With Pete and Fiona taking in part in the Aylesbury event it was left to Les, Steve and I to represent FlitwickTri at our local Parkrun this week. Steve Clough was marshalling so only Les and I were running.
There were 179 runners on what was a chilly morning and there were some interesting fancy dress outfits including a few Santas, an elf, Batman and Robin and a turkey.
Our times were:
Chris Wright 30th in 22.28
Les Potts 75th in 25.40
Chris
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Monday, 15 December 2014
Bedford Parkrun - 13.12.14
On a very cold morning in Bedford 4 of us went up to Bedford for the Parkrun. Les and Pete were both volunteering and I was acting as a pacer (for those aiming for a 30 minutes finishing time). Sian was our lone runner.
In the end there was a timing issue as I finished in 30.01 and the results suggest a time of 30.24 (several places later). Sian is shown as having a time of 38.45 whereas I believe her time should have been adjusted to 37.41.
Chris
In the end there was a timing issue as I finished in 30.01 and the results suggest a time of 30.24 (several places later). Sian is shown as having a time of 38.45 whereas I believe her time should have been adjusted to 37.41.
Chris
Andy Reading 10K - 14.12.14
Hi Folks
On Sunday I ventured out to a chilly Bicester for the Andy Reading 10k. An event where I achieved my 10k PB.
Not doing regular training meant I am not currently close to my 49min PB but I was hoping for about 55min.
Considering how chilly and blustery it was on the open fields and the airfield I was very content to learn I had battled well into the wind to achieve 53m47s. Classed as a flat course it is well worth a try if you are after improving your 10k PB time, just hope its a nice day!
Though on my own the locals were very friendly and facilities very welcoming.
Pete Jones
Sunday, 14 December 2014
MK Winter Half Marathon - 14.12.14
it was very chilly this morning in Milton Keynes, especially waiting for the start, but once running this ceased to be much of an issue.
The route around MIlton Keynes took in lots of parks and the canal tow path and whilst there was only one long uphill section (from miles 9 to 10) there were lots of short sharp climbs where paths went under roads or over the canal and roads. Quite energy sapping after a while, and it meant tired legs, especially at the end of the run.
Given the timing of the event we all had our own targets. Les met his, I managed to exceed mine but Liam struggled today and took it easy to make sure he got round.
There were 1034 people taking part and our results were:
Chris Wright 240th in 1.43.47
Les Potts 472nd in 1.55.48
Liam Ko 577th in 2.01.28
Overall a good local race and certainly an effective pre-Christmas workout.
Chris
The route around MIlton Keynes took in lots of parks and the canal tow path and whilst there was only one long uphill section (from miles 9 to 10) there were lots of short sharp climbs where paths went under roads or over the canal and roads. Quite energy sapping after a while, and it meant tired legs, especially at the end of the run.
Given the timing of the event we all had our own targets. Les met his, I managed to exceed mine but Liam struggled today and took it easy to make sure he got round.
There were 1034 people taking part and our results were:
Chris Wright 240th in 1.43.47
Les Potts 472nd in 1.55.48
Liam Ko 577th in 2.01.28
Overall a good local race and certainly an effective pre-Christmas workout.
Chris
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Tring Parkrun - 06.12.14
Hi Folks
Last Saturday I ventured south east to Tring to try another of our ‘local’ parkruns. I went prepared knowing it was going to be mostly cross country with my trail shoes.
It was easy to find and the car park was close to the start albeit over a pedestrian footbridge. There were about 87 other foolhardy peeps taking part on what was a very frosty morning.
As it said on Parkrun's course description the run was literally 1K up hill then mostly downhill. It was a very pretty run over open fields, meadowland and woodland trails. The frozen ground meant it was not to squelchy either.
I managed a respectable 42nd place in a time of 29 min which was not bad as the winner could only manage 20min 17s.
All in all it was well worth the effort of making the journey and I have now taken part in 18 different Parkruns.
Pete Jones
Saturday, 29 November 2014
Bedford Parkrun - 29.11.14
This morning it was good to welcome Jack back to Bedford Parkrun after a bit of a break, his time wasn't too shabby either.
Conditions were good for running as there was no wind and the early rain had stopped before the run started. Sian took full advantage and clocked a new PB in her 101st Parkrun and in the process broke through the 35 minute barrier!
The times were:
Chris Wright 29th in 21.53
Jack Wilkinson 34th in 22.18
Les Potts 67th in 24.40
Pete Jones 80th in 25.34
Sian Jones 166th in 34.49
Well done all.
