Back on the Trail

With the clocks going back this morning it didn't feel so bad to get up at 6.00 am and don my running kit ready for a good old trail run. As usual of late it appears the god of running is totally against me as I have developed a chesty cough and blocked nose so imagine my feelings as I stepped to the car and the drizzle had started to fall. I had dosed myself up with Lemsip and cough mixture in preparation for this run

On starting the run we spent the first 5-6 miles doing a recce of the Night Run course which allowed us to get the map out to hone our skills again to get around certain aspects of the trails that we had not travelled through before and make note of some compass bearings as they would not be easy to navigate at night without line of sight. After that we then moved off for an ad hoc run on paths we already knew which proved to be a brilliant, muddy and wet making us slip and slide all over the place. The autumn colours were fantastic today with half of Kent covered in deep orange, scarlet reds and sunny yellow....brilliant.

So today was a really useful, forfilling run that got me out of my malaise and got me out in the mud once more.

Trail word of the Day

rhinoplasty

n - Plastic surgery of the nose

Why I hear you ask dear reader? We were at the tail end of a great run today when we saw a lady in running kit, walking so we waved and offered our good mornings. We got into conversation and she informed that she was only allowed to walk due to having a recent nose job under instruction of her doctor.

She was obviously suffereng some bad bruising as she was wearing concealing make up which just was making the grade in the inclement weather it was cracking. Jeez she had bad bruising but good for her to get out and do her exercise.

One for the trail

Mad World? Certainly is!

This is for the quieter moments on the trail when things are ticking over nicely...

No Shit Sherlock!!

I just love...no love is a bit strong, I enjoy reading the various Terms & Conditions or small print on race entry forms. This one made me smile:

You acknowledge and realise that participation in the event is potentially dangerous and that there are numerous risks associated with your participation. Such risks and dangers include, but are not limited to, traffic accidents, collisions with pedestrians, vehicles, other drivers, and/or fixed or moving objects, and the negligence of other road users. Further, you fully understand and realise that your participation in the event may result in serious bodily injury and/or death to yourself or others. You further realise and understand that the route of the Event will require running on public roadways upon which the hazards of travelling are to be expected. Further, you realise that participation in the Event will require strenuous physical exertion as participants are required to be active for very long periods of time over several days, including the risk of being active during darkness, inclement weather and in the close proximity of deep water.

So far I think they haven't mentioned the sky falling in, the risk of alien invasion!

I am all for this but I must admit to you that isn't the world coming a ridiculous place where organisers have to get you to sign disclaimers like this in fear that people will sue them if they did run into a road sign, fall into a body of water or bump into a pedestrian whilst undertaking a seriously dangerous sport where the people entering it are automatically certifiable just by toeing the line.

Such is the world we live in but I will love to see the paperwork I will have to fill in if I get insurance cover....now that will be a completely different set of paperwork and legalese!!!

Night Run Update

The Night Run I am organising via Facebook is getting closer, so far there are 8 runners who have agreed via the event page and myself and one other so that makes 10 which is a good number for a pack run. I know a few of my readers who are local will not have had an invite but this is an open event so if you want to take part contact me at jezza[at]magicforest[dot]co[dot]uk

In true British fashion the event will start from the Fox Pub (see here for map) on 20th November 2010 at 8.00pm and will take us off on a nice little 12 mile run exploring some roads, paths and a little cross country and finish at the pub in time for a pint of Kentish ale

How many layers?

Now to have a laugh at my own expense!!!

After last night's cold run when I had to wear gloves for the first time I think I may have overeacted a little with my clothing. Fearing it was going to rain this evening I decided to pull on my OMM Kamleika smock over my running shirt and then realised that as it was black I needed to put on my fluoro jacket as well. Then I thought it was a good idea that as I wore gloves and a hat last evening to wear those too!!

So standing at the club house I felt pretty warm as the wind ripped at our legs but, boy, after we started running I realised that I have overdone the layers as the sweat started to build up and by the first mile my gloves and hat were firmly stuffed in my pockets. By the second mile my yellow jacket was unzipped and by the third my smock was unzipped. For the remainder of the run I decided that I should just sweat.

