And now, some photos are published.
The marathon-photos site has them (watermarked of course), you need to choose Bath Half Marathon (duh..) then enter my number - 11903.
There's 7, some of which are hideous. But hey, it's a race, not a fashion show.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sponsorship update
As of now - March 20th - i've raised £250 for the British Heart Foundation.
The sponsorship site - http://www.justgiving.com/nashley - is open til the end of May 2008.
The sponsorship site - http://www.justgiving.com/nashley - is open til the end of May 2008.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The End.
Well, I haven't updated this for a long while.
Since the last update, I had a few days off. Then carried on, getting up to 10 miles' long run. After a rather hungover weekend, where I postponed my 11 miler, I ended up doing three 6 milers during the evenings. So it was patchy training for a bit.
The week before, I felt I had to make a conscious effort to get in a really long run; so the Saturday before the race, I did 12 miles, and came in 1:55. I was quite happy with that time, and gave me a kind of 2:10 figure for the real thing.
Had the rest of that week off, and didn't go out at all. Stayed off the booze, ate the right things, kept it calm. Had a small trot up the village and back on the Friday.
Race day - Sun 16th March 2008 - came along. I was a bit apprehensive, mostly since i'd not been in a formal race, but also since i'd not run a full 13 as yet. I was comfortable that my 12 did me good - psychologically if anything, I knew I could do it. It was raining all morning, and I got a lift into town with a friend who was also running. A lot of people seemed to be pulling out...
So, we put in our bags and waded across the Bath Rec through 2 inches of mud. It was cold, miserable and nobody looked too happy about it. About 40 minutes before the race was due to start, they announced it was postponed, for an hour. Something about the park-and-ride, and something about needing to borrow a new first aid tent. Saw my old fried Jon, and his friends (all much more serious runners - 1:45 territory) but chatting to them gave me a confidence boost.
Everyone huddled in the tents around the field, like penguins trying to keep warm. There was talk of a cancel. The sun just came out, the rain stopped, and at 11.30, everyone started moving towards the start line. It was a bit more chaotic than I expected it. I was heading for a '2:10 pen' but there were so many people milling about that runners were just queued up where they could. I snuck in around the 2:15 marker, and felt quite calm about it, but nervous about getting started and running around a large group.
The gun went, and nothing really happened; perhaps a small cheer. The PA system was rattling out the usual local DJ type stuff. After about 5 minutes, we started walking, then jogging, and we were off.
It was quite hard, since people were running all over the place, people were ducking and diving around the course through Widcombe, over the bridge, then up to Queen's Square. I settled into a pace, and saw my family, again; a welcome confidence boost. I had to keep reminding myself to keep a slow even pace, and not exhaust myself too soon.
Coming to the far end of the course - Twerton Fork? - and the leaders were coming, we all kept over. They eventually passed me closer to town, near Twerton itself; storming past...
The first lap ended, around the 6 mile mark. I'd had a drink, had settled in and the field had spread out nicely. Coming round the square, I saw my family again, and set off on the final lap feeling nicely energetic. I think I consciously increased the pace, nice longer, even strides, a rythmic breathing. The last long straight back to the end was ok, people were straggling, walking and stopping, but I managed to keep running. I hadn't stopped at all, which was a first.
Coming back through Widcome, through the crowds in town, I tried to keep up the pace, go a little faster. The race had spread even further. Queen's Square again, and I heard my family cheering and shouting, so I kept going. I'd settled nicely by now, the road up to the hospital was quite clear, along the upper Bristol Road went fast, and slowed by the Twerton Fork. I was thirsty again by now, and wanted to really up the pace for the last stretch back.
That last leg went really slowly, my legs were getting tired. I'd had none of the aches & pains in my knees or ankles, I was in a good shape, albeit getting tired. I had to keep reminding myself it was only a straight run back to the finish. People were really struggling now, so it was nice to cruise past people. I was glad i'm kept some reserves from the first lap.
