London Olympic marathon test run

Many thanks to Stuart for allowing us to use the  posting from his own blog running4results.blogspot.com

Elite Athlete - Crees S (GBR)When I took up running about 6 years ago as a chubby unfit person, I would never have imagined lining up with 42 other British marathon runners at the first Olympic test event after being invited to help test the course. You have to laugh really.

Anyway, out of the 6 runners asked to help out, only me, Nick Dukes and Phil Cook made our way to London on Sunday. We arrived at the Union Jack Hotel in Waterloo, very nice place. It caters for ex-serviceman, but has great facilities for conferences etc. We all had our own rooms and had to meet the Olympic officials at 6.30pm for a briefing, there we were handed a map of the course and numbers.

There was a 30 minute presentation discussing logistics, (From LOCOG director of sport Debbie Jevans?-Ed). We all had to run together at 3 hour pace (2 pace setters). She did however say we could all race the last 400m or so, so that could be interesting. I asked her after "what about toilets stops?" She said, "Ok, but you have to run hard to catch the group up or your out!" LOL! Fair play! She also said we have to be up for breakfast at 4am to leave at 4.30am, no waiting. We all got stuck into the free grub and chilled out for a bit, a lot of the boys seemed concerned about the distance, not many runners are in marathon shape at the end of May!

I set my alarm for 3.30am. Just after I got up I had a text from somebody who was getting in from a night out, I had to laugh (again). All of us were in a bit of a coma eating breakfast that early. We all then made are way to the coach for the short journey to the Mall, and the start line. It was an amazing sight. The huge screen was up with all our names on, just as the Olympics would be set. We went into the Elite tent (this would be used for the 10k after) got our running chips and then, did our warm ups etc. Then at 5.50am we were led to the start line. There was about 50 photographs taking photos, Dave Bedford wished us luck, and Seb Coe was looking on. We did feel like proper athletes, everyone was buzzing. I think this being the first test event it did bring more media attention than I thought. (We were also told not to talk to the media after as they had designated spokesman) We had a starting brief and told we were about to become Olympians! We then had a minutes silence for Sammy Wanjuri, the current Olympian champion, a very poignant moment. Then the gun went.

We all set out together in a tight group, the course was a 2.2mile loop, then three 8 mile loops taking in the surrounding area. The pace was slightly quick, around 6.35-6.40 pace, but it felt really slow, I think people found it hard to keep the pace down as even though it wasn't a race, you're still in a race situation. The pacers should have been more on the ball to be honest. This was now a very weird situation. Running though London at 6am with police outriders and a lead van with about 10 people on just watching us. Very few people around but we did have some cheers, mainly from people coming home from a night out. We had some strange looks. One bloke on the top of a bridge just shouted out "get a real job" If only!! ha!! It made us all laugh.

We got to near the end of the first loop and I really needed the toilet, I knew this would be an issue due to running so early and the fact the pace was slow. When you're running fast your digestive system tends to stop so you don't need to go, not this time. One of the boys sprinted off, I worked out he was trying to get to the portaloo so he could then catch up, I followed him, we had some funny looks from the lead car, until they knew what we were doing. I looked behind and there were 4 chasing behind. The policeman was pissing himself. Nick jumped in the one next to me and I could hear him laughing, the group flew past. I think I had a PB in a No. 1 and 2! :-) We did a 6min mile to catch up. At the end of the 1st  8 mile loop you pass the finish fine, a massive screen came up with our names and current times on, it felt great. 

Chris Finill setting the Olympic course recordThe next loop came and went quickly, it was great as we were all just chatting away with each other, wish we could do this for every long run. I got some inside information from the Serps (Serpentine) on there senior Castles team, so I didn't waste the opportunity :-) We got to the end of the 2nd loop and coming down towards the finish line the clock read 2.03.30. I was leading at this point and shouted, world record on lads (it was funny at the time!!!!!) Shame we had another lap. I was talking to the pace leader at this point and we agreed to go for a sprint finish with 400m to go. However, with about 3 miles left we then all decided to let Chris Finill cross the line first. He is one of only a handful of London marathon 'ever presents' (Those who've completed every London marathon - a select group which includes Les Croups Jeff Aston-Ed). I was talking to him the night before and he knows Jeff Aston and Mick McGeogh well, I was happy to avoid a sprint finish after 3 hours of running!! He crossed the line and we all followed in en-mass. We were awaited by reporters and cameras. We all shook each other hands and enjoyed the moment. Finishing time 2.58.40 - a photo finish for 2nd!!!!

