OVER THE MOON AT RAF SPADEADAM !

Race No. 60 RAF Spadeadam Reivers 10K

Blue Streak Rocket

Third Male

The Race Marshals

The Race Route

3rd Place Medal and Tee Shirt!

Did you pick up the hint in my last blog about 'Countdown' and 'Blast off''for my next race at Spadeadam?

If not, I can now tell you that I was referring to the  UK's ' Blue Streak' Intermediate Range Ballistic Project which took place in the late 1950's at RAF Spadeadam on the Northumberland/ Cumberland border.

Yes, this was strictly 'top secret' at the time and for many years after, but Spadeadam was to have been the launch site for our ballistic missiles - yes, really. Infact, years after the project was abandoned it was revealed that missile silos were actually under construction. The first firing of  'Blue Streak' took place in 1959, but within two years it was all over. 

The booster stage of the rocket is pictured above, but please note I did not take this image as photography was forbidden, I downloaded it from the internet. I mention this because the rocket is the first thing that Brian Stonehouse and I saw as we entered the RAF base, yesterday.

Thank gooodness the weather on top of the Pennines when we arrived, was not as bad as the forecasted snow and gale force winds. Yes, it was cold, very cold and the wind was bitter. Thermal vest and gloves was the order of the day as we set off at the combined start of the 10K and 10 mile races.

Passing 'Blue Streak' we turned onto a forest road which climbed and continued to climb for the first three miles. If that sounds tough, it was nothing compared to the strong wind blowing right into your face. Not having done this race before, I did wonder if we were to face even worse conditions as the race went on, for I was well placed towards the front of the field. On the first part of the climb I hid behind a big lad to shelter from the wind, overtaking him as we turned onto the forest track. Then I repeated the trick to pass another runner and suddenly I was clear of the field with only the front runners in view.

Then the sun came out and I could enjoy the lovely surroundings as I huffed and puffed my way to the top of the climb. This is my element, for whilst I may have lost some speed as I have aged, I can still enjoy off road climbing. It reminded me of my early fell races going back some 25 years. What I found was that if a hill was runnable, then your road running speed would put you towards the front of the field. The problem was, to stay there!

Yesterday I climbed the first three miles and 456 feet in 8.19, 8.32 and 8.15. Having done the climbing, what could I achieve on the down hill section? 7.22, 7.08 and 6.42 was the answer and  I rocketed (!) past 'Blue Streak' to the line in 46.52 to finish in 4th position.

Looking back the way I had come, I was pleased to see Brian leading the rest of the field for fifth place (48.14). That's good packing for Tynedale Harriers!

It may be that a mid week, day time race race is not convenient for many runners. Also, the  weather may have caused some 'no shows', but if anyone can get to Spadeadam for this event next year I would advise them to do so. For the £12.50 entry fee we received a tee shirt, water , a banana and this was amazing, a cooked pasta lunch! My third place male medal was simply an excellent bonus to finish a pretty good day out.

On Sunday I am competing in the Sunderland 10K, so it's back to the roads and a big field to compete against. Bring it on!

Just a Second!

Race No. 59 Parkrun Town Moor

Brian Stonehouse

Lynne Marr

Adndy Green

The Old Fellah

Chris Graham failing to catch a youngster in 20.20! That lad must be good!

Joseph Green

Louise Griffin following up the Manchester Marathon

How long is a second? Is it a blink in time, or something much longer?

I was always told that it is the time it takes to say 'one Mississippi'. I ask the question because at the finishing line on the Town Moor Parkrun today, I glanced at my watch and it said 22.00. I would have been so much happier if it had said 21.59. Actually, I would have been over the moon if it had said 21.44, which is my Parkrun pb since I started this challenge.

I will not complain however, for I was not going for a personal best (pb) today, simply getting in another race between last Wednesday's Keswick 10K and next Tuesday's Spadeadam 10K.

Thinking about the difference a second in time can make brings back  a real bummer, for a single second in my finishing time at the last ever Wylam Fun Run, held several years ago, means that I failed in my last and final attempt to win the trophy for the fastest local runner. Over the years there was always some local whippet, normally a teenager, who would snatch the trophy away from me. In that final event I ran really well in the senior men's race. At the end the timekeeper said " you are the fastest local, Peter". " Yes, finally!" I thought. " Just a minute, oh", he continued, " Steph Scott ( a fellow Tynedale runner) was one second faster in the Ladie's race". Well done Steph, but that hurt!

Back to today and Tynedale Harriers were well represented on the Moor. In a big, big field of 684 we turned out six runners who finished in the following times and positions:

18th    Andy Green         18.41
(61     Chris Graham       20.20 ) actually representing Heaton Harriers, but he was a Tynedale Junior 
131    Me                         22.03 (official time)
187    Brian Stonehouse  23.13
241    Louise Griffin        24.28
278    Joseph Green         25.09 (Andys son) in the 11-14 age category
299    Lynne Marr           25.40

Counting down to a real blast off at Spadeadam on Tuesday, all will be revealed in my next blog


   

 

A Lovely Night in the Lakes for Race no. 58

Round the houses Keswick 10K

Fitz Park Keswick

Castle Rigg Stone Circle, Keswick, looking towards Skiddaw

Keswick in the evening sunshine

Another trip across to the Lakes and another race completed, no. 58.

