Pre-Christmas Run

Getting together with your mates for  a Sunday run is just the best way to relax. The Sunday gang this week was a little unusual, in that it didn't feature me! Furthermore, Neale had put together a little harem of women with the arrival of his friends Becca and Lindsay, both of whom were putting in an appearance for the first time on one of the weekly trot outs. As it was the last run before the festivities begin, we were hoping for a good turnout and we weren't disappointed with the result. However, Rob Samuel was also unable to run having picked up a minor injury at the track session on Wednesday, so he and I merely joined the group for the obligatory cafe visit afterwards. The past couple of weeks for me has been quite busy, I have been concentrating on getting my Uni' work done and what with the imminent arrival of the exam season next month, I really have found that my running has taken a back seat. Not to say that I am not managing to get out because I am, but I am not getting as wound up about not running. After picking up another injury at the inter regional cross country at Builth Wells, I suppose it is a good job that I am not that bothered...that said my training is going well and I feel that I am starting to get the speed back at the moment and I have a positive outlook for next year.....Well, that's it for the time being...I promise to do a review of the year sometime over the next week...so call back soon folks!

Northop Cross Country

It seems such a long time ago since this photo was taken and I feel as if I have now only recovered fully! Usual apologies to those of you who take the time to follow my blog, but I've been so busy in uni' over the past couple of weeks. Not too much been going on the running scene, the biggest change would be the reduction in my mileage, with me taking the odd day off too! Now that is unheard of for me......I feel this week fully recovered and yesterday saw me turn out at the north Wales cross country league event at Northop. It is a stunning venue and was used earlier this year for the Welsh cross country champs'. I had another good run making up another 6 places this week to finish just outside the top ten. Now that I am getting fully recovered, I hope that I will realise my wish of getting back into the top 5 by the end of the season. It was so good to run at Northop, knowing that I didn't feel so tired and in doing so I built my confidence a little thinking that I really can get back to full fitness for next year. That said, as I write this you find me sat with my leg up and with a large bag of frozen mixed vegetables wrapped around my ankle. I was out this evening with Gary Williams and mid-way through the run my ankle gave way. I am hoping that Neale is right in his diagnosis and that I have merely sprained my ankle, because if I have picked up yet another injury I will be pretty pissed off! We had a great time again at the cross country yesterday on the social side, we made the most of the gathering to get together at the pre-requisite cafe at Caerwys where despite turning up a couple of minutes prior to closure the staff cooked everything we wanted. There was however, one absentee from the melee', one Dr. Andy Walling who is currently away in Kenya with the UK Olympic squad, including Paula Radcliffe. Andy really is making a name for himself at UKA, having treated Paula earlier this year in Ireland and of course not forgetting Mo Farrah again in Kenya on his last visit there with UKA last December. I think it will be literally any time now before he receives the call from the powers that be to become a fully paid up member of the UKA physiotherapy squad. He deserves it too, the amount of time and effort that he puts into his vocation is just incredible. If he is lucky enough to get the call we will all be devastated around here, because he has become a bit of a legend on the coaching front. Last Tuesday evening, we met as we do regularly do at Andy's home in Bethesda for the weekly training run with the endurance squad and it really is a sight for sore eyes. There were at least 5 international runners (myself included) with Ali lavender, Rob Samuel, Andy and several others. Our little get together has become a serious training event and I love to be a part of it. I do love to run, but boy I love the social side of it too! Take care guy's....Tamster x

Rob Samuel...Snowdonia Marathon Champion

Rob Samuel 2009 Cardiff Half Marathon

I thought I would dedicate today's post to Sunday gang member Rob' Samuel, who stormed to victory on yesterday's Snowdonia marathon in Llanberis. Rob has had a fantastic season and yesterday's run saw him lifted to the higher echelons of Welsh running. He has had a fantastic season, which has seen him wear both the UK and Welsh vests and be a member of the Welsh commonwealth mountain running team who took a bronze medal at the recent ultra distance and mountain running champs' held in north Wales. Always a good laugh and modest to boot, Rob is fun to be around and never too serious about his running. In a massive field, including ultra distance commonwealth champion Richie Gardiner, Rob, who only decided to run the race last Tuesday displayed fantastic strength and maturity to tale the title after previously finishing 2nd a couple of years ago. All there is to add, is, the cake's on you mate!

Run or Revise?

Now that I am back in uni' and studies are becoming increasingly important, it begs the question what is more important? Running or revision? Only kidding, I know that running has to play second fiddle. It is difficult sometimes though to sit in front of a monitor and do some obscure calculations for my BSc but it may prove to be lucrative in the future. So, to that end I am managing to juggle things around and get out on my runs. In fact whilst I am out and about, it allows me time to think and come up with answers ....... I am sure that there are a million of you out there with the same problem, to run or not to run....? But the difficulty is this....OK yes, it is easy to get out for 45 minutes or even an hour, but what if I want to run up in Snowdonia and on to the Glyders....you have a 30 minute drive, then the 1 hour run you were going to do turns into three hours, because you just can't resist the scenery, the climbs, the fresh air etc etc etc.......I know what I can do....I'll get NeeNee, to drive me there....so I can revise on the way!!! Sorted.......

St.Davids' Day!