So, I have to admit, this was one of the highlights of my running life, It's great to get something back from the training and this was one of those times. Me, Nick and Phil then went to watch the Bupa 10k, which was taking place at 11am. Mo Farah won in 29mins. Then we met some mates and had a few pints in the local pub (The Old Shades) for a few hours to discuss the day. Me and Nick kept our elite passes on to pretend we were 'good' runners for a bit longer, why not!!

Sorry for the long report (I could have rambled on more) but hope you may have found it of interest. I'll put up some links to some media report later. To be honest the course is not fast, and there were a few concerns with 180 degree angles and cobbles. This is why they probably didn't want us to tell the media!

Now this is over with, I need to get back to speed work and get ready for the Welsh 5000M champs. Legs felt ok, if a bit tight in the night. The lads did a track session of 3x5x200m. I just did some strides, hope to be back to it tomorrow

TRAINING
SUN - AM - Rest
         PM - Rest
MON  - AM - Olympic test marathon - 2hours 58mins - 40sec  (easy pace)
           PM - Rest - Pub
TUES - AM - rest (very tired)
           PM - Track - Just jogging and striding (5 miles)

Keep the faith

Stuart Crees

Cadair Idris

Every Welsh hill cloud has a gold lining for Katie at the moment. Following recent wins at Llantony and The Sugar Loaf she headed North with other members of Team Croups and had a stunning victory at the prestigious (and ‘playful’) 10.5m Cadair Idris fell race on Saturday. The word on the streets of Dolgellau after was of a possible Welsh Vest as a consequence.   

Katie was 3^rd lady at the summit but stormed down the mountain to win by over a minute from Jackie Lee (Eryri Harriers). Winning in such a fashion as Dom points out is no mean achievement. The descent on such a ‘technical’ course is as much about skill and courage as it is strength and fitness.  Fall in the Beacons and you bounce. Trip here and options include the ‘short cut to the bottom’ or air ambulance views of the summit...

The conditions were near perfect, the early rain clearing soon after we arrived. A strongish, cooling, westerly wind all but blew us up the mountain, and acted as a brake on the way down.  The course has everything – steep road, steady trail, tricky forest, lakeside midges, boggy bog, heather, zig zags, shale and of course bone shattering rock. Starting and finishing in one of the most picturesque and (if you are a runner) welcoming of Welsh towns also help. The atmosphere, free nosh and Bara Bryth at the finish second to none.

The samba band was not the best cure for our man-flu ridden and much appreciated support team though (= Matt). Matt also bought the beer, and so is our nomination for Mug of the Month...

Caroline was also first FV50 lady home, repeating her success at Sirhowy two weeks ago.  Hubby Nick and daughter Claire looked very relaxed on the descent, Wouter and Steve also having great runs, racing one another as if this was a club champs race (it should be).  Graeme ran on a knackered knee but felt much better for it after. I was happy just to get to the top. Only by being at the tail-end of such an out and back course do you get to see everyone else in action. That's my excuse anyway..

This is a must do race.  See the forum if you don't believe me! 

Tim O’Sullivan

45th 1:49:39 BEECHER, Katie Les Croupiers Snr Women

64th 1:55:50 DALLIMORE, Nick MDC Men 0/50

106th 2:03:40  SHIELDS, Dominic San Domenico Men 0/40

109th 2:04:24  DALLIMORE, Clare Eryri Snr Women

124th 2:07:59  POORTINGA, Wouter Les Croupiers Snr Men

132th 2:11:09  OWEN, Stephen Les Croupiers Men 0/50

151th 2:17:10  DALLIMORE, Caroline MDC Women 0/50

160th 2:20:59  OSULLIVAN, Tim Les Croupiers Men 0/50

171st 2:25:24  DONNAN, Graeme Les Croupiers Men 0/50

Results available here

Cadair Idris 2011 from Matt Townsend on Vimeo.

