Serendipity and a hangover from Ghent

Gibside Great Run Local 24 May 2015

I finally get to grips with technology in the form of GPS watch, Garmin Forerunner and Great Run Wristband

Serendipity is defined as a fortunate happenstance, or pleasant surprise and that was certainly the case when we visited Ghent a few days ago to find that the local football team were playing a championship decider that very night. Yes, the game against Standard Liege had brought lots of fans into the centre of this medieval city to either go to the match or watch it live on TV in the Irish pub attached to our hotel. How about that for a fortunate happenstance?
I joined these happy and oh, so civilised football supporters in their moment of triumph and they could not have been better hosts. The bar was absolutely packed, but supporters and bar staff were just so happy and polite, I was quickly adopted as a new fan and whilst I could not join their chants in Dutch ( the local language), at the end of the game when the hundreds of fans in the pub launched into Queen's 'We are the champions' , I sang along with them.
So what is this to do with my twelth race in my 65 race challenge? Well that's where the hangover in the title above comes in to this blog, for I had to sample some of those famous Belgian beers, didn't I?
Roll on to today and I lined up at Gibside for the Great Run Local 5K feeling a bit off form, all those Belgian waffles, of course. In the event I didn't do too badly finishing this very hilly course in 24.30 mins, only two seconds down on my first run here last month.
Now I go into a busy period of races in my challenge, George Ogle 6 mile on Wednesday 27 May 2015, followed by the Allendale 8 mile on Saturday 30 May 2015. Then another mid week race next week and a longer run that weekend, followed three days later by one of my favourites The Blaydon Race. That's the one I will really be going for, against a field of over 4,000!


 Ghent end 115 year wait for Belgian Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latrigg Part Two, The After Effects of a Downhill Sprint

Setmabanning Farm, Threlkeld

Following Sophie's instructions, I have cut down on the chat in this blog and added more images, so much so that I didn't add my finishing time, or position in the Latrigg Fell Race. It was 28mins 50 and 67th out of 87 runners. Not my best on the fells by some way.
Today, I am suffering from the affects of downhill running. So much so that  can hardly walk! My quads and abductors are twanging and s-o-o-o- o painful. I have only had one previous experience like this and it was following the Gategill Fell Race (pictured below) which is not three miles from Latrigg. On that occasion I said that I would never do a short up and down fell race again, well I have just done so.
Here are a few more images from our (Maisie and I) camp site. I also have a video of the Lakeland sheep rounding up Maisie and if I can just find out how to upload will do so. It is hilarious.

Gategill Fell Race for NY3126 courtesy of Mick Garratt,

Below Blencathra

A  muddy Maisie ignores the goslings

Feathered friends

Latrigg Fell Race - A Tough Climb

 That climb was brutal!

 Maisie relaxes at our tent at Setmabanning Farm, Threlkeld,

 .... meets the farm dog.

 is faced down by the tough Lakeland sheep

and retreats.

Latrigg Fell Race 13 May 2015

For Race No. 11 in my challenge it was back to Keswick for my first fell race. This was a short race, only three miles, but with 951 feet of climb in the first mile.

I had thought that I was a decent fell runner, but the climb out of Keswick and straight up Latrigg was a killer. I had started off well down the field and stayed there until the summit. Then it was a mad dash down a ridiculous decline, during which I picked up a few places. But boy, have I suffered today for that mad descent my thighs are sooooo painful.

After the race, Basset Hound Maisie and I returned to Setmabanning Farm where I had pitched my hiking tent. There was a forecast of  overnight temperatures down to freezing, so it was two sleeping bags for me, plus a cannine hot water bottle. In the event we were cosy and I didn't have to resort to cuddling into Maisie for warmth.

This morning we had a walk around the farm encountering a host of farm life, some being pictured above.

Race Number 10 A Bit Of A Struggle

Izzi and the Tynedale Harriers on Helvellyn

Left to right: Marcus Byron, James Dickinson, Mike Broadhurst (back), Dave Armstrong, Peter Graham, Izzi, Peter Scott. Not pictured Neil Cassidy.

