Last events for 2009!

Pain in my legs and knee after yesterday's event but hopefully that will only be temporarily and I can finish 2009 with the following 2 events:

- 26th December: Shell Round the Walls, 4.5 miles/7.2km in Chester
- 27th December: Club Bike Time Trial, Chester Triathlon Club, 9 miles/14.4km also in Chester

Also trying to squeeze in at least one slow long run of 2 to 2 1/2 hours and that one will probably happen on the last day of the year, Thursday 31st December, in the morning. Need to plan the training well with the races etc so this seems to only option. Oh well, will certainly be hungry enough for lots of party food in the evening!!!

A Merry Christmas & Happy 2010 to all my blog readers!

Stiperstones Seasonal Saunter: 31km walk/run - 4hrs16'10"

My room at The Stiperstones Inn: lovely & the food also!

The Stiperstones Seasonal Saunter, a 20mile challenge event organised by the Marches Group of the Long Distance Walkers Association started in Snailbeach, Shropshire. The event was recommended to me by Helen & Garfield Southall, both very keen walkers. Unfortunately they couldn't make it.

The event was going to be good for my stamina and getting some mileage in my legs for the Tokyo marathon - now not so far away!

I had decided to travel down to Snailbeach on Friday evening and with the bad road/weather conditions on Saturday in Cheshire, that proved a wise decision! The SatNav got me there without any problems by 7pm and I was ready for a nice and relaxing evening. Accommodation and food at the Stiperstones Inn were excellent and thoroughly enjoyed my meal on Friday evening.

I wanted to be at the village hall before 8am, so had asked for a tray with breakfast.

(more to follow tomorrow - need my bed now!)

Stockport 10 Mile Road Race: 1h22'45"

Got the T-shirt!

Club Duathlon: Official result and report

Club Duathlon 5/12/09
Mens Times
Andy White
01:03:25
Mike Diamond
01:05:10
Duncan Harris
01:05:50
Simon Greenwood
01:08:52
Neil Thomas
01:16:42
Alan Cronin
01:19:43
Mark Bennett
01:21:08
Dave Whieldon
01:22:27
Tony Dooley
01:42:05

Ladies Times
Nathalie Rees
01:25:50
Gill Clingham
01:47:20

with 2 ladies who did not start the final run.

Shame that not more club members took part but the Sunday bike rides were still going ahead, the weather was absolutely awful at the start etc etc.

For me, the novice, this was a test to see how my body would cope with the change from cycling to running!

Chester Tri Club Duathlon: Ladies Winner Today!

Text to follow later - putting my feet up now!

Salford Ladies 5.25 mile race today!

Quiet before the start
Warm-up and wave to the camera

It's chilly with the rain

Off we go!

Near the lead but slowly settling into my pace

Leaders not going off too fast - slippery downhill

Settling in behind other club runners

Still all smiles!

Bye for now

Winner of the race!

Leading lady again

2nd Lady

3rd Lady

4th lady
Wave to hubby, nearly there!

Concentrating up the hill to the finish

Happy with my race today in Salford: we think a top 20 position (or there abouts) and 40'33" over 8.45km (on my Garmin). Happy with that as done no running this week and under awful conditions: rain and windy. Enjoyed the undulating (hilly we would say in Belgium) course and it was nice again to take part in a ladies only race. Will certainly be back next year!!