October.......

Hello remember me?

Father please forgive me!!!!

Its been a few weeks since my last post, to put it politely it has been a struggle, yes I have been training, but work, injury etc etc have hampered me. Plus mentally I was not into running. That was until a few weeks ago when I was trying to get motivated and asked a fellow B&W member, friend and collegue to advise and assist in my rehabilitation. Phil Parry has agreed to help me and has been trying to keep me motivated ever since thankfully he has been patient on runs and not pushed me and has brought my running confidence up, I might even try racing again soon.

This October event that I have been talking about is due to the fact that whilst on holiday earlier this month  turned milestone and am now classed as a Vet (V35), so my hopes and plans are to compete/challenge for the  BMAF V35 Masters 10k road race title in October in Exmouth.  There done it opened up, it is now up to me to get myself fit and in race trim to undertake this task…. lets us see!!!!

Bristol 10k - The Final Countdown.

6 days remain until the annual Bristol 10k.  So have you prepared well?  Or are you going to cross the starting line having ran 200m and hydrating with Fosters and eating Pork Scratchings?

You just need to be confident.  Confident in your training and preparation.  If you’ve done the kms then you’ll be comfortable!  I know when I first did a 10k (a Cancer Research 10k) in 2009 I was terrified, partly because my prep wasn’t great and I didn’t approach it right.  With a 3-year hiatus from running and the correct attitude I’m now confident that I won’t be found by a race official wrapped around a lamp-post on Hotwells crying for my mother, simply because I’m ready for it.

My other piece of advice?  Either do what Sharon said and wee in the Colston Hall or at Lloyds on the waterfront, because the toilet queue is so long it’s offensive.

Enjoy it, say hi if you see me and if you’re terrified, use it to run the best you’ve ever ran.  You’ve got a Mo Farah inside you waiting to bust out, Sunday will be you day.

Any questions or fears you’ve got get in contact with us!

Running & Music

When I first tied the laces on my new running shoes 5 months ago the second thing I did was put headphones in  my ears.  My iPod was stoked with music ready to go with 6 high octane tracks.  6 was wishful thinking considering I only lasted about 1 minute.

Music motivates me, and I’m sure there are countless people out there who agree with me.  It can help take your mind off your tired legs,  or the remaining distance and there are times when the right song with the right lyric will make you seem that you are going to dominate that upcoming run, be it your first tentative steps or a race you’ve been building up to for months.

Yet, what is running music?  Does it have to be fast paced or even particularly cool?  I am genuinely worried that (god-forbid) I had an accident while running and the paramedic (who, rather than attending to me) looks at my iPod to see Britney Spears staring back at them.  Imagine the shame.

On May 15th when at the starting line for the Bristol 10k thousands of people will be pressing play, and every Saturday at the end of their Parkrun 5k hundreds will press stop.  If you’re one of them please tell us, what is your ultimate running song?  Either join in on the forum or over on Facebook.