Date	Race	Event	Time	Overall Finishing Position	Category Position	Comments
29-Mar	1	Hartlepool Marina 5 mile	36.27	173	3	600 runners
07-Apr	2	Monthly Mile S Shields	6.27	20	na	20th out of 79
12-Apr	3	Blyth Valley 10k	45.34	296	3	296/563
18-Apr	4	Park Run Ncle 5K	21.44	147	3	147/646
19-Apr	5	Gibside Great Run Local 5K	24.28	8	n/a	51 runners. 1st GRL
22-Apr	6	Keswick Round the Houses	46.11	88	3 V60/69	186 runners
25-Apr	7	Park Run Ncle 5K	22.44	149	2nd	601 runners
04-May	8	Ashington Triathlon	1.28.48	190	4th	1st V60 in 5k run
05-May	9	Les Allcorn 10K, Alnwick	45.53	57	2nd V60	125 runners
10-May	10	Great Run Local 5K	25.05	6	n/a	45 runners

Great Run Local, Gibside 10 May 2015

Well that's ten races down and I am ready for the next challenge, hopefully my first fell race of the year, Latrigg at Keswick, in midweek.
After overdoing it this last week by following up my first ever triathlon, Ashington Sprint Tri, on Monday, I really went for it the very next night in the Les Allcorn at Alnwick. This combination took a lot out of me and I did nothing apart from rest, eat and drink until this morning.
Oh, I hate early morning races! Do you eat a decent breakfast? Probably not, maybe just cereal. In the event I had juice, cereal with fruit, a slice of toast and a croissant. Not a good idea as it turned out.
Setting off from Gibside Chapel, in my second Great Run Local, I followed the leader at a fast pace, but couldn't keep it going, quickly conceding four places as we hit the hills. Another runner then joined me and we ran together for a time before hitting the climb which takes you to the turn back for home.
'What's going on?' Thought I as I experienced a new sensation, pain and discomfort .
'Is that pain in my stomach' I wondered, 'Or, my chest?' I then did something I never do, I stopped!
Getting it back together, I decided it was my over full stomach and set off again. Thank goodness it was down hill and I got my act together to finish in 25mins 05, only thirty odd seconds slower than my last effort here. For future morning races I will have to rethink my fuel strategy - its a two stop for me in future, a little before and then some more after a race.

Les Alcorn 10K, Hulne Park, Alnwick

                                 Ninth Race in the challenge and some personal memories

                                       HULNE PARK, ALNWICK, NORTHUMBERLAND

On Bank Holiday Monday I did the eighth race of my challenge, the ASHINGTON TRIATHLON, quite a challenge as it was my first ever tri. As if that effort was not enough, the very next day, Tuesday 5 May 2015, I entered the LES ALLCORN 10K, a race which takes place at Hulne Park, Alnwick, part of the Alnwick Castle Estate.
First a little history, ancient and modern , including my own family visit to the abbey, then a little on Les Allcorn.
Hulne Abbey was founded in 1240 by William de Vesci, following his return from the Crusades. William was of the Carmelite Order and thought that this hill resembled Mount Carmel.
In more recent times the abbey was one of the settings for the Kevin Costenor film , Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Shortly after the release of the film a friend of mine, whose mother actually lived in the abbey, invited me to visit. This was particularly exciting for Chris and Sophie who immediately recognised the door (shown above) as being part of the film. Things got even more exciting when they were shown a wooden barrel which had been left behnd after the filming. Part of the race passes below the abbey and I was able to glance up as I headed towards the finish.
I also have a memory of Les Allcorn, not that I knew him personally, but twenty years ago, in 1995, I had just completed the Coastal Run when I learned that a local runner, Les Allcorn of Alnwick Harriers, had collapsed near the finish of that race. Sadly, Les a keen runner in his fifties, died and it is in his memory that todays race takes place. I dedicate this the ninth race of my 65 challenge to his memory.

