SportsShoes Blog

Well it’s Monday and I’ve survived another 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross (my 6th).

What a day we had yesterday - a record entry of over 500, a new course record set by my Bingley Harriers team mate Rob Jebb, stunning weather and the biggest crowds I’ve ever seen at the event.

As you’ll have read in my earlier posts, I hadn’t really prepared very well (read at all) for this year’s race as I’ve been concentrating on my running instead of biking this year but as there’s a lot of off bike climbing and off road descending in the peaks my time didn’t really suffer. In fact I set my second best time around the course at 4.00 hours 46 seconds. I should be pleased with this but as a first class award goes to all those under 4 hours I feel a little bit miffed.

Anyway, what it did tell me is that I should be well capable of a sub 4 if I put a bit of time into getting bike fit before next year’s race. I’ve decided that this will be one of my target races for next year and want to see if I can find a good blend of cycling and running that will see my results improve in both disciplines.

As predicted, I didn’t feel I did too bad on the climbs and the descents but the road sections (of which there are quite a few) are my major weakness. The roadies just come steaming past me, working together in groups, and I simply can’t hang on. I reckon there’s a good 10 mins to be saved if I can up my road strength and stay with a group.

I beat my pal Pete Jowett by two mins but it’s a bit of a hollow victory as he punctured coming of Whernside which will have cost him 5-10 mins - that said staying puncture free is all part of the race and if you push too hard on the descents is very easy to nip a tube.

My running training partner Jamie Robinson did the race for the first time this year and despite admitting to be sh*****g himself on the start line he had a great, trouble and injury free ride coming home just inside 4.5 hrs - well done Jamie. I’ve spoken with him today and he’s caught the 3PX bug and is already talking about what he could do in next years race - funny how pain can be addictive!!

It was also nice to have some friends on the course spectating this year - the support I got from Jez, Mick, Steve and Ian was fantastic and even though I declined a drink from Sarah on the way up Penyghent it was a much appreciated offer. However, either Ian or me need to practise our Tour De France style rider support as I nearly broke my hand on the mirror of his van whilst trying to pass back an empty bottle…..

The old legs feel fine today - it’s amazing how different the body feels after a long cycle compared to a long run. It’s the down hill braking effect that really screws the leg muscles when running - something that just doesn’t happen when biking.

Next event is the Langdale Fell race in the lakes in 2 weeks time - I’m really looking forward to this as I had a great run there a couple of years ago and I’m keen to get round the course again.

My eldest son Max is going training with the Bingley Harriers for the first time tomorrow - he can’t wait.

I’ve been hammering the bike a bit this last few days in ‘preparation’ for the 3 Peaks Cross on Sunday and I can now see why I get blown away by all the road riders when I try and take them on in this race. I believe that the muscles used for running are obviously the same ones used when cycling but they are used in a slightly different way - and that slight difference really affects the way they perform. What I’ve found is that even just a week of cycling appears to have made a big difference to the way I feel on the bike and the speed I’m riding. I reckon it’s the muscles just adapting to the different conditions in which they’re being asked to work.

Another thing I notice, which is very strange, is that the time from feeling fresh to feeling completely blown (known as ‘bonking’ in the cycling world) is much shorter on a bike than it is when you’re running - I wonder why that is??? Both times when I was on my bike this weekend I had to stop for a quick can of coke and a snickers bar just to get some fuel back in the tank. It’s also amazing how quickly this relights the fire!! I need to get my nutrition right for the race this weekend - I think it’ll be Powerbar sports drink in the camelback and malt loaf and snickers in the back pockets.

I went to work on the bike a couple of times last week, then did 41 miles Saturday and 47 miles Sunday on the roadie then cycled to work and back today. (about 120 miles in 6 days - wow that’s good for me) I managed an average of 17.3 mph over the 47 miles on Sunday which I was really pleased with although the route was not particularly hilly and there was very little wind.

I’m really looking forward to the cross race now although I haven’t dug my cross bike out and given it the once over yet - there’s always Saturday!!!

I’ve even started to think that I might try and have a proper go at it next year by putting a bit more bike training in to see what I could do. I’m thinking of doing the Fred Whitton ride http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/ next year which would certainly lay a good foundation.

Anyway there won’t be much to report this week as I now intend to rest up and let everything recharge before Sunday.

One thing’s for sure it’ll be an interesting race as my pal Pete Jowett will be gunning for me to try and level the series at 2 races each - there’s a good chance he’ll beat me this time as he’s spent a lot of time on the bike this year whilst I’ve been concentrating on running - however, he’s not having it on a plate and he’ll have to work for it if he wants the glory!!!!

Oh no just a week to go before the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross and still no training. If you want to see what this mad event is all about take a look at http://www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk/ . I’ve ridden it 5 times so know my way around pretty well but it never gets any easier - especially that last climb up Pen-y-ghent with the bike on your back. A few years ago it was so windly up there I saw someone get blown clean off their feet.

I better dig the cross bike out this weekend and give it a fettle - it’s been a couple of years since I’ve ridden it seriously as the Peaks was cancelled last year due to the foot and mouth scare.

