Month: January 2014

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 11

South Cambridgeshire-20140109-00326         DSCF4694

Day 11. From this to that! The post race snap of my new trail shoes doesn’t really do justice to the mud love-in that took place at Wimpole Estate 1st anniversary parkrun today. And, unbelievably, I didn’t win it, thanks to the 72 people that barged in front of me. To put it another way, if those 72 people had stayed in bed rather than get up for a 9 am start race, I would have been covered in glory as well as mud.

It was a glorious day. A blue sky, low, very bright sun ( I accept the sun is generally bright in a cloudless sky: it just seemed extra bright today) and a little too cold for me but manageable. 207 finished, the first coming in at 19 minutes 13 seconds and the last recorded at 55 minutes 28 seconds. That’s the thing about parkrun; it’s completely inclusive (with the proviso that you are able to run or walk). As for the conditions underfoot, we started off on a puddle and soil infested asphalt path and then transferred to marshland, swamp, morass, bog and finally quagmire in that order. However, I was impressed by the quality of the mud. It was runner friendly, forgiving, light hearted. It had a certain je ne sais quoi unlike the evil mud at Hinchingbrooke on New Years Day which tried to drown me.

1557179_442919775834453_164430671_o      DSCF4703

Me running past Wimpole Hall and with my daughter Isobelle who also took part. My son Dan ran Valentine’s Park 5K and got a personal best on fast, flat paths. Lorna took some great photos and we met up with a load of friends. A very enjoyable morning. The only sour note? Their second hand bookshop (previously loved and treasured then abandoned books) was not open before 11 am and we left at 10.45. OK, I can deal with it.

I felt tired when I sat down in the afternoon and started to doze. The sun shone and the temperature had risen a little higher so I went for another run lasting around 45 minutes. Much more alert after I returned. Note to self : when exhausted run for an hour plus.

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 10

South Cambridgeshire-20140110-00330

Day 10. I was due to scoot down the M11 from Cambridge to Woodford to see mater and collect my daughter   Isobelle who was returning with me to Cambridge. The plan was to run late evening (again in the dark) but the M11 was blocked by a serious accident and I set out later when the motorway re-opened. This enabled me to run in the morning, another 2 miler. I need to do longer runs which will make me feel fitter and stronger. The cardiac medication I take does me no favours in the context of running to my maximum. It limits the amount of effort I am able to put into a race. Of course the medication is doing a job of work (presumably) so I will continue to take it. It’s tempting to stop them although I concede that running faster  and getting a new personal best at parkrun is not the best reason for discontinuing treatment.

It’s Wimpole Estate parkrun’s first anniversary tomorrow and only the fittest will survive the swamps and bogs. I will require lashings of grip and traction which will be supplied by new trail shoes shown above.I’m looking forward to their coffee and a rock cake after the run but the cafe/restaurant has laid down some heavy rules, man! To enter their nice, warm  cafe we will have to take off our muddy shoes and socks and put on clean, dry footwear. Fair enough, I suppose. I’m not responsible for washing their floors. But is it right that young running gods like me should be subject to the demands of mere mortal men and their inconsequential edicts. Parking may prove to be more of a problem. The usual area is water logged and won’t be used.

Isobelle is running, Lorna will be taking pictures and son Dan is doing parkrun at Valentine’s Park parkrun in Ilford, Essex. Valentines is a fast 5K on flat asphalt paths. He hopes to do under 22 minutes. Good luck.

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 9

South Cambridgeshire-20140109-00326                   South Cambridgeshire-20140109-00324

Day 9. I’m trying different tactics to win the Wimpole Estate parkrun this coming Saturday. I will dazzle the opposition with my newly purchased trail shoes. I became aware these shoes had something else to offer me when the sales assistant put on dark  glasses before he opened the box. He solemnly warned me never to look at them directly and made a comparison with potential damage from staring at the midday sun without protection. I made a sensible enquiry about whether or not they met health and safety standards. He replied “Health and safety? That’s for wimps and losers! If you wanna win, you’d better take ’em. Well, do yuh wanna win, punk? Are you feelin’ lucky?” I saw the terror I felt reflected in his mirror sun glasses and half expected him to pull out a Colt 45. Clearly it was too dangerous to run off. I confirmed I would take the shoes, despite not trying them on , and slowly walked backwards, in the direction of the pay counter, without losing eye contact. A thin, sardonic smile played over his cruel lips. He turned contemptuously, obviously looking for another customer to intimidate. Relieved, I turned to face the right direction but couldn’t prevent myself from crashing into an occupied changing room door. A whole new load of embarrassment occurred before I actually left the store. If I win on Saturday, it’ll be a Pyrrhic Victory.