The crowds picked up again near Churchill Bridge, through Widcombe, and back towards Pulteney. The start line seemed further back than I remembered, and I heard my children shouting from across the road near the start line.
I crossed the line on 2:07 or thereabouts. The huge queue and crowds after the line slowed things up, got my goodie bag, collected my rucksack. I was really pleased with myself, firstly, since i'd beaten my 2:10 target. And secondly, since after a while, I remembered about the chip time - in theory, I could claw back those 7 minutes and get a sub 2 hour time.
Finally worked my way across to meet up with everyone, about 45 minutes later. The last stragglers were finishing around the 3 hour mark, and we went home.
About 7 that night, the results were published. Not quite 7 minutes, but a respectable time of 2:01:49. Very happy with that.
Time to hang up my trainers...
I've already had Bristol and Chippenham half marathons mentioned, but i'm resting for now. :-)
Since the last update, I had a few days off. Then carried on, getting up to 10 miles' long run. After a rather hungover weekend, where I postponed my 11 miler, I ended up doing three 6 milers during the evenings. So it was patchy training for a bit.
The week before, I felt I had to make a conscious effort to get in a really long run; so the Saturday before the race, I did 12 miles, and came in 1:55. I was quite happy with that time, and gave me a kind of 2:10 figure for the real thing.
Had the rest of that week off, and didn't go out at all. Stayed off the booze, ate the right things, kept it calm. Had a small trot up the village and back on the Friday.
Race day - Sun 16th March 2008 - came along. I was a bit apprehensive, mostly since i'd not been in a formal race, but also since i'd not run a full 13 as yet. I was comfortable that my 12 did me good - psychologically if anything, I knew I could do it. It was raining all morning, and I got a lift into town with a friend who was also running. A lot of people seemed to be pulling out...
So, we put in our bags and waded across the Bath Rec through 2 inches of mud. It was cold, miserable and nobody looked too happy about it. About 40 minutes before the race was due to start, they announced it was postponed, for an hour. Something about the park-and-ride, and something about needing to borrow a new first aid tent. Saw my old fried Jon, and his friends (all much more serious runners - 1:45 territory) but chatting to them gave me a confidence boost.
Everyone huddled in the tents around the field, like penguins trying to keep warm. There was talk of a cancel. The sun just came out, the rain stopped, and at 11.30, everyone started moving towards the start line. It was a bit more chaotic than I expected it. I was heading for a '2:10 pen' but there were so many people milling about that runners were just queued up where they could. I snuck in around the 2:15 marker, and felt quite calm about it, but nervous about getting started and running around a large group.
The gun went, and nothing really happened; perhaps a small cheer. The PA system was rattling out the usual local DJ type stuff. After about 5 minutes, we started walking, then jogging, and we were off.
It was quite hard, since people were running all over the place, people were ducking and diving around the course through Widcombe, over the bridge, then up to Queen's Square. I settled into a pace, and saw my family, again; a welcome confidence boost. I had to keep reminding myself to keep a slow even pace, and not exhaust myself too soon.
Coming to the far end of the course - Twerton Fork? - and the leaders were coming, we all kept over. They eventually passed me closer to town, near Twerton itself; storming past...
The first lap ended, around the 6 mile mark. I'd had a drink, had settled in and the field had spread out nicely. Coming round the square, I saw my family again, and set off on the final lap feeling nicely energetic. I think I consciously increased the pace, nice longer, even strides, a rythmic breathing. The last long straight back to the end was ok, people were straggling, walking and stopping, but I managed to keep running. I hadn't stopped at all, which was a first.
Coming back through Widcome, through the crowds in town, I tried to keep up the pace, go a little faster. The race had spread even further. Queen's Square again, and I heard my family cheering and shouting, so I kept going. I'd settled nicely by now, the road up to the hospital was quite clear, along the upper Bristol Road went fast, and slowed by the Twerton Fork. I was thirsty again by now, and wanted to really up the pace for the last stretch back.