Just a mile from the start of last night's race in Keswick I stopped off at Castle Rigg Stone Circle to enjoy the magic of this beautiful spot. I have always taken inspiration from a visit to this ancient site and on one occasion, consolation. This was in 1998 when Sunderland AFC had just lost out , on penalties, to Charlton Athletic after drawing 4-4. I had watched the match in Keswick and was disconsolate - I hope I will not be having that feeling again in the next few weeks!

Anyway,  in 1998 I came away from Castle Rigg feeling rejuvinated. Last night I was simply recharging my batteries before the off in a tough 10K road race.

Tough, because there is a steep climb, between two and three miles, which just when you feel you have reached the top, starts climbing again. It was also tough for me personally, because I had had a seven mile run the previous night at harriers, with a climb of over 500'.

With this in mind I started further down the field, at Fitz Park, than I would normally. At the gun away the field went and I felt hemmed in by the crowd on the narrow park path. A glance at my watch told me the pace was nearer to 8 minute pace than the seven minute I prefer. Was I going to jog along with the crowd? Nickers to that, I was here to race!

Stepping onto the grass, I was soon sprinting after the faster runners. As the numbers thinned out I found  room to stride out amongst the quicker runners and watched the time of the first mile come down from 7.33 to 7.08 for the second, then we hit the hill! It was hard, very hard - did I really used to be a fellrunner? The pace for the third mile was 8.57  and that is a lot faster than my watch was showing on the steepest bits of that hill.

Turning onto the Windermere Road, it was a lovely stretch for downhilll running as I watched my pace increase to 6.45/ 6.30/6.15 - that's more like it! Looking at my Strava statistics today I see that I was second fastest of the Strava users on that downhill stretch, not bad for an oldie.

Was I now going to suffer for that tough session at Harriers? Well yes, and no. At the finish I was forty seconds slower than last year, but I was a clear winner of the V60 category. That will do for me.

There was to be no prize for me, but I was more than happy with the decision of the Organisers, Keswick A. C., to donate the prize money to the flood fund to restore Fitz Park. The park had seen devastion in the floods which hit Cumberland this winter. Work is already well in hand on restoration. I was also happy to see Keswick was busy with visitors, that is what the Lakes really needs, our spending. Get there it is magical

I was so pleased with my run

Auto Pilot on the Town Moor

Race No. 57 Park Run Town Moor

Both feet off the ground, again.

John Josephs still going well.

I just could not decide where to run this weekend for race no. 57.

In my schedule I had made the mistake of leaving it to the last moment to decide which of two 10 K races, in The Lakes , to do and ended up doing neither. Even worse, having left it to the last moment to make the short journey into Newcastle, I simply went into autopilot mood and forgot to take my Parkrun barcode. As a result, this was another race which only features in my records, but I am sure that you will take my word for it - and the images above.

Yes, I was certainly on autopilot as I set off at a very steady pace, cruising through the first mile in 7.20. In the second mile I finally decided to make a bit of an effort and picked the pace up to record 7.07. The third mile on the moor is the tough one, slightly uphill and always, it seems, into the wind. 7.34 pace took me to the finishing straight and 6.17 pace through the line to record 22.47 for the 5K course.

Looking at my schedule, I notice that this was exactly the same time as my previous run, one in which I really pushed myself. There is a lesson to be learned here, start steady and then if you want a good time, pick it up all the way to the end.

This race was memorable to me, not for what I achieved, but for whom I came across, on the Moor, from the very beginning of my running career, Howard Gold and John Josephs. Both these gentlemen became regular, friendly faces in my early road races almost thirty years ago and both are still running in their seventies. Not only running regularly, but at a good level of ability.

Howard Gold was still putting in 21 minute finishes in the last few years, whilst John finished yesterday in 26.09 (265th position).

Thirty years ago all three of us would finish a 10K race in around forty minutes. I say around forty minutes, but I just could not get it under that barrier. The solution was to join a harrier club and within 12 months of joining Tynedale Harriers I was down to 37.30. Through competitive training I was then able to stay under the 40 minute barrier for the next 10 plus years, oh, happy days.

A final word on yesterday's Parkrun and what probably persuaded me to support the event. You should have heard about those beep, beep, councillors at Stoke Gifford who have decided to charge Park Runners for wear to their beep, footpaths. Please sign the petition against this stupid ruling. Yes, I know that I treat these 5K runs as a race, but the vast majority of the 515 runners yesterday and several million(?) others around the country actually turn out to give themselves a healthier lifestyle. They should be applauded for doing so, not discouraged. In addition the events are organised by volunteers - no expenses etc for these good people please note you ........... councillors!