It reminds me of this video footage:

The future is bright

First let me say that I totally agree that runners should wear bright clothing at night or at least have some type of torch or reflective strips on their clothing to be seen....but let me have my little gentle ribbing to my friends and fellow runners on my club committee.

It appears that there was a decision from the committee that all runners attending the Winter club nights must wear bright clothing, something I totally condone but I had to have a little laugh when we were informed that fluoro jackets were on sale via the kit manager for the princely sum of £1.50 !!! Now where can you get a fluoro jacket for £1.50 in this day and age?

Then it dawned on me that ALL the committee members bar a couple were wearing sleeveless jackets with ENORMOUS reflective strips on the front and back, ones that workmen [and women] have to wear on builders site. This was confirmed when I was told that they were bought and sold on at cost as "Plumbers wore them on site" So next week I am awaiting the next committee dictat will be that we were hard hats in case the stars fall out of the sky.

It is alright chaps, it is a great idea but I will stick with my windproof fluoro jacket :-)

GUCR 2011

OH MY GOD!!!!

I have just received my pre-entry notes email to the 2011 Grand Union Canal Run. This email tells us how the race entry will be administered and what we will be required to do, it ends with these few words:

Places will be allocated by drawing names from a hat. The draw will take place, in public, on Friday 5^th November. Successful applicants will then be asked to send paper copies – and payment!

Best Wishes, Dick.

Rumours are there 263 interested runners and only 100 places, well the odds are pretty good so fingers crossed

Getting nippy

I think we can say goodbye to the balmy days of summer and the lovely warm evening runs at 9.00 pm for tonight was decidedly nippy. I had to get my running gloves out from the bottom of my kit bag tonight and stick my cap way down towards my ears.

So there is was a nice short run tonight with all the intentions of taking it very easy but then found myself running 10 kilometres in just under 48 minutes. In all I am feeling a little better physically and mentally which should see me now beginning to raise my milage again during this lull in my running goals

One for the trail

Air guitars at the ready...play it loud.

Trip hazards

Back on to my subject of quality sessions I decided to go for run this evening making sure I stuck to roads and pavements for most of the way as it is getting dark out there.

The run was pretty mundane as runs go trudging along the local roads in an attempt to get in some hills at a good pace. I had to take on a particularly tough hill which was between two wooded areas and had no streetlights, so donning my headtorch I started the ascent. I could see through trees headlights approaching and then saw it swing around the bend at speed, travel towards me and then swerve and skid. A lucky miss but they were going way to fast for the conditions and I was possibly the the last thing they were expecting to see dragging my sorry arse up the hill!!

Worst was to come when I entered the outskirts of town and tripped on a tree root protruding out of the pavement, stumble and then manage to right myself. I thought I was OK but then the pain in my big toe returned. Getting back home and taking off my shoe and sock I can see that it is slightly swollen.

I have come to the conclusion that running on the pavements and roads at night is more dangerous than running trail!

Time Out

There has been a lot of general conversation about "Trash Mileage" of late. Trash mileage is normally defined as running for the sake of it, mileage run that is not beneficial, running in the belief more miles means you become a better, faster runner.

I have had two quality runs in the past few days, one a progressive trail run (15 miles) and two days later a fast tempo run (11 miles). Even though the total distance (26 miles) of the runs is less than I have had recently there was indeed some real quality.

All day today I have felt a little achy in the my thighs that was sufficient to make me decide that going for a run this evening would be asking for an injury although I was desperate for one but would rather pull out one evening to allow me a quality run on Friday evening.

Hokey Cokey

...or the story of did I actually get a place in the Beachy Head Marathon! As per usual a week before the Beachy Head Marathon in Eastbourne there is a flurry of spare numbers being banded about as people get injured or fall ill.

Offer 1
A message gets left on the club forum

I have a couple of spare places for the Beachy Head Marathon this Saturday.

You have the option to run, jog or walk it.

I am walking it.

Anybody interested?

I write in I was after getting clearance from Mrs S, turn up at the club to get told that the person with the number was a lady walker and it would look strange crossing the finish as a male runner! Offer 1 withdrawn.

Offer 2

I am unwell and therefore throwing the towel in, Jerry do you want it?

