Monday 11 October 2010

A big 6 weeks in the USA 2011 training campaign

Last week was a very good week as I continued my return to fitness. With 44.25 miles ran, including twice up Lobley Hill to Sunniside, and a Beach Bootcamp session, it was the biggest haul of miles achieved since I broke my ankle back in May. Moreover, it was the biggest sign since that injury that my endurance levels are on the way back.

Today, I started building on last week's running with the quickest 5 mile run for  ages  (00:45:54).  See the split times to the right. OK, it's not exactly breaking records but it's the smallest glimpse of quality I've seen in my running for quite some time. I didn't set out to run quicker than of late. The plan was simply to concentrate on posture, technique and breathing. When I get these things right the running usually falls nicely into place as was the case today. 

I've got a few more short and quick runs to do this week before I attempt a 20ish miler on Sunday. I'll hopefully have a bit of company on that one with Mike Lewis helping out.

There are only 6 weeks left before I run 105 miles in 3 days from Edinburgh to Newcastle. There are no training opportunities to be missed if I'm to successfully complete that one. Every single run is important now. Each morsel of food that I put in my gob is equally as important. Where I have succeeded with various runs in this campaign, I have mostly failed in the food stakes. Will I ever get that aspect right? Who knows? I guarantee that I will get the running right, however.

I've taken some good running scalps during this training campaign. 00:46:48 in last year's Blaydon Race, completing the 2009 Chevy Chase, a couple of 37 mile runs and a very pleasing 32 mile effort in the Borders this year. The run from Edinburgh to Newcastle must be the next success story if I'm to keep progressing towards USA 2011. Make no mistake, it's a big 6 weeks for Run Geordie Run. My foot (and the two pins inserted into my ankle) will be pushing down hard on the gas in search of quality and to reach Newcastle in 1 piece having run 35 miles a day for 3 days.

Team Run Geordie Run's John Loughlin

The fourth member of Team Run Geordie Run to compete in the Great North Run was an old university mate of mine; John Loughlin.

John finished this year's run in 02:48:44 and raised £122 into the bargain. This is very much a work in progress for John as he has lost 4 stone in the last couple of years and hopes to continue to improve for next year's Great North Run.

This year's run, the 30th, was particularly memorable for John as it was his first since the run started way back in 1981.

If there's one thing John has yet to master it's running in the heat and he'd easily prefer running in the snow compared to an even slightly hot or humid day.

After 9 hot miles on this year's Great North Run John suffered some cramp due to the large amount of sweat he'd lost. He took the pace right off after that until he was able to muster a sprint finish over the final 100 metres or so.

Despite beating his previous time from 1981 he was quite disappointed with this year's time. I think if the Great North Run was held in a colder month such as December we'd see a different result entirely.

Being part of Team Run Geordie Run and raising a great amount for the 2 charities is nothing to be disappointed about, however. As John reflected "I'm really happy to have made a contribution. I've never done anything like this before, for a good cause, and it feels great.".

Thanks go to John's colleagues at Domnick Hunter Parker Hannifin in the Team Valley for their sponsorship of John.

I've got a feeling that we haven't see the last of John in the Great North Run. I've also got a feeling that he will attempt to face his running demons that are heat and humidity. If he overcomes them, then a PB will be on the cards for the Great North Run in 2011 for sure. Watch this space!

So that brings a close to this little series highlighting the members of Team Run Geordie Run who, on the 19th of September, ran the 13.1 mile Great North Run and raised over £1,600 for St Benedict's Hospice and The Children's Foundation. Thanks again to George Caulkin, Mick Butler, John Loughlin and me (!) for a successful Great North Run 2010. I hope to see them all again for next year's run. I'm sure all of us are capable of beating this year's times. I'll have no excuse having ran 3100 miles across the USA just 7 weeks earlier!

If you are lucky enough to get a number for next year's Great North Run, then why not consider running as part of Team Run Geordie Run, raising funds for the 2 charities. Interested? Please get in touch at sponsorship@rungeordierun.com.

USA 2011 Training Summary - Week 101

The Run Geordie Run Training Summary is brought to you in association with Northern Runner, 52 Low Friar Street (Just down from the Gate), Newcastle.

Why not visit the Northern Runner shop and let the experts examine your feet to recommend the best shoe for you. Alternatively, click on the link to the left to go straight to their website.

Monday 4th October 2010 - 5.1 mile run, Scotswood Road to Gosforth. (00:54:55).
Monday 4th October 2010 - 8.25 mile run, Gosforth to Thornley Woodland Centre. (01:38:17).
Tuesday 5th October 2010 - 3.25 mile run, For Your Eyes Only to Gosforth. (00:34:43).
Tuesday 5th October 2010 - 6.1 mile run, Gosforth to Swalwell. (01:16:24).
Wednesday 6th October - 8.75 mile run, Gosforth to Sunniside. (01:45:27).
Thursday 7th October - 8.62 mile run, Gosforth to Sunniside. (01:42:41).
Friday 8th October - 4.2 mile run, Gosforth to Redheugh Bridge. (00:48:26).
Saturday 9th October - David Fairlamb's Beach Bootcamp. (00:50:00).

USA 2011 Training Summary - Week 100

The Run Geordie Run Training Summary is brought to you in association with Northern Runner, 52 Low Friar Street (Just down from the Gate), Newcastle.

Why not visit the Northern Runner shop and let the experts examine your feet to recommend the best shoe for you. Alternatively, click on the link to the left to go straight to their website.

Wednesday 29th September - Personal training session. (01:00:00).
Thursday 30th September 2010 - 8.5 mile run, Havannah Nature Reserve. (01:33:08).
Saturday 2nd October 2010 - David Fairlamb's Beach Bootcamp. (00:45:00).