That last leg went really slowly, my legs were getting tired. I'd had none of the aches & pains in my knees or ankles, I was in a good shape, albeit getting tired. I had to keep reminding myself it was only a straight run back to the finish. People were really struggling now, so it was nice to cruise past people. I was glad i'm kept some reserves from the first lap.
The crowds picked up again near Churchill Bridge, through Widcombe, and back towards Pulteney. The start line seemed further back than I remembered, and I heard my children shouting from across the road near the start line.
I crossed the line on 2:07 or thereabouts. The huge queue and crowds after the line slowed things up, got my goodie bag, collected my rucksack. I was really pleased with myself, firstly, since i'd beaten my 2:10 target. And secondly, since after a while, I remembered about the chip time - in theory, I could claw back those 7 minutes and get a sub 2 hour time.
Finally worked my way across to meet up with everyone, about 45 minutes later. The last stragglers were finishing around the 3 hour mark, and we went home.
About 7 that night, the results were published. Not quite 7 minutes, but a respectable time of 2:01:49. Very happy with that.
Time to hang up my trainers...
I've already had Bristol and Chippenham half marathons mentioned, but i'm resting for now. :-)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Run #19 Weds 13/2
Decided to go for a better run tonight, was feeling more energetic.
Did a good 4.5 miles, at a slowish pace and managed a respectable time too.
That's the other thing as well, i'm not so anxious about watching the clock for times as I was when I started (see early posts with convoluted calculations). I'm now more concerned with the distance, which, in hindsight, should always have been my main worry.
I think 13 odd miles is doable, maybe not easily, but I don't doubt i'll finish. Occasionally, I think 'could I do under 2 hours?' then think more realistic thoughts about 2.30...
Did a good 4.5 miles, at a slowish pace and managed a respectable time too.
That's the other thing as well, i'm not so anxious about watching the clock for times as I was when I started (see early posts with convoluted calculations). I'm now more concerned with the distance, which, in hindsight, should always have been my main worry.
I think 13 odd miles is doable, maybe not easily, but I don't doubt i'll finish. Occasionally, I think 'could I do under 2 hours?' then think more realistic thoughts about 2.30...
Run #18 Tues 12/2 3.5
Had a rest on Monday, that long run on Saturday (and the smaller one on Sunday) tired out my legs...
So, had a quick run round the block, 3.5 miles. Very quick it was too. One thing I noticed was that I only tend to know how long a run took when I get back home - I don't have a watch.
Perhaps I should buy one.
Without, I tend to have a feel for how fast things are going, which is often wrong. So if i'm feeling like it's going slowly, i'll speed up a wee bit, and it'll end up faster than if I knew I was going at a reasonable pace in the first place...
So, had a quick run round the block, 3.5 miles. Very quick it was too. One thing I noticed was that I only tend to know how long a run took when I get back home - I don't have a watch.
Perhaps I should buy one.
Without, I tend to have a feel for how fast things are going, which is often wrong. So if i'm feeling like it's going slowly, i'll speed up a wee bit, and it'll end up faster than if I knew I was going at a reasonable pace in the first place...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Run #17 Sun 10/2
After previous days effort, wanted an easy one. A quick 3 miler round the lanes near me. It was early evening; it was getting cold, and i'd been out all day with the kids.
So found it quite hard, and my legs were still grumbling about yesterday, even though they'd been find until then.
So found it quite hard, and my legs were still grumbling about yesterday, even though they'd been find until then.
Run #16 Saturday 9/2 - long run
Had a tinker with google maps, and found that from my house to Bradford On Avon - along the canal - was about 9.5 miles. So I did that.
A bit of cross country to join the canal, and then (obviously) flat straight through. Was a nice day too - set off about 11.30 - and it was getting warm. Did it in 1.5 hours, and didn't feel too bad at all, took it at a quite restful sort of pace (ie not out of breath, too much...)
A bit of cross country to join the canal, and then (obviously) flat straight through. Was a nice day too - set off about 11.30 - and it was getting warm. Did it in 1.5 hours, and didn't feel too bad at all, took it at a quite restful sort of pace (ie not out of breath, too much...)