I said yes but then I find out later someone had got in there first and got it...ggrrrr. Offer 2 withdrawn

So that is my chances of BHM this year, in out, in out, shake it all about.

Weetabix

I seemed to have had my 3 Weetabix today!!! I was informed that monthly "Special Training" was happening at the club tonight which involved a 40 minute Tempo run. Instructions were to run along a set route [read as a straight road] for 20 minutes, turn around and come back at the same pace as fast as you can. I have to admit I was happy with 15 minutes out and back as I had run to the venue and wanted to run back.

The more astute of us realised it started on a steep downhill which means it ends on a steep uphill!! As usual I promised myself a nice easy run and as usual I ignored my promise finding myself elbowing through to hit a pleasing consistent 7:30 min/mile including an aggressive response to the final hill :-)

Good run... things are looking good again

The C word

Some of my readers will have noticed that my posts have been a bit down beat of late, some have even commented in person that they have been reading between the lines and concluded that I was considering giving up the "long stuff".

Of late I have been trying hard to vary my training runs by doing some off road, night runs and speed work but what has been seriously lacking is my weekly long run of circa 20 miles. This has primarily been due to me recovering from the Ridgeway and then realising that I had simply got out of the habit.......and the dreaded word lacking confidence in my own ability

Sunday's run was like a blast from the past as I finally got to run with George, the ever patient George who has to listen to me rabbiting on and on and on.

The whole purpose of Sunday's run was to get out and do 15 miles of downland trail at a steady, consistent pace and to finish the run feeling good. Boy did I feel good at the end, George's comments that we needed to get the "Old Jerry Back" did not go unheeded as we took on the upper section on Hogtrough Hill, stopped at the top to catch my breath and continue on.

I have had a few hours to ponder and this morning realised that that run has done wonders for my confidence... Watch it guys, Jezza is back in town (Thanks George)

Cape Town

I started my running adventures in April 2007 and since that time I have run just over 6,000 miles. With a little research that is the equivalent of me running from the centre of London to Cape Town in South Africa...wow, what a beautiful destination.

Stop Start

Really weird thing happened last night whilst out running that has only happened a couple of times before. As some of you will know I work in the IT industry and also lecture on database technology so I am often seen hammering at a keyboard, scratching my head and get computer programmes to run.

Sometimes the work comes home with me and this time I was dwelling on a conundrum that had been posed that morning, a nice complex problem. Whilst out last night I was deeply in the zone, mind drifting away to this problem, that bit of code here, that variable refers to this. I came aware of some headlights that "brought me too" and I realised that I was walking!!!

"Walking Jezza?" I hear you say, I can only assume that I was so deep in thought that running became secondary to that moment...weird, silly thing is I don't know how long I had been walking but I reckon it was about 50 yards or so...why I don't know.

Why so angry

As a long distance runner I am used to the moments in long races and challenges where I find my mood go really dark. I have angry thoughts, depressive thoughts and have felt tears well in my eyes. Examples of when this happened was at the Crawley 12 hour in April 2010 when I was feeling rubbish and a good friend realised it and said "You're in a dark patch now Jerry, you know where you are, you'll come through it you always do" It was an incredibly insightful observation by her.

Another time which I still have regrets about was during the last 2 miles of the London to Brighton in September 2009 when my good friend Michael came trotting up from behind to keep me company as I was by myself but I just barked "Don't f&%*ing cut me up OK" there was no reason for this but I was in a horrible down spiral and just wanted it to end.

So why does this happen?
This is one of the prominent symptoms of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar , it is angry, depressing thoughts and if you are like me and a quiet depressive, they are DARK thoughts. So, as your body moves into the latter parts of a long distance run and it is not receiving the glucose it needs to perform, the brain whose main energy source is glucose, is the first organ to be affected. Neurones begin to shut down and coordination begins to be lost, the individual's judgements are impaired and moods change, the body goes into self-preservation mode.

This, as I have said has happened a few times and sometimes just the action of having a hot cup of sweet tea or simple sugars in the form of a glucose gel can pull you out of it and move on.

So remember mood change can be a symptom of hypoglycemia, your personal judgement will be impaired so be aware of other runners especially around the 18 mile and 28 mile mark.

