. Very few senior runners would run over 60 minutes for 10 miles, for example. Marathons would have less than 100 in them.

 But with the growth in popularity of the marathon from the early 1980s we now see thousands upon thousands of people running and racing. A whole spectrum of ability, all shapes and sizes and of course a massive increase in the number of ladies! It’s tremendous.

 What puzzles my generation is that with so many more people participating it could be expected that distance performances would improve as well. But sadly this is not the case. My 2;25;36 would have placed me 28^th in this year’s London but was only good enough for 200^th place in 1983!

 That year 1983 103 UK runners broke 2:20. In 2012 it was down to 11!

But ultimately it has to be good that thousands are now enjoying an activity which we have derived so much pleasure from for all these years.

Q7. What would you say was the secret to churning out continuous great times on the road over numerous distances and over so many years.

  Self motivation. I’ve guided all my training and racing as a senior athlete. Have realistic aims based on your work and family commitments and build in a variety of training to achieve those aims.  Target a few KEY races throughout the year which REALLY matter interspersed with “tune up races” on the way.

  Don’t overdo road work, don’t overdo track training, don’t overdo hill training, build in recovery days of gentle jogging. Variety is the key. Don’t be afraid to say “no that sessions not right for ME tonight”

Q8.If there was one race you would recommend everyone do, what would it be and why?

  The mass participation races do have a real “buzz” about them and that inner glow on a Sunday night having run a marathon is very memorable. But I wouldn’t recommend doing say the London or Manchester marathon if your other responsibilities inhibit the training. Those completing marathons in well over 5 hours are not having fun nor are they generally running!

 I would rather recommend an improving runner focuses on running an even paced 10K than completing a marathon with a massive positive split. But it’s the marathon which is the “party” every new runner wants to go to whatever their weight, lifestyle or existing fitness level.

 Specifically, I would recommend a club trip to Amsterdam. There’s several races on offer. Go early Friday, come back Monday evening. A great weekend.

 Q9. Is there a race that you have fond memories of and which no longer exists and you wish would re-establish itself? Why?

  Not really. But sad we’ve lost the SALE 10 having already seen the Sale 15 go some years ago.

Q10. Who LOCALLY do you regard as the best runner Past/present that you have seen?

  It’s comes back to achievements and longevity really and who can rival what RON HILL has achieved on the track, on the road and on the country. A 2.09 marathon and winning the national xc, hard to beat.

  

Q11. A local runner yourself who ran for a number of clubs, was there never a point you came close to joining Salford Harriers?

 When I finished 7^th in the Manchester Schools XC Champs it seemed everyone was saying I should join this and that club including SALFORD.

But ALAN ROBERTSHAW was very proactive in his recruiting of runners from both south and north Manchester and so I joined SALE HARRIERS, running with them for 10 years until I came to Yorkshire.

 Returning to the club in 2009 was largely based on nostalgia but it has been put to me, quite rightly, that SALFORD’S vets section would have been a better bet!

Q12. Lastly, please tell us everything you know about Salford Harriers and their runners Past/Present.

  How long have you got? I have 50 years of knowledge and have the book describing the history of the club! JOHN TARRANT , the “ghost runner” and all that! Every Salford member should know his running story.

 I’ve seen SALFORD HARRIERS develop into one of the top harrier clubs in the country. A force to be reckoned with and may it continue!

 Personalities?   I never felt any real resentment that living in Higher Blackley I should really have joined SALFORD. GEOFF DOGGETT and JOE LANCASTER always had a kind word for me. I got on well with STAN CURRAN, STAN CLEGG, ALAN SLADEN, GODFREY CLAFF and of course one of your most successful runners ever ARTHUR WALSHAM.

  I hope younger members of SALFORD respect and perhaps learn from the great success that STAN CURRAN and ARTHUR WALSHAM have had in their long careers. Tremendous.

  

Q13. What are your future aims and aspirations?

  Essentially  to enjoy running  WISELY  on a DAILY basis in order to keep competing in 15/20 races per year. I managed 114 10Ks under 40 minutes and so now the current aim is to try to do 150 10ks under 44 minutes.

 But it’s not going to be easy! Might give the Boggart Chase a miss this year as that would be one I certainly wouldn’t go under 44 mins on!

YESTERDAY'S  TRACK SESSION WITH GRAHAM...

                    as (possibly!) described by a watching 10 year old.....

