'Mature' runners.

I successfully ran 13.07 miles in the forest this morning in 2.07.38, an average pace of 9.46. I was pleased with this, as it was hot and sunny, and I set off without my cap, as it was overcast first thing. I achieved a negative split and my miles in the second half were quite consistent. My run was, however, spoilt when at 12 miles, a large black dog rushed at me and jumped up, scraping my right arm with its claws. The owner was very apologetic, but I ran the last mile with blood running down my arm. I washed the wound thoroughly and applied TCP. Hopefully it should be ok, and I covered it with an elastoplast. I will have a well deserved rest day tomorrow.

I think my improvement in running miles and speed work etc. has been because I have been so inspired by the Olympics and ParaOlympics.

My Club entered two teams for this afternoons Overton 5 mile race, and I would have run if I hadn't been doing the Half Marathons. I thought it was more important doing the LSD than a short race.

Good luck again Red and anyone else racing tomorrow. Your race reports will be very welcome in due course.

JJ, good to see you are back at it.

TE, thats certainly good running.

Its a no running day for me today, Mrs OT has dragged me off to the shops..... cosmic  !

Thanks OT.

Redhead - tapir is progressing, thank you. Did 4 and a 1/4 miles this evening; will go swimming Monday, x-C with the club Tuesday (they're only running 4 - 5 miles this time, apparently) and that will probably be my lot before Sunday and the race. A lot of the club are entering the race.

Very best of luck with yours, - though you probably won't pick this up until after it.

TE - running very impressive, but dog attack not good at all. Did the owner see the damage the dog had done? Hope it heals up well with no infection.

Columba, yes I showed the dog's owner my arm and that it was bleeding. She was very apologetic and said the dog was only a puppy and wanted to play. I don't seem to have any after effects, but am considering going for a tetnus jab. I have had two in the past, but the last one was over 10 years ago, so may have lost its effectiveness. The woman also had another big dog and two small ones. Luckily, this is the first time a dog has ever drawn blood, but it really ruined my run, although I ran the 13th mile at good pace, so that I could get home and clean up the wound.

It's raining here, and if it's raining on Red's race, then that should be ideal.

Morning all.
Second comeback run this morning. Did a tiny fraction over 4 miles. Splits were:
10:09
9:38
9:53 kn*ckered but with a useful bit of downhill.
That's 29:41 for 3 miles.Tthe last mile was very slow due to warrming down, stopping for stretces and walking the last 200m.
JJ

TE
I keep looking at the Paralypics and the great coverage in the Times, and like you I'm so impressed with what these people do with various bits in non-working order. It makes me realise how much us older folk, mostly with everything in working order, can learn from the younger generation.
JJ

JJ your morning run is very encouraging. It shouldn't be long before you are "up to speed" again.

TE
I will be 72 in a couple of weeks and "up to speed" isn't going to be as quick as I would like. The reason is that I can no longer recover quickly enough from training runs and therefore I'm not able to do enough really hard work. I shall have to rely more than ever on getting my age graded percentage back to the 72% to 75% range rather than trying for the sort of times I used to do.

I'm also going to do quite a lot of winter XC as strength work and because times are irrelevent I can enjoy myself.
JJ

JJ, i'm pleased that it is going well for you, i think the " speed " you are already up to is awesome for an owd buggar !

I'm not so speedy, but i'm up and running again with a view to getting plenty of base miles in before i start a more scheduled training plan for Brighton next year. &m more miles this morning along the leafy lanes of Hayton and Bielby with the distinct smell of manure on a warm breeze this morning. 1-25-02 a couple of minutes quicker than the other day.

OT
Thank you. If anyone asks my age please say "over 50".

Speed isn't of the essence. Enjoyment and a sense of achievement is paramount.
JJ

JJ there is absolutely no way that we could ever get down to the times we attained in our younger days. I used to jog at a  pace that is now out of reach. If you can get back to mid 70s graded percentages, then you will be doing well. That is also my target, as I don't believe I will ever get back into the eighties. Cross country is excellent for aging bones and joints, and that is why I do most of my training these days off road. If you enjoy your running, then that is the most important aspect. I wouldn't still be running if I didn't enjoy it.

OT good luck with your training and hope all goes well for next years Brighton.

Morning all,

Had a lovely day yesterday and really enjoyed myself, smiling all the way round.  Took 28 minutes off my previous time from 5 years ago, finishing in 5:09 just behind Hippo, which was my goal so I couldn't be happier.  Fab to see so many 100 clubbers there and to chat to old friends en-route.  I love out and back/roundabout routes like this 'cos as a slower runner I get to see all the speedy peeps which is inspirational.

The weather was quite hot and sunny in the first 1/2 which is the "undulating" (or rather undulating with some steep hills!!!) part and then overcast and cloudy for the second half.  I've got a white mark where my Garmin was!

The only niggles I had were my usual ones of a twingey right knee (old riding injury) and a pain up in my bum at the top of my hamstring which made for an uncomfortable journey driving home.  Took my leggies went out for a recovery run earlier and feel fine 

Will read back later.

Red, very well done, and an excellent time Sounds like you didn't have any problems with your breathing? I presume you will take it easy now for a few days?

Thanks TE.  No problems with my breathing thank goodness but I forgot to mention I had a massive cramp in my left hamstring around mile 18.  A very nice man helped get rid of it but it's confirmed my fears that some of my medication is causing cramps and so I've stopped taking it, as has Mike (as he's been getting severe cramps too!).

I've just read about your dog encounter.  Horrible, just horrible and no excuse for the owner.  Did you ask the quack about another tetanus jab?

JJ, well done for being philosophical.  You'll always be speedy in my eyes xxx

Columba, please take it easy at the club and go at your own pace.

OT, apparently the Brighton route is now really flat so we should be on for pbs 

Redhead, thats a good time given the warm conditions yesterday. On the PB front, the council is still out on that one !!

Hippo bless her its 5 years since i bumped into her at the Humber bridge half, she was striving then forthe 100 club, i undersrtand she is in the 200 club now, awesome.

Red, I discussed the dog incident with my sister, who is a nurse and she advised that as it wasn't a bite, there shouldn't be any need for another jab. I have had two in the past and she said that they don't believe boosters are necessay these days. I will, of course keep an eye on things, but I am feeling ok and the wound is nice and clean. I appled a fresh elastoplast this morning to keep the dirt out.

I received my race pack for the New Forest Half Marathon this morning and there were 1,783 entries at the time the brochure went to print. There were 986 entries for the full marathon.

Ran a very easy pace 6.25 miles this morning in nice sunshine.

Legs are stiffv so a norunday onday.

Redhead
Great run.That was no mean feat on a tough course.
I noticed Benz in the results when I was spying on your time last evening.

I used to run 10 miles at 7 minute miling when I was 65 and the top M60s were doing about a minute a mile quicker than me so I was never speedy enough. I notice Trevor Edgely from Sevenoaks who is an M60 ran 3:11 yesterday and was only second M60!
JJ

Red - 28 minutes off your previous time is fantastic, especially as you are now 5 years older! Sounds like a lovely day, apart from the cramp.

In these club X-C runs I am nearly always right at the back, and no-one complains about having to wait for me. Most of them walk the very steep uphills anyway.

Been swimming.

How old do I have to be to be considered a 'mature' runner???? lol