Running Diet

Other runners and friends sometimes lift their eyes to the heavens when I mention my running diary. In this log I record the miles I run, make comments about how I felt during the run and have the chance to note percieved quality and effort, tonight I can justify why it is so useful.

I have noted recently that I have been having a problem with my gut whilst running [read as jumping into a bush and having a dump] and looking over my log have found it always seem to happen on the Thursday or Friday evening after I have lectured at College. So what does College have to do with it I hear you say Dear Reader?

It has occurred to me I have a hot meal on Tuesday night and the next time I have a "proper" meal is Thursday night and between those times I survive on packed lunches or shop bought food (not burgers)...my body is telling me something, to eat healthily and don't rely on sandwiches all the time.

One for the trail

I heard this in the car the other day and just think it is a beautiful song sung by the wonder Sarah McLachlan and her gorgeous mellifluous voice. This one would be great accompanying you on a lonely trail when it is getting a little tough and you want some inspiration...enjoy

Drop off

After a long day I finally got home from a training course and attending College to present a 3 hour lecture of my own... so I can best say I was pooped. After a quick shower I wandered into the bedroom to get my PJ's on and stupidly stubbed by toe...OUCH I looked down to see my toenail had come off!! No blood, no sore bits just a toenail dropping off, simple as that.

Inspecting it afterwards showed it was from a previous shedding and now I note that my big toenail is going the same way. Mrs S thinks it is all a little bit "nasty" but it just seems to be residual injuries from the massive build up of mileage during June, July and August this year but I must say my feet look a bit strange with 7 remaining nails.

Make note to self...stop neglecting your feet Jezza

Let me out...

Oh please can someone just LET ME OUT!!!

Firstly I must apologise for my choice of blog piccy today as some of you will notice the formula on the left of the dustboard is incorrect. ;-)

Today has just been a day of being somewhere I just didn't want to be. I am lucky that my normal daily commute guarantees me the same seat, in the same carriage, at the same time every day. I see the same people, I see no crowds (bliss) and turn up at work relaxed and ready for the days' events.

Today uuuurrrghhhh I was packed into a train with other miserable commuters and had took 40 minutes just to travel 1 .5 miles on the Underground to arrive and spend 6 hours trapped in a classroom.

Imagine my joy tonight to get out on the road and run 10 miles with hardly anyone around me, Freedom with a capital F.

Tomorrow I have to do the same but then have to come out of the classroom I am in as a student to then go to College and then hold a class of my own...10.5 hours in a class room and NO RUN

Up in London

I am training in Holborn, London, England this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on a course for work (Software Testing ...YAWN) and so I may do what I did a few weeks ago and run back home on Thursday.

The training centre is about 13 miles from home so will be a great workout on Thursday evening after the exams (gulp) but this all depends on the number of books I have to carry home! If I am to do it I will take a detour and run across Tower Bridge and see if I can get a tourist to take a pictures to show you.

Jelly Baby Marshall

I had a great time on Sunday as a Marshall for my running club's annual 10 km race...should I say, Jelly Baby Marshall :-)

My job was to stand at roughly the halfway mark with a great big tub of Jelly Babies and Beans handing them out to the runners as they whizzed by. It is an absolute honour to stand at these runs and see all the people who I know have trained hard to do what they were doing. Some people I hear had only been running for a few weeks and were there to accomplish their first 10 km distance...hats off to them, grass roots running at its best.

That was my excuse for not doing a long run on Sunday but to tell you the truth I don't give a damn for the time being.

SHRIEK..is it a ghost?

I went out late for my run tonight leaving the house at about 8.20 pm and decided that I would do most of it off road via woodland paths and byways!!!

Most of the run was pretty good, I twisted my ankle at about 3 miles along a rutted, unlit path but I have had worse and have run it off now and then ran along the side of the local crematorium and all I could hear were rustles and squeaks, I assume that it was a fox...I hope.

Then off the top of my head I decided to go through the local nature reserve which has a raised board walk (4 railway sleepers width) under the cover of trees so pitch black but with my fast fading headtorch it posed no problems as my path was lit from 0-20 feet ahead.