"We bunked off school this morning so me and my mate went down to the track to go round on our skooters. There were 2 dead old guys there, grey and wrinkly. One said they would be running around quite fast so we should be careful. I looked at my mate and thought, "yeah right, this has to be seen" They reminded me of my gran dad & he gets puffed out getting out of his chair. Anyway, we saw them start at the other side of the track. The younger one with glasses left the scrawny one right away and tore away and kept ahead for a lap and a half then just kinda slowed down a right lot. After a half a lap the older guy, who didn't slow down, caught him up. But just as he did the fast man just took off again! Didn't seem very friendlly to us. Seemed like the younger guy was teasing him! They did this 8 times. Going round 16 laps altogether. We thought they must be well tired by now but no they seemed to get friendly again and we then saw them go off round the park for even more jogging! 

                Why can't my gran dad do that?

GREAT LANGDALE DAFFODIL 10K PART 2

SUNDAY  
TROUTBECK  LAKE DISTRICT
2 A.M.
Heavy rain hammers down on the velux roof window of the bedroom and  the continuing wind and rain continues to disturb sleep at hourly intervals. The BBC WEATHER forecast predicting "HEAVY RAIN"  right through the night and morning is regretably proving correct.  The enthusiasm for the DAFFODIL GREAT LANGDALE 10K  is beginning to wane; but then again I have pre-entered for a change. Anyway what's the alternative!
 The rain continued to sweep through the Troutbeck Valley as I made last minute preparations for the race.  I    decide to pin my race number to my base layer and run  with a Windstopper Gilet over it instead of getting soaked to the skin wearing my normal race vest. Wimp or what?
 The drive up the Langdale valley was surprising quiet. No sign of other cars going to the event. Pat and I discussed where we might park but despite arriving just 50 minutes before the off we had no problem parking near to the finish.  The whole scene was bizarrely quiet.
  Meanwhile the driving rain continued unabated.
 I thought I might see a familiar face to share the  couple of miles warm up but no chance.  The runners I could spy were mainly maintaining shelter in their steamed up cars.  I saw no one at all as I ran from where the finish would be to the 5 mile marker and back. There seemed a distinct "post party" atmosphere.  This was after all  the second 10K on the course of the weekend.
 The 2 miles "warm up" was a struggle.  The inclines seemed longer and steeper than I remembered and the strong winds would be in our  faces as we pushed for the finish.  Perhaps the previous Wednesday's track session was a mistake.
 The rain eased somewhat towards the noon start time and as luck would have it stopped as we passed the first mile marker;  perhaps the gilet would prove a bad mistake!
 I've rarely been under 8 minute/mile  in training this year so I was pleased to go through mile 1 in 7.43 surrounded by several of the fairer sex.   Another undulating mile is covered in 7.40 and with another jacketed runner for company we cover mile 3 (downhill through Chapel Stile and the Langdale resort)
 in just 7.01 and make in roads on runners in front.
 Not surprisingly given  the weather there's sparse encouragement from spectators at the Britannia in Elterwater as we pass by and head back up the hill to the B53232 and swing left to retrace our steps back to Dungeon Ghyll.
 There's 3 of us together at the start of the long climb back up through Chapel Stile and pleasingly I seemed to cope best with the hill pulling away from the younger guys at the top.  But the mile has taken 8.06 minutes and the hope of a sub 45 minute time has "gone with the wind". Literally.
 The 5th mile in 7.47 and the last 1.2 in 8.14 against the head wind indicate good consistency over the whole distance.  But with a final time of 46.35 there's clearly room for improvement even taking into account the strong winds, the far from flat course and water on the road.

My aim to run another 11 10Ks under 44 minutes to achieve 150 is certainly not going to be easy.
 Of the previous 148 10Ks only one has been slower; last year's slog around the waterlogged pathways of Platt Fields. But there's some consolation in winning the age category (a bottle of red wine for Pat).
 The prize giving proved somewhat of an emotional affair as the ROD BERRY announced that this  was to be the last 10K he would organise based on recent negative events.
 It's a shame as Rod is a great character and his prize "ceremonies" always raise a smile.   However half marathon and marathon will still take place later in the year !?  on Saturday 21st September.

                            So he is not totally disappearing from the race scene!







 

DOG TIRED!