Run #15 Friday 8/2
I was travelling all week, so little (in fact zero) chance of going out running. (although saying that, I did manage to trek all the way from my colleagues office to the Atomium in Brussels, a 4 mile hike).
So, after several days out, went out on Friday. Was quite tough, but went on a longish route - about 4 miles - and didn't stop (except for traffic once or twice).
So, after several days out, went out on Friday. Was quite tough, but went on a longish route - about 4 miles - and didn't stop (except for traffic once or twice).
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Run #14 Mon 4/2
Started off the week well, thought i'd have a 4 mile run, down the hill, along the long straight road, then back up the (1 mile long) hill home again.
Took about an hour, then checked the slightly different - longer - route I took, which turned out to be 5 miles (well, 4.94 or somesuch). It was the hill that slowed it up. Didn't feel bad at all until I got to the top...
Will need to find an entirely flat route.
Took about an hour, then checked the slightly different - longer - route I took, which turned out to be 5 miles (well, 4.94 or somesuch). It was the hill that slowed it up. Didn't feel bad at all until I got to the top...
Will need to find an entirely flat route.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Summary...
The Bath Half is on March 16th, so i've got only a few weeks to go. It sometimes doesn't feel like i've made progress, but when I look back on the early October blog entries, I know I have. Having good shoes helps so much, as does eating healthy food, and lots of it. And drinking a lot. All of these things are common sense, but I think i've learned them, and i'm not taking advantage of it.
I'm sleeping better too, but that's probably because i'm knackered. :-)
It's also got to the stage now when people are asking 'have you done 10 miles yet?' and 'are you nervous?' and so on and so forth.
Maybe i'm too laid back to care so much, it feels to me like i've got the miles more or less there, need to get it consistent. Which isn't so difficult, I can arrange time to do it. Nervous? Not really, no...
I'm sleeping better too, but that's probably because i'm knackered. :-)
It's also got to the stage now when people are asking 'have you done 10 miles yet?' and 'are you nervous?' and so on and so forth.
Maybe i'm too laid back to care so much, it feels to me like i've got the miles more or less there, need to get it consistent. Which isn't so difficult, I can arrange time to do it. Nervous? Not really, no...
Run #13 Sat 2/2
Saturday, and time for a big run. Planned to go on a really long route, so spent the morning eating and drinking lots (of healthy stuff). Went out about 4ish, out to Box, or at least the woods over the town, then down through the centre, along the road to Batheaston, and back up (cutting across the fields). About 8 miles all told, home about 5.15.
Had a good run, was full of energy, was running long distance, kind of in the flow.... Rather annoyingly, this running bug seems to have bitten. I quite like going for a nice long run, it's now easy enough to do it (ie without puffing/panting/stopping) and it's quite relaxing, as bizarre as that sounds. Still find it boring sometimes, but once I get past the 2 miles, it all seems to smooth itself over.
Anyway, towards the end of the 8 miler, my right leg - it's always trouble - developed a bit of a twinge in it's shin. Kind of came and went, but was a sharp, infrequent pain. I've not done that distance for, well, ever, so I think it could have been that. Gave me pain sometimes when i'd stand up, but eased with walking. So maybe I stressed summit. My legs feel 'harder' than they did, perhaps all this exercise is paying off.
Took it easy on Sunday, and i'll see what happens this week.
Had a good run, was full of energy, was running long distance, kind of in the flow.... Rather annoyingly, this running bug seems to have bitten. I quite like going for a nice long run, it's now easy enough to do it (ie without puffing/panting/stopping) and it's quite relaxing, as bizarre as that sounds. Still find it boring sometimes, but once I get past the 2 miles, it all seems to smooth itself over.
Anyway, towards the end of the 8 miler, my right leg - it's always trouble - developed a bit of a twinge in it's shin. Kind of came and went, but was a sharp, infrequent pain. I've not done that distance for, well, ever, so I think it could have been that. Gave me pain sometimes when i'd stand up, but eased with walking. So maybe I stressed summit. My legs feel 'harder' than they did, perhaps all this exercise is paying off.
