. . . . the number of runners that lapped me at parkrun on Saturday . . .

      

 My question to all you mathematicians and statisticians out there, based on Saturdays field how fast (or slow depending on your perspective) would I have to run to ensure I didn’t get lapped?  Now I’m an old fashioned girl so can I have that in minute per mile please? 

This is just typical of one of the many things that run through my mind when on a long run, on other occasions I have designed an ergonomically efficient, aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing water bottle for runners.  At other times I day dream of holidays in faraway places. I write to do list in my head that I forget as soon as I have finished. . . . . . anyway back to this week’s long run.  Originally I had wanted to do 10mile on Friday before a mini taper for the Brass Monkey next Sunday.

But once again I had to tweak my programme as my LSR was somewhat shy of the planned 12 miles last weekend. And then when I compared my training diary with my work diary I realised I had planned to finish a wee bit early on the day I was supposed to be packing my office up and supporting one of my teams as we prepare to move all the way from ground floor to the first floor!

So I had to do my 12mile on Saturday morning but not wanting to miss my weekly parkrun fix I decided to run 9 mile there do parkrun and get a lift back with Harp. But I struggled to get up and so only had time to do 6 miles before I got there, running round and round wellington for a few minutes as I waited for the start. As I crossed the finish line I grabbed my number and then kept running, I knew if I queued to zap my barcode I would not get going again and so I did another lap then found someone to zap my code quickly then another lap and a half before running back and forth in front of the refectory until my Garmin eventually confirmed I had completed my 12miles.

Sunday was the long awaited 2^nd race in the Peco Cross Country League, now having trained (spin and run) Friday, 12 miles and 20 lengths in the pool Saturday I wasn’t expecting my strongest run around Bramley Falls Wood and knowing the area a little I already knew that  UNDULATING meant Bl**dy Big Hills!. 3 laps of  a course that had some gentle slopes two imposing hills and what can only be described as a wall of mud that somehow you needed to grow wings and fly over, add in a fallen tree that you had to hurdle over (it was only little) and the wind which only calmed down as the rain started ( I was about half way round by this point) and we had a great time at Bramley Falls Wood. 

Mike nearly at the top of the hill and Helen at the bottom

After the first lap and the screaming in my legs had stopped (or at least I stopped listening to it) I settled into a much stronger run than I expected, yes I walked a few times, but thanks; to Harp shouting go for it the second time I approached the wall of mud I did somehow grow some wings and seemingly fly up this embankment; to Dave for his advise on technique as he stood at the top of the steepest hill and the muddiest most technically challenging parts of the course; to Sam and team Dooley who cheered us on and caught my gloves as I flung then at him!

Me doing my best to get up that hill!

I have also to give a mention to Shane, who gave me an encouraging call as he flew passed me the first HPH to lap me, but who gave so much effort he needed medical assistance at the end, supported by the HPH team and other runners till the ambulance arrived, he is, I understand now recovering well.

I also want to mention Mike who is a newer member of our club and had posted that he had baked post-race peanut M&M cookies, as my run turned to a walk I thought about those cookies waiting and started to run again!

After we cheered all our team back in we made our way to the Abbey Inn where the course information had clearly stated that ALL muddy dirty shoes AND clothes should be removed before entering!

A great race, a great day. . I even had half a Larger to celebrate!

Wet Dirty and Smiling as we head for the pub!

Thanks To Dave McGuire for the brilliant photos above!

Here is a summary of my weeks training

date	10-Jan	11-Jan	12-Jan	13-Jan	14-Jan	15-Jan	16-Jan
am	Rest Day	Swim  - 34 lengths			spin √	parkrun + = LSR √	Peco  Cross Country Race 3
pm	Sports Massage, an hour on just my hamstrings	run club+	Intervals √ & body pump √	Swim -Adele X	LSR X   Easy run instead	Swim –with Adele 20 lengths √	Should have done bodypump but opted for rest instead
Miles		6	4		10	4	4
Achieved		5.5	3.73		4	12	5.2