Chase Challenge 10k

A while ago I was chatting to a friend in Wolverhampton and she told me about this race. It fell on an otherwise race-free weekend and sounded like a bit of a change from the usual road races I've been doing recently. I'd normally look for races with a UKA licence as I'm trying to improve my runbritain handicap but I thought it would be good to just enjoy the scenery for a change with the added bonus of a medal at the end.

Rachel Partridge soon signed up (both of our husbands being in the Isle of Man for TT races leaving us at a somewhat looser end than usual). Before long there was talk of a picnic and our numbers swelled with the promise of a June Saturday afternoon in the lovely surrounds of Cannock Chase.

I'd only managed one run all week leading up to the race; trying to shake off a mild summer cold, or at least prevent it from turning into something worse, so I wasn't feeling well-prepared for the day. I felt considerably better though on Saturday morning and the weather looked tantalisingly bright from behind the bedroom curtains so any thoughts of a rain-check were pushed to one side and I packed up the picnic. My mum came with me so I was able to bring Jess, my dog along too.

We parked up not far from the start area and collected numbers and some free caffeine and beetroot shots (I've saved them for another day though!) The weather was starting to look a bit worrying - it was overcast and when the wind picked up it was really quite cold. I could see it becoming more of a typical British picnic later with us all shivering around the sandwiches.

We gathered at the start line for a couple of pictures and soon we were off...

Photo by Josh Hopkins. From left: Steve Doswell, Kathryn Forsyth-Doudican, Emma Hopkins, Rachel Partridge, Helen Lawrence, Jude Glynn, Lesley Byrne, Stacey Marston, Random Stranger doing the Timewarp

The race promised multi-terrain, undulating and hilly sections and it delivered. We set off along a gravelly track passing the occasional horse! I regretted not putting my trail shoes on (doing the usual thing of going with the majority rather than my gut instinct!) as there was a downhill section that was quite precarious. Nevertheless I took a few places here having started towards the back of the field. What goes down must come back up and the first of the climbs gave us a flavour of what was to come. I could see Steve ahead of me and for a little while we were all running along in single-file, through a wooded area, alongside a stream with the sun breaking through the trees. It was really enjoyable and I thought it would be nice to come back for a training run one day. Both Steve and I later commented that it was quite good to have the pace dictated and to save energy for the hilly sections, where I was able to take a few places as others walked. 

On the longest climb I walked a little way, but I was pleased to keep going for much of the time. At one point I passed Steve and caught a glimpse of Jude ahead. Always hard to judge by pace in these races but I thought I must be running well to have Jude in my sights. It gave me a lift and I picked the pace up a little bit. As I passed two men after about 7k they cautioned me that there were more hills to come but I am trying to "run the mile I am in" and simply thanked them but pointed out my speedy team mate ahead!

I had only looked at my watch a couple of times but judged that it would be close to the hour which felt like a reasonable target on such a course. The course had opened out and without the cover of the trees it was very windy, but it was a mixed blessing keeping us from getting too warm. Steve came back past me with about a mile to go and I tried to hang on in there. The course was a little bit long and it was a relief to see the finish line in sight, with good support considering the size of the race! I checked my watch to see I'd finished just under the hour as I'd hoped. We all finished in a similar time and picked up lovely square medals and a goody bag containing a bottle of water, cereal bar, a chocolate bar and a sample of sports rub too, which would come in handy later when my calves started complaining about the hills I'd subjected them to. Kathryn had enjoyed her "comeback" after some time out from racing - celebrating by getting attacked by a wild animal (actually a nasty scratch from a big stick but the bear story sounded better).

Although it wasn't classic picnic weather we took over a picnic table and had rather over-catered, with sandwiches, quiches, samosas, loads of crisps and even a box of posh chocs from Steve. The occasional gust of wind and flying biscuit tin lid doing nothing to dampen our spirits. A great day out!

Full results here.

Two weeks, two races

I've found myself a bit busy over the last two weeks, both with work and outside of work so I haven't had chance to blog as I would have liked to, especially as I raced twice so would usually have written a couple of race reports. I'll try to remember enough of the last couple of weeks though to update on how the training is going.

