Gloucester Half Marathon - Verna Burgess - another grand Saturday night out!

Verna Burgess writes....

A unique combination of events saw me in Newent on a glorious evening  for the Gloucester Half Marathon on Saturday 25^th July 2009.  It had a rather unusual start time of 6pm but it was well organised  and on quiet country roads.  I did not know what to expect  as I had not done a half  since Watford in February and have had intermittent injuries since then. However, I was hugely pleased with  a time of 62 minutes at 8 miles and thought I was on for a PB. I rather lost it from then on though and finally finished in about 1:46. [still a good time though! Ed] I'd recommend this race - good value for money at £11.00 which included chip timing and an excellent goody bag. 

Anna's "Proper" race report for Ridgeway Challenge

Can be found on her blog here!

Ridgeway Challenge Report - Anna Finn - EIGHTY SIX (86) MILES

Report in from Anna - how she can be awake I do not know - I was tired enough yesterday and all I did was bimble around the checkpoint making tea (with soya milk for our vegan ultrarunner!).

This was also the UK Trail Running Championships and Anna was fifth lady (ETA: not fourth as I said earlier) - results take aaaages to come out officially but there's an update thread on Fetch. She will I know be very pleased (though as you see too modest to mention it).

I enjoyed the first 65 miles or so a lot,[as I said, she looked - I kid you not - as though she'd just walked round the corner rather than come from Ivinghoe under her own steam!] but after that my feet hurt too much to really like it. My favourite bit was Grim's Ditch (downhill and interesting-looking) - I got there in the light and managed not to trip over the roots. [Again, this shows what sort of stuff Anna's made of - I did this bit for the Ridgeway Relay and it is not easy underfoot - Ed]

I think I wore the wrong shoes - my heels have blisters on the soles and the balls of my feet were prodded by many sharp stones. There are some really rutted tracks towards the end that my feet just didn't get on with. So, I'll have to go back and do it justice with some well-cushioned shoes and get a better time (it was 21:11). I'd really like to do it again and be able to enjoy the whole thing properly. 

Based on her other results, I think Anna could easily knock an hour or more off her time - so what can we say but "see you next year!" then!

Ridgeway Challenge 85 - Anna through checkpoint 7

Looking fresh as a daisy, she was - actually, she looked in even better nick than the impression you would get from this photo! (The VRUK vest was literally "in the bag" :D). Doesn't look like she's covered over 60 miles, does she?
A bit nippy on the Ridgeway between 2 and 3am but there was no rain and not much wind, so hopefully she's safe at the finish by now...

when Saturday comes

Apparently I wasn't the only one running on Sat 15th - have just had a result in from Wolfgang for the London Pride 10k that day. though as his time was 42:02, I imagine he wasn't still running at half past eight (18:30 BST) unlike some of us...!

Dog days of August

Well, hasn't it been quiet? I've had a couple of results in from Helen Watkinson & Cedric David, who have torn themselves away from the Cardiff Parkrun to, er, do a 5 miler in Cardiff, and (Helen) a ParkRun in Glasgow!
But it is hot. I was watching my other half toil round Burnham Beeches this weekend (and spotted Colin Braybrook trotting round considerably faster!) and felt so glad that it wasn't me.
Helsinki was not as hot - though it wasn't entirely flat either. I'd recommend it for a run-on-holiday outing (particularly for the long-distance fans [looks at Anna] ), as the support was great - particularly the man painted in Finnish colours & wearing a skirt who was hi-fiving the runners in both directions! - the pickled cucumbers delicious, the t-shirt (technical) fabulous, the scenery delightful, the Gatorade flowed like water etc etc etc. If it was your birthday you got namechecked at the start, if you finished you got namechecked whenever you were born!
According to the Finnish Vegan Runners website (Google Translate, how I love you) there were three of them racing, - John spotted one (see photo) a bit ahead of me. As you can see, he was trying, and I was just clearly slacking off and having a good time...

This weekend Anna will (we hope) be doing the Ridgeway Challenge - 86 miles off-road. Hope to see you at the Mile 65 checkpoint at Sparsholt Firs, Anna, and GOOD LUCK!

Guildford Aquathlon (7th Aug)

We hear from John Bateson, who's been aquathloning (is that a word?) with some success...

Only the second outing for my Vegan Runners vest, and this wasn't even a proper running event – hopefully, I'll eventually gather some momentum…

 

On Friday 7 August, I took my first steps into the world of triathlon-like activities with the Guildford Aquathlon – 500m swim, 5km run. By triathlon-like I mean the clock started at the beginning of the swim and finished as you crossed the line after the run, with all the time needed for messing about with shoes and stuff included in the finish time.  

