hehe - love it!  It's important to get the time out to recover - much as I now hate missing out on my morning run I think I'd rather miss a few and come back stronger than gradually burn out through exhaustion and give up.

Funnily enough, I've also had a week off. Was on holiday in Noo Yoik with my wife and her family. I stupidly didn't take my kit so missed out on the run in central park (DOH!!!!), but that left more room in the case for all the new dri-fit kit I bought, including running trousers, long sleeved top, and a running hoodie. I now have no excuses to avoid the cold/wet early mornings. And an excuse to go back to NY (sans in-laws!).

Was supposed to go on an easy run this morning, but was still feeling really knackered from the red-eye flight yesterday.  Going to do a 5k parkrun tomorrow, but not expecting a good time what with a week off and a diet consisting of huge steaks, pizzas, deli-sandwiches, bagels, and airline food.

Thanks Martin,

If I may indulge myself once more in you blog...

Here is the race report - 49th Dexia Route du Vin Half Marathon, Remich, G.D Luxembourg 26 September 2010

Course: Start under the bridge in Remich run north on the road alongside the River Moselle to Ehnen, round the turning point and finish back in the town square at Remich. The route is sinuous but flat; conditions cloudy. very windy to turn (from behind) therefore headwind on return. The scenery is stunning running alongside the vineyards that tower over the river. The village bands were out and at road junctions and there were enthusiastic bystanders clapping us along.

My time out to 10km (timing chip): 49 min 44 sec; my finish time at 21.1km (timing chip) 1hr 40 mins 59 secs - a PB as this was my first HM.

It was an awesome experience running with 1,468 others (finishers). The winner a Kenyan, passed me on his way home at my 8.5k mark and finished in just under the 1hr for the first time in the race's history.

With my time at the turn about three minutes under my race pace wristlet (1 hr 50 mins) I abandoned caution at Km 14 and just went for it. I had to catch my 32 year old son Neil who was ahead of me but I didn't know where! I caught sight of him at about the 16km mark, tapped him on the shoulder and cruised past ....the look on his face was priceless, worth every hard yard of training. He eventually finished 1min 11 secs behind me having been 1 min 41 secs ahead at the 10km mark.

I knew I could run a fast 5km from Basingstoke Park run results and set about slip streaming the faster runners and moved up from group to group. At one point a "train" of five runners, line astern moved past me and I joined them. When the lead runner tired and no one took his place at the front I moved on through and found another group. By using this tactic I think my return run (10k equivalent) was faster at 46 min 17 secs so overall I am thrilled.

Finally, to put this all into perspective, the leading runner in my age category (V60 male) finished in 1 hr 24 min 13 secs so I'm not in his league!

My niece Eloise joined us in the race and finished her first HM in a credible 2 hr 06 min 10 secs and between us we have raised £600 and counting for the Alzheimer Research Trust in memory of my parents who were both sadly afflicted and have since passed away.

So we had a ball and there was a serious edge to our collective endeavours too.

Will we do it next year - you bet and we are aiming to have as many as five other family members in the race too!

For non-family members I can highly recommend this "track" as a very fast race with a smooth road to run on and a great place for a min-break. The organiser's even give you a bottle of (good) local sparkling wine when you collect your timing chip. 

Craig - thanks for your comments.

I have checked the route and it is pan-flat as it runs right next to the Moselle river for the whole length.

I think I'll do what I attempt to do in training - slow beginning and gradually wind up the pace rather than a fast start and a slow death at the end!

Hello Mike,
I'm not sure who I feel most sorry for... You for the injuries you suffered early on...or your wallet for the injuries it suffered !!!!
Sounds like you made atleast one correct choice by not listening to the physio....(How dare he swear at you like that, telling you to give up running !!!) Good for you for being defiant !
Most running injuries are generally caused by poor running technique, although starting off with the totally wrong footwear does add to the list of potential injury risks.

With reference to your pace predicament for next week, you could try mapping the run on this site and then study the hill profile, that way you'll know what you're up against before you start. You could allow extra pace seconds on the uphills safe in the knowledge that you'll be able to claw back a few seconds when you're flying downhill.

Ultimately though...the biggest aim should be the 'enjoyment of crossing the finishing line knowing you gave it your best shot'

Good luck.....(and happy belated birthday)

Another first post tonight.

Picked up running in June; bought the "wrong" shoes from the "wrong" store which cost me sore calves, heels and shins before the penny dropped (actually best part of £100) for new trainers + another £105 from the physio who told me to get back on my moutain bike and forget about running at my age - 61 last week.

Now I am one week away from my first half-marathon in Luxembourg where my son lives - his fifth, my first!

Training wise I have already run the full distance once in 2 hours along the Kennet & Avon canal so I have no fears there just coping with pacing on the day.

I have tested my pace twice at the Basingstoke 5K Park run in July 23mins 41 secs and again today at 22mins 04 secs but now I am struggling to work out what my actual pace should be next w/e during the big race. The race predictors indicate anything between 1hr 57 and 1hr 41 which means I could easily blow up if I choose the wrong one - any advice from the Brains Trust?

Thanks  

Well done Martin in the top 30% finishers or thereabouts, were you practicing for the gurning competition?

I tried to get the missus to take some snaps or video, but bless her, technology is not her strong point and I'm not slowing down to pose!!

Well done Martin go for the burn....... double bubble 10k next, classic distance and the one that gets run the most. Did your black toe nail accomany you at the time?

Our summer league is now closing to an end with the cross country season starting in October, looking forward to getting down and dirty.

[Googled subungal haematoma] Aha so that's what it is. There are some excellent Youtube videos on draining them... Here's one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7yNSVDg_l4

Enjoy whilst eating your lunch.

Martin, always enjoy your posts - keep it up!

I too have been finding my right foot points out a bit when running. Apparently this is quite common in people who drive, as we have a tendency to rest our heel behind the brake pedal when using the accelerator, weakening the adductor muscles that keep your foot straight.  A bit of concious effort will bring it back in line, but you are right- it does feel as though you are walking like you have just suffered a critical digestive malfunction!

10/10 Martin for linking tupperware to running I couldn't do it that seamlessly, I feel I'm living your life through your 'blurges'. I'm a betterware kid myself with lot's of gadgets - the best to date being the garlic skinner which is a rubber type tube that you roll the garlic segment in and the skin comes off soooo easy.

Aaargh you've got me talking cheap plastic commodities now. Must get back to running type things.