The Race
It was a lovely, sunny evening when I arrived in beautiful Alnwick for this 10K run on the estate roads among wonderful scenery plus some hills. I had run this race twice in the last five years, winning the V60 category on both occasions. Having missed the race last year I did not know that the course had changed and I was in for a surprise. Previously the race had started some way into the park, followed an uphill course for two miles, then plunged downhill for a further two, before following the River Aln back to the finish on a nice level path.
This year it started at the Park gates before heading uphill for about a mile. My legs were feeling a little sore from the previous days efforts in the Triathlon, but I was able to keep up a decent pace, passing the mile mark in 7 mins. 22. The second mile which must have been mainly downill was 6.54, third 7.07, fourth 7.25, fifth 7.34 - can you see where this is going? Then I hit the (unexpected) hill! Oh, it hurt! Head down, arms pumping I worked my way up that b. hill until the top was in sight. Round a bend and up it went again! This was suddenly no fun and did I feel sorry for myself as my average pace gained two minutes a mile. Then it was perhaps half a mile to the finish and I dug deep to get the pace up again. The watch showed the pace was back under seven minute pace as I crossed the line in 45.53.
At the finish I asked when the results would be finalised and if there was a need to stay for the prize giving. Yes, stay,  I was told, for there were no oldies in front of me. Then someone mentioned Richard Sill of Morpeth Harriers, was he 60? Richard was pointed out to me. " Richard " Said I,  "What was your time?" "45.04" He replied.
Richard was such a nice guy I could only say "Well Done" He further endeared himself to me when he said that I should consider duathlons as that would get me allow me to escape the nemesis I had encountered in the swim in yesterday's tri.
Further consolation for the result was that I was second V60. Now all I need is to find a race which has a V65 prize.
A final word on the night in Alnwick is to record meeting up with two old pals from Tynedale Harriers who also ran. Eileen Armstrong is a tremendous runner. At 76 years young ( sorry Eileen I got your age from the results) she is regularly competing, along with John Davison. I have ran with these keen athletes for over twenty years. One memory I have of Eileen is watching a video  (youngsters may have to ask their parents what one of those is) of her competing against the world in a Masters (?) 10K on the track at Jarrow. Eileen led the field for a number of laps, before finishing, I can't remember where, but it doesn't matter anyway, she did it!
  

More On Ashington Triathlon

On Love, Life and The Things That Money Can't Buy.

Sophie Graham and Rob Lynch at Chris and Laura's Wedding, Inn on the Lake 18 September 2014.

In yesterday's blog I simply recorded my efforts and thoughts at the Ashington Triathlon, lack of time and space meant that I didn't mention that it was a father and son effort, for my lad, Chris,was also doing Ashington, he for the third time.

The sub title above refers to the most important thing in life, the love one has for one's children. Could I be prouder of my children? Impossible, for as the chorus of the Rob Lynch's (that's him above with daughter, Sophie) song ' Not the end of the world' says:
'Cause there comes a time
that you realise
all the things
that you love in your life
they're the things that money can't buy
and I know
it's not the end of the world
No, no, no,
its not the end of the world'.
See Rob play this live on Youtube - Rob Lynch Hawking (Live at Hamburg Grosse Freiheit 3619/11/13) The German audience joins in to sing this chorus!

Yes, I was so proud to see Chris tackling Ashington in such a competent way, unlike my inept efforts. Chris having learned to do front crawl was 4 minutes ahead of me after the swim. He then gained almost three minutes for his efficient transition, 39 seconds on the bike ride, another 30 seconds for the second transition and two minutes in the run. This is one competitor that I do not mind being ahead of me.
Sophie, whilst not competitive in running, (she probably uses the Graham competive streak for her work at Sony Music), has done several 10K races and might yet do more . As for Rob, he did last year's Great North Run and after this year's London Marathon asked if we could do it together next year. Maybe we can.

My First Triathlon

Ashington Triathlon 4 May 2015

Izzi and fellow Tynedale Harriers run Helvellyn. I had to do a triathlon as this was Izzi's chosen sport.