Fellsman - 2011

The Fellsman is a 60 mile event between Ingleton and Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales. It started in 1962 by the Scouts as a challenge walk across the bleakest terrain in the region. Now coming up to its 50^th anniversary it has embraced the new world of ultra distance running, so this year it was oversubscribed for the time in twenty years. This makes it a bit of an odd mongrel event, mating the walkers (mature, stout leather boots, gaiters and huge map cases), with the runners (youthful, lycra, fell shoes and GPS) but retaining the hearty Scouting bloodline. As fitting with the mixed ancestry, the route is bit of everything; tarmac to knee deep peat bog, Pennine Way to featureless moor. Whatever you wear on your feet will be wrong for some of the way.

The day starts early with buses to the start and very thorough kit checks. Scouts have standards. The extraordinary dedication and enthusiasm of the organisers was already evident. After the briefest safety talk ever (‘if you’ve not done it before - follow someone who has’) we were off at 9am. For once I was sensible and started at the back of the 400 plus field, and savoured the view during the walk up Ingleborough.

Route map - click to expandThe course is a course of three halves (Colemanballs); the hilly half, the boggy half and the dark half. The first five hours were on good paths over the three big hills of Ingleton, Wernside and Great Coum. The valley checkpoints were small marquees with hot food, hot drinks and comfortable chairs. So very tempting, but so thirsty on time.

The next sections were hours of featureless spongy moor, ten foot peat hags and random tussocks. The hilltop checkpoints were manned by cheery souls who seemed to be enjoying spending the night in a small tent. I think it’s a Scout thing. Mercifully the clouds were high and I followed someone who seemed to know his way.

Coming up to eleven hours and it was starting to get dark, and the race rules stated that we must be grouped into four or more. By this stage I was glad of the company and especially glad when one of the group got out his Hope headlamp. In the head torch arms race this is the nuclear option, almost too bright to use, so the mere threat of it scares away the dark. The full moon, the cheerful banter and Kevin the Lancashire lighthouse made the final jog in the dark a pleasure to round off a good day in the hills.

Richard 'Fellsman' Self

It was a hard day and at the edge of my comfort zone, there were many things that could have gone wrong and didn’t. So thanks to the weather for being kind, thanks to the moon for being full, thanks to the guy I followed for 5 hours, thanks to Kevin the lighthouse, thanks to the Scouts for the checkpoints and food, thanks to the organisers and thanks to the Yorkshire Dales for the superb scenery. A special thanks to Mary, my longsuffering wife, who drove me home and put up with the lame wobbling wreck that I became.

Finishing upright was my aim and so my time of 16 hours was a bonus, but a humble time compared to Jez Bragg (winner of last year’s UTMB - Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc) who broke the course record in 10 hours 6 mins. The walkers were still coming into the finish at 28 hours, looking as stout as their boots – and in a lot better shape than me.

The Fellsman is a great event that has hiking heritage with a grafting of modern mountain marathon style. If you are looking for something different, don’t mind getting your feet wet and marathons no longer do it for you – this may be for you.

Richard Self

Scottish Islands Peaks Race 2011

Racing up the Sound of MullThis is a team race involving one sailing yacht, three sailors and a pair of runners. The race starts in Oban and goes via Mull, Jura and Arran to finish at Troon. In total around 160 nautical miles with an additional 60 plus miles of mountain running on the way. It's a classic!

This was my third attempt at this race. In 2009 the boat broke, then in 2010 my running partner broke. Now its 2011 and the skipper of the boat has invited me back for another go. My running partner of the last two years was busy training for the RAF but fortunately another hill running mate, John Syms, stepped in to join the team. Would 2011 be our year?

A journey of planes, trains and auto-mobiles sees us safely to the race start in Oban. An evening of pre-race training is had in a local restaurant before the runners retire to a hotel room and the sailors retire to the cramped delights of our boat for the race, Odin. She is the second smallest boat in the race at a mere 26ft and built of plywood. True underdog stuff!

Race start is at midday on the Friday. Around 45 pairs of runners line up for the prologue run – a quick dash of 4.5miles around the local hill. We're off and myself and John keep a good steady pace. 30 minutes later we're back at the start and dashing for our tender where one of the sailors, Stuart, is waiting to row us out to Odin.

Stuart rows like the devil into a stiff head wind, and as soon as we reach Odin it's a slick transition. Runners jump on board and the boat immediately sails off the mooring. We jump into the cabin to get out of the way and the sailors start frantically sailing the boat whilst deflating the dinghy! We're about 8th boat out of Oban. It's a good start.

