I enjoyed the race and got a good time on a lovely day, marshalling was good and traffic control OK BUT the previous races starting at the school were much better. Today; parking was poor and a long way from the start - changing facilities were bad, a large barn like space freezing cold with a sand floor and nothing else - the first kilometer of the race was very crowded and slow for runners in the middle of the field - the rest of the route was OK - the finish was poor with a long slow queue before clearing the lines to get a drink. All these things were so much better starting from the school. Results were on the web very quickly which is good.
Please organisers go back to the school, a ten K route and a thus a far better event in my opinion.
Treadmill, I could not manage without. I am 66y old and suffer with quite a lot of arthritis and sore joints, I have an artificial hip which replaced the arthritic one ten years ago. Running on the road a lot really causes quite a lot of pain, any 'efforts' on the road cause a lot of pain and or injury. I find the best for me is to mix the treadmill work with the road or off-road. I do my long run on the road each week. I will jog/walk with my dog for about 3m once or twice a week or when the evenings are light I will run with my club. The remainder of my running is on the gym treadmill. I use a minimum of 2% gradient and do a mix of intervals, tempo runs and 'hills' some of which are in the 'fell runner' style. I do a Pilates session once or twice a week for the stretching and to help with mobility, and some core and (a little) upper body work. I walk the dog each day and we do agility (that's the dog not me). I find this keeps me fit enough to do a half marathon (sub 2h) or a 10K (sub 55m) each month so although very slow I get what I want from my sport and am able to enjoy running with other club members. I am also tired most of the time except when I rest for a few days before a race when I feel great. Older runners with similar problems might find that less road and more of the treadmill could keep them going for a few more years rather than give up.
A suggestion for the slower half marathon runners looking to improve their stamina. Try an occassional long distance walk of 25miles plus. If you walk with The Long Distance Walkers Association you can do supported walks between 20m and 100m! These walks are very friendly and supportive usually over hills and rough ground. It won't do a lot for your leg speed but for building stamina it can be ideal. Try replacing a long run once every 4 or 6 weeks with a very long walk. Google LDWA for information.
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Colin Green 4