My First Triathlon


Well I have survived my first triathlon, although half way through the swim I had my doubts. I could sum up number 8 in my 65 race challenge in just a few words:
 - Swim, awful.
 - Cycle, excellent.
 - Run, reasonable.
The swim was always going to be my weakest event and that was very much the case on the day. I had intended to take lessons in front crawl this last winter, but somehow never got round to it. Instead, I had a few trips to Wentworth Pool, Hexham and rattled off lots of lengths of breast stroke. I say rattled , but in truth I never really got back to the days when I could regularly do thirty lengths without effort. Last Wednesday when I attempted a tri rehearsal I found that even the sixteen lengths that I needed for Ashington was a trial. As I left the Leisure Centre on the way to retrieve the bike , I found that I was panting. Safely into the saddle and away I pedalled at speed, averaging 20 miles an hour on the straight, heading east towards Corbridge. After six or seven miles I turned back towards Hexham, only to find that I had gone out with a following wind and now it was against me! Back at Hexham and time to test the legs for the run - oh, they did not enjoy it.
As Bank Holiday Monday and Ashington approached my nervousness increased. Any further training ceased as a calf strain I picked up in that d......d rehearsal ruled out any exercise. Last night I had an easy jog as  walked the dog and things felt easier.
7.30 am this morning found me at transition, racking the bike and setting out helmet, etc for the ride, then it was time to join my fellow competitors at poolside. I was first off which was probably the worst position as the other three swimmers in my pool quickly caught me. Between giving way to them at the end of the laps and wallowing in their wake, I was never able to settle into anything like my stroke and started swallowing water and totally losing it. A break after eight laps got me into some sort of routine and I also noticed that my fellow swimmers had not maintained their initial speed. By lap 15 one of them was struggling and I was near to catching him. Even so I was last out of the pool and relieved to be dashing bare footed along the road to transition - have a look at the first image - no, that is not a tag around my ankle, it is a timing chip.
Now Transition is supposed to be about speed, putting on your helmet, slipping into shoes and getting out onto the cycle course. That's the theory. For me it meant helmet on, socks on, lace up trainers, tee shirt on ( I feel the cold nowadays), Tynedale vest on and 'lets get the hell out! Yes, the adrenalin was pumping, so much so that I almost came off the bike as I shot away.
Did I tell you I was competitive? Well, I found out after the race that I was fifteenth out of the pool in my wave. I didn't know this at the time but start counting competitors I was able to overtake. There was clear road ahead as I went hard out of Ashington heading to Bothal Castle and its (in)famous bank. After half a mile the first cyclist was in my sights. Straight past him and the one in front, coming up to the left turn for Bothal I passed the lovely girl  I had chatted to when waiting to enter the pool. Clear road ahead again as I flew down the hill into Bothal Village. A sharp bend meant just a touch on the brakes before I spotted the foot of the hill. A couple of gears down and as I hit the hill, down onto the lower chain cog. With a couple of gears in hand I hit the real killer part of the hill. Down into bottom gear and I was at the top of the hill without even getting out of the saddle. Past another cyclist, before spotting the flooded road ahead. Do I go on the pavement ? 'thought I' , before a voice from behind , the lady competitor I had just passed, shouted it's shallow. Feeling like the wimp which I obviously was,  I went straight through the middle which was probably no more than four or five inches deep. Back up to speed, I was really into the ride and passed another competitor before completing the first , of two, laps through Bothal. Second time going up Bothal Bank I heard that weird sound behind which tells you that a real triathlete complete with a funny helmet ( long pointy bit at the back) and solid wheels was overtaking. Now it was simply a case of turning right at the roundabout ahead instead of left for Bothal. Suddenly the wind was behind me and I could really push on. Overtaking another two riders , I calculated that seven of the fourteen better swimmers was accounted for. Into transition and now for what should be my strongest discipline, the 5k run. But, everything hurt! Never mind, thought I , they will be suffering too and that was the case, for in the three lap run  was able to pass another six runners.
Now I know that some of those that I passed on the 20K cycle route and in the run were probably from an earlier  wave, I was in Wave 3, but when you are competitive, you just want to get past the person in front.
At the finish I recorded 1 hour 28 mins for the whole event, including a ridiculous 4mins 54 for the two transitions. I finished 190 out of 234 competitors. Here are the stats:
16 Length Swim         12.52 mins
Transition    3.43
20 K Cycle          47.29
Transition     1.11
5K Run             23.33.
Over 60 Age Group    -  4th out of 6.
Now a positive, I was first V60 in the 5K run, the second recording 25.07.