Another 2 mile run this afternoon, this time in the light. I felt much better than last night when I went out into the dark. I was able to remind myself about about my running gait, swinging my arms from chin to pocket and running more consistently on the ball of my foot. Next week I’ll start longer runs to prepare for the Cambridge Half Marathon on March 9. It’s a 4,500 field and up to 4 out of 5 of my children will be running with me. Unfortunately my wife Lorna is not able to run because of a serious Achilles tendinopathy injury which might require surgery. We’ll know how it will be treated after an outpatient appointment with an orthopedic surgeon later this month. Lorna did last year’s Cambridge  Half. I really hope she’ll be back running for next year’s Half.

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 8

Day 8. When I opt for a short run, two miles say, I don’t seem to get out until it’s dark and having eaten two meals. This means that initially I feel a bit heavy and bloated. I feel much brighter and alert in the morning, particularly if the sun is shining and it’s not too cold. In fact I’m a Spring and Summer kind of guy. Today’s run was uneventful and unremarkable. I didn’t pass anyone or have anyone coming towards me. No bird flew beside me, no tree gave me the thumbs up, no clouds formed themselves into a kindly, benign face as I passed below. But running always improves my mood and that, in itself, is enough to run consistently.

Current research demonstrates a causal link between running and exercise and improved mood. I’m sure that depression, anxiety and some phobias could be part treated, with the appropriate management, service and financial commitment, by instituting a running/exercise regime. You may able to get an Exercise on Prescription from your GP (possibly just a small discount from normal gym rates) but this is generally for people who are overweight or have specific physical problems. The good news is that you can learn to be a runner. It doesn’t need to be competitive. It doesn’t rule your life. It helps you feel in control. It gives you a genuine sense of achievement. You get butterflies and dragonflies accompanying you. You meet some lovely people. It should be a no brainer.

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 7

Cambridge and Coleridge  Running Club this evening. Two options – track and road. I invariably road run, despite the uneven and poorly lit pavements. I managed to get thrashed twice by the branches of two trees that I failed to see. I definitely heard the trees snigger as they slapped my face. I’m sure they will be all innocence in the daylight. We did 6 X  600 metres at varying speeds with recovery jogs back to the same point. Very enjoyable and a good workout.

I hope to get a pair of trail shoes this week and then test them out on the weekend when I run Wimpole Estate parkrun. My running chum who was there on Sunday confirmed it was, and will be, very muddy. I will obey the new rule and remove my dirty shoes at the door before enjoying  a lovely cup of coffee and one of their tasty rock cakes in the National Trust cafe/restaurant. I will then slip over to their second hand book or pre-loved wood pulp word collection artefact or whatever the National Trust now calls old fashioned books. The grubby things are so last century!

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 6

Day 6. The weather in Cambridge today was almost Spring-like. Periods of sun in a hazy blue sky alternated with heavy downpours and the temperature was a mild 10C. I feel so much better running when the sun’s out as I’m sure most people do but it’s the degree of enjoyment compared to a cold, drizzly, overcast day that always surprises me. After yesterday’s debacle (see blog dated Jan 5) I ran over to the next village, avoiding their roadblocks and vigilante patrols (they have their own issues in this community) and used their recreation ground to do a few strides/sprints. I felt very happy to be able to sprint for short distances at full speed. I may not be fast but it feels fast and I recover quickly. I had a heart attack four years ago and I was able to recover my full fitness subsequently. I feel extremely lucky to be running at a reasonable level and now be part of a running community. I started doing Cambridge parkrun on their fifth event in February 2010 and now I’ve completed 159. I also joined a running club after 30 years of running alone and found it conducive to my exacting requirements of a good balance between sociability and just running without frills.

The Guardian ran an article on a research findings  link between cancer and inactivity today http://bit.ly/KxhjW2 giving shocking figures concerning cases that (theoretically) could have been prevented  if people were more physically active. Apathy and a closed mindset can be lethal.

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 5

Day 5. After yesterday’s high level of social intercourse, I decided to treat myself to a lone run to the far end of my village. This carried the risk of bumping into people I know and deciding to run on thus leaving them with a feeling that I don’t love them enough to stop and chat. This only applies to non runners, of course. I ran for 26 minutes in total and it was far from incident free. My end of the village is populated by normal, reasonable people like myself. Beyond the crossroads is the other half of the village where, on the weekends, one has to look out for marauding gangs of Townswomen Guild and local interest groups who detain innocent pedestrians and press gang them into serving the cause. I easily ran past an origami club because they saw me too late but I had a close call with the campanologists, and the yoga club distracted me by striking bendy poses which I forced myself to ignore. I ran free and fast. My generous spirit attracted a large heron who flew alongside me on my return journey and scattered the shock troops hell bent on enforcing membership. The heron requested me to stop on my “safe” side of the crossroads and proceeded to lecture me on my folly in running through an area populated by zealots, knowing the dangers. Mea culpa I admitted! He flapped away, shaking his beak as if he was admonishing a wayward youngster.

