Race Report: Every Woman's Duathlon

One of my goals for 2010 was to take part in a duathlon, just to expand my racing ‘horizons’, and on Saturday I completed my first one! The race was held in Bristol - Every Woman’s Duathlon - and was aimed at first time duathlon-ers. I entered with two other friends (one a duathlon virgin like me, and the other quite a bit more experienced ;o) ).

I’ve really enjoyed training on my bike over the past couple of months, and although apprehensive, I was looking forward to the race. That was until I woke up on Saturday to the hottest day of the year so far! We left at 7.30 to cycle to the race (only about 10 minutes!) and it was already sweltering. We decided to take it easy on the first run, and ran it at a comfortable pace, and finished the ‘5km’ course in around 22 minutes - a 7 minute improvement on my 5km PB ;o)

Getting my sweat on! ((C) 21C Photos)

Then onto the bike section. My mountain bike wasn’t the most ideally suited for the tarmac based route, my only goal was to complete the distance in under an hour. The cycle route was four loops, so it got a bit boring after a while, and with two 180 degree turns per loop, it mean slowing right down eight times over the course. Was very annoyed at completing the course in 62 minutes, but as I my average pace was around 14 miles per hour, I suspect the distance was a bit longer than the 20km advertised. Boo :o(

Cycling away! ((C) 21C Photos)

The second run was not fun, my legs were tired, and by this point it was about 1000 degrees (no really!), but it was nice knowing that I only had 3.5km to run rather than 5! I didn’t take anywhere near enough to drink with me, and was starting to feel quite weak half way through this run. After some walking, and stern words, I finished. My overall time was 1:48:05. Not really sure how I feel about the time as my goal was to finish in under two hours, which I wouldn’t have done if the distances had been correct, but it’s a PB nonetheless! :oD I also came third in my age category (whadya mean how many people were in my age category?!)

Finished! (At last) ((C) 21C Photos)

Overall a good race - brilliant for first timers (like me) and the option of two distances was nice as well (5km/20km/5km or 2.5km/10km/2.5km), just a shame about the distances. The race was well organised - everything was well explained (as for the majority of the entrants this was their first duathlon), free massage before and after was a nice touch and there were a fair few marshalls too - all of which were very encouraging and supportive. The goodie bag was really good (perhaps where the £36 entry fee was spent!), including a medal, t-shirt, magazine, keyring, pen and several food samples.

Not sure I’d be in a hurry to do another duathlon, but am pleased I can now tick it off my list. A certain someone is trying to persuade me to enter a triathlon next, but I think I’ll save that for next year!

Race Report: Guildford Race for Life

Yesterday I completed Guildford's Race for Life. This race had me in a reflective mood as it was my first race ever, this time last year (read last year's race report here), and was what motivated me to start on the couch to 5km plan, as I decided I wanted to be able to run the whole way. And now, here I am a year later, which a fair few races under my belt and several stone lighter! I think even the fact that I haven't had to 'train' to cover this distance (5km), shows how much things have changed!

Me at this year's race, and at the same event last year.

Although the purpose of these events isn't to PB, I wanted to make sure I beat last year's time of 35:00! My 5km PB (set in March) is 29:20, so allowing for the crowds I was really hoping for a finish of 31-32 minutes. I was prepared for the crowds at the beginning, so I set of quickly and weaved my way through the crowds - a bit too quickly it seems as I hit the first km marker in just over 5 minutes (25 minute for 5km pace!), I kept pushing it and got to 3km in 16 minutes, I realised I wouldn't be able to keep this pace up, but didn't want to walk, so slowed right down for 3 to 4km. Before I knew it the '500m to go' sign was there and I could see the finish, so I picked up the pace again. The only steep incline of the course is about 300m before the end - I ran to the top and thought I was going to be sick!

Just about to cross the finish line!

I glanced down at my HRM as I crossed the line, and did a double take - 28:15! I couldn't believe it - a huge grin spread across my face as I realised I'd PB'd and take 6minutes 45 seconds off last year's time! Now I have a goal to aim for the next time I go to parkrun (a weekly, free, 5km time trial).

Me, my sister and neice after the race (no, my 3 year old neice didn't run it, but they kindly gave her a medal as she ran the last 20 metres or so with my sister!)

It was nice to come 'full circle' and return to the race that 'started it all' - I feel I've proved (to myself more than anyone else), that I am a runner now - I've been doing this for a year now! I'm sure this is a race that I'll return to time and again - I've got my eyes on a 25 minute finish time for next year! :D

parkrun: A Different Perspective

At yesterday's parkrun, rather than running, I helped out as a volunteer. For those of you unfamilliar with parkrun, its a free, weekly, timed 5km run open to everyone and anyone. You can find out more here and find your nearest event here.

It was my first time volunteering at parkrun. I remember being told the first time I attended a parkrun, that if every runner volunteered three times each year, that would be enough for the events to remain free and ongoing, so I decided it was about time I chipped in!

Runners walking to the start of the race

parkrun is a simple set-up and there are several types of volunteer roles including timer, marshalls, photographer, funnel management and handing out positions chips. I was in charge of scanning in runner's barcodes and position chips at the end of the race (which would later be matched up to give them their times).