I flew to New York on Monday 18th May for a few days in the office on Long Island. By the time I arrived and got to the hotel I was tired so had an early night and got up early (although it was 10 o'clock UK time) on Tuesday for a run on the treadmill in the hotel's gym. I managed half an hour or so, alternating pace and incline. I still don't enjoy running on a treadmill so I try to keep it interesting by varying the pace. I seem to sweat even more than usual running indoors so I find it quite off-putting. Does anyone else have that problem? I was listening to a great podcast though, one that I've been enjoying on and off for a while; the Freakonomics podcast. It's given me an idea to write a blog soon on the podcasts I enjoy.

I really wanted to run outside whilst I was in the U.S. and I'd heard there was a trail about a mile away from the hotel. I headed out in the direction I'd been given but couldn't find the trail and ended up having a rather unsatisfying run along the highway with the smell of petrol fumes and the noise of traffic for company (along with Martin & Tom of Marathon Talk, continuing the podcast theme!) 

I got back to the UK on Friday morning and tried to get a full day's work done, catch up on stuff at home and then we had plans for dinner so no time for running. I figured it wouldn't matter having two days off; I was looking forward to parkrun on Saturday though...

The alarm went off on parkrunday and I felt like I'd been run over. We'd had a few drinks on Friday night but I've got up and done parkrun after more than that. I put it down to jet lag, but I really wasn't expecting to feel so tired. I started to panic as we were going to visit family for the weekend and I knew I wouldn't be able to run for the rest of the day or on Sunday because we had plans. Non-runners find it strange when you describe the worrying feeling when you can't run for a few days for whatever reason, but it really gets to me - I know other runners understand! 

I couldn't properly shake the tiredness all weekend but I enjoyed the catch up with family and we saw a show; The Commitments, in London on Sunday night which was great fun. My niece, Sarah and I were running in the Bupa London 10,000 on Bank Holiday Monday and both looking forward to it.

The weather on Monday was perfect for a picnic, unexpectedly warm and sunny. The race is huge and well-organised with a great atmosphere and I was excited to be running. I reckoned a PB was probably not on the cards but wanted to improve on my Great Birmingham 10k time. Unfortunately I nearly missed the start, needing a last minute loo visit and still standing in the queue with two minutes to go before the start. I made it though to my wave and got chatting to a lady from West Bromwich Harriers. We set off along the Mall but the first mile or so was quite congested, so I didn't get the start I was after. Things didn't quite click but I just focussed on keeping going as best I could, enjoying the occasional respite of a bit of breeze. I enjoyed the course and in most areas the support was superb, although there was a stretch from 8-9miles where it was really quiet. I completed the race in 52:01, which was the same as my PB for ages back in 2012 and 13 - funny how it now seems a bit disappointing, and as expected it didn't give a boost to my runbritain handicap either. Never mind, it was a fun day and I got a lovely medal and t-shirt as well as a day out with my niece and some of the other BvHers who'd made their way down.

On Tuesday I managed a surprisingly good pace on my 6 mile Kings Heath loop, and I really, really enjoyed the run; feeling like a different person to the one who went out as I often do. 

I missed club on Thursday to go to dinner with Guy instead - a "No Rules" night with Nomad, Birmingham which turned out to be at the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath. We had a great night though, probably (definitely) too much to drink and eat. It was good to relax and spend time together having had a few stressful, full-on weeks.

Friday night was race night for a change. We'd got four teams entered in the Whale Ale Relay at Stratford Recreation Ground; a Tempo Event. I was in a team with a very speedy and improving couple; Monica & Mat, and also Clare who you may recall was my running buddy at Manchester Marathon. Our team was "Four Pints of Ale and a Packet of Blister Plasters". It was all a bit of fun really, four legs of two miles each with our three other teams and the addition of celebrating Suz's 40th Birthday (we'd all worn Jack Daniels t-shirts in honour of her favourite tipple) with a few beers afterwards on a sunny evening. I found the two miles tough, having not had chance to warm up properly, but I basically just wanted to run under 8 minute miles and managed to achieve that. A great race though and one I would recommend!

Saturday's parkrun was looking like being a steady plod until I found myself running alongside Pauline who had also been at the previous evening's festivities. I figured that if Pauline was going for it then I could too! We had a good natured battle with Pauline leading initially and then me coming back towards the end and a close finish. I was pleased to go under 25 minutes yet again; all things considered it gives me confidence that with a few weeks of consistent training I could have a go at a PB soon.

Sunday's long run was a 10.5 mile yomp around the hills of South Birmingham from the Peacock out to Alvechurch. It was a drizzly start to the day but great company as ever and rounded off my first 30 mile week since marathon week!