I was half way along the walk when I saw two yellow/green eyes in my beam. Thinking it was a cat or dog I thought it would ignore me or jump off the boards... but it still came running at me and as we got closer I realised it was a badger and neither of us was going to move off the boards (there is a 1-2 foot drop either side) as we got within a few feet of each other it sniffed and shrieked at me and then leapt into the undergrowth. I then saw it was an ENORMOUS albino badger...I nearly pooped myself it honestly looked like a white apparition.

Memories of Ridgeway

Sleep v hallucination

(click image to enlarge)

On Fire

Woooowww what was going on with me tonight? Thursday night is tempo night.

After umming and arring I finally got my kit on, one minute I couldn't find my shoes then the next my shorts but when I finally got out there, there was no stopping me. The local BIG hill was just a mere inconvenience, I even changed the route from that planned at the top of the hill and decided I was running a set time rather than set distance after that hill. I went through unlit woodland paths, crossed into connecting pathways (trusty headtorch again)

The new target was how far I could run in an hour which soon worked out to be 8 miles or 7:30 min/miles... I could have done better but I had a quick pit stop due to an upset stomach.

I care NOT A JOT I had a great run tonight and now all I need is a controlled long run and Jezza Bear is back on track

Night Run

I was chatting the other day about night running and thought that it would be a great opportunity to organise a little outing for anyone interested.

I propose a cross country run from Keston to Tatsfield not by road but via the Roman Road which will take us away from lit roads and fields of animals. The route will be 12 miles in total which does not sound much but it is a tough course during day light hours let alone night.

Anyone interested can contact me via Facebook or here and I will arrange a date

Back to the Road

After Sunday's disasterous run I was not really in the mood to run tonight but I was of an opinion that if I didn't I would probably not bother for the rest of the week.

So I ducked out of the door at 7.30 pm for the short run to the club house, once I was out and on the road realised that all was OK soon finding myself thundering up the local hill and then full speed through the woods...3 miles at 7:20 min/mile.

Running with the group was a similar feeling and even had a little pace out with another runner before I turned off to go home. So feeling a bit better now realising that maybe I need to put some speed back into my running life.

Onwards by James Jarvis

I love this nice, cheery video called Onwards by James Jarvis as it really sums up the joy of long distance running...enjoy

Pack Running

I love this picture which was taken yesterday when we all out on a Pack Run in Kent. There is always a laugh and a joke when out with this lot and although I pulled out at mile 13 to make my own way back I still had a fantastic time. Happy memories.

I think by now you know which one is me :-)

One for the trail

Air guitars and most definitely air drums are required...play it loud

Miserable

Meeting at 9.00 am this morning (Sunday) I was all revved up for a 22 mile pack run with about 8 other runners. Stepping out I felt great and that my recent man flu was behind me and had a great time chatting with the others.

At about mile 8 I began to realise all was not OK in the Jezza Bear camp finding that I was over heating, heart rate was up and my legs just had no energy in them. I chose to carry on but at mile 10 I lost all interest in the run only thinking of the best route back to the car. Every up hill was a horrendous chore and I soon realised I was drinking far more than I normally do.

When we arrived at mile 13 I chose to split from the group and make my way to my car alone some 4 miles away but at least at my pace.

So a totally miserable run and was I even contemplating throwing in the towel for long distance running as I just cannot face the idea of having lost so much fitness in recent weeks.

Sunday's pack run

I am really looking forward to tomorrow's 22 mile pack run which will take us on a circular route across common paths, fields and trails in the Biggin Hill and Orpington areas.

A severe weather warning [read as heavy rain] has just been announced and so tomorrow I will be wearing my Kamleika smock, my windproof jacket and leggings as it is going to get cold during those 3 ½ hours of running.

January 2011

Winter Tanners here I come!!

I have been meaning to do this for a couple of years but things always got in the way i.e. Bruised Metatarsal.

So now I have entered the Tanners, a nice little number I have been told which takes us over a 30 mile route in Surrey. The web site says:

"Surrey footpaths and bridleways with MINIMAL support in weather conditions which may be adverse, so only strong walkers (runners) should take part"

This is code for toughy, all that for £2.50!