A SAD TALE FROM SABDEN TRAIL
SABDEN 6 TRAIL RACE
Going in to this race I was unsure what was in store. The only preconceived guarantee was that I would finish it at least. But even that proved not to be the case as I haunted myself with a DNF about two miles in to proceedings. I've had two Did Not Finish experiences in the past - a bust knee after a rocky tumble at the Three Shires race couldn't be helped and I maintain it was entirely sensible when I pulled up quite early on in the Sedburgh Hills race. Breaking in a pair of Walsh fell runners that I had won went all wrong. After stupidly straying off course on the first descent, the Walshes proved no good for me. I was literally running on the sides of the shoes when cambering and strained something in the lower leg.
This DNF at Sabden though, this was just a sudden compulsion. It just happened. A mental and physical recognition that a competitive edge had been left behind on the starting line. I was struggling, just like I've struggled before on many occasions, but here I simply stopped, literally said, "sod this", and turned to trot back the opposite way. I wasn't where I wanted to be, challenging where I felt I ought to be challenging. I'm sure if anyone gave a hoot they might criticise my actions. It was a weak thing to do, the easiest thing to do. But I didn't feel relief when I stopped and began to retrace my steps, far from it, and if it was an easy option then I would have done it before in recent times.
As I hit the main track back to the village, ironically I naturally picked up a bit of speed again and embarrassingly received the plaudits of some onlookers who mistakenly thought I was the race leader coming back in! It just wasn't the race to pull out of as there was no stealthy way back to report my resignation to a race official and instead faced the ignominy of a watching crowd back at the start and finish line. There was a bit of good banter, but the iconic presence of Blackburn Harriers club secretary George Davies looked bemused at my lame excuse for pulling the plug. It's a good job race organiser Shaun Livesey missed this inglorious act because he would have sent me back out there to do the full course.
So as I latched on to the familiar journey home down the A59, I searched for excuses why I was rubbish and dropped out... I've not had chance to do the long runs in recent weeks, I can't do track sessions, I felt like crap most of that day, I had a meal at 4:30pm, Richard Taylor (and George) gave me one last lobbying on the EU Referendum when I should have been warming up, our new dog Connie hasn't slept through yet... but essentially, I think it's just a lack of real quality training and ability to sustain it that is letting me down.
From here I either go with the flow that iksn't flowing very well or I just don't race any more. Well, at least not until after next week's Tebay fell race. Those lush green lumps that are the Howgills have the pulling power to make me race again next Wednesday, but the lush greens at the Leyland Fox Lane Club upon which to roll some woods is also a power that pulls ever closer.
Wed. 22nd June 2016
SABDEN 6 TRAIL RACE (6m) Sabden, Lancs.
Ist Man - Tom Cornthwaite (Salford) 35:44
1st Lady - Louisa Powell Smith (Clayton) 41:53
My Stats - DNF
Thursday, 23 June 2016
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
SEVEN SINS
I've been on the running scene for just over ten years now and generally speaking, what a fine breed of peculiar people I have had the pleasure of meeting. But, as in any walk (or run) of life, there is always annoyance, nuisance and bug bares to bare. As somebody who can get easily irritated at times, here are seven random running things that particularly get on my nerves...
1) OVERTAKING AND BRAKING...
So it's a fell race and it's pretty much a section of single file trod unless you want to go through some really rough stuff. Then clever clogs comes alongside surging in the heather and tussocks to not only cut right in front, put then put the breaks on and proceed at a slower pace than I was running in the first place. It's even worse on a climb when all you have is their backside parked in your face.
2) BOUNDARY HOPPERS...
"In the interests of the future of this race, please use stiles and gates and do not climb walls and fences. Thank you". It said so in the race info, the race organiser even gave a verbal reminder at the start. But early on in the race amongst us also-rans there is a small queue forming at the next field boundary. That's the cue for one numpty to think their need is far greater and rather than wait a few seconds, go for the illegal clamber and brazenly jog on ignoring the rightful protests of fellow competitors and basically behaving like a dick.
3) STILE BUT NO SUBSTANCE...
Another example of nonsensical nuisance behaviour at land boundaries is when a runner surges to nip in front of you just before the next stile or gate. Now if the finish is in sight, then I totally get it. But then if that was the case I'd make a counter-surge to guard my place!
