Yesterday i took part in the Ryde Harriers Cross country champs here on the isle of wight. I'm not a member of the club but it is open to anyone as guests. I've always said i don't like cross country, brings back too many memories of being forced to do it at school!! But my sister aliboo70 and some friends from Parkrun convinced me to enter. However come race day i was actually the only one to take part for various reasons (Aliboo has the lurgy so i'll let her off) . Some of the others had less convincing excuses. Anyway, i managed the 7 miles in 1'05.11 which was great for me as i was aiming for 1'10. Picture is off me (167) keeping up with a good local runner who i would never be anywhere near normally but we ran together most of the way, (He had a chest infection) and i eventually finished ahead which will never happen again. Overall tho i think i still prefer Road races. Marathon training starts in feb as have entered the 1st Dorchester Marathon .
Cross Country - being converted slightly... - Couch to 5K
Cross Country - being converted slightly...
Hi paulb67 , that sounded like fun. I had a run this morning on the Isle of Wight as I am visiting my Dad in Lake. Went from Lake up to Cliff Path along to Shanklin, down to sea front and along to Yaverland, back to where Zanies used to be, then up the steep path and steps back to the cliff, then back home. I was shattered and certainly would never have contemplated anything like this when I was at Sandown High School (many many years ago).
Then thus afternoon my 81 year old dad had the bright idea of dragging me up to The Heights for a workout at the gym!
Hi Razouski, I often run along that route. Well from Smugglers Haven at the top of cowleaze down into the village then along the front to Yaverland. Usually take some money and stop for a coffee at one of the cafe's along Hope Beach. We are very lucky to live here and have such great routes to run. It's a pity they don't build something where Zanies was. Had many good times in that club back in the day. Your dad is doing well if he's going to the gym at 81! Good on him. Must be the sea air!. Do you miss the island?
I had my 18th birthday at zanies!! 😆
Great run there in a speedy time too! 😊
Well done bruv looking good there, knew you'd enjoy it! 😆
Well done Paul, sounds like you've got the bit between your teeth, you're going great guns.
It's great to mix our running up isn't it? I think that's what makes it fun as we really can try anything. I say "we" not including "me" 😊
I'm sure you mix it up with the best of them 
Looking really great there Paul.. a true professional... Sounds like a great run.
Don't kid yourself, I bet even without his chest infection, you would still give him a great run for his money!
Wow!
Well done Paul 😃 That looks fab 🙂
I was discussing this subject with a club runner recently and she was egging me on to do more of these races. She reckons the fast cats stay away as do the younger, faster women, leaving the field open to older, slower runners😁 she says their club has too few takers for these events. We both recently did a fell run, my first, and we had a blast. It's the way to go Paul. You know you want to 😊
Well there are definitely less people at the Cross Country than the Road Races thats for sure. I wasn't last which was my major concern on the way there haha!
Sounds great Paul. Like you I tend to prefer road running, but it's great that you've ventured outside your comfort zone, and gotten a result to be proud of. Well done, and good luck with the marathon training, let us know how you're getting on.
Thanks Tomas, yes it was good to try something different. It'll be my third marathon but i'm really aiming to get sub 4'30 in the Isle of Wight Marathon in October which is really hilly . I took 4'41 last year. My first marathon this year tho will be the Dorchester one in May. I think that's a bit flatter so it will give me some idea of where i'm at in respect to my goal later in the year.
4:41 or 4:30 sounds very respectable for a hilly marathon. I'd be over the moon if I were anywhere near that Good thinking with the Dorchester being a bit of a guideline for IoW, that'll give you time to tweak your training as necessary.
Dorchester is less hilly so should hopefully be a bit easier. Some other members of the running club are going too so should be a good day. Isle of Wight is definitely my target for the year tho. My favourite event so far, probably as all the runners know each other and the marshalls plus plenty of family encouraging along the way too.
Sounds good - and looking very comfortbale there. Imagine there must be a lot of good off road runs where you are.
Yes there are some great trails but most of them are hilly . Thats why us islanders arent scared of hills 
. How's your running going? Any races planned?
Taking a lot of effort to get out the door at the moment which is a shame as prefer the colder weather for running in. Fine once I start but the lure of staying put for another cup of tea is great.In an attempt to motivate myself have a10k in a few weeks, 8 mile breakfast run in April (last year had a great goodie bag from Lidl!!), there's a new 10 mile run around Richmond Park in June and have signed up for the GNR again. So that should keep me going. Admire you planning all those marathons.
i know that feeling!. I prefer the spring tho for running, i find it hard to breath when it's too cold. Really struggled last night on the club run. You have a few things planned too then!. I find it does motivate you when you have something to aim for!. I'd like to do the GNR one year. It's a ballot isnt it? Planning marathons is the easy part, all the rest is quite challenging but i love the longer races.
GNR is a ballot. If you do it you can join the "GNR club" and get guaranteed entry the next 3 years but it is stupid money. It's over £50 for the race and £50 to join. I shouldn't have done it but I just wanted to try and do it without all the nausea because it was a fantastic atmosphere and I'll fundraise for my dad this time. Accommodation costs are all sky high that weekend as well. Will have to be my holiday for the year I think, then I'll set a 10 mile radius from home.
Wow that is excessive isnt it! too many of the bigger races are getting so expensive now. I prefer to do the smaller ones now altho i still love the GSR. For instance, the local cross country was £5. No medal obviously but good value for money. Good luck in your races and enjoy your holiday in the north east
Good luck with the marathon training. its a challenge but worth it!
Thanks , yes i prefer the longer races. It will be my 3rd marathon in May and possibly my 4th in june. My main aim tho is the IOW Marathon in October. Come and give it a go
Ooh that looks fab ! I did a bit the other year when the running club I was in took part in an event . It is hard though, so fair play to you for taking it on ! xxx
Great picture Paul! Ali had shared your super speedy time, yesterday. I think it's great that you do a mixture of runs and you seem to be equally whizzy on both! 🙂
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