Round two of this years North Wales cross country league saw us visit the beautiful surroundings on St. Davids school at Llanrhos near Llandudno. Despite only living a matter of a few minutes away, I have never been previously and it provided a beautiful and fitting surrounding to hold a cross country event. Mother nature was kind to us again, with spring like conditions and an absolutely fabulous field of runners all happy in the sunshine. After a week of jaunts with Neale and Gary Williams which saw my mileage restricted to around 50, I have been sidelined for the second time in as many weeks with another cold. Commonly referred to as 'fresher's flu' this time it really knocked me for six. However, as I am well of the pace at the moment, I was more than happy to run on Saturday and to be honest I really enjoyed it even if I was maybe 10-15 places behind where could reasonably expect to be. The race was won by fellow Sunday Gang member Ali Lavender and I am also pleased to say that the men's race was also won by a gang member Rob Samuel. Rob' announced that he had made his decision to run in this weekend's Snowdonia marathon, this was the opposite to me when I say I made the decision not to. A sensible decision I suppose, I have come in for a lot of criticism from my friends for even contemplating it but me being the hot head I can be wasn't listening. Now though, the decision is made, the only involvement that I will have is to marshall and feed some of the Sunday Gang who are running. As for me, in the meantime, I will be glad to return to a restricted mileage programme beginning tomorrow, with a view to improve my speed through the winter and get back to the top 5 in the cross country. It is achievable, I know it is, Andy has previously said that my best years of competition are yet to come despite my age. I believe this too although I was doubtful but I think with good supervision I can maybe get back to the standards I have previously enjoyed. That's it for now....good luck to Sunday Gang members, Rob Samuel, Andy Walling and Richard Edwards for next weekend and happy running everyone......

Shoes and Othotics

I get asked all the time about running shoes and it would appear to be one of the most talked about subjects within the running fraternity. The truth is, I have experimented with different manufacturers since I began running and I am still not satisfied with my selection. That said, I have been wearing New Balance now for about two years and in particular the 1063. Although this trainer has been dis-continued, I feel, for me, that it offered what I needed. On average my trainers tend to last for about 10 weeks or about 650 miles by which point they begin to break down and tear at the sides where my foot begins to pivot. The trouble is, that at £100 per pair, you can see that my bill for shoes is considerable. Now you may say, just run in them until they fall apart, but as a corrected over pronator, even a couple of mm wear causes me a problem. Wearing custom orthotics cures fundamental problems but the down side is that it can also cause others. The idea of orthotics is simple, it corrects your foot position and removes a gait that could result in instances of repeat or prolonged injury but wearing them in shoes can also cause wear to the inside or indeed increased abrasion to the sole. So you see, for me, it is important to change shoes regularly. It's a shame I have to foot the bill though if you pardon the pun. Once you have found the perfect shoe most runners will stick with them and (me included) will always resist changing. The thing is though, technology advances and every year most manufacturers will change the model. Take me for instance, when the New Balance 1063 was replaced by the 1064 last last year, Neale bought me a couple of pairs. I am convinced that they were a step back for me and promptly sent them back. Now though, I cannot source 10643's, so what do I do.....I go to the cupboard and pull out an old pair of 63's with about 1500 miles on them!!! So, you see, we're all the same...all hung up about our trainers...and all stuck in our ways!

Cantering In The Ceiriog

The recovery continues and I am beginning to feel as though I have had my legs returned to me following the commonwealths. This week I have several good runs and as a result Neale pestered Jayne Lloyd, the organiser of the Snowdonia marathon for a provisionally entry. Jayne was none to happy with the request, only because she felt that it may be too soon since Newborough, so, on the understanding that I would only run if 100% fit, she agreed...Thanks Jayne! Whilst I would like to do the event, I am undecided yet as to whether I will, I have taken on board Jayne's views and will decide towards the end of this week. On Saturday, Neale and I took a drive to the beautiful Ceiriog Valley outside Chirk for the Ceiriog Canter fell race. Having not visited this part of north Wales, both Neale and I were impressed how beautiful it was. Whether I would be of the same opinion at the end of the 10.5 km race would be another matter. Also at the race was Welsh team mate Andrea and she to wasn't sure about the Snowdonia marathon, which she has completed a number of times. Fresh from her 3rd place the previous weekend at the Breidon Hills race, Andrea beat me fairly and squarely but I took some comfort knowing that we were quite close on the ascent. Those of you who have followed my running exploits, will know how many races I have lost whilst leading and beginning the descent. I just cannot run down hills! That evening, I paid for my exuberance, with very sore quads which Neale treated for me in his usual style. The following morning, mindful of the fact that the marathon is less than two weeks away, I did my long run prior to taper. I felt heavy and a little lethargic but managed over 21 miles in 2 hours 5o minutes ... I was quite pleased. I wasn't quite so pleased a few hours later when my quads'. started to bite back....another session with Neale needed! This weekend, will see the second round of the north Wales cross country league. Normally held at  Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay, this year sees the race moved to St. Davids' school, whilst the finishing touches are put on the new north Wales centre of excellence for rugby, let's just hope that the venue is good and there are some cakes at the finish. Finally, I want to wish Lizzy Hawker all the best in her attempt to complete the 1000+ mile Himalayan trail which she started last week......Lizzy, current world 100km and 24 hour champion, is hoping to complete the run in less than 40 days and I am confident she will give it her all......good luck Lizzy!
http://www.lizzyhawker.com/skydance.html