The sail to Salen, our landing spot on Mull is fast as the winds are good, As we approach the landing area we get the call to get ready. The dinghy is pumped up and we're rapidly deployed off the side, Stuart again rowing like the devil against a stiff head wind! Once ashore we have a 5 minute time out for our kit to be checked. It's then time for a proper run.....

John ascending Ben MoreThe Munro peak of Ben More is our target but it's a 24 miler there and back. 6 miles of road and track sees us at the start of the main climb. Initially a steady haul through the valley, the path becomes gradually fainter and steeper. At a col we head west across rougher ground before traversing screes and a stiff climb to a high col that gains Ben More's ridge. The final couple hundred metres of ascent is on a fantastic sharp ridge with a bit of scrambling made extra fun in our fell shoes! The route back takes a short loop before dropping back into the valley we came up. The last 4 odd miles are on road and this flattish road section is the worst bit!

After just under four and a half hours of running we're back at Salen. Stuart is waiting and we are quickly back on Odin after another slick transition. The sailors again get to work whilst myself and John get out of the way below deck. We attempt to drink and eat but this proves difficult in the moving boat so we crash in our bunks and attempt to avoid sea sickness. Meanwhile the boys have got the main spinnaker out and Odin is flying, occasionally touching 12 knots.

With good winds and good tidal gates we're quickly at our landing spot on Jura. It's before five in the morning and Stuart is having a hard job rowing against the wind to get us ashore. After our kit check and a quick visit to a proper loo we are off on what is the hardest mountain leg. Whilst only a mere 16 miles we have to cross the Paps of Jura – three daunting mounds  flanked in tough boulder screes.

Weather conditions aren't brilliant for the hills with a mixture of heavy showers and strong winds  and the summits are all shrouded in cloud. After a mile or so on road its a out onto open hill. The going is generally a slow grind over tussock and bog. As we approach the Paps the ground gets rockier with sections of boulder scree. The rock is a quartzite and need careful handling in the wet conditions as they are extra slippy. The base of the first Pap is reached and a good hard slog begins. The route off is a reasonable scree ride in places, but a nightmare rock slither in others. Gravel soon fills the shoes!

Then it's the next Pap, the highest of the three, and more awkward with sections of loose scree to try and ascend. We get a crap line off this one in the mist and have a real mare slithering over the rocks as we try to loose height. We arrive at the base of the middle Pap to find a team that was behind us nowg ahead of us as we emerge out of the cloud line.

And so to the final Pap, another grind up but in the full force of a high wind. Near the summit it's hard to stay upright. I've been here before but found a poor line of decent off on that day. However we were fortunate that both of the two teams now with us knew a reasonable route off using a steep grassy runnel to avoid the worst of the boulder screes. Once off the Paps we dash for the boat via a couple of miles of boggy track and three miles of road. After 5 hours of running we again find ourselves being rowed to Odin.

The boat is again soon off, making good progress to the Mull of Kintyre. However the forecast suggests winds could be increasing to force 7, and if we hit the tide wrong at the Mull of Kintyre we're in for a dangerous ride in our small boat. The sailors take a cautious line keeping us further out from shore and sails reefed in. We round the Mull to considerable relief as the seas prove much calmer than expected. Sail area is increased and Odin pushes on to Arran.

Class 3 winning team and their trusty boat!It's just before 9.00pm, on we are on the final run up Goatfell. A mere 20 miles on good tracks, roads and paths. The run goes well and at 11.00pm on the high flanks of Goatfell we succumb to putting our headlights on. We lose about 10 minutes due to missing a checkpoint and giving a member of a descending team some pain killers, but make the final grind up into the mist and dark to reach the summit. It's then a fine technical descent in the dark back down the mountain. Some 4 hours and 20 minutes of running see us back at the slipway.

It's now the final dash to Troon and the race finish. We set of chasing a boat that is ahead of us. The sailors put up one of the spinnakers and we again make good progress. For a short time the winds go light and the oars are used to get us out of the light patch, but as we race towards Troon harbour we are under a huge amount of sail. It's at this point we overtake the boat we had been chasing, but meanwhile another boat had caught us. Within the final mile are three boats, all under too much sail careering for the final turns to get into the outer harbour. Frantically the sailors tac and turn, bringing in sail and somehow inflating the dinghy!

