Unaffiliated

As Billy Joe Armstrong once sang, and probably wrote, "I'm a walking contradiction".  After spending an entire post banging on about the benefits of joining a running club (or social running group), I have now become unaffiliated.

Hanging up the Merthyr vest for now

All memberships with Welsh Athletic running clubs expire on 31st March. After which time, it's renew or get out!

Now, does this mean I have changed my mind, do I now think running with a group is a massive waste of time? Nah! The issue I have is purely financial and I hope to have it sorted within a few months!

However, this does open up possibilities. Do I renew?  Do I look at a different club? Do I look at a social running club instead (lacks the affiliation and race discount, but Merthyr has one)? Do I even round of the year and hang up the trainers? Was going too last year when running poorly.

Running clubs, drop me an email and I'll start reviewing applications for my services....

Anyway, the leg is 80% there I think, still sore but I've been back in the gym, so I may try a run tomorrow lunch time. Get a 'quick' 3/3.5 miles in then hope to go long on the weekend.

20? Yeah 20 miles is a great way to spend a Sunday!

There's also something going on Saturday, but it's supposed to be a secret I think. Apart from all the people who already know.

I'll post about that soon enough

Race Report - Merthyr Half Marathon

Twas a warm morning for this mornings Merthyr half marathon. Hardly a cloud in the sky, which both equaled lovely day and phew, bit warm in equal amounts.

Merthyr college was buzzing as I lined up... for the 4-6 500m race...

With my boy...

Then the daughter went in the slightly chaotic 1km for her age (7-9, or 7-11?). She had the opportunity to cut a lap, but being the good girl she is pushed round and did the extra (or correct amount even), when not everyone felt the urge!

Then it was the main event. Coughing had mostly stopped, felt ok and decided to attack a little from the outset. Was going well, the course was tough with a wicked climb as the all new for 2017 turning point. The predicted congestion wasn't anywhere near as bad as I expected... yes all went well!

Me, running like I was being chased for the majority of the race, genuinely better than I expected, or had any business thinking about beforehand. About mile 8... twinge in leg, didn't think much of it, probably just a misstep. Mile 11, feel a pulling in my leg, just below the knee. Press on... almost there. Then distaer, sharp pain and I pull up, trying to keep moving. But I knew this was an issue. Got going until 12 or so same again, then again in the last mile.

All those precious seconds each time, probably costing me a couple of minutes on my time. Plus all the pain and discomfort.

So how did I do, target wise I said:

Baseline:
1:58:00 (9:00 min/ml)

Achievable:
1:55:00 (8:46 min/ml)

Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time:
1:50:00 (8:23 min/ml)

and I did:



A new PB by 5:10 and my first time under 1:50, but frustrating as I think about what could have been...

I'm also going to stop setting targets as I clearly have no idea what I'm doing.

Massive thank you to the sports masseuse in the college after the race who largely fixed my leg. Still hurts now and probably will for a few days, but she made a big positive difference, even if she described the area as... crunchy! Right leg has always been an issue!

Race Day Preview - Merthyr Half Marathon

First half marathon of the year!

Nice easy trip as this one is my homeland, my home town, my place of residence. Merthyr Tydfil. The 13.1 miles will cover from the College down the taff trail on what can only be described as an undulating course. Also a narrow course, oh so narrow.

Also Amman United rugby star Shane Williams will be starting the race!

Thinking about it, I'm not 100% looking forward to this one. I've had a bit of s phlegm-y cough all week and, did I mention how narrow the course is?

While narrow, it is pretty scenic, the taff trail is a nice run and if it stays dry it'll be warm enough with tree shade at regular intervals. The course has changed this year and misses out the wonder of a long set of steps half way. Instead we'll be waving at the steps as we turn at the top.

This will be a good test, but entry depending I'd imagine I'm more likely to post decent times in Swansea or Cardiff later in the year.

So... targets:

Baseline:
1:58:00 (9:00 min/ml)

Achievable:
1:55:00 (8:46 min/ml)

Would be nice, but maybe beyond me this time:
1:50:00 (8:23 min/ml)

1:58 is last years time, so that needs to be done I think and I think 1:55 is possible if I run well enough. Now I've been rubbish with target settings so far so I've made the top one very unlikely. 1:50 would tie a PB, which was set in Cardiff, a much much easier course. 

It's a 10am start and I'll be around from 9ish supporting my kids in their races, so come say hi! Also looking like my last one in a Merthyr vest, for a while at least. May actually go for a tank top!

Home Town Glory

Merthyr Tydfil.

If Sky ever need a town to shat on from on high, we appear to be the target. When Kirsty and Phil list the worst places you'd never even leave you dog unattended for 10 mins, we're in the top 10 (5?).

That's not the Merthyr I know, 

The Merthyr I know has been battling this image for years, the Merthyr I know has 2 theaters opened. The Merthyr I know has a decent leisure centre.

More on topic, the Merthyr I know is the home of a Running club (go MRC) and a social running group averaging over 100 members a week. That's not the same town as Sky portray as fat, inactive, disability claimants.

If you want inspiration and a demonstration determination that can exist in this often forgotten valley of the try No Run Intended by local Hannah Phillips. Good read!

There's a parkrun on the cards, there's already a 10k and half marathon in the town along with Triathlon events and races such as the San Dominico 20 and Roman Run starting or finishing in the town. Here's me (right) at the Merthyr Half last year with Mr Andrew Cooper:

Photo stolen from Wales Online. I ran 1:58 on my second run after 2 or 3 months off injured, I can beat that this year... possibly.

Soon entries will open for the first ever Merthyr Marathon! 26.2 Miles around my home town, makes you feel kind of proud!

Downside is you'd struggle to get a flat 5k round these parts (includes that future parkrun!)  so there's an estimated 1000ft of incline on the route. Shove it, I'm doing Snowdon, if I'm scared of this I should sell my entry now. 

Exciting times without doubt.