We use quite a lot of running terms and expressions perhaps without much thought to   what the listener might understand by it.   
 For the last month or so when asked "how's the running going" I've responded "just ticking over really" and the reply came back from one who said, "how do you mean just ticking over?"

 The dictionary states...........
"tick over"

vb (intr, adverb)

1. (Engineering / Automotive Engineering) Also idle Brit (of an engine) to run at low speed with the throttle control closed and the transmission disengaged

2. to run smoothly without any major changes 

A pretty apt description then of how's the last month or so has been.  I started my return to speedwork for the season with a track session at SPORTS CITY, Manchester  but plans to make this weekly were scuppered as,  like so many people,  I had to cope with a head cold which went down onto the chest.  Not at all pleasant.

So 3 weeks of just trying to maintain some running fitness whilst treating the cold; no races , no speedwork and no real pace. Hard to record any miles faster than 9 minute pace.  

I'm not one for rushing to the doctor's but as "emissions" from the nasal passages and off the chest became quite increasing unpleasant I paid a rare visit.  The doc knew I was expecting to receive a prescription for a course of antibiotics but she just told me to "see how it goes" for another week.

She followed the mantra, no antibiotics for a viral infection.  As you do.

Of course 7 days later it was only marginally better so as per instruction I paid another visit,  seeing a different doctor in the group practice who prescribed AMOXICILLIN.   I would say that the AMOXICILLIN worked but perhaps the first doctor would contest that things would have cleared up without taking it.

sO, yesterday I decided I would more or less repeat last Sunday's "jog" on the canal.  The week previous before the AMOXICILLIN  I coughed and spluttered out and back for 10.5 miles. Averaging just 9.30 pace in very cold and windy conditions.
Yesterday  after a cautious start I was accelerating through 12 mile run down close to 8 minutes mile pace;  granted the conditions were much more favourable.

Things might have gone even better if I had not been sent sprawling to the ground by a tiny pug dog which darted across my path after 6 miles .So suddenly I couldn't avoid it.  Fortunately I didn't try to break my fall with my arm or I might have dislocated my shoulder again.  As it was I landed heavily on my right hip and then rolled over on to my back. So bruised hip and lower back.  GPS covered in grit; jacket covered in mud.   Shaken and stirred!!

The young man "walking" the unleashed puppy of course asked me if I was alright.   I don't recall an apology.   Now I'm not one for anger retainment. If you're angry with someone...........let them know!!  And I did and anyone within a half mile radius.
Let's just say that he was last seen with the wee dog under his arm and was running away down the canal towpath at a speed which would not have shamed Usain Bolt.

Of course, the consequences could have been a lot worse.  Yes, a dislocated shoulder,  severe hip damage......ambulance..........hours in accident and emergency etc. All because the pup wasn't on a lead!

I'll see how the legs feels later this afternoon..............when the snow has been washed away.

OUR MAM....GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!

Bit like going to confession here....Catholics amongst will know what I mean......

Forgive me, readers, it's been 3 weeks since my last blog post.  So what's been happening!?
Well it's not been the best 3 weeks of my life but as they say life goes on and we have to make the best of it.

We try to be positive in negative circumstances but some things take a bit of getting used to.  I still keep reaching for the phone to have a chat with my mother in Manchester then quickly realise she is no longer with us.  She passed away last month in a manner which shook all the family.   Seems only months ago that we were telling her to watch her weight only to see her "fade away" over the last few months.
    But "making the best if it"  she was 93! and was joking and winking with us all to the very end.  
She'd had a hard to start to life without a father, a hard middle coping with the bringing up and keeping 4 children in school up to 18 and then having to cope alone when we'd all left home and my dad died suddenly at 63.  
  She remained positive, resolute and often stubborn throughout; trying to stay alert, alive and active and encouraged us to "enjoy it whilst you can".   I don't think though she could appreciate that my running is my enjoyment and such a big part of my life.
   I didn't run the day of the funeral. I did have time but it seemed appropriate really. As "mam" wasn't really into my running.  She simply didn't have time when I was a teenager and of course lately she thought after 50 years , surely I'd "done enough"!    If the weather was bad, she say, "you haven't been running in this weather, have you?"  or "why don't you have a rest" or  "when you going to stop"!
  But then again I didn't do what she told me to do as a teenager and I certainly wasn't going to in my '60s.
Having said that  I did give her the medal from the Morecambe marathon when I won in 1984 and it was still hung on the wall in her lounge when we cleared it nearly 30 years later.
                       WHO IS GOING TO TELL ME TO STOP RUNNING NOW?