But when there are still ten miles to go, they're probably no better than me and then have the audacity to faff about getting over or through the said obstacle, said sinners ought to take a hindsight moment to question the bizarre and unnecessary nature of this behaviour.
4) LITTER BUGGERS...
Buggers they are too, but thankfully few and far between. I've witnessed only a few instances of deliberate littering by runners. At Keswick, Mick Green, who then ran for Lostock AC, thought nothing of chucking his plastic cup in to the bottom of a hedge on Fitz Park whilst we cooled down after the Skiddaw race. I can only hope that was a one off from Mick who I otherwise knew to be a decent enough chap. On the way to a ladies victory in the Three Peaks race of 2011, New Zealander Anna Frost tossed her plastic cup to ground 100 yards beyond the High Birkwith checkpoint like it was some City road marathon. It certainly didn't look accidental. The plastic cup sped off down the valley, tumbling in to the wind. There are some sinners out there no careful enough with their gel wrappers or who even think it's fine to spit out the bit they rip off with their teeth to open them. It's not.
5) NOT SO PERFECT PARTNERS...
Relay races and more specifically, fell relays when running in a pair... there really isn't anything worse than a partner who is quicker than you that doesn't grasp the concept of teamwork and getting the best out of you. Although we used to do the odd training run together, Dominic Raby wasn't an ideal companion to race in a pair with when I was at Chorley Harriers. Dom had a ten yard rule - he liked to be ten yards ahead if he was on his game. But the worst case scenario for me was after joining Blackburn and being partnered with Lee Passco a few times. Lee was running well at the time, a bit quicker than me and he seemed to have to prove this point when we were paired up in relays. Nightmare.
Best case scenario was Matt Nuttall. In a different class to myself, but got the best out of me at the British Fell Relays on the Lomonds of Fife. Certainly the odd time since, when I have perhaps been the stronger runner, I would never put my partner through the mire or get fifty yards ahead. I've seen examples of this at most team relays I've done. Last year at the Bradford Millenium Way Relay there was a clearly experienced chap paired up with a young lass who was really struggling. The sight of him fifty yards ahead and gaining wasn't doing much for her confidence or well being and he should of known better. As we passsed him I debated whether to say owt. Wished I had done now. Nowt worse in a team than a complete lack of teamwork!
6) PARKRUN SNOBBERY...
What on earth is all this about? You turn up at a Parkrun but don't scan your card at the finish because you don't want your time going up on the all important Power of Ten site?! I've only done four Parkruns, all at the far from flat Cuerden Valley course which is not conducive to fast times and this has happened twice when names to faces I recognise mysteriously don't appear on the results. Hijacking an event like this which people volunteer time and effort to put on really is the height of bad manners. These folk are also taking themselves way too seriously.
7) DISSENTING THE RACE ORGANISER.
Now this one really drives me nuts. I hate it when a race organiser gets criticism of ANY sort, even if they did get something wrong. It's a thankless task and without these fantastic individuals pulling their tripe out and giving something back to the sport, there are no races on the calendar for the rest of us to pick and choose from.
All of the above are purely isolated incidents and occasional bug bares. The antidotal write-up to the 'Seven Sins' would read 'The Magnificent Million' for all the good things to say about the sport and fell running in particular.
I've been on the running scene for just over ten years now and generally speaking, what a fine breed of peculiar people I have had the pleasure of meeting. But, as in any walk (or run) of life, there is always annoyance, nuisance and bug bares to bare. As somebody who can get easily irritated at times, here are seven random running things that particularly get on my nerves...
1) OVERTAKING AND BRAKING...
So it's a fell race and it's pretty much a section of single file trod unless you want to go through some really rough stuff. Then clever clogs comes alongside surging in the heather and tussocks to not only cut right in front, put then put the breaks on and proceed at a slower pace than I was running in the first place. It's even worse on a climb when all you have is their backside parked in your face.
2) BOUNDARY HOPPERS...
"In the interests of the future of this race, please use stiles and gates and do not climb walls and fences. Thank you". It said so in the race info, the race organiser even gave a verbal reminder at the start. But early on in the race amongst us also-rans there is a small queue forming at the next field boundary. That's the cue for one numpty to think their need is far greater and rather than wait a few seconds, go for the illegal clamber and brazenly jog on ignoring the rightful protests of fellow competitors and basically behaving like a dick.
3) STILE BUT NO SUBSTANCE...