It was really interesting to see the event from the 'other side'. And it made me realise just how fast some of the runners are! The first child came in at just uner 11 minutes 30 seconds (children run a 2.5km route) and the first adult runner (the full 5km route) came in at 17:45 - something to aspire to! :D

And the best part? You get your name in 'lights' on the website!

I did it! :D

Last time I went to parkrun (4 weeks ago) I smashed my previous PB (31:52 from Nov) getting a new PB of 30:10, bringing a sub-30 5km within reach for the first time. When I started running almost a year ago, sub-30 5km was one of those 'I'd love to achieve one day' goals - and its been on my goal list for the past 9 months or so.


After my last attempt, I couldn't run Frimley Lodge parkrun again until today, due to my training for Bath Half. I only needed to take 11 seconds off - a seemingly easy task. I really pushed myself the whole way round - I did the first loop in 14:30, so was well on target, but my legs got tired and I felt like I really slowed down, I forced myself to pick it up again for the last km or so.


I've just seen the official results - 29:20. Needless to say I'm very happy I can now cross this off my goal list :) I guess I'll have to aim for a new time now - if I keep this up I may well be representing GB at the 2032 Olympics! :D

Another PB!

Went to the new ParkRun again today, for the first 'official' one. After last week's 'PB', I wanted to try and match the time. Because last week was a test run, a few of us took a wrong turning (due to a missing sign!), which ended up being a bit of a shortcut, but then we sort of doubled up on ourselves. The point being that I couldn't be 100% sure whether I'd actually run 5km - it could have been a bit over or under. So this week, (following the directions properly!) I wanted to make sure that I actually had improved on my PB.

I started off quite quickly, but managed to maintain that pace for the first lap (of the two lap course), so I ran that in 14:50 - on target for the PB. I slowed down a bit on the second lap, but kept making a conscious effort to up my pace (it seems so natural to slow down a bit, and sometimes I find this happens almost without realising it). I hadn't started my HRM at exactly the right time, so had to wait for the official results to come through on email.

Before last weeks unofficial PB, my 5km PB stood at 31:52, last week's time was 31:18 and today's time was (drumroll please!) 30:10!

I'm so pleased - almost 110 seconds off my PB, the first sub-10 minute mile race I've ever run and I now I know that a sub-30 time is well within my reach! :D

I also got a free Nite Vision reflective bib as it was the first race - which was a nice surprise at the end. :)

Length: 5km
Time: 30:10
Pace: 9:42 min/mile

New Parkrun, New PB!

Things have been a bit quiet on the racing front, as I have been focussing on my training for my first half marathon! But today I ran at a new parkrun event in Frimley Lodge Park and got a PB! I've posted about it on my training blog, Rachel's 13.1 Miles.

:)

5km - Basingstoke ParkRun

I've been meaning to go back to Parkrun for a while now, the last time I went (at the end of August) I managed to achieve my mini-goal of finally running a sub-35 minute 5km - my time was 34:26.


A few weeks after this I ran my first 10km - a bit quicker than double my 5km time, so I knew I should be able to get a quicker 5km PB. So I set my next goal at Sub-33 minutes.

Over the past couple of months I've been focusing on building up my distance, and hadn't run a 5km race in that time until today.


Why all the back story? So that hopefully you will understand how pleased I am with my time today of 31:52! :) I even got a mention in the ParkRun newsletter for my PB: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/basingstoke/News.aspx (Event 71).

If I wasn't there, I'd never have believed I could run that fast! :D

5km - Race For Life, Guildford

Well, it had finally arrived - my first race! A 5km Race for Life. This was the reason I started running 10 weeks ago - with the goal to run the whole way.

I've never been a runner, so this has all been very new for me. I followed the Couch to 5k programme, each week utterly surprised that I was able to run as far as it said, and like most people disbelieving that I'd ever get to running for 30 minutes!

Over the last couple of weeks I've been able to run the whole 5km distance, its take me 38.5 - 40 minutes each time, so I was really hoping for a sub 40minute race today, I was also hoping to be able to run the whole way - as I had in training.

Arriving at the event, I couldn't believe how many people were there - or how much pink there was! I had been um-ing and ah-ing over whether to go to the 'joggers' or 'runners' section to start. This was decided for me as the only options were 'runners' or 'walkers' - so off I went to the runners flag!


Its so crowded at the start - it took us a few minutes to even cross the start line (I used my phone to time myself though as I wanted an accurate time!). There was much jostling for the first km or so - it was too crowded to get into my rhythm and I felt myself getting tired quicker than usual. This was confirmed when I passed the 2km sign in 12:30 - I was going to quickly (I was aiming for 7:30 - 8minute kms). I had to stop and walk a few times (annoyingly) but managed to get into my pace around halfway.

I passed the 4km sign and then saw a huge hill (going up unfortunately!). I dug deep and ran quickly up it (my thery being it would be better than going slowly as it would take longer). Shouldn't have done that! With only a few hundred metres to go I checked my phone - if I ran quickly I could see I get a good time (good for me anyway!), so I ran (a bit too quickly) to the end and crossed the finish line in 35:00:01!

So I managed to do it in under 40 mins :) but not to run the whole way :( At least I have a benchmark now for next time.

It was a good run, for a brilliant cause. Bring on the next race! :D