Back to Parkrun

6th September 2014 was the day I ran my first Parkrun in Darlington, my time was 28:08 although at the time I was just relieved to complete it! 159 people ran that day. Fast forward to today and I'm back in South Park and pleased to say this time the running shoes are back on. After a plod on my treadmill a few days earlier I felt comfortable enough to have a run. Today there are 387 other runners taking part, the love of parkrun just continues to grow, I took it easy round the first lap then try a little harder for the second, three weeks without running takes its toll in the last lap and I fade getting passed by three finishers in the finish straight. Overall I was pleased with my 23:46 and it was great to be back amongst parkrunners again! Now let's see how the legs recover.

Planning races

Their seems to be more races than ever nowadays and it's too easy (and costly) to enter so many. Most of the bigger races seem to be full so far in advance that you have plan your whole year around them, not to mention the stress of online queues to get booked in them!
Like all members of NYMAC it's great to run in a race and represent our club in our club colours so I've been taking a look at future races. My long term plan is to one day run a full marathon, that was the plan for 2017 until this injury knocked me back, but until then I'm sticking to half marathon distance. I've been lucky enough to get a place in this years Great north run after running it for the first time last September, And also the 10k race that comes with it that finishes in the Gateshead stadium. I also enjoy the fell race season so will be looking to enter a few over the summer. I'm already entered in Darlington 10k, although not the best race out there it was nice to run around the streets I grew up in and the race headquarters, the Dolphin centre is where I worked for six years.

Weight watching

I don't know how many of my fellow club mates check the scales as often as myself but I'm a little obsessed with weight watching. In 2014 I reached a peak of 20 stone, this I'm not proud of but I managed to lose over 7 stone inside a year. It's hard at first to lose weight but once it became normal it became a lot easier. Having not being able to run for the last three weeks I've been walking a lot more to lose a few pounds that I had gained over the winter. This seems to be working well with the (almost) healthy diet I have. 

After another volunteer role at Stewart parkrun last weekend I'm hoping to take part this week, it will be nice to get moving again and hopefully start to look ahead.

Non runner

As I write this I'm about to start week 3 of  no running. Most of you will have had an injury in the past but for me in my short running life this is a first. Hopefully the resting alongside the excercise plan from my physio will help me get the running shoes back on asap.
Most frustrating thing about not running is watching my club mates running in the races I'd targeted months ago, yes when you're running them they feel like bloody hard work but I'd rather be running than watching!
Good luck to all at Thirsk and all at Locke park.

The finish line

saturday morn and again I'm on timekeeping duties at Stewart park. A little milder than previous weeks meant an enjoyable hour watching all types of runners take on their own personal challenges. At the front NYMAC's youngest member Harry Potter took first place in just under eighteen and half minutes, great stuff. Plenty of other NYMAC runners amongst the field including Phil Jarvis who managed to lose a pushchair amongst his run to finish 8th closely followed by Rob Moore. Eddie again finishing in under twenty three minutes.
Out of the 343 runners what I noticed was that over half the field finished after twenty eight minutes, most of these had taken on there own PB and the rest were just pleased to complete the course. What was clear to see though, there were a lot more smiles in the second half of the field.

Itchy feet

It's been a week since my last run,  a failed attempt around Stewart park. 7 resting days later I'm very tempted to run again but with a physio session coming up next week I have to resist!
To help conquer temptation I'm again volunteering at Stewart parkrun this weekend, doing my new favourite role of timekeeping. Its a great role for enjoying the event as you see the fast runners trying to beat each other, the middle of the field who are all PB hunting and then of course the runners who just want to complete! Everyone are winners as they all beat the ones still in bed!

Sunday bloody Sunday

It’s good sometimes to take a step back (not through choice) and get some perspective. Last week I had the snake lane 10 miler and I didn't run as well as I could, thursday brought the reality check that a rest was long overdue.

I’ve only been running for just shy of three years but it’s amazing how that’s now become standard. Not that long ago I would have been dead chuffed to finish a 5km run, let alone a 10km or more. Now I think 10 miles isn’t much for a Sunday.

Given I’ve also had a niggle (it’s not an injury unless it stops you running. The fact that it hurts when you are running is totally fine, yes?) it's time to rest and recover.

whilst not able to to run it's quite frustrating to look at strava but seeing my club mates having a great turn out at today's fell run is good to see. Fell runs are great fun and I'm looking forward to a summer of events. 

it's Thursday!

For me Thursday seems to come around quickly each week, Thursday is NYMAC day, unfortunately for me recent thursdays have meant a slow and steady run instead. Again this was the case although I made it to the squash club And jogged down with my club mates to the grove which as pre-planned was to be the scene of tonight's session, I knew the writing was on the wall when most of them pulled  out of sight within the first minute of setting off. Steadily plodding along past Stewart park as was joined by Mark Edwards who has had a few injury problems of his own recently but thankfully seems to be over them. Always pleased to see Mark, especially up on the hills where he seems to know his way blindfolded, if your ever lost in a fell race, follow Mark!

Spring forward

The first day of  March! dare I say it? But I think we have survived another running winter. Just three more weeks and the evening runs will suddenly have a whole lot more appeal. For me I can't wait to join in Marks MNFC runs enjoying the most amazing scenery we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep. The North York moors are ours to run amongst and how many other running clubs can say that?