..away we went along Collingwood street, that's on the road to Blaydon!

Oh me lads! You should have seen us gannin! Well it's the 9th June, which can only mean one thing; my annual participation in the Blaydon Race. 3 years ago I clocked 00:58:59 in this race. 2 years ago my time was 00:52:53 and last year I managed 00:51:32. The aim this year was to beat 50 minutes and I'm pleased to report that I finished well within that target with a time of 00:46:48. 

I started the run just how I intended to go on with a faster than usual pace for me. I was never in any distress or trouble throughout the entire run and felt in total control the whole time. I think this pace was just about right for this stage of my training. I did wonder if yesterday's sports massage would have an adverse effect on my legs but in fact the opposite was true; my legs felt as good as they have for a long time. Although they are still very sore to the touch after Tracy from the gym had a right good go at them. Ooya!

The mile split times were as follows:

Mile 1 - 00:07:47

Mile 2 - 00:07:31

Mile 3 - 00:07:36

Mile 4 - 00:08:21

Mile 5 - 00:07:59

Mile 6 - 00:07:34

The final time was particularly pleasing given that it was done with only 2 rest days following that tough 90 mile week of running. I'm already looking forward to next year's run when I'll have ran nearly another 2800 miles by then. I've got to be looking at a sub 45 minute time next year!

While I'm on the subject of the Blaydon Races, why not check out a rather brilliant version of that famous song on the Exiles Myspace page. Regular readers will know that The Exiles (aka Alan Millen and Tim Readman) are in the process of producing 2 charity songs for Run Geordie Run. The delivery of the songs are imminent and I can't wait to hear Runner on a Lonely Road and Beneath The Angels Wings Once More. I'll keep you posted as and when I get further news on the songs. In the meantime, click here to be taken to The Exiles page where that catchy version of The Blaydon Races awaits.

A PB in the Blaydon heat.

They may have extended the route this year but that didn't stop me from posting a PB of 51:32 for tonight's Blaydon Race.  My previous best was 52:53 on last year's run.   Conditions were ideal for me, with a nice bout of early summer heat.  I do enjoy running in 20 something degree temperatures and tonight was no exception.  The miles ticked by as follows:

Mile 1 - 07:33

Mile 2 - 08:22

Mile 3 - 08:31

Mile 4 - 09:16

Mile 5 - 08:50

Mile 6 - 09:02

Full report to follow.

New PB for Blaydon Race!

My decision to run the Blaydon Race on the back of a hamstring injury was vindicated as I romped home a full 7 minutes quicker than last year. It was good to see so many familiar faces at the start line and, as per usual when I run with some of these guys , that's usually the last I see of them. No sooner had the band stopped playing the Blaydon Races we were on our way in glorious sunshine.

I had a solid start to the run with a 08:42 minute mile. I felt some slight pain in my hamstring at the first climb and I thought a repeat of last Tuesday's run was on the cards. Thankfully, it was a false alarm and the run along Scotswood road was very comfortable. I was very careful on the climbs at the Scotswood Bridge and Blaydon flyover and finished the run at a decent pace. I saw Katy and Jack near the finish line which rounded the event off very nicely indeed. I was amazed at the time as I crossed the finish line. 7 minutes quicker than last year!

Fit to run!

After a couple of laps around a local football pitch I'm pleased to announce that I'm fit for the Blaydon Race!

Blaydon Race in the balance!

I've tried a gentle jog up the street this morning with some slight soreness. The decision to do today's Blaydon Race will be made as late as possible this afternoon.

Anyway, enough of that trivia. The Borat Bikini turned up this morning complete with hair, tash and sun glasses. While taking the photo to the right, Katy, Jack and I were in fits of giggles with proper tears and everything. I think I look like a scouser more then Borat! I'm sure it will be a different look once the bikini is on. There's no way I'm putting it on until the required level of sponsor money is achieved.

I've done my bit. If Paul Jackson gets £300 sponsorship and my leg is fit enough then I face the most embarrassing hour of my life.