This was a very friendly event, nicely run by Pheonix Tri, the Guildford club. And it was very local for me - I was able to freewheel my bicycle all the way from my home to the lido where the event was being held.  

We set off at thirty second intervals based on our estimated swim times, which put me towards the back of the field.  

I used to be an okay swimmer, but this section was a bit disappointing - no strength in my arms. Well, I only ever run or cycle, so I guess that's what you get.  

The transition was a bit of a blur, shoes on (no socks- splendid new lock-laces), vest over head, where it stuck (wet body – an extra large vest would have helped). Luckily I got the vest issue sorted out in time to get a split noted for the 5k and for the occasional crowd member to shout 'go vegan runner' in a slightly quizzical way. 

I overtook a few folk in the run, but I suffered a bit with my breathing, something I ought to look into. 

So the bottom line – 4^th place overall. Can't help but be pleased with that. 7m58s in the swim (not great, but including the transition) and 18.10 in the 5k (a pb, given I've never run the distance before). 

(Most of us would be overjoyed to get that time for a 5k without the .5 km swim first....! Very impressive...- Ed)

Actions?  I'd like to do some more triathlon-like events, ideally over longer distances. I'd love to find the time to swim more, and maybe I'll finally make it to one of the first-Saturday-in-the-month timed 5ks at the local park and find out what kind of time I could do (thanks to Sid DeLara for the tip).

Askern 10, 9th Aug

We hear from Morg (Mick Morgan) who is gearing up for his autumn marathon...
Did the Askern 10 mile on Sunday, and wasn't expecting a good time, with me doing a 21 mile run two days before[getting ready for the marathon], and then with the blistering heat on the day.
I came in at 1hr 17 mins 30 seconds in the end and placed 160th out of 350 finishers,which is only about a minute slower than I did last year so I'm not too disappointed.

Photo of Portsmouth Promenade 5K

Sid Delara & Dave Arnold our leading Vegan Runners in the southern counties at least.

Bearbrook 10K (Aylesbury), 9 August

Three days before the event I was on the ladder a lot decorating and wondered if it would have an impact on my performance as my legs were aching. On the day I had the customary cycle ride, this time from Leighton Buzzard and I did not help myself by choosing a new route that I had not checked on the map. I came to a dead end which meant I had cycled an extra 2 miles or so. The cycle journey took in total about 1 hour 20 mins but with the absence of any wind, it felt an easy ride. Last year I recall after cycling a shorter journey on the fold-up bike from Tring, the legs were tired earlier into the race.

Started off at a modest pace, held back by slower runners around me which with hindsight was probably beneficial. The first 5K is fairly flat just negotiating road crossings and footpaths in Wendover slowing us a little as we approached the Chiltern Hills. We then had the three climbs through Halton and the RAF base where we turned left and back down to the Vale of Aylesbury for 3K. I was gradually picking up places but not many on the downward section and generally my position was stable in the 2nd half. Could not see the clock when finishing and there was no chip timing for a change. In fact the 41.29 turned out to be my best of 2009 and 15 seconds faster than 2008.

That was not the end of my exercise for the day and I increased it by cycling from the bottom of the Vale to the top of Wendover Hill Woods, a tourist attraction where I was relieved to have a break in the cafe before a short walk and the longer journey back to Leighton Buzzard.

There may be a slight pause

I'm off to Helsinki so you may see a slight pause in the processing of results/ blog entries. Back on the 16th - until then, happy running all!

Portsmouth Promenade 5k - again the vegans stick together

We hear from SDL that he and Dave A have again been chasing each other round Portsmouth
...  Dave Arnold and myself met up again wearing our Vegan Runner Vests for the third of 3 Portsmouth Promenade 5k race series.

 I was feeling below par and not expecting much, likewise Dave remains victim of a hectic work induced lifestyle at the moment.
Amazingly as in race 2 of the series we finished next to each other in order, this time 52nd and 53rd, having raced each other to the line over the last 50 metres.Hopefully the next time we meet up we will both be on form.
 
Portsmouth Promenade 5k race 3 Wednesday August 5th.
 52nd Dave Arnold     19mins  39secs VM 45 6th/20
 53rd  Sidney DeLara  19mins  40secs VM 50 2nd/10
 187 runners completed the course.

The Lake District Rocks

...according to Anna Finn that is, who has been taking a gentle stroll ....