We're second boat into the outer harbour. Whilst still moving myself and John jump into the dinghy and row for the nearest pontoon in the marina itself. Once landed we dash for the marina office which is the official finish. After some 40 hours of racing we end up one minute behind the other team! In the end we are in 10th place overall and have won the Class 3 – a really excellent result.

Soon Odin is berthed, and the dinghy reunited with the mother ship. It's then a surreal moment as we sit on Odin's deck in the cold wind drinking red wine and eating cheese and pringles! What a race and what a fabulous team.

Jules Carter

Hereford Half Marathon - 2011

Originally the race was advertised as an early start, so we decided to stay overnight at the Premier Inn which is a couple of hundred metres from the start point. The hotel is next to a Beefeater so after a meal we retired to our room to watch the annual debacle they call The Eurovision Song Contest. Luckily there was a machine supplying Ben and Jerry's ice cream, we tried all the different flavours in an attempt to numb ourselves from the TV entertainment.

We awoke early to a cold windy day. We walked the short distance to the start. Organisation on arrival was below par and not enough sufficient signage, it was a case of aimlessly wandering around to determine what was available. We quickly determined there was nowhere to leave our bags. Staff at the Leisure centre told us we could use their lockers, but this meant we had to carry a giant sized plastic key around course. The start point wasn't obvious, it was the exit of the car park. If you’re after a PB you need to get to the front as there was no chip. The race was delayed by a traffic incident but this was communicated to us. There wasn`t any gun or obvious starter. One minute we were stood there and the next we were away and running.

The course starts immediately into an uphill road section running past our hotel which continued for three miles. I am not a big fan of long races that climb uphill at the start. Although it’s good to do this whilst you have energy, personally I prefer to stretch my muscles first. I was quickly left behind by the leading pack. My plan was to knock out an even pace of 7 minute miles. This went quickly out of the window because the course climbed continually till mile seven.

I was a bit worried that maybe this was a race too far, my energy levels didn't seem to be that good and the legs felt heavy. Only at the start of the race was the route traffic free. After that a motorbike was used to keep the runners on the traffic free side of the road. It was like being chased by a sheep dog. I saw a number of near misses, including a runner nearly being clipped by a cyclist who was travelling at high speed. Also a lorry came to a grinding halt in front of us. I turned into a country lane and was nearly run over by an emerging car. There were no marshals at this point. Also we had to cross a busy road without supervision. I had to try and slow down impatient speeding motorists on a number of occasions.

At mile six I suddenly found myself overtaking runners on the last major climb. My confidence improved and I realised that actually I was still on schedule for a good time. 

The second half was predominantly downhill, about mile 8 Rose Earl overtook me at such a good pace I decided to follow her as best I could. My tempo improved and each mile I got faster and faster (my second half split was negative 3 minutes), those runners who passed me with such ease earlier vanished behind me. I kept Rose in sight until the end.

The painful finishThe finish was a lurch into the race course which had the most hideous race surface ever. It consisted of mud and bark. This was strange considering there is a running track not more than 30 metres away. By the time the faster 174 runners in front of me had trampled this surface it was more like running on a sponge. I spotted half a dozen runners (including Rose) in front of me and with the aid of aggression and Simon Hazel's encouragement I passed them all with a good sprint finish.  I dipped at the finishing line and shared my time with runner 417 and one other who had slowed up.

There was no goody bag, and no medal. That’s Ok I suppose if you take into consideration the entry fee. The race t-shirt would have been better if it was wicked rather than cotton.

Amanda ThompsonAll in all a good days running but I had to work hard for it. A personal best time for me by three minutes, 1 hour 42 minutes position, 175 overall,  30^th in my age category. Just as we waited for Amanda Thompson the skies opened with rain. She came in with a great PB, 2 hours 7 minutes knocking off 15 minutes. We retired to the leisure centre for a shower and coffee after. We don't plan to try this race again in the near future, as the traffic was considerably worse for the slower competitors. The route was a mixture of tarmac main roads, country lanes and estate pavements. If we hadn't come away with positive times, this would have been a disappointing race.

Gareth Rees