If Jacko doesn't come up with the required amount then at least he has a month before my big run starts to do so. Imagine the looks I'd get in that thing running down the A9 in the Scottish Highlands!

90% chance of doing the Blaydon race.

My leg is feeling a lot better today. I haven't ran with it yet but I have now had 2 good sessions in the gym. The signs are encouraging. I refuse to get carried away though. I've got some lovely bruises from the Sports Massage on Wednesday. A little reminder of the pain I went through! Ouch!

Jacko, one of the lads at work, today tried to raise enough sponsorship to get me to run the Blaydon Race dressed in Borat's bikini. I managed to get hold of one and it will arrive tomorrow morning by Special Delivery. The fund for this little stunt stood at £100 at the end of the working day, some £200 short of what it would take to get me to wear such an embarrassing costume. I'm now regretting all of those King Prawn Madras curries consumed over the last few months! The main concern with such a skimpy item is "popping out" while running somewhere like the Scotswood Bridge. Nightmare!

I'll leave it right up until the last moment possible to decide whether to run the Blaydon Race tomorrow. Hopefully (!) Jacko will have raised the required amount by then! At least if I don't wear the costume then Katy is in for a treat! I've just got to keep reminding myself "It's all for a good cause".

60% chance of doing the Blaydon Race!

My leg is still very sore! However, this feels like soreness from yesterday's sports massage and not the initial injury. It didn't prevent me from having a good half an hour on the cross trainer in the gym. I even had to go above the usual intensity level on the machine such is my improved fitness. I followed this up with 15 minutes of stretching and some weights. An unusual gym session all round!

I'm going to leave it right until the last minute before deciding if I'm fit enough to run the Blaydon Race on Saturday. I reckon I've got about a 60% chance of doing it. Another gym session with lots of stretching should give me a better idea tomorrow.

Injury doubt for Blaydon Race

I managed 1.5 miles of a 5 mile run today before feeling the familiar pain in my hamstring again. I had no choice but to turn around and jog gently back to the start. I even had to walk some of the way, such was the pain.

There's still 4 weeks until the big run so I'm not too concerned about this injury in that respect. Also, I feel as though I'm fit enough at this point in time and as I said last week any training done in the next 4 weeks is a bonus. I am, however, very disappointed at the prospect of missing the Blaydon Race this Saturday. I am looking forward to it and feel almost certain that I am in with a very good chance of beating my previous PB of 00:59:50. In the grand scheme of things, the Blaydon race matters not one jot. Getting myself fit and ready for the big run in 4 weeks is the priority.

A few people have asked me what I would do if this type of injury occurred on the big run. The answer is simple. I'd run slightly slower and take plenty of pain killers. It would take something very serious for me not to finish this run. And even then I'd still have a crack at it. The strategy is therefore "Get to Lands End at all costs".

For now, I've got a bag of frozen peas on my hamstring and I'm going to get a sports massage at the gym tomorrow. It's very painful by all accounts. Can't wait!

5 rest days and I'm ready to go.

I've decided to let my body recharge and repair following the two 22 mile runs earlier in the week. It looks like it's paid off as I feel in tip top condition and ready for tomorrow morning's 16 miles in the Pennines. The blisters on my feet have healed well. I stopped aching at about Thursday tea time. Those 2 miles really took a lot out of me but at the same time gave me a confidence boost to take into the final 4 weeks of training.

The fact that I'm hardly batting an eyelid at the prospect of this hilly run is testament to my training so far. Confidence is very high so I'll be looking to break 03:05:00 hours. Secretly, I'm looking to break 03:00:00 hours but it won't be a disaster if I don't.

Next week's runs will include the Blaydon Race where I'll be looking for a PB. I finished the run in 00:59:50 last year. I reckon a sub 00:55:00 could be on the cards this time.

The final 4 weeks of my training will see me doing the usual 5 - 8.5 miles during the week together with some intense gym sessions. I'll be varying my remaining weekend runs though with some quicker flatter sessions. I feel ready for the run now. Any remaining training is a bonus.