Race Reports
Brief race reports on various events.
2010
Lyon - Mt Blanc - Lyon
Lyon, France
A full report of the above event can be found - here
2009
Jayson Lee 10k
FB Fields
312 runners! A great turnout for a popular guy. Over £5k raise for Hospice. The run (boxing day course) was relatively flat and with pleasant weather, it made for a good run.
My aim for the run was really just to finish and see how I feel. The reason behind that is because I have not been running (simple!). So make a 'target' (46min) and try to get there (comfortably!). Start (0900) and 'trot' off (few people go off far too quick!) couple of left turns and a straight flat 4k to the turn inland. Joined by JC (not seen him for a while) and we begin to run together.
Now JC's a lot quicker than me (although he's training for the Marathon) which leads me to think I'm going too quick. Anyway stick around and see what happens. The time 'flys' by (chatting etc) and the inland turn 'looms' into view. Still feel ok so 'jog on'.
2k left in the 'race' and me legs are a little tired but if I can stay at the same pace I'll be happy. Turn into the FB Fields, a quick look at the watch, 43!, too quick really (but it feels ok). Finish on 44mins, not bad, a benchmark made.
Next Race - HSBC 10k @ Gorey
HSBC 10k
Gorey Village
Not a big field, but hey thats not the point. Another race (for the main aim Half Marathon in Nov.) another 'target' 44min this time. Historically this is a 'fast' course for somee reason. Its all up and down which makes it 'strange' as to why it is a 'fast' course.
Down nice and early at the start (car parking a bit of a problem, but not for me!) beautiful day 17c and a light breeze, enjoy!. Norma's racing, 43 she wants, ok lets see what happens.
Always start at the front of this run, bit tight 1st 300m. Straight uphill, time to go easy and attempt to get into a rythem (not easy with profile). Through the first 3k and everything seems fine. No 'incorrect' runners (to fast @ the start!) so therefore that allows for some nice pacing.
Nobody really 'shooting off' (apart for the ones at the front!!) can't really get a 'pace' because of the profile (up down up down) so just 'run on'. Nice effort up the inclines (always seem to do well on them?). Through the halfway point glance at the watch (21) on course for the 44.
Couple of guys go through, no 'panics' just stay on pace. 250m front of me I'll get back to them. And so I do. A little 'knock' and the 'trickyest' part of the course from Anne Port to Gorey Castle (all uphill) and I've gone pass the guys in front, got another target up the road, but I'm not increasing just staying at the same pace. And so the usual happens, the front guy slows the back guy stays 'level' and he gains. 500m to go and I pass my 'target'. Then I stretch my legs (@ 39min) feels ok and the line appears. 41.58 (told you a fast course).
Ok another benchmark, recovery is ok (breakfast was ok as well!).
Next race - Relay Team (11k leg) Jersey Marathon
Relay Race (Team) Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon
St Helier
My leg (?) St Mary's to Les Quennvais Sports Centre (11.2k). With an aim of 50min. Did Friday run (12k) and felt terrible (stiff legs afterwards) so Sundays race was not looking to good.
In between nights (work) so straight to the 'change over' area from work. Loads of people about (285 relay teams/385 individual runners) good atmosphere (apart from the generator breakdown) which lead to the announcer running a cable across the road from someones house supply (don't mention the lead @ head height...doh!)
Looking at starting 1030hrs (Rich W 1st leg - 4k, Paul McG 2nd - 10k) bags packed handed to timsy to take to Les Q.
1020hrs Paul comes into transition(!!) now someones had a good leg (!!) 3 other teams have gone through (4th overall) game plan to go hard but easy. Its not long before I get taken (2 others Jo Mc + Scott P, both good runners!! now 6th place) don't get 'dragged in' stay on pace (14.5kph).
Its not easy passing the 'full guys' you can get carried away, hey ho just don't get passed by anyone else(!). Great weather (20C) but no wind, nice and challenging(!). Hold pace through the back lanes, good crowds all over the place, tough spell round St Ouens village, but think ahead and get to the Airport and its all 'downhill' from there.
Hit the trail, don't need to leave this surface now till the end. Pass loads of 'full guys' (there started 30min before) push on, no one else has passed me, no way of knowing if anyones close (?). Hit the transition and pass the 'band' to Phil F (7k) @ 45.50min (personal time)
Its up to Phil and Jim G (9k) now (out of my hands). Both run well and don't get over taken. Were still in 6th place, good result :)
Final finishing place and time - 6th overall & 3rd Male Team 2.59.51.
Finished at Les Q and walk down to town (in great sunshine) via the railway walk (watching all the other runners go by). Get phone call from Paul McG (team capt) we've got 3rd place (male) the others were mixed and ladies.
A very pleasant surprise for a great team effort. And now turn my attention to the Durell Dash.....
Next Race - Durell Dash (13k) Jersey Zoo
Durell Dash (13k) Jersey Zoo
St Martins
The right move(?) Sore calf (LHS) after Fridays run (@10k then jogged back for 4k) iced and heated all Friday/Saturday (biked Saturday to keep the muscle 'awake') made decision 'not to run' late Friday due to the 'main aim' being the Half in November.
The only 'way' to complete is to have NO pain whatsoever on Sunday morning and do a 10min warm up (never been done before!) @ 0800hrs and again have NO pain after that(!).
