CamelBak Octane XC

With my marathon fast approaching, I new I had to sort out my back pack. The EnduranceLife series requires you to carry water, a space blanket and a phone. I have a very old CamelBak that I used the on one of their half marathons but it wasn't great. It was uncomfortable and rubbed a little so I figured by the end of 26.2 miles, it would be a disaster.

So I looked around and decided on the CamelBak Octane XC from Wiggle.

It has a 2 litre capacity and three pockets, two big ones around the sides and a small one on top. I had gels in one pocket, inhaler in another and my phone and money in the top.

I gave it a good test wearing it on my 20 mile long run at the weekend. It felt heavy when full of water but once I put it on it was fine. The strap around the waist made it feel stable but the strap around my chest did feel like it was lifting and separating and giving me a nice rack so I didn't do it up. Vanity over comfort.

After I started, it was fairly uneventful. The water did slosh around and the noise was a little annoying but the movement was minimal. It was very comfortable, didn't make me too hot and didn't rub. I had to tighten the shoulder straps a few times as they felt loose but that was all.

I'm extremely happy with my purchase. £45 well spent.

Tour of London

My week had been very busy as I'm back at school on my placement. It was very hard work and I only managed to get out twice to play football on Tuesday and Friday. I worked hard when playing but it meant the weekly miles were low. I had to complete the weekend long run or it would be a terrible week.

I started in Battersea Park, doing a loop before heading up to Sloane Square, past Harvey Nichols and into Hyde Park at Wellington Arch. I did a full lap of Hyde Park before crossing at Wellington Arch again, down Constitution Hill and to Buckingham Palace.

London was looking stunning. It had poured down at football on Friday night so it was a pleasant surprise to see blue sky and a crisp morning when I woke on Saturday. London was also very full with lots of people in town for remembrance day.

After the Palace I went down The Mall, past Horse Guards Parade towards Westminster and the Embankment. There were times when the pavements were so full I had to walk for a few seconds or try to run in the road but it didn't bother me.

I was still feeling fine at this stage. I had stopped at 5 miles and 10 miles to take a gel (SiS) and my new camelbak (review later) was supplying me with water. I was loving London and I think it helped pass the time. Its very easy to overlook the place where you live but the run reminded me just how lucky I am.

I ran along the Embankment, past the Millennium Bridge and over Tower Bridge. The south of the river is the busy side so I had to pick my way through the crowds past Borough Market, Tate Modern and the London Eye. I had a packet of Clif Shots at 15 miles and tried to work out where I'd have to go to get over 20 miles in.

So it was back to the north side over Vauxhall Bridge and along the river to Chelsea Bridge and back into Battersea Park. I was tired by this stage and suffering. My left foot was hurting but everything else was ok and I knew I only had 2 miles to go. It was around the park and home to finish 20.5 miles in 3:12.

I am really pleased with the run. Not quick but that is really not an issue at the moment. Time will be irrelevant at the marathon so its just great to get the distance in my legs.

Not long enough

Post holiday + pre-work + rubbish weather = miserable Sunday.

I was supposed to do a long run. 15 minimum, 20 maximum. It was pouring down when I got up but I had to take my Dad to the station first thing so I was in no hurry to get out and run. I got back around 10:30 and had a little more breakfast as it was still foul outside. Then it was lunch and the weekly shop so more opportunities to procrastinate.

Finally it was 3pm and the last chance to get out so off I went. I kind of knew I wasn't doing 20 but thought I might make it to 15. I ran towards Wimbledon and was enjoying myself finding the miles were passing by easily. I didn't really think where I was going and passed over Wandsworth Common to Clapham Common and then down towards home. This was only 11 miles but it was dark and I was so close to home that I stopped.

I'm now annoyed that I didn't do more. My weekly mileage is good but my long runs just aren't long enough.

Running in Cyprus

Just back from Cyprus and a lovely weeks holiday with my wife. We carelessly left our kids at home with my Dad. Shame!!!

I managed to do a few runs whilst out there. One in the gym, one hill run and two 10 milers. I didn't find anywhere nice to run inspite of asking twice at the hotel. The roads were all busy with small verges and I spend a lot of the time waiting to be killed by a careless driver. But it was good to get the miles in and they allowed me to eat more at the evening all-you-can-eat buffet.

Runs
Sun 25th - 6.2 miles
10k on a treadmill in 51 minutes. Terrible run. It was a very very hot run on an old, squeaky treadmill. No air conditioning in a basement room in Cyprus is not nice.

Tue 27th - 10 miles
A good 10 mile run along a horrible main road, some of it on a verge, some on a path. Near the sea but not close enough to be a coast road.

Wed 28th - 5 miles
1.5 miles slow, 1 mile fast (7 minute mile) and then 0.5 slow. Then 2 miles of step hills reps. It was hard work but good.

Fri 30th - 10.2 miles
Same run as on Tuesday. Thursday had a terrible storm in the afternoon so given in was overcast at 11am, I decided to go out early. However, after 30 minutes, the skies cleared and it was sunny......and very warm. I was drenched and my head was burning. Still ran ok.

Wimbledon 10k Photos

Toilet queues before the race. Only 20 mins before the start. And star spotting - Annabel Croft finishes in 47:52 (I beat her).

Wimbledon 10K

Saturday was supposed to be a long run but I had some revision to do for some teaching skills tests that are coming up and by the time they were done, I didn't feel like running. So on Sunday, I was annoyed at my lack of exercise and the fact that I had a 10k race booked. 6 miles was just not long enough but I'd paid for it and I hate wasting money.

It was the Wimbledon 10k which I had run once before. Its a nice enough route up Wimbledon Hill, through the Village and over part of the Common before heading back down to the rugby club.

I got there early to pick up my number (postal strike), got ready, and did a bit of a jog before starting. I had no real expectations as I hadn't really tried to run fast for ages. The first 3kms felt terrible and I already had excuses rolling around in my head. I managed to get to the hill in under 5 minute kms and once I got to the top and half way, I started to get into it. I felt I could open up a bit and began to pass some people.

I started to think about my time and aimed for sub-50. By 8kms, I realised that I could go 1, 2 or more minutes faster and pushed. It was getting hard but I still kept it up. I realised there was an outside chance of sub-47 which I couldn't quite believe and I went for it. It was further than I thought but still got in at 47:31 which was 47:19 chip timed.

I am actually really stunned by the time. I felt like a plodded the first half of the race and could have tried much harder especially if I had warmed up more. I haven't done many 10ks (9 in total) but this is my 3rd fastest time. I think I could really give my PB a go.

Stats
Distance: 10k
Time: 47:19
Pace: 7:37 minute miles
Place: 213th out of 757
Weather: Cold but clear

Splits
1 - 4:56
2 - 4:43
3 - 4:50
4 - 4:59
5 - 4:52
6 - 4:57
7 - 4:44
8 - 4:17
9 - 4:36
10 - 4:25

Progress Report

At the start of 2009, I sent myself three goals.
1. To ride the Etape
2. 1000 miles running
3. 5000 miles cycling

The first was completed back in July. The second two, however, are not looking so good.

Running
Total so far: 398 miles
Percentage: 40% complete
Runs: 58
Average: 6.8 miles

Cycling
Total so far: 3704 miles
Percentage: 74% complete
Rides: 124
Average: 30 miles

There are 81 days left this year so if I ran 7.4 miles AND rode 16 miles each day I'd complete both goals. The cycling is doable but I have to accept the running isn't as I can't run 50 mile weeks from now until Christmas.

My aim now is to complete the cycling and get to around 70% of the running.