Well Thats a First!

The month of Febuary 2014 was not a very good month for running outdoors, and I think most runners would agree that is a safe statement to make. Mileage for the month was a lot less than expected, coming in somewhere around 150 when today and tomorrow are done. This was mostly down to the stormy week where I only got 20 miles done, combined with a very busy time at work.

last weeks mileage was much better, with somewhere around 45 done. Tuesday's speed session with Gary was one of the toughest for a very long time. It was 7 reps of 4 mins at 10k pace, with 90 secs jog recovery. I always try to push the pace on these slightly, so I ran these at 6 min mile pace or slightly faster, which is my 5 mile pace. With warmup and cool down it was 7 miles.
Thursdays tempo session was again a 7 mile tempo and i ran this one at 6.30 pace. The last mile was very hard, and I was still feeling the effort from Tuesday nights session, with an easy 10k on Wednesday not helping. Mile 7 of the tempo was 6.40, with 9.5 miles for the session.

Rest day Friday, and given that I had Saturday off work I decided to give the new local parkrun in the grounds of Ardgillan castle a go. It was a nice morning, although the field of runners was probably slightly smaller than usual as there was a local 5k charity run which attracted a big group.
The grounds of Ardgillan are beautiful, but very, very, and did i mention, very, hilly! This is not a PB course, and is very challenging. There was a good turnout from our club, with Danny, Glen, Brian M and Michelle and myself taking part. Brian C was there pointing and shooting, his camera.

The first two miles are mostly downhill or slightly undulating, but then you have to get back up the hill you came down. I was in front from the start, taking it easy enough on the downhill section. I started to pull away from the runners behind at about half way, and finished comfortably ahead of the next place runner, coming in first and setting a new course record for age category. Kieron from our club usually finishes first in this event, but was running the cross country event in Dunboyne the next day, so I was happy to keep his place warm for him. Its the first time I have ever come first in any type of race, ever, in my life, and I was pretty pleased. After coffee and cake, myself and the two Brians did 9 miles around the roads.

I have had a very busy time at work recently, and was delighted to win a significant promotion this week. Apart from a lot more work and responsibility, it means I now work Monday to Friday, which of course means I can enter a lot more races! Bohermeen is this weekend, and while I hope to do well, I am doubtful of  a PB. The weather forecast looks good at the moment so fingers crossed.