Took it easy on Sunday, and i'll see what happens this week.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Run #11 & #12 Wednesday
I decided to go out for a run at lunchtime, so did the previously tricky route; down the hill, up the short but incredibly steep walk up to Brown's Folly, then along back the relatively flat, undulating country roads.
Didn't enjoy it at all, I think the exertion of the steep hill at the start (after 10 mins slow jog down a parallel route) really wiped me out. Or, I could be getting a cough - both the kids have runny noses and coughs during the night. Was about 3.5 miles, and I did it in a good time, but walked more than I normally would.
So later on, I decided to go out along Batheaston on the way back from the shops. 2 miles along, mostly flat. Felt much better, much more in control, nicely done. Felt much better.
Didn't enjoy it at all, I think the exertion of the steep hill at the start (after 10 mins slow jog down a parallel route) really wiped me out. Or, I could be getting a cough - both the kids have runny noses and coughs during the night. Was about 3.5 miles, and I did it in a good time, but walked more than I normally would.
So later on, I decided to go out along Batheaston on the way back from the shops. 2 miles along, mostly flat. Felt much better, much more in control, nicely done. Felt much better.
Run #10 Monday
Feeling much more capable now, don't mind going for a run, and quite look forward to it.
Monday night, was meant to be a quick one. Did quite a long route, 4 miles, in about 45 mins. Wasn't as cold and blustery as at the weekend.
Monday night, was meant to be a quick one. Did quite a long route, 4 miles, in about 45 mins. Wasn't as cold and blustery as at the weekend.
Run #9.5?
Went to the pub on Sunday, decided to walk. By way of compensating or something.
1 hour, fast walk, for about 6 miles from home to town. Gave me achy legs the next morning, but that was probably booze.
1 hour, fast walk, for about 6 miles from home to town. Gave me achy legs the next morning, but that was probably booze.
Run #9, Saturday big one
So, I had three nights off, and the ankle is much better, very small ache / twinge, but good to go. I'd been walking a bit during the week (at work, in the office) so it's come good.
Went out for monster run, out to Wraxall, 5 ways, and back. About 6 miles, took about 1.5 hours, just less. No problems on foot, mostly problems with long slogs up slow inclines with a cold, fast wind against me. Trying to keep breathing regular, under stress, and wind is blowing into my face - nasty business. Good run though, happy.
Went out for monster run, out to Wraxall, 5 ways, and back. About 6 miles, took about 1.5 hours, just less. No problems on foot, mostly problems with long slogs up slow inclines with a cold, fast wind against me. Trying to keep breathing regular, under stress, and wind is blowing into my face - nasty business. Good run though, happy.
Run #8, a fall.
So, I was out on Tuesday, not too late, but dark - as usual.
Was rather a good run, coming home, down the hill, full tilt. Car coming up, no biggie - he can see me. Then my right foot falls into a small hole as i'm concentrating on the car (and not getting run over).
Right ankle twists, fall over, graze left ankle. Hobble home - 100m - out with a bandage, ice, elevation, rest (strains & sprains - R.I.C.E, easy..). Calmed down later.
Went to France the next day, was a bit achy, but walkable.
Was rather a good run, coming home, down the hill, full tilt. Car coming up, no biggie - he can see me. Then my right foot falls into a small hole as i'm concentrating on the car (and not getting run over).
Right ankle twists, fall over, graze left ankle. Hobble home - 100m - out with a bandage, ice, elevation, rest (strains & sprains - R.I.C.E, easy..). Calmed down later.
Went to France the next day, was a bit achy, but walkable.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Run #7, Mon, 3.1miles
Got home early, put on me new shoes, and off I went. Light rain, bit dark. Did the 3.1 mile route, and managed to run non-stop for 40-45 minutes, stopping only for occasional traffic.
Quite pleased with the new shows, most comfortable.
Tried some pace change too, chucked in few fartleks, which went better than I thought; managed to continue afterwards with temporary recovery as I was going along.