So Sunday arrives (.5kg too heavy 82.500kgs) up and out to test. Arrive @ the Zoo (beautiful weather! 14c and sunny) and do the test (1st 'leg' ='s no pain this a.m) the test goes ok, so due to the weather and turnout (+300) I'm going to give it a go (real easy) aim for +55min.
Pace should be around the 13kph mark (not going to look at watch just going to go with 'feelings') might try and find someone to 'run' with (again play that by ear). Off @ 0900hrs middle of the 'pack' leave the 'fast people go' don't get 'caught up' in the 'mess'. Dribble through several runners and head for the lanes. Its a great course really well marshalled and easy'ish (see later) to follow. Eventually find myself running with Kerry P (holding a good pace after her Marathon run). Stick with her (comfortable pace) and make my mind up to NOT go any quicker.
This seems to work (couple of runners in front, not getting away) as we make our way around the back lanes and towards the zoo. I've set a little 'target' of stretching the legs with 1k to go (@12k) which seemed go until I found out that we were entering the 'back door' of the zoo @ 11k, therefore less that 1k to go(!).
Well never mind, up the pace around the grounds (1st and main target is to finish with NO pain) and don't get passed. Lovely tight turns and steps (like a x country really, but with gorillas!) and a wrong turn (doh!) the tape is not quite right (tied to a bench not a tree) which doesn't allow for runners who keep well left (inside the bench's) namely me(!) and the following 'pack' (I lead them all the wrong way!).
Never mind its not the end of the world (although if you'd heard some of them you'd thing it was!).
Race over - 11.4k / 48.57 (14kph av) - the calf (?) well nothing out of the ordinary, its how it feels tomorrow. Will continue to ice/heat throughout the night and assess.
FYI last years ('08) dist/time/av (12.3/52.29/14.1) is strangely similar(!) scary music time(!) lets just hope the same problems don't occur next week then(!)
Next Race - Modern Hotels Jersey Half Marathon (21.1k), FB Fields
Modern Hotels Jersey Half Marathon (21.1k) FB Fields
St Clements
Weather? Canna be a problem? Well yes. For the past week its been blowing 'like a goody' F6/7's from the south, which means a headwind for the 'backend of the race'.
Race morning (just finished work) park up just after 0800. Guys start to turn up (read the paper twice! nice!) temperatures not bad, forecast is F4/5 SSW around the 13c mark.
Ok pre race aim 90min (realistic 95min) must have target (during training of course). Worked out my pace and the plan is to stick to it. 2 'target times', one @ 10k (42.41) and the other @ 19k (1.21.07). Those are the only two times I'm going to look at my watch (lair lair pants on fire!)
The reason? Well its uphill all the way till you get to Ransoms Garden Centre (just before the 10k mark) and all the 'pacing' (flat) will go slightly 'out of the window'. So really my 'marks' are going to be tough to hit. Oh joy!
0900hrs start, suns out, not a cloud in the sky(!) still windy though. SSW will be wind behind till St Martins (4k). 400 runners start, straight into a 'rock and a hard place'. To slow and to quick, I'm soon running on my own. Didn't start at the front so therefore found a couple of 'bodies' to pass, but still no company.
Hey ho upwards and onwards......stick to the race plan. Its got quite warm now, beautiful running conditions (well for now anyway!) sweats up, hope it doesn't cloud over, could get cold(!).
Up through St Martins approaching the first check point, quick glance of the watch, 44.21 (2mins down) in truth and course related, not surprising really. Ok jog on and head for Gorey.
Down the hill and I look up at the top of the Castle, the flags are not favourable, straight headwind along the coast(!). Well I knew that was coming, but will it help after rounding La Rocque?
Still in a bit of trouble regarding 'finding running partners'. A couple in front, aim for them. Find them pass them, bugger. 3 more just by the Golf course, can I get there? I know 2 of them, should be quicker than me (I know they are) but not long and I'm tucked in behind them.
Stay there! Its a headwind take all the rest and cover you can (everyone else does!). Soon 4 become 3, my pace stays the same (admit I did look at the clock) just wanted to know if I'm keeping the correct pace (and not slowing or quicking up)
Suddenly the pace slows, Ok the 2 might be 'saying' come through and help, so I just keep going at my pace. It doesn't bother me (I'm not racing them) so on I go. Slowly the 2 drop back, and now I'm back to 'square one' running alone (bugger) just when the 'race hots up' its now the tricky bit.
Reach La Rocque, pulling away from the 2. The wind? still into head, bearing in mind we've turned 90° right it should have become a sidewind, but no. Beginning to suffer now. See a runner ahead, target time, pace the same and again I get to him 'to early'. Still 3k to go.
Feel and hear another runner coming behind me. Its 1 from earlier, must have got a second wind. Ok now I've got company, head down and we run together. No looking to far ahead 20m max(!). Reach the 19k mark (1.25.21) 4 mins down. Target time gone, lets aim for the realistic finish time.
Still wind to head, 1k to go, 'batteries low!', other runner goes on. I'm not interested in chasing, my target time gone, just inside realistic time.
Reach the FB Fields through the 'back door', around the track and across the line - 1.34.35 (25 secs to spare) - a good run (if I'm honest) not sure of finishing place.
Ran with Calf Compression on (1st time) due to the 'problems' after the Durell. Mainly for 'prevention'. Any tweaks after? No not really, so does that mean the protection worked? Hard to say really. New shoes, new protection...uuummmm.......
..............Now back to the bike :)