Please check out the petition:

change.org/p/stoke-gifford-parish-council-keep-little-stoke-parkrun-in-little-stoke-park

Statistics
Race No. 57
135 th position in 22.47
515 ran

Sandancer 10K in the sunshine of South Shields

Race no. 56

Finally I can run in just a vest!

South Shields Beach with Tynemouth Priory in the background

Bassets at South Shields

Hurrah, the sun finally shone in 2016.

Yes, it was warm on South Shields beach on Sunday morning and I was able to keep the promise to myself to run in just a vest. Look at that beach car park with a view, above.

For the third Sunday in a row I was on the coast for a 10K, having travelled south over the Tyne to South Shields. This was the first time that I have ran this course which is a multi-terrain event sited at the finish of the Great North Run route. Oh, the joy of running in the sunshine, it almost overcame (excuses alert!) the  niggly tummy and aching knee I have had for a couple of weeks.

Setting off along the beach road from Gypsies Green, the route takes you along a path up onto the Leas. Then after completing a loop of the Leas, back round for a second loop before the final mile down onto the beach. As we headed for what I thought was the finish line, I picked up my pace and sprinted to the Sandancer Pub, only to find that the finish was actually in Gypsie's Green Stadium and I had only reached the starting line, if you know what I mean.

At this point, the people I had just overtaken were able to pass me again and somewhat disheartened, I entered the stadium to find that I still had to complete a lap of the track. Really, I have no excuses for my lack of knowledge of the course, as I used to train at this track every lunch time in a previous life, work wise.

Jogging back to the car, my heart was lifted by the sight of a pack of Basset Hounds coming off the beach after an outing of the Hadrian Basset Society. To most people the Basset Hound may be an unlikely breed to inspire such joy, but after owning three over the last forty years I am a real fan of these lovely dogs. All of my bassets have been able to enjoy, I hope, their full day's out on the Lakeland Fells over the years.

The results of the race? Nearly forgot about that, didn't I?  I see that I finished in 46.33 for 130th place out of 400. There was no V65 category, but I was 6th V60.

That was race no. 56. For race no. 57, I am looking at one of three possible races in the Lakes - Grisedale Grind in mid week, Langdale 10K, next Saturday, or Cockermouth Brigham 10K, Sunday, watch this space.

Race 55 The Blyth Valley 10K

Just Off The Pace

Fellow Tynedale Harrier,John Davison, finishing at Blyth

Blyth  startline before the race

 When will springtime start, I wondered as I warmed up for the  start of the Blyth Valley 10K on Sunday?

The previous Sunday, just down the coast from Blyth, at North Shields, I had asked myself the same question before  deciding to run in a thermal top. At Blyth, I decided that spring had still not sprung as far as the temperatures were concerned and wore a tee shirt. I know it probably makes me sound a softy, but I do not like the cold.

Within the first mile in both races I decided that the decision was wrong as I was overheating and my next race will definitely be vest only ( well maybe plus shorts, etc.).

Back to the race and running pal, Brian Stonehouse and I set off at a reasonable pace, before being passed by another Tynedale Harrier, Ian Brown. As usual, I was probably pushing it a bit as the first mile marker appeared in well under seven minutes. I lost touch with Brian, but knew he was fairly close behind as the halfway point at Seaton Sluice approached. Now averaging 7.30 minute pace, I was just about hanging on to my position but not enjoying it, as it felt like hard work.

At five miles, Brian passed me and boy was it tough to keep in touch. Then the bystanders started calling out encouragement for 'John' as a runner in the colours of local club,Blyth,  caught me. Running shoulder to shoulder we passed the six mile marker and as the finish approached we were getting closer and closer to Brian.

At the line the Blyth runner went through in 45.49 for 218 position, Brian was 220th in 45.53 and I was 221st a second later. The Blyth runner then turned to me and said " we havn't done that for a while , Peter" then I finally recognised John Mallon as a blast from the past, when we were members of the Northern Rock Running Club. That's going back a few years.

But some things don't change. Looking at the results, Elswick's Harry Matthews was as usual ahead of me, in first place V65. My being slightly off the pace meant that another two 65 year olds were ahead of me in 45.29 and 45.36 respectively. That means I have officially failed to record a top three finish in my last two races, oh the shame. Not really, but have I mentioned that I am competitive?

Today, Tuesday, I am still a little out of sorts and doubtful for the April Monthly Mile tonight, but let's see how I feel in a couple of hours.

The first image above? That is John Davison, Tynedale Harriers, John deserves the feature, I have known him for years, he is a smashing lad  and loves his running, regularly racing with another star, Eileen Armstrong, who I hope will forgive me for mentioning that she is well into her seventies and still running well. Keep it going you two.