This episode left me unnerved. It might explain my understandable error committed  when I prepared the evening meal. I was convinced that yellow split peas were grown up lentils but they didn’t cook like them. We had a very chewy absent-lentil wannabe dahl. I also cooked enough to feed half the village. Guess which half!

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 4

Day 4. I marshaled at Cambridge parkrun today and stood at a fork in the path where all 280 runners passed me 3 times. The 5K course in Milton Country Park was very muddy and they took the opportunity to splatter me as they went past. Repeat offenders were reported to the Community Support Officers and I expect they will be spirited away to  a gulag near the  Watford Gap for running etiquette rehabilitation.

I’m constantly fascinated by everyone’s different running styles and my perception that the fastest runners don’t seem all that speedy when you are passively watching them from the sidelines. I surely must be able to keep up or pass them if there is any justice in the world. Of course, these notions are in my head and the reality is very different. Afterwards we had  tasty coffees with our pals and I continued to learn to be more sociable. I found it’s worthwhile making an effort rather than rushing away home. The great majority of runners are very friendly, even those who you initially judge to be a bit aloof (like me).

Continuing in this vein, I had the option of going for an individual run in the afternoon or joining a social run with an informal club, 5 or 6 members being  already known to me. I opted for the latter and it was very enjoyable. It was a mixed ability group and we ran about 5.5 miles through puddles and more mud. Everyone behaved themselves, no-one was competitive and I didn’t have to make any citizen’s arrests.

My eldest son Dan did parkrun in Valentine’s Park near Ilford, Essex and came in at 21 minutes 57 seconds, a whole 1 minute and 22 seconds faster than my personable best. I am eclipsed as this family’s premier running god. I have been toppled from my pedestal. I am yesterday’s runner, an ex legend consigned to history. I could carry on dissing myself but I will stop there. Instead I will rise from the ashes like the phoenix, regenerated and stronger than ever. Another notion in my head. Note to self : make it reality.

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 3

Day 3. I donned my black running tights again and ventured into the gloom. My new haircut today allowed me to glide along with superb aerodynamic efficiency. I plumped for an uncontroversial short  style after the barber declined to work his magic and  transform my barnet ( cockney rhyming slang – Barnet fair = hair) so it was indistinguishable from Rod Stewart’ coiffure circa 1972. It was dark and drizzly and strangely, mildly exhilarating. I duplicated my 2 mile run of yesterday since I left it late to hit the road and needed to get back to cook the family meal. I soon got into a running groove and an owl and nightjar flew alongside me, commenting on and advising me about, my running gait. “We see lots of nocturnal joggers, ” he twitt-a-wooed,”and I can confirm you’ve got very good running form. Keep up the training and you’ve got a parkrun win in the bag.” “Yes,”sang the nightjar,”but you will need trail shoes in muddy conditions. We heard about your experience at Huntingdon parkrun on New Years Day. You nearly came to a standstill.” I didn’t need reminding,thank you!

I’m marshaling at Cambridge parkrun tomorrow morning and the forecast is heavy rain. I may go for a longer run in the afternoon with an informal running group. The weather is expected to improve.

I considered applying for the Great North Run today. I completed the online form but baulked at the entry fee of £50. Decided against it. I would love to do it but I would have to stop over for a day or two because of the distance to travel. Taking part in a really big event is exciting but not necessary for a runner. What we need to do is just run…anywhere.

by

Aliveandrunning Janathon January 2

Day 2. I’m still recovering from yesterday’s mud festival at the Hinchingbrooke 5K. They should have billed it as a swamp challenge. In retrospect, I think Indiana Jones had less dangerous near misses even where he’s actually trapped in a swamp up to his neck. My body is unscathed but my mind is in bits. It didn’t help that my nice Ron Hill tracksters were still drying and I was compelled to wear running tights in broad daylight. I looked like Max Wall!

max wall image

Whereas, I normally look like this

knit4

No matter, I pulled myself together and went off for a 2 mile run just to keep things ticking over. The weather was sunny and mild today and if one was inclined, one could fantasise that Spring was around the corner. This one started to fantasise. I saw daffodils poking through everywhere and I’m sure I glimpsed lambs gambling in the fields.

Why run? You feel physically better – more alive, alert and fitter. Your mood improves, you feel more positive and you meet a whole new society of good people. You reduce the risk of developing a raft of diseases and disorders, you focus more sensibly on the food you eat. You feel younger (this is age related : you don’t feel 14 when you are actually 22) and it can be exciting and result in a sense of well being. Why wouldn’t you?