Happy, continuing to rack of the distance / time slowly...
Quite pleased with the new shows, most comfortable.
Tried some pace change too, chucked in few fartleks, which went better than I thought; managed to continue afterwards with temporary recovery as I was going along.
Happy, continuing to rack of the distance / time slowly...
Monday, January 21, 2008
Run #6
Saturday again, time for a longer one.
Found a new route, up along the top a lot further, and back down a lot further, pushing it up to 3.5 miles. Sure it felt longer than that, but was about 45 minutes.
I need to focus more on timing. I can do my normal 2.5 miles in 20 minutes, non-stop now. It starts with a 500 metre slog up hill, then more or less across and down, and up for a wee bit, ending on a nice sprint downhill.
This new route extends the loop, but has more of a hill at the start, and back up again. I'll have to dig out some maps and perhaps drive somewhere for a longer, flatter run. I don't mind the hills so much now, but some of them are crazy steep.
The Bath 1/2 circuit route is about 5 miles - two of those, plus 1.5 miles or so from the start to the circuit, then of course, the same again from last lap of circuit to the finish. The 5 mile circuit looks good, may try and do that one quiet afternoon...
Got some new trainers too.
Found a new route, up along the top a lot further, and back down a lot further, pushing it up to 3.5 miles. Sure it felt longer than that, but was about 45 minutes.
I need to focus more on timing. I can do my normal 2.5 miles in 20 minutes, non-stop now. It starts with a 500 metre slog up hill, then more or less across and down, and up for a wee bit, ending on a nice sprint downhill.
This new route extends the loop, but has more of a hill at the start, and back up again. I'll have to dig out some maps and perhaps drive somewhere for a longer, flatter run. I don't mind the hills so much now, but some of them are crazy steep.
The Bath 1/2 circuit route is about 5 miles - two of those, plus 1.5 miles or so from the start to the circuit, then of course, the same again from last lap of circuit to the finish. The 5 mile circuit looks good, may try and do that one quiet afternoon...
Got some new trainers too.
Run #5
Quick 2.5 miles on Thursday, nothing hectic. Can do that route in 20 mins; need to find a longer one.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Run #4
New route, about 2.5 miles, along Batheaston and back. I've driven it many a time, and I always thought it was flat. It isn't; it goes up and down a hell of a lot, but quite subtly.
An ok time, but was feeling [man] flu-ey.
An ok time, but was feeling [man] flu-ey.
Run #3 of the new year
Went out on Saturday, on the same route I did a while ago, except backwards.
Basically, down the hill, up the really steep hill to the Folly, across and back.. Was easier than the opposite direction, the steep hill (walked - it's 1:2 or something crazy) at the start made life easier, in the sense that the rest was gradual.
3 - 4 miles if I recall.
Basically, down the hill, up the really steep hill to the Folly, across and back.. Was easier than the opposite direction, the steep hill (walked - it's 1:2 or something crazy) at the start made life easier, in the sense that the rest was gradual.
3 - 4 miles if I recall.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Restart after Xmas..
So I had a lazy christmas and didn't do any running. At all.
Decided I best start with the new year, and the fact i'm 3 months away. Found a nice running routine from running.about.com, so i'll loosely follow that, and basically ramp up my running during the week (and, er, do some more...)
Went out last night, in the cold, before the rain started. I've got a hat now, so I didn't get cold (aching) ears. 2.5 miles, 20 mins. Felt like I was going really slowly - perhaps since I haven't been out for ages - so I pushed it a bit and it came in for a nice time.
Next one Thursday perhaps.
Decided I best start with the new year, and the fact i'm 3 months away. Found a nice running routine from running.about.com, so i'll loosely follow that, and basically ramp up my running during the week (and, er, do some more...)
Went out last night, in the cold, before the rain started. I've got a hat now, so I didn't get cold (aching) ears. 2.5 miles, 20 mins. Felt like I was going really slowly - perhaps since I haven't been out for ages - so I pushed it a bit and it came in for a nice time.
Next one Thursday perhaps.
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