I've just got back from spending a few days in Keswick (Lake District), which involved some beautiful scenery, a few gentle strolls by the lake and up the smaller hills and the Lakeland 50. This is an event that has made Ridgeway seem a little less daunting. Why? Toughest. Race. Ever. Actually, I was doing the lightweight 50 mile option - the folks doing the full 100 had it far harder. They started at 7:30pm on Friday and ran through the night (during which it rained heavily and persistently on them), whereas we started at noon the following day. This still involved a few hours of darkness on the fells later on, with a smattering of rain, but at least there were only 50 miles. So, tough terrain. I thought I'd met tough terrain before, but the variety of types of tough were something to behold - ankle sucking peat bogs, cold streams, deep mud, sharp and loose rocky trails, bracken obscured paths, extremely steep uphills and extremely steep downhills, wet slippery stones, slidy stiles and all of this for practice in the daylight, before more of the same in the dark. It's fair to say it was the most difficult event I've done. But there were some stunning views - the highest point was 665 metres, offering a fantastic panorama. Wished I'd taken a camera. Throughout the day we looked down on Ullswater, Haweswater and Windermere (the dark hid Coniston Water from view on the descent into the finish town). There was also the surreal nature of navigating up on the fells with only a small spot of headtorch light to see by, illuminating the sheep's eyes in an almost alarming manner, as well as attracting moths. There were 7 checkpoints, well stocked with various food and drink (the hobnobs and strawberry jam were my favourite). I ran with another runner from about 27 miles onwards and it was great to have her company as a welcome distraction up the long hills and someone to work out the correct route with. We met up with another group of four later on, which was even more reassuring for finding the course at night. I finished exhausted but happy at around half past two in the morning (final time of 14:22:13). I got a medal and a rather nice pertex gilet. So now the 100 miler is looking tempting for next year...

Milton Keynes Half Marathon - Home Advantage

Participating at your home venue in many sports is an advantage and so it proved for me without the impact on performance due to traveling by bike. The weather turned out to be ideal with little wind except around the exposed Willen Lake where we anticipate running into the wind. Here I was entered for the Vegetarian Cycling & AC with the intention of helping to boost their team performance with several present. Apart from the late arriving Manuel Corriente, we all met up fairly soon with new member Gideon Stanley meeting members for the first time. Our line-up was arguably our strongest team for many years with Manuel, Gideon & Keith aiming for sub-1.30 followed closely by Andy Jordan and myself. Steve Parker also from Milton Keynes was entered for VRUK and Colin Braybrook was also present.

We were not aware of the arrangements for team prizes but we thought a high position was possible. We discovered after the event that owing to the fact it was being organised by the NSPCC, to qualify for a team entry we had to enter using a team form and specify the runners, the idea being to raise more funds this way. Usually by your individual entry and specifying your club, team entry is automatic without any extra overhead.

Despite the narrow start and cycleways, the early miles were likely to be fast with the help of the long and slightly downhill section on the railway walk and in an easterly direction towards Newport Pagnell. I appeared to be going steadily and slowly moving up the field but like most, struggled a little into the wind around Willen Lake. Given the forecast for increasing south-westerly wind, I also assumed we would have to tackle the wind up to mile 8 when in fact it was hardly noticable. Here we turned onto the Grand Union Canal towpath and parallel leisure route which is rather uneven with bumps near the canal bridges. I continued here to slowly move up the field and was somewhat relieved to leave the canal behind approaching mile 11. Here I was surprised to pass Andy but realised later that he had a high milage training period with his ultra race of 85 miles on the Ridgeway scheduled for 29 August.

I pushed on through Great Linford on the smoother cycling surface which led us back onto the railway walk, picking up our earlier route back into Stantonbury, passing the Milton Keynes Athletic Club track if anyone noticed. There was a bit of an incline back into the Bury Lawn school where we looped back to the finish on grass. I was pleased to see a sub- 1.35 on the clock, a further improvement for 2009. Quickly met up again with Keith Hammond achieving yet another PB and breaking 1.28 for the first time just by chip of 1.27.58 (61st), followed by Gideon Stanley 1.29.49 (81st), Manuel Corriente 1.31.24 (100th), myself 1.34.22 (147th), Andy Jordan 1.36.51 (184th), Nik Windle 1.52.27 (538th) and Sharon Hammond 2.22.22 (1089th). Many of the team stayed to see Nik & Sharon finish and for a further round of photos. Nik & Sharon had the benefit, depending how they view it, of further photos approaching the finish.

Steve Parker had an amazing personal performance, lowering his personal best time by 6 minutes to 1.35.20 and Colin Braybrook produced another performance of 1.22.49 in keeping with his high standards. Colin was helped by many runners ahead of him taking the wrong left turning (due to the absence of a marshal) onto the canal towpath at mile 8 whereas Colin was familiar with the course and saw the direction arrows on the ground. Colin ran many miles solo before a few of the faster runners who had taken the wrong route caught him up near the end and as a result finished 14th. There was a gap in the results of some 6 minutes due to the wrong turning and some of these runners took their chips off before crossing the line in discust.