Two races, so different
Selected races were always planned in the build up to the Pennine Way run and two events in two weeks were both intended to be stepping stones to improving different elements of fitness.
Stamina obviously is a requirement for ultra distance running and the Howarth Hobble/Wuthering Hike over 32 miles of Bronte Country and Calderdale was to provide just that test. This event is for pairs or solo entrants and this year I was paired with regular training partner Julie and we were accompanied by a further training partner Pauline, both of whom will be part of the support team.
Soon after the start the group swelled to five as we linked with two members of Horwich RMI Harriers Paul and Geraldine, both very experienced and setting a sensible pace. This was to pay off later as the miles ticked by taking us to Top Withens, Widdop Reservoir and the via the Causeway to Todmorden.
From there the route was via Stoodley Pike to Hebden Bridge and then Hepponstall, Hardcastle Crags and back over the moors to Howarth. The last climb is always energy sapping but on this day there was enough left in the tank to keep a decent pace over Penistone Country Park and a resulting time 27 minutes faster than last year. Very encouraging -time taken 7hrs 12mins
By total contrast the second race was the pre-London Half Marathon in Fleet, Hampshire, an event that beckons on account of family ties in that town. This event was to be a token commitment to "speedwork" and in perfect weather conditions it ticked all the boxes with a two minute improvement over last year - time taken 1hr 40mins (and 6secs). Again, very encouraging.
Son Eden and daughter Sally, also in the support team, were also running, making it a great family outing.
The effect of all this racing has made it difficult to achieve the weekly mileage targets so with two weeks to go to the next race, the Coniston 14, there are a lot of miles to cram in.
Wednesday 9 March 2011
Why, where and when
Welcome to my blog and thank you for your interest in my proposed attempt to run 70 miles along the Pennine way on May 28th. The idea for this personal challenge has come from two sources. Firstly as a long time fell runner with a little ultra running experience I have always been impressed by other veteran athletes who have continued to push the boundaries of endurance by extending such demanding classics as the Bob Graham Round to achieve perhaps 50 summits at 50 years of age, 60 at 60 and even further.
Obviously 70 peaks at 70 was out of the question and so another format was needed. The second inspiration came five years ago when I successfully completed a run of 72 miles along Hadrian’s Wall from Heddon on the Wall to Bowness on Solway in just over 17 hours. This was partly a solo run supported at times by my son and daughter who enjoyed the day so much they wanted another outing.
And so the idea of the Pennine Way run was born with the aim of covering 70 miles at the age of 70 within 24 hours, not a fast pace but an unrelenting strain on the body.
Initially a low key attempt was set up for the day before midsummer last year with the hope of maximum daylight and warm weather, starting at Edale and running North to Gargrave. Unfortunately the day was cold, overcast and with a debilitating Northerly head wind that was strong enough to take the breath away. Progress was painfully slow and by the halfway point, reached in 11 hours, there was little enthusiasm for continuing. Abandonment is always a bitter pill to swallow and so a rerun was inevitable.
This time the approach was to be more considered, with a bigger support team, still including my son and daughter, and as added motivation sponsorship would be sought for a worthy cause. I have always been shocked at the sight of so many servicemen returning from the front line in Afghanistan with broken bodies and minds and feel that anything that can help them build a future is a worthy cause. My chosen charity Help 4 Heroes can do just that. Another major change is that the run will start at Gargrave and head South to finish at Edale so that any head wind will hopefully be warmer than the one encountered last year.
This blog is to serve as a record of my preparations for the 28th May, and in due course, of the day itself and the aftermath and hopefully to raise the profile of the run for the purpose of raising sponsorship.
Donations can be made by clicking on www.bmycharity.com/70at70tohelpHeroes
Welcome to my blog and thank you for your interest in my proposed attempt to run 70 miles along the Pennine way on May 28th. The idea for this personal challenge has come from two sources. Firstly as a long time fell runner with a little ultra running experience I have always been impressed by other veteran athletes who have continued to push the boundaries of endurance by extending such demanding classics as the Bob Graham Round to achieve perhaps 50 summits at 50 years of age, 60 at 60 and even further.
Obviously 70 peaks at 70 was out of the question and so another format was needed. The second inspiration came five years ago when I successfully completed a run of 72 miles along Hadrian’s Wall from Heddon on the Wall to Bowness on Solway in just over 17 hours. This was partly a solo run supported at times by my son and daughter who enjoyed the day so much they wanted another outing.
And so the idea of the Pennine Way run was born with the aim of covering 70 miles at the age of 70 within 24 hours, not a fast pace but an unrelenting strain on the body.
Initially a low key attempt was set up for the day before midsummer last year with the hope of maximum daylight and warm weather, starting at Edale and running North to Gargrave. Unfortunately the day was cold, overcast and with a debilitating Northerly head wind that was strong enough to take the breath away. Progress was painfully slow and by the halfway point, reached in 11 hours, there was little enthusiasm for continuing. Abandonment is always a bitter pill to swallow and so a rerun was inevitable.
This time the approach was to be more considered, with a bigger support team, still including my son and daughter, and as added motivation sponsorship would be sought for a worthy cause. I have always been shocked at the sight of so many servicemen returning from the front line in Afghanistan with broken bodies and minds and feel that anything that can help them build a future is a worthy cause. My chosen charity Help 4 Heroes can do just that. Another major change is that the run will start at Gargrave and head South to finish at Edale so that any head wind will hopefully be warmer than the one encountered last year.
This blog is to serve as a record of my preparations for the 28th May, and in due course, of the day itself and the aftermath and hopefully to raise the profile of the run for the purpose of raising sponsorship.
Donations can be made by clicking on www.bmycharity.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)