'Mature' runners.

Morning all,

Went out first thing for a 3 miler recovery plod.  It was glorious, all frosty and sunny 

00, naughty boy!  2007 was my first year of knitting silliness and my wool kept getting stuck on my needles as my hands were so sweaty.  So this time you're just going enjoy the atmosphere and the wonderful crowd support?  Don't believe you 

IW, we haven't seen a photo of Nemo for a while.

Columba, the 'bull in field' signs have appeared all over the place round here which is interesting as there are very few cows left in the area.  Farmers often use the signs to discourage dog walkers.

JJ, in theory, based on my training I should have smashed my marathon pb years ago but I just never seem to quite manage it (closest was Abingdon in 2009 where I was 1 minute outside) but I'll keep trying.  50 mins for 10k is still scary and you've got great big long legs and I haven't 

Matsmum, well done on your little plod.  I find walking is great for stretching your legs out after a long run and I sometimes go for a walk in the afternoon after a LSR.  Please make sure you don't push yourself too hard on your speedwork day this week as you'll have some micro-tears in your muscles after your 20 miler.

TE, yep, you are definitely out of control with your hill attack work!  You must be getting stronger every day and you will need to be for those hills in the SDM.  I can't make my mind up which is the tougher route, SDM or Beachy Head. 

ok Redhead, just for you!

I should have some new ones of Charly soon, one of the ladies in our club took photos of the dogs in attack work and she will email me the ones of Charly.

Red - now why didn't I think of that? - It's all sheep-farming round here, not a cow in sight.

BIW - lovely picture of Nemo.Now looking forward to Charly.

Oh IW, he looks amazing and in such wonderful condition!

Red, I certainly do feel much stronger these days, and the hill work, intervals and increased weekly mileage are the major factors. I have been running in the New Forest for about 34 years now, so could be classed as an experienced off road runner.

BIW, nice picture of Nemo, he looks very alert.

Another hill session with the Club tomorrow, can't get enough of hills.

No running today. Attacked by DOMS so did a long walk with the doodle.

IW
That's plenty of races.

Redhead
One of the problems with marathons is that it's easy to forget it's a race and treat it a bit like we do for a long training run. You have to keep pushing along at target pace even when it starts hurting.
There's an adjective describing my legs that you've missed out. It's "old".

Columba
Bulls wandering about in fields are a rarity nowadays. You're more likely to be mowed down by a vet in a Land Rover on his way to an artificial insemination  appointment.
JJ

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JJ unfortunately we all tend to stick to our race plans even when they are slightly unrealistic only to come undone when it's too late, usually at 20 miles +. A lot more poeple fail rather than succeed at their marathon targets- including me on 13/14 occasions. No matter what I say I know I'll go off with 3 hours in mind    

Thanks Red! I'm really pleased with Nemo's condition.

Entered Schifferstadt sprint tri last night - that's an easy season opener, 400m swim in an indoor pool, 20km bike, totally flat course except for a small bridge, and a 5km flat run. Loads of kids do this one so it's a real family atmosphere.   

The results of the John Austin Half are now out, and Helen and Kerry did really well, obviously running together all the way, and finishing in 2.03. The race was in the forest and all off road, so these times were particularly good. It was also Kerry's first. I wish now that I had entered, but will certainly, all being well, enter it next year.

A lovely bright sunny morning here, although there is thick fog in parts of Hampshire. I'm looking forward to tonights hill session with the club

Yes it looks great out there. planning a 10 miler tonight.

Wonderful sunny day today. Did a carp 4+ miles off road with the doodle. She didn't look too pleased so we had to stop twice for some games with a stick she pulled out of hedge.

Off to watch the football.
JJ

Hope you enjoyed JJ. Looks like a domestics season for Man U.

11 hard miles for me tonight.

As a United fan for over 50 years I'm really disappointed, the ref ruined last night's game. Still, 12 points lead in the league isn't too bad.

Morning all,

Well there was a lot of shouting at the Ref in our house last night - and Mike, being a Scouser, is not even a fan of ManU!  What a ridiculous decision.  Even I could see it should just have been a yellow card and I don't like football.

TE, well done to your proteges.

JJ, I'm sure the doodle was rather pleased that your run didn't go as well as you'd have liked.  She should have come out with me as mine was rubbish too and I could have played the stick game and pretended that I wasn't supposed to be running 

My pootle yesterday was nondescript as my head just wasn't in the zone at all.  Today I shall be doing my intervals with determination and focus to make up for it and moving my mid-week MP run to tomorrow.

Morning, I missed the footie as I didn't know it was on. It seems that United were robbed, due to a very controversial sending off.

Red, thanks. It's really great seeing the improvement of the ladies over the last few months, and they are becoming very competitive. It's my ambition to help them to race faster than me. Really concentrate on your intervals and the knowledge that the faster your pace, the easier it will be in your marathons where you will probably be running two minutes per mile slower.

Last night's club session was very tough. We did 4 hilly figure of eight circuits of 0.72 miles. I was able to keep up with some of the fast group, and even managed to outsprint some of them. My times were 5.08 (7.08 miling pace) 5.18, 5.23 and 5.16. I am now just going to do easy runs the rest of the week, so that I will be "rearing to go" for Sundays race. I am aiming for sub 80 minutes, and will push hard to achieve this.

Which race are you doing Terence? I'm entered in the Spen 20 but it's a long way to go so I may just do my own 20+ miler instead

0050, I am doing the Salisbury 10 mile on Sunday, and two weeks later the Eastleigh 10k. My main target is the South Downs Marathon in June, hence my increase in weekly mileage. I did the Bramley 20 mile three weeks ago, and will do more 20's and possibly a 22 after Eastleigh.

Ran a nice 6 miler this morning at an easy pace.

My intervals went well this morning so I'm a happy girlie again 

TE, is the Salisbury 10 miler off road?

Lovely day yesterday. I went out with the running club in the evening, - didn't bother taking gloves, and had to take my jacket off half-way through.

Red, unfortunately, it is all on road, but apparently has some nice scenery.

Columba, I wore shorts last night and didn't wear a hat or gloves.