Saturday 29 August 2009

Niagara

A couple more gym runs and some weights. Nothing to write home about.

Niagara Falls is amazing. We got the Maid of the Mist boat that sails really close to the base of the falls which gives you a better idea just how bit they are. It makes you feel small.

Whilst the falls are amazing and well worth the trip, the town of Niagara is terrible. Imagine Blackpool. That's the closest place I can think of. I know popular places always attract tat but the Canadian authorities have basically said anything goes and you have cheap, tatty hotels as far as the eye can see, thousands of burger joints and loads of horrible attractions. Its not a nice place.

We are off to Adirondack National Park tomorrow for a couple of days in the wilderness before we drive back to New York and then home. I intend to run both days in the forest.

Friday 28 August 2009

Moose on the Loose

I took part in the Moose on the Loose 10 mile race on Sunday. It was in Nashua, Mew Hampshire.

It was a very friendly race with about 300 runners participating in the 4 lap race. Races with laps are not my favourite and given the amount of countryside around I'm not sure why there was not more than 2.5 miles of trail to run in but it was ok.

The race started at 9am but it was still over 75 degrees when we started. By the time we finished it was well into the 80s and very hot. Despite buying extra water, the organisers ran out at the end. I think this was mostly due to people pouring it over their heads as well as drinking it.

I ran a respectable 1:25:10 and came 135th which I was very happy with. Despite very few casual looking runners, I finished about 'mid-table' in the field. Given I've only been back running a few weeks, it was a good days work.

Interesting journey home. As I left Nashua, I wasn't watching my speed and it seems I went 69 in a 55 limit. It was a large, empty dual carriageway but the speed limits are ridiculously low in the US. I know how fast I was going because 5 minutes later a state troopers car was behind me with his lights flashing. I pulled over thinking he was after someone else but it was me. The movie scenario played out with an overweight cop slowly walking to my window and asking for "license and registration please". Once he realised I was not from New York (my car was a rental with NY plates) and I had a spiffing English accent (which got more plum as I spoke) he gave me a ticking off and a written warning before sending me on my way. I was spot on the speed limit all the way home and it took ages.

We are on to Niagara next to see some waterfall.

Thursday 27 August 2009

Running in America

I'm really enjoying my holiday in the States. New York was great. I had a fabulous run at 5am around Central Park. So many other runners and people on road bikes. All with a very friendly atmosphere.

Then it was up to Boston. I didn't know the area so ran in the hotel gym. Very hot and boring but it had to be done as I've been eating some terribly bad food here. Too many burgers. Boston itself was great. A lovely time, very different to many US cities I've been to.

Then we travelled to Vermont. I've never been to this part of America either and it is lovely. The villages and towns are a little twee for my liking but the mountains and endless forests are spectacular. I had a 7 mile run on Wednesday along some hilly roads. It was late in the day but still over 80 degrees. It was a very sweaty run. I've done a couple of other runs so I'm really back in the swing of things.

Friday 14 August 2009

Brighton Marathon Entered


I have my first big target sorted out. In April 2010, I'll be running my 7th marathon - the Brighton Marathon. Its the first time its being staged and I think its trying to get the same market as the Edinburgh marathon - that is the people who don't get into London. 100,000 people enter the London Marathon each year and only 35,000 get places so there is a lot of people looking for a marathon in April. It seems its going to be a similar size to Edinburgh with 12,000 places available. So it should feel like an occasion but without being too packed.

I'm trying to get my brother to run. We are doing the Brighton 10k together in November so it would be cool if he continues his training to run the marathon with me. He's currently thinking about it.



Monday 10 August 2009

Weekly runs

My return to running is going well. I did a 5 mile run on Thursday with little problem. It was my Battersea Park route and the weather was ok. I stretched after about 3 miles and felt fine. My quads were ok afterwards.

I was in Devon at the weekend picking up my kids from my Dad's and I took the opportunity to run. I love running around Dartmoor and one route in particular - I think its my favourite training run. Its very hilly but stunning and at 8am on a Sunday morning, there is only the odd tractor on the small lanes. My Dad came with me on the bike and I ran for just over an hour in bright sunshine. I ran up all the hills without a problem and really enjoyed it.

I have missed running and its great to be doing it again. My biggest problem is trying not to do too much too quickly.

Tuesday 4 August 2009

Back on the bike

I had a call from my 15 year old nephew during the week to ask if I wanted to go out on a ride. He has recently sold his mountain bike and bought a road bike and was keen to do some riding.

I met him at his house in Keston with Ed on Sunday morning and set off on a 30 mile route I had mapped out and given to Ed for his Garmin.

Samuel had never done more than 24 miles before so this 30 would be a challenge. It also turned out to be a very hilly route. Just south of Keston is the edge of the North Downs and Toys Hill, Ide Hill, Star Hill and Hogtrough Hill are all a challenge.

Samuel did really well. His gears need a tweak, his breaks need tightening and he had a puncture but despite all that, we got up all the hills and needed very little rest. It was around 4,000 feet of climbing which is excellent. He could be a really good cyclist and it won't be long before he's waiting for me.

It was a reasonably sunny day and apart from feeling a little tired, it was a good ride. It was nice to ride on some new hills and I'm sure we'll come back for training as a change to the Surrey Hills. I did 60.5 miles in total.