I’m determined to get out on my bike for a decent length ride this weekend but my plans to do one tomorrow morning have been scuppered by a need to taxi the kids to various sporting events….so it’s looking like Saturday or Sunday afternoon - not my favourite time as I prefer to get training done in the morning.

Anyway, I feel this week has been quite succesful in terms of training as I cycled to work Wednesday, did 1hr 10min running on the hills last night (ipod track of the session - Alex Party, Read my Lips - can’t beat a mid 90’s dance classic if you’re in the mood) and cycled to work again today.

I’m really looking forward to next year when I can run with my dog in a morning. As she’s a pup we’re restricted to fast walks until she’s fully grown (although she ends up running everywhere anyway!!!)

There’s a festival in Saltaire tomorrow night so it might be a few beers and some live bands for me, the family and some friends…..perhaps training 1st thing Sunday might get delayed.

What a weekend…..for the Bingley Harriers at the Ben Nevis Fell race.

Rob Jebb was 2nd overall missing out on top spot by just 13 seconds to the world number one sky runner Augusti Roc of Spain.

Bingley picked up 1st mens team award with Rob Jebb, Robin Lawrence and Paul Mitchell as counters

Ali Raw won the ladies (just) over 40 title.

My ‘old’ pals Ian Goodyear and Mick Ford both completed their 20th Ben races - just one more for each of them before they are awarded their 21 race trophies.

Added to that, I had a great run finishing in 43rd place (out of 442) in a personal best time of 1hr 52 mins. I turned at the top in 1hr 16 mins which is not my fastest ascent but had a storming return making the 4.5 miles and 4000 ft of descent back to the finish field in just 36 mins. I feel that if I could work on my climbing I may still have a very good Ben time in me.

I pipped my training partner Jamie Robinson by a minute or so which I was pleased about as he’s running strong at the minute and I thought he’d have got the better of me on this one. It was a great run for Jamie though and he too beat his Ben PB by some margin.

In all we had around 20 harriers in the field making for a great race and an even better night out.

Quite unbelievably, whilst most of England was swimming, the weather for the whole weekend was fantastic although the strong winds at the summit made the 7 degree temperature feel a lot colder. (It always amuses me to see runners in shorts and vests passing walkers in base layers, mid layers and triple layer gore-tex jackets).

This year the Ben race was a round of the World Sky-running championship and as such attracted around 20 runners from Spain, Italy, Andora and France. As Rob Jebb said in his ‘few words’ at the award ceremony, our ‘European’ friends really proved to us that they can run up and down one of the knarliest and toughest of Britain’s hills and not just on nice smooth alpine tracks.

As predicted, my legs feel a little on the heavy side today. I’m hoping they might have softened a little by tomorrow and if they have I’ll probably try a little spin out in the evening.

I need to concentrate as much as possible on the bike now for the next couple of weeks as my next event is the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross at the end of September.

Well I guess you can tell it’s summer as the rain is slightly warmer!!!

Did an 1 hour 15 on the hills Saturday and felt quite good if not a little damp. The new pod phones (standard ipod) aren’t as good as my old Sonys - they were blowing out in the wind!!) Tune of the session - Whole Lotta Rosie - AC/DC - I would say the best heavy rock song ever written….

Sunday - went to Dalby Forest with my son - he’s not ridden a trail centre yet so we set off on the blue route but quickly realised this was too tame so split off on the red route. He loved every meter of it and can’t wait to get back to tackle some more. If you like riding MTBs and have never been to Dalby, do yourself a favour and take a trip east - you will not be dissappointed.

Monday - just a couple of walks out with the dog but no running - it’s amazing how much more you see when you walk.

Tuesday - a quick hour on the hills tonight and guess what, it rained - lots. Looked like a drowned rat when I got back but at least it was warm rain. iPod song of the session - Ramble On - Led Zeppelin.

Looking ahead - here’s what’s coming up :-

early Sept - Ben Nevis Fell Race

late Sept - 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross (this is going to hurt this year as I’ve hardly touched the bike…)

early Oct - Langdale Fell race

late Oct - OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) 2 day orienteering race carrying full kit - they’ve just announced the location as Borrowdale in the Lake district - NICE!!

Soon be Christmas……………

Need to get some miles in this weekend to burn off all the brithday cake.

It’s Wasdale Fell race tomorrow - I’m not doing it but my OMM partner Jamie is. It’s one of the toughest races in the UK - at over 20 miles and with around 7500 ft of climb over many of the Lakes’ highest peaks it’s a real beast. I did it last in 2006 but decided to skip it this year as I want to make sure I’m fully recovered after the yacht race.

My next race will be Borrowdale fell race in August - another long (17 miles) lakes race that takes in Scafell, Great Gable and Dale Head. It’s a tough one but there’s a big party in the evening so that should keep us going till the end.

Then it’s the 3 Peaks cyclo cross in September (better try and get a few bike miles in me thinks!!) followed by the OMM in October.

By the way - anyone watch Superstars? - I remember watching that when I was a kid - Brian Jacks (remember him??) what a hero!!