Conditions were good for running as there was no wind and the early rain had stopped before the run started. Sian took full advantage and clocked a new PB in her 101st Parkrun and in the process broke through the 35 minute barrier!
The times were:
Chris Wright 29th in 21.53
Jack Wilkinson 34th in 22.18
Les Potts 67th in 24.40
Pete Jones 80th in 25.34
Sian Jones 166th in 34.49
Well done all.
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
In the wheel tracks of Olympic champions
Yesterday I had a day out to remember courtesy of a birthday present from Lois. As a complete surprise to me she got me a voucher that entitled me to go and ride on the Olympic Velodrome at the Olympic Park in Statford, home of the 2012 Olympic Games and the venue at which many of Britain's gold medals were won.
Lois accompanied me to the velodrome and acted as supporter and photographer.
It was an amazing experience and the building and track were superb. Having only seen it on TV it is hard to imaging how steep the end banking is and I have to admit to being a bit nervous before things got started. This didn't help when I was changed and ready to go in the centre of the track.
Thankfully there was a very experienced coach on hand to take us through the technical and practical aspect of the experience. One thing that was very tricky, for me at least, was the fact that the gearing is fixed, i.e. if the wheels are going round so are the pedals. Also there are no gears and no brakes! If you are going round at speed you cannot stop quickly (unless you hit something) and you must keep pedalling.
We started off on the inside of the track and then eventually moved onto the lower level of the track itself (and the steeper banking). It transpired that the key to being safe on the banking was to keep pushing on and we were warned about taking it easy on the banking which was flagged up as being a recipe for disaster.
After initial forays on the flat area and the lower levels of the track I very quickly found myself told to move up to the next line (the black one) and to speed up. Next time round it was "up to the red line and speed up" and again on the next lap "above the blue and speed up some more". By this time my cadence felt pretty quick and after 5 or 6 minutes at that cadence and pushing round the bends I felt very warm and rather weary. Mind you I didn't dare slow down at that point for fear of falling off on the banking. Thankfully we were all told to slow down and stop for a quick debrief at that point.
With 15 minutes of our session left we were told we could go for it again and that we could keep going for the rest of the session. That doesn't sound like long but at speed on a fixed wheel bike and pushing through the corners it sure felt like it to me. Thankfully my fitness levels were just good enough to last out the session, which was good as i got to whizz past some of the youngsters towards the end of the session that had been passing me earlier.
All in all a really great experience and I have a feeling Lois and I may end up back there at some point possibly to try out their mountain bike track.
Here are a few photos and, if it works, a video clip taken fairly early on in the session.
Chris
Lois accompanied me to the velodrome and acted as supporter and photographer.
It was an amazing experience and the building and track were superb. Having only seen it on TV it is hard to imaging how steep the end banking is and I have to admit to being a bit nervous before things got started. This didn't help when I was changed and ready to go in the centre of the track.
Thankfully there was a very experienced coach on hand to take us through the technical and practical aspect of the experience. One thing that was very tricky, for me at least, was the fact that the gearing is fixed, i.e. if the wheels are going round so are the pedals. Also there are no gears and no brakes! If you are going round at speed you cannot stop quickly (unless you hit something) and you must keep pedalling.
We started off on the inside of the track and then eventually moved onto the lower level of the track itself (and the steeper banking). It transpired that the key to being safe on the banking was to keep pushing on and we were warned about taking it easy on the banking which was flagged up as being a recipe for disaster.
After initial forays on the flat area and the lower levels of the track I very quickly found myself told to move up to the next line (the black one) and to speed up. Next time round it was "up to the red line and speed up" and again on the next lap "above the blue and speed up some more". By this time my cadence felt pretty quick and after 5 or 6 minutes at that cadence and pushing round the bends I felt very warm and rather weary. Mind you I didn't dare slow down at that point for fear of falling off on the banking. Thankfully we were all told to slow down and stop for a quick debrief at that point.
With 15 minutes of our session left we were told we could go for it again and that we could keep going for the rest of the session. That doesn't sound like long but at speed on a fixed wheel bike and pushing through the corners it sure felt like it to me. Thankfully my fitness levels were just good enough to last out the session, which was good as i got to whizz past some of the youngsters towards the end of the session that had been passing me earlier.
All in all a really great experience and I have a feeling Lois and I may end up back there at some point possibly to try out their mountain bike track.
Here are a few photos and, if it works, a video clip taken fairly early on in the session.
Chris
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