Another example of nonsensical nuisance behaviour at land boundaries is when a runner surges to nip in front of you just before the next stile or gate. Now if the finish is in sight, then I totally get it. But then if that was the case I'd make a counter-surge to guard my place!
But when there are still ten miles to go, they're probably no better than me and then have the audacity to faff about getting over or through the said obstacle, said sinners ought to take a hindsight moment to question the bizarre and unnecessary nature of this behaviour.
4) LITTER BUGGERS...
Buggers they are too, but thankfully few and far between. I've witnessed only a few instances of deliberate littering by runners. At Keswick, Mick Green, who then ran for Lostock AC, thought nothing of chucking his plastic cup in to the bottom of a hedge on Fitz Park whilst we cooled down after the Skiddaw race. I can only hope that was a one off from Mick who I otherwise knew to be a decent enough chap. On the way to a ladies victory in the Three Peaks race of 2011, New Zealander Anna Frost tossed her plastic cup to ground 100 yards beyond the High Birkwith checkpoint like it was some City road marathon. It certainly didn't look accidental. The plastic cup sped off down the valley, tumbling in to the wind. There are some sinners out there no careful enough with their gel wrappers or who even think it's fine to spit out the bit they rip off with their teeth to open them. It's not.
5) NOT SO PERFECT PARTNERS...
Relay races and more specifically, fell relays when running in a pair... there really isn't anything worse than a partner who is quicker than you that doesn't grasp the concept of teamwork and getting the best out of you. Although we used to do the odd training run together, Dominic Raby wasn't an ideal companion to race in a pair with when I was at Chorley Harriers. Dom had a ten yard rule - he liked to be ten yards ahead if he was on his game. But the worst case scenario for me was after joining Blackburn and being partnered with Lee Passco a few times. Lee was running well at the time, a bit quicker than me and he seemed to have to prove this point when we were paired up in relays. Nightmare.
Best case scenario was Matt Nuttall. In a different class to myself, but got the best out of me at the British Fell Relays on the Lomonds of Fife. Certainly the odd time since, when I have perhaps been the stronger runner, I would never put my partner through the mire or get fifty yards ahead. I've seen examples of this at most team relays I've done. Last year at the Bradford Millenium Way Relay there was a clearly experienced chap paired up with a young lass who was really struggling. The sight of him fifty yards ahead and gaining wasn't doing much for her confidence or well being and he should of known better. As we passsed him I debated whether to say owt. Wished I had done now. Nowt worse in a team than a complete lack of teamwork!
6) PARKRUN SNOBBERY...
What on earth is all this about? You turn up at a Parkrun but don't scan your card at the finish because you don't want your time going up on the all important Power of Ten site?! I've only done four Parkruns, all at the far from flat Cuerden Valley course which is not conducive to fast times and this has happened twice when names to faces I recognise mysteriously don't appear on the results. Hijacking an event like this which people volunteer time and effort to put on really is the height of bad manners. These folk are also taking themselves way too seriously.
7) DISSENTING THE RACE ORGANISER.
Now this one really drives me nuts. I hate it when a race organiser gets criticism of ANY sort, even if they did get something wrong. It's a thankless task and without these fantastic individuals pulling their tripe out and giving something back to the sport, there are no races on the calendar for the rest of us to pick and choose from.
All of the above are purely isolated incidents and occasional bug bares. The antidotal write-up to the 'Seven Sins' would read 'The Magnificent Million' for all the good things to say about the sport and fell running in particular.
Sunday, 19 June 2016
NOT BOWLED OVER BUT STILL NOT BOWLING
PODIUM 5K
Was it Winston Churchill who said, "Some of us were born to do Podium, some of us become Podium runners and some of us have Podium thrust upon us"? Not quite, I think he was referring to greatness, actually. Podium - certainly not greatness - was thrust upon me this Friday evening as I was tempted by the obligation of my presence for the Up & Running shop which was represented on site. I could have given it a miss this time around, but of equal obligation, I was there and fit to run so quite simply my conscience would not accept anything other than pinning on a number and having a bash. Unlike the last Podium 5K in March, I haven't been doing significant mileage and the only speedy sessions of late are a couple which I dutifully crashed in the week leading up to the race, once I had acknowledged to myself that I wasn't going to live with myself if I didn't actually to run it.
