Race Results

I have finally received my results for the race! I completed the 13.9 miles in 1:48:56, that's the 224th position overall or the 196th male. The picture below shows all my results too.

This is also my race video that is taken at the end of the race using microchips to recognise where you are in the race and matching you up to the correct video.

The fastest person, in 1st position did it in a speedy 1:17:14. The fastest female came in at 33rd position, 1:31:59. 

What a tough 14 miles though! The constant humps along the edge of Coniston meant I was constantly running up and down little inclines and declines meaning switching between the different muscle groups, this made the race one of the toughest I've done (not helped by a glucose explosion halfway round). However, my training meant my pace from the beginning was constant and kept some energy in reserve for a strong finish. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and I am looking forward to the three peaks challenge the weekend after next.

Wish Me Luck, Its Race Day Tomorrow!

Race day is tomorrow! If you would like to keep up to date with my route and where I am up to in the race take a look at Hyde Clarendons Twitter Page tomorrow, they will be posting regular updates. There will also be some interesting photo's of my route so make sure to check it out. This is my last post before the race so wish me luck! and I will update you all as soon as possible as to how it all went.

Final Preparations

With only a week to go I am making the final preparations for my big race. I would say that up until this last week I didn't know what to expect for the 13.9miles. So I didn't feel prepared for the distance. After the 10.6 mile run I felt more confident that I could run the Coniston 14 with a healthy pace and get a good time. After a 13.47 mile run, which was a tough one, and a poor time of 1:47 I felt a bit low, but thinking back to the route there were 6 large climbs on the run, which would account for the longer time and I felt as if i didn't push myself hard enough. I feel without these climbs, the training before the run and the adrenaline on the day I can reduce this time closer to my time estimate.

Time estimate: My original time estimate is 1:30:00, 17minutes less then the 13.47miles. I feel this be difficult to achieve but I originally set that goal so will still be aiming for 1:30:00.

 Final preparations: My final preparations will be to eat lots. Complete some HIT training this week to build up the respiratory system and keep my body guessing. The final week before the run I may try some very short, 1-4mile runs and the final few days will be spent relaxing and recovering before run day. The day before will be a food fest with very little exercise.

Last Weeks Training Update

Last week was full of big runs.  I did 10.6 miles which I thought was a 13 mile run before I checked the mileage which took 1:21:36 to complete with a large climb. I did a spinning class during the week at the gym and 1 hour of HIT on a spinning bike lead by Clare the personal trainer.

Later in the week after a large amount of calories I did a 13.47 run, the longest distance I will do before the 29th March. This took me 1:47:40 which I felt was a reasonable time but I feel I can do better. However, this run did include 6 big climbs, which the Coniston 14 doesn't even compare to because it is generally flat all the way round.

I finished the week with Paint balling which in my opinion counts as training! Bobbing and quick movements still works all of your muscles. The gym training sessions however took a back seat this week because my body couldn't afford the calorie loss.

Training Update: 21 days to go!

This week I have been lapsing on my training a little, although I knew this was going to happen due to the fact I have been training so hard the rest of the time and felt I needed a little rest. I had a guilty takeaway at the start of the week too.

Although I have still been going to the gym and because I felt bad not doing something I set out to do an easy pace run. The idea is to set a pace which is comfortable but moderate which is maintained for around 14 miles.

Next week I will be getting fully back into my training and increasing the mileage of my runs to around 13, 14 or 15 miles so that I will be well prepared for the fact I am going to be running a very long race indeed.

The next few weeks are going to be tough as I have to increase my training as it gets closer but with only around 3 weeks to go to the race I am feeling confident that I am well on track with my training schedule and when it finally comes round I will be really well prepared for it.  

The Race Route

This is a little description of the towns and villages that I will be running through when I do the Coniston 14. The start of the race is only a short distance away from the town of Coniston. The race passes through the town and then heads up hill for three miles towards Bowmanstead. Then after that its a straight run towards Torver which the first water station with a sharp left hand turn leading up to the top of Sunny Bank. After this its a steep run down to the edge of Coniston Water through Brown Howe and onto Water Yeat. The race then passes through the pretty hamlet of Nibthwaite at the southern tip of the lake and begins to  turn onto the other side of the Lake. Then its a short distance to Water Park and then a long, steep climb up through the forest towards Brantwood which is probably going to be one of the hardest parts of the race. Passing through Thurston, Lanehead and Townson Ground the race then starts to turn around the Northern edge of the lake. After this is the head of the lake and the home stretch past the Waterhead hotel on a flat straight road. Finally the race comes to an end where it started nearby to the town of Coniston itself. Hopefully I won't be too shattered after it all! 

Training update: It's been a busy week!

 This week has been absolutely packed full of training and fitness in preparation for my race. I have been to the gym to go on a training bike to help with my cardiovascular output and to help build the strength in my legs and I did a strongman workout which was a massive functional training session on a freezing, wet and windy Sunday afternoon in a lake district quarry. Plus I did a 1 mile swim to target my respiration (basically to help with getting out of breath). My favourite workout was the tractor tyre flip and the shoulder press with the beer keg during the strongman workout.

Also I have now received my T-shirt for the race with all my sponsors logo's on it which is great! Everything is going in the right direction and my training is on track so its looking like I will be on track to be really well prepared for this race. Its going to be difficult but I feel confident about it!