SportsShoes Blog

Yesterday I ran in the Baildon Boundary Way (BBW). It was the third time I’d done this race and although the last time was in 2005 I know every step of the course as it passes within 3oo yards of my house and I train over parts of it  just about every day.

The BBW is a half marathon (13.1 miles) but it’s what’s known as a multi terrain race as only about 5% of it is on road. The rest is tracks, woods, canal towpath and a bit of open moorland. Although there are a few climbs it is generally a quick course being good underfoot all the way round.

As I said in my earlier post my aim for the day was to get under 1 hour 30 mins which I’ve never managed to do before so when the day dawned bright and sunny with light winds I knew this was my chance.

About 400 runners started the race and the mad up hill dash followed by a quick sprint down to the main road and along to the Woolpack pub at Esholt quickly strung the field out. I passed the first mile marker in 5.39 which I knew was a pace I couldn’t hold for long but as I felt good I carried on pushing hard.

After a tour of the sewage farm (nice….) and a trip through the woods we popped out onto the canal which is always a part of the race I find tough. This year me and a chap from Pudsey & Bramley paced each other well along the 3 miles to Saltaire and we managed to hold our positions (5th and 6th), which was a first for  me as the roadies usually come steaming by at this point.

After leaving the canal it’s a long but steady climb of maybe 2 miles through Shipley Glen woods and up to Harvey Smith’s gallops.

On the final part of the climb my Bingley Harriers pal Mitch came past me and he and Shane from P&B pulled out a lead of about 15 meters on me by the top of the climb.

As we started the long fast descent to the finish Shane pulled clear and I worked hard to get back on terms with Mitch. We passed the 12 mile marker and as I sneaked a look at my watch and saw 1hr 16 I knew I’d be well under my target of 1.30 - but the race wasn’t over yet.

Just half a mile before the finish there’s a short but steep climb and I really had to dig deep to stay with Mitch (what I didn’t know until later was that he was hurting just as much, if not more than me). At the top of the climb we were both caught and passed by a Sheffiled runner and the three of us started the run in to the finish.

This put me in 8th place which was a position I’d have happily settled for at the start of the race but as we charged down towards the rugby field I found an extra ounce of energy and sprinted passed them both before we hit the track that leads to the finish. From here it was just a case of gritting my teeth, keeping my elbows out and holding them off as we crossed the field to the finish funnel - a quick look back assured me they wouldn’t catch me but as I approached the finish line I couldn’t help thinking about that poor horse that collapsed and died on the run-in at the National. Thankfully I didn’t do the same but my efforts meant I had to stop and catch my breath as the other guys came in and the marshals tried to push us along the finish funnel.

I was really please with my 6th place and time of 1 hour 24 mins - Job done!!

A great race - very well organised by the guys and gals at Baildon Runners and well supported by Sportsshoes Unlimited who, along with the Saltaire Brewery, supplied the prizes and goody bags.

Bingley’s A team managed 4th overall at the CW (even with me in the team).

As suspected I got a thorough kicking as I wheezed and puffed around leg 2 chasing my mate Martin who was skipping and bouncing along like bambi.

To make matters worse we got lost just 2 miles into the 8.5 mile leg losing around 2 - 3 mins as we trotted through bogs and consulted maps. We then took a bad line off Stoodley Pike which lost us another few seconds but after that we did OK until the last mile when we hit the big climb out of Todmorden and I ran up it like a Chelsea Pensioner.

All things considered we didn’t do too bad and our dodgy route choice didn’t actually affect the overall result so no real harm done.

A few beers on Sunday night allowed everything to be put right (or forgotten).

Now I’m looking forward to this coming weekend which is a fest of biking, boozing and running with an unhealthy dose of santa suits thrown in for good measure - photos to follow……

It’s been a fairly steady week this week - bike to work Monday, Tuesday and Friday - speed session on Tuesday night (3 x 6 minute efforts) - 5 miles on the road on Wednesday night (few hills and the last half mile at pace) - rest Thursday.

I’ll be resting up tomorrow as well as Sunday morning I’m running for Bingley in the Calderdale Way (CW) relay. The CW is a 50 odd mile circular tour of the Calder valley. For the race, the route is split into 5 legs of varying distance and climb and each leg is covered by teams of two runners.

Relays are always hard work for one member of the team as no two people run at exactly the same pace. This weekend it’s going to be my turn to suffer as I’m running with my pal Martin who is much faster than I am. His job will be to open gates and hurl encouragement (read abuse) at me and my job will be to keep my head down and pull my tripe out!!!

The only upside to this wet, muddy and painful event is that we all get together on Sunday evening for a debrief (well a booze up actually) where we can talk about how well we should have run and make endless excuses for our feeble efforts.

Once the CWs out the way it’s just a week to the Santa Cycle - can’t wait….