So this blog, diary, whatever it is, hasn't converted focus to crown green bowling just yet then. It's still about running as I feel a small corner has been turned. Not as much cycling as I planned, probably not as much running either, but at least the hamstrung state of affairs has eased and maybe it's time to just get out there and do some races, regardless of where I finish. Having spluttered enough pace in my emergency speed sessions to be confident of just about sub-6 minute miling, there was absolutely no doubt whatsoever about entering the 'A' race. Sub-18 is the organiser's guideline entry and I've ranted previously about this... if you're sub-18 and you know it, then you've got to stick yourself in there with the big boys and girls. Because many of my similarly timed competitors opted for the 'B' race, it was another lonely affair during the five laps of the Barrowford cycle track. More lonely than last time because I just didn't quite have the race in me for this one. Accy's Chris Walton and another fella were always in reaching distance, but there just wasn't that smooth control of decent pace that I enjoyed back in March. Each of the three miles got slightly slower and with a lap and a half to go I could feel that sustaining the pace and effort I was already giving was a challenge in itself. A lack of miles in the bank recently meant I didn't have the endurance to fall back on, but 17:46 was by no means a disaster.
At least being slower than last time out I got a great view of Ben Fish crossing the line in first place at the opposite side of the track. I was pleased for my clubmate and store boss. He's been knocking on the door for a Podium victory since it's inauguration and went sub-15 on it as well. For hindsight thoughts of my own performance, I can only stand by my comments made to the great George Davies for the club's news round-up - "My tendency to chase the shadows of times gone by generally leaves me rather disappointed with myself when I show up for a race these days. But the reality is that in a few more years time I will probably look back and say that wasn't a bad time off a sketchy last month of training at the age of 42. There's still a sub-17 in me on this course if I can get some consistent speed sessions in I reckon, but the clock is ticking." - that sums things up I suppose. Credit to the Barnes again for a cracking race. He had his hands full with over two hours of racing in constant flow from juniors through to seniors. Now for the Sabden 6 Trail Race this week and onwards, if not entirely upwards.
Fri. 17th June 2016
PODIUM 5K Barrowford, Lancs.
1st Man - Ben Fish (Blackburn H) 14:59
1st Lady - Lauren Howarth (Leigh) 15:58
My Stats - 17:46 34/37
PODIUM 5K
Was it Winston Churchill who said, "Some of us were born to do Podium, some of us become Podium runners and some of us have Podium thrust upon us"? Not quite, I think he was referring to greatness, actually. Podium - certainly not greatness - was thrust upon me this Friday evening as I was tempted by the obligation of my presence for the Up & Running shop which was represented on site. I could have given it a miss this time around, but of equal obligation, I was there and fit to run so quite simply my conscience would not accept anything other than pinning on a number and having a bash. Unlike the last Podium 5K in March, I haven't been doing significant mileage and the only speedy sessions of late are a couple which I dutifully crashed in the week leading up to the race, once I had acknowledged to myself that I wasn't going to live with myself if I didn't actually to run it.
So this blog, diary, whatever it is, hasn't converted focus to crown green bowling just yet then. It's still about running as I feel a small corner has been turned. Not as much cycling as I planned, probably not as much running either, but at least the hamstrung state of affairs has eased and maybe it's time to just get out there and do some races, regardless of where I finish. Having spluttered enough pace in my emergency speed sessions to be confident of just about sub-6 minute miling, there was absolutely no doubt whatsoever about entering the 'A' race. Sub-18 is the organiser's guideline entry and I've ranted previously about this... if you're sub-18 and you know it, then you've got to stick yourself in there with the big boys and girls. Because many of my similarly timed competitors opted for the 'B' race, it was another lonely affair during the five laps of the Barrowford cycle track. More lonely than last time because I just didn't quite have the race in me for this one. Accy's Chris Walton and another fella were always in reaching distance, but there just wasn't that smooth control of decent pace that I enjoyed back in March. Each of the three miles got slightly slower and with a lap and a half to go I could feel that sustaining the pace and effort I was already giving was a challenge in itself. A lack of miles in the bank recently meant I didn't have the endurance to fall back on, but 17:46 was by no means a disaster.
