Reading Half Marathon pace group

Pleased to be offered (and accepted) the 1:55 pace group at Reading Half in  2013. Really enjoyed the Oxford experience and looking forward to crossing the line at the Mad Stad in 1:54:55.

London Mara training underway and .....well, we shall see!

One very proud Dad

It's not often I induge myself here but every once in a while one of my wonderful daughters does something to inspire me and make me very proud. 

2013 - Busy year ahead.....

Here we go, as much as a reminder to me as anyone else:

• February - Wokingham Half marathon
• March - Reading Half marathon
• April - London Marathon
• May -  Eaton OW 1500m swim
• June - Windsor Triathlon
• September - Henley Middle Distance tri
• October - Oxford Half Marathon

Still got gaps in July and August (apart from Reading Festival which while one could argue is a test of endurance is really not part of the real planning)........ 

That was fun!

Picture to follow, but the 1:55 pacer at the Oxford Half marathon came in 40 secs early in  1:54:19. I did tell the runners around me that I would go over the line in 1:54:30 to give everyone a chance to beat 1:55 so at least I did that.

It was great fun and a few runners were with me the whole way and achieved PB's.

A good event and I will plan to do it next year.

Oxford Half Marathon pacing

Looks like I am taking the 1:55 group at the Oxford Half marathon in a few weeks time. I still think it might be fun to run the first few KM at 1:40 pace then have time to walk the last 2 km.   

Challenge Henley Middle Distance done and dusted

All done and over with.

A great day all round if slightly over shadowed by a small OW issue that I need to get my head around. In other words a rubbish swim which should be one of my strongest disciplines. Nevermind, loads of time to sort that here, so here are times from Sunday:

• Swim   44.38 (1.9km)
• T1   6.06
• Bike   2:53:46 (maxed out at 64.7km/h) 81.5km
• T2   4.25
• Run   1:57:57 (21.5km)

Total time   5:46:53

I have no idea where this put me in my age group and frankly don't care that much as I am just in the 45-49 group so am racing guys 5 years younger than me. Watch out next year then I will take an interest as I jump into the 50-54 group.

Absolutely delighed with the bike leg - the ZIPP wheels are making such a difference. So much so that they are now going into hybernation for the winter to be saved for next year's racing.

Next challenge - Reading half in March, but I may sneak in a half before that.

I have already booked in Windsor and will probably do Henley again it was so much fun. As to another IM, thats a whole different story.......             

Warm up

Two weeks to go to Challenge Henley and I have got the instructions about when and when to rack up, start times, parking, chip collection, etc and frankly cannot understand a word of it.  Nevermind. Follow the person in front of me that should do it.

Final full weekend of preparation involved 99km cycle yesterday and a 1:19:49 16km Vlietloop here in Voorschoten. Quite pleased as my time in 2006 when I was running a bit more seriously was only 1:19:29, Did not decide to run it until an hour before the start so maybe that is the key. Lull my body into a false sense of security. 

Actually on the basis that I could hardly walk when I got up this morning due to my increasingly bad back I am very pleased. Post Henley will focus on sorting back out and reducing the training dramatically.      

Still eating and drinking for England, nevertheless roll on Challenge Henley.