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS........7

  It seems every single day I hear or read about a runner being injured.  I suppose it's just comes with the territory; almost inevitable for the competing athlete.  More annoying though are injuries which occur when we are not in our running kit!  Take Friday morning......

  I went into the (Complete Runner) shop to find a large carton of hoodies, sweats and tees had just been delivered.  I thought there's  no way I'm  going to risk a back strain by trying to carry it upstairs so I simply bent down to move it ...and strained my back anyway!   Extremely painful, annoying and frustrating with two sunshine filled days being forecast for the weekend.  

  It isn't 100% but  plenty of icing,  use of  hot warm wheat bag and my magic gel, HIRUDOID  enabled me to finish off the week with an accelerating 8 miler today; a day when I'm sure 99% of runners were up and out to take advantage after so much poor weather of late.  8 miles but  it was a great day for more wasn't it?  

 What a contrast to just 4 days ago.  Last Wednesday I ran from the house zigzagging down to the shop in a blizzard. So glad I had remembered to don the SUNWISE "MARATHON" glasses with yellow lens. Ideal for the conditions to stop the eye sting!

 It was noon by the time I set off with Pat "in support"; having blown the dust off her bike to keep me company on the canal.   In over an hour's running  we saw over a hundred walkers,  dozens of cyclists but only one runner.......me.  As I said perhaps they had all gone out early.

 It was another "par" week of 40 miles and included the first track session of the year  ( the classic 4 x mile)

with a visit to Manchester's Sports City stadium. A venue buzzing with the excitement of the National Squash Championships for 2013.  Championships catering for age groups right up to 75. 

 For once I didn't have the track to myself.  I watched a young lady finish her warm up, strip off and flash around a 250.  She then put her  kit back on and left.  She was "racing at the weekend".  

OK for some I thought.   I'm coming back as a 400 metre runner!

 It's not just my back that's been bothering of late.  I "acted on impulse" late one evening a few weeks ago and entered the CONISTON 14.  So with that undulating course in mind I've been including  more hills into the programme.   No real problem but I think the downhill  stretches are  taking a toll on my old knees. Again having to pack them with the ice packs; which works well.

 So what with the weak back and sore knees I think I'm in need to look into some conditioning!

I wish I could say spring has sprung after today but we know it doesn't quite work like that does it? Remember the high temperatures and days of bright sunshine we enjoyed last March?

 

  

ON THE RUNNING WARPATH AT THE BUCS

  Well I had hoped we'd seen the back of the white stuff for this winter but it came creeping back life a thief in the night to Wharfedale to create mischief and mayhem early this Tuesday morning.
  Fortunately by the time I ventured out for a flat 6 miler the roads had virtually cleared . But I correctly predicted lunchtime blizzards and was suitably prepared with windstopper tights, softshell jacket, windstopper gloves, thermal hat and clear lens in the sunglasses to protect the eyes from the snow. Sorted.
Equipped, protected but still a tad unpleasant coping with it all.
  
At  least it was a flat run. I'd finished last week, week 5, with a tough hilly 8 miler centred on the Strid Woods. A run which brought the week's total back to average plus with 42 miles.  No track work yet but a good wind assisted 5K on the Thursday  which hinted of good times to come.


  We've  been pretty busy in the Fastrax office the last few weeks; orders which included several for universities coming to Leeds for the British Universities & Colleges Sports cross country chanpionships.  Fondly known as the BUCS.  The championships were hosted by Leeds University on their Bodington fields; a venue which had already suffered from two other cross country events in recent weeks. 
 Needless to say they hadn't really recovered and so the students were faced with a very challenging course of relentless deep mud.

  Runners from both ends of the spectrum were on show from internationals like
EMILIA GORECKA and LAUREN HAWORTH (pictured above) to students clearly just making up the numbers but all would have found the conditions very testing indeed.
 Over the last few years young female runners have started adorning themselves with race "warpaint" in their club colours but Saturday many students took the practice to another level.  And it wasn't just the fair sex.     Lots of lads were following the example set by their female teammates.
 Possibly the most extreme being one young man from Durham University.....

THE QUESTION IS 











DO YOU THINK IT COULD CATCH ON WITH OUR             GENERATION?
  DO YOU THINK WE WOULD RUN ANY FASTER?