At least being slower than last time out I got a great view of Ben Fish crossing the line in first place at the opposite side of the track. I was pleased for my clubmate and store boss. He's been knocking on the door for a Podium victory since it's inauguration and went sub-15 on it as well. For hindsight thoughts of my own performance, I can only stand by my comments made to the great George Davies for the club's news round-up - "My tendency to chase the shadows of times gone by generally leaves me rather disappointed with myself when I show up for a race these days. But the reality is that in a few more years time I will probably look back and say that wasn't a bad time off a sketchy last month of training at the age of 42. There's still a sub-17 in me on this course if I can get some consistent speed sessions in I reckon, but the clock is ticking." - that sums things up I suppose. Credit to the Barnes again for a cracking race. He had his hands full with over two hours of racing in constant flow from juniors through to seniors. Now for the Sabden 6 Trail Race this week and onwards, if not entirely upwards.
Fri. 17th June 2016
PODIUM 5K Barrowford, Lancs.
1st Man - Ben Fish (Blackburn H) 14:59
1st Lady - Lauren Howarth (Leigh) 15:58
My Stats - 17:46 34/37
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
A NEW TRAINING CYCLE?
So statistics from May were not very encouraging. Slack mileage, just one race which didn't go well and barely feeling strong or even comfortable during any run for well over two weeks. It's not all gloom, gloom, gloom though. As the month drew to a close, the hamstring niggle began to fade and a decent day of sessions on the bike has restored some faith in my endurance levels at least. The 21.3 mile commute from Leyland to Clitheroe was completed in 1hr 17mins with an average speed of 16.5mph. Pedalling in to an annoyingly constant head wind, this required a fairly decent work rate to sustain. With the Ribble Valley jetstream on my tail on the return journey home, I was determined to knock a bit of time off and pedalled home in 1hr 8mins at an 18.7mph average. I'm not too clear as to how that rates in the cycling world, but aside from a steady eight mile ride with Sara, I have no cycling in the system since last Summer so I am quite pleased with those stats. I managed to throw a four mile run in as well, so a good day's training was had on the 30th of the month.
Running yesterday on the 31st in the heat of mid-afternoon, I had lofty ambitions of running in to double figures but the effects of the previous day's effort on wheels made for some awkwardness in getting a decent stride pattern together. Not sure about this biking lark now! It certainly wasn't a good day to get a running feelgood factor back and so for the sake of damage limitation, I returned home after forty minutes.
June is here and I'm going to give the cycling the benefit of the doubt. I've noted that a more pedalling than running routine hasn't done any harm to the fortunes of effervescent fellow Blackburn Harrier Andy Buttery these last few years. It's got to be worth a shot. I do find it a bit of a ball ache though to get the bike out, there seems a lot more faffing involved like checking stuff, pumping tyres up... with running it's just shoes on and off you pop. Either way, the purchase of a set of second hand woods is still on hold for the moment.
So statistics from May were not very encouraging. Slack mileage, just one race which didn't go well and barely feeling strong or even comfortable during any run for well over two weeks. It's not all gloom, gloom, gloom though. As the month drew to a close, the hamstring niggle began to fade and a decent day of sessions on the bike has restored some faith in my endurance levels at least. The 21.3 mile commute from Leyland to Clitheroe was completed in 1hr 17mins with an average speed of 16.5mph. Pedalling in to an annoyingly constant head wind, this required a fairly decent work rate to sustain. With the Ribble Valley jetstream on my tail on the return journey home, I was determined to knock a bit of time off and pedalled home in 1hr 8mins at an 18.7mph average. I'm not too clear as to how that rates in the cycling world, but aside from a steady eight mile ride with Sara, I have no cycling in the system since last Summer so I am quite pleased with those stats. I managed to throw a four mile run in as well, so a good day's training was had on the 30th of the month.
Running yesterday on the 31st in the heat of mid-afternoon, I had lofty ambitions of running in to double figures but the effects of the previous day's effort on wheels made for some awkwardness in getting a decent stride pattern together. Not sure about this biking lark now! It certainly wasn't a good day to get a running feelgood factor back and so for the sake of damage limitation, I returned home after forty minutes.
June is here and I'm going to give the cycling the benefit of the doubt. I've noted that a more pedalling than running routine hasn't done any harm to the fortunes of effervescent fellow Blackburn Harrier Andy Buttery these last few years. It's got to be worth a shot. I do find it a bit of a ball ache though to get the bike out, there seems a lot more faffing involved like checking stuff, pumping tyres up... with running it's just shoes on and off you pop. Either way, the purchase of a set of second hand woods is still on hold for the moment.
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