Birmingham Mail - Road Runner

ING New York Marathon 2011: Review, photos and stats

2011-11-16T12:10:41Z

The New York Marathon should be on everybody's list of "things to do before I die".

But unlike Pheidippides in Ancient Greece, there is no need for it to be the last thing you do before you die.

Nowadays running a marathon is much more than completing a 26.2 mile course before collapsing in a monstrous heap.

Most people do their bit for charity, raising hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, on the way.

Training for a marathon takes over your life. Weekends are no longer for family, leisure or resting.

Saturdays are for races and Sundays are for the dreaded "long run" (anything between 10 and 23 miles).

But the months of training - the blood, sweat and tears come rain or shine - have their rewards.

And the New York Marathon is the ultimate prize for the amateur long distance runner.

Iconic is a word that is often used too liberally, but in the Big Apple's most famous race the term is justified.

At mile 21, as your body wilts with tiredness, your legs buckle with a mind of their own and you can no longer recall why you decided to do the damn run in the first place, the Empire State Building comes into view.

The haze of exhaustion clears as you remember that you are close to finishing one of the world's greatest races.

You stride down Fifth Avenue, roared on by a crowd so vocal that you'd be forgiven for thinking they had a sizeable bet on you.

Marcus Garvey Park, at the heart of Harlem, comes and goes in a blink of an eye.

And then you know you are close.

Central Park, the home straight, is just a few paces away.

You enter to a great cheer as crowds five or six deep jostle for a view of the brave men and women battling to drag themselves through the last three miles.

It's tough, each step is a monumental effort and the temptation to stop is almost overwhelming.

And then the signs tell you that you are 200 metres from the finish.

The crowds stand, you check your time, the emotion hits you - this is what it's all been for.

The elation of finishing is indescribable.

A foil blanket is wrapped round your shoulders, a huge gold medal is placed round your neck and runners of all nationalities congratulate each other on their epic achievement.

On your 42 kilometre journey you have taken in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

You have crossed the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, Willis Avenue Bridge and Madison Avenue Bridge.

The Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building are just three of the landmarks you notice on your way.

And then there are the New Yorkers themselves.

Lining the streets from start to finish, there is no let up when it comes to support.

For those who had the forethought to write their names on their running vests the reward is priceless.

New Yorkers don't just call your name - they bellow it at the top of their voices.

If you read their placards, of which there are thousands, you'll get a personal cheer.

And if you run along the barrier (like I did for as long as possible and much to the irritation of the NYPD cops) you will get hundreds of high fives.

Suddenly you feel like you are leading the race and you forget that you are in a pack of 15,000.

You can only imagine what it must have been like for the frontrunners, of which the first three this year smashed the course record which had stood for more than a decade.

Such a huge event, with more than 47,000 runners, can be intimidating.

The logistics of travel, food, money, baggage, security and welfare can be difficult.

But New York Road Runners, together with British sports holiday experts Sports Tours International, had thought of everything.

There was no queue at all when we picked up our race number and bib the day before the race in Downtown Manhattan.

Getting to the start line was easy. After being escorted by a Sport Tours International agent on a short walk to the official bus stop, a convoy of buses picked up runners to take us to the start line 16 miles away in Staten Island.

At the official start area we were corralled into three villages where there was free tea, coffee, water, bagels and other assorted nutrition bars.

There were ample toilets and baggage was transported to the finish line for collection.

Most runners left their unwanted layers at the start line, where charity shops picked them up for resale the next day.

At the finish there was a huge medical staff on hand.

I was unlucky enough to suffer a dizzy spell and cramp and I was taken to the medical tent for treatment.

I was treated by two doctors, two masseurs, and three medical students.

After half an hour on a bed and after a welcome massage and cup of soup, I was well enough to head back to my hotel.

All this at no extra charge.

Sightseeing in the following days was slow and stiff.

But the knowledge of the achievement, and the memory of the race, helped the pain ease away.

And, unlike the unfortunate Pheidippides, you had the sweet satisfaction of telling your tale to all who knew you.

For more photos of the New York Marathon go to www2.brightroom.com/82760

*Paul Bradleyspent five nights in New York at the four star Belvedere Hotel in Times Square on room only basis.
The hotel, flights, transfers, race fee and organisation was provided by Sports Tours International (www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk).
The total cost for two people (including 2 entrance fees of £300) was £3,300.
Sports Tours International provide sports holiday packages for events around the world including the Paris Marathon, Tokyo Marathon and Etape du Your and the Tour de France.

The pressure of running the New York Marathon

2011-11-01T11:38:58Z

On Sunday I will be running my first ever marathon.

And it's not just any old marathon - it's the iconic New York Marathon.

I've been training since January and so far I have run more than 700 miles - mainly around the streets of South Birmingham.

Friends, family and contacts have donated £300 for my chosen charity - Troop Aid.

Everyone who knows me knows how much time and effort I have invested into this single event.

It's unlikely I'll have the time, money and opportunity to do this ever again.

It's quite literally a once in a lifetime event for me.

So now, after nine months of training, numerous races and a variety of injuries, the big day is looming.

Pressure - what pressure?

The good thing is that all the logistics are taken care of. I'm travelling with sports package holiday specialists Sports Tours International.

They've taken care of my entry, flights, transfers and hotel. They are even escorting me to the start line on the big day.

That is all one huge relief.

But as much as I am looking forward to it I also have a number of doubts.

Here they are:

1. Do I have it in me to run 26.2 miles? I've never done it before. Have I done enough training?
2. Will I be able to get past the wall when I inevitably hit it?
3. What if I get injured? I can't let all my sponsors down.
4. What about the weather? It snowed in New York this weekend. Will it be freezing on race day? What should I wear? Will I even get to New York if flights are grounded?
5. Will I overcome jet lag?
6. Will I sleep through my alarm (the bus to the start goes at 6am)?
7. Will I sleep at all?
8. What shall I eat for breakfast?
9. Will I need the loo on the start line?
10. Will I get lost (there are three separate routes for the race depending on your bib colour)

I'm sure it will all be fine on the day.

Completing the New York Marathon will not only be a personal achievement for me - it will almost certainly be one of the most memorable days of my life.

Keeping me going during the tough miles will be the knowledge that I am raising money for Troop Aid.

If men and women the same age as me can risk life and limb every day in Afghanistan, then I can manage a measly 5 hour jog around the Big Apple.

Help give me the strength to run further than I have ever done before. Donate on my Troop Aid Just Giving page. Every extra pound will help injured soldiers at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

And every extra pound is an extra reason for me to grin and bear it as I put my body through its biggest test yet.

Bupa Great Birmingham Run: Race report

2011-10-24T07:32:57Z

The Bupa Great Birmingham Run was a resounding success after new organisers took over from the people who ran the EDF Birmingham Half Marathon for three years.

15,000 runners turned up in near perfect conditions to take on the 13.1 mile route out-and-back to Bournville.

The star attraction was legendary Ethopian long distance runner Haile Gebrselassie who went on to win the race by a minute, in a time of 1 hour 1 minute 29 seconds.

Essa Rashed finished second in 1:02:28 with Abderrahime Bouramdane finishing third in 1:03:57

Britain's Gemma Steel was the first woman across the line in a huge PB of 1:12:21.

Read the full race report here and see the official results here.

While the hard serious running was being done by the world class athletes at the front of the field there was a particular focus on the organisation of the mass participation side of the event following in their footsteps.

Last year the EDF Birmingham Half Marathon came under fire for a poorly organised start forcing runners to walk at pinch points less than a mile into the course.

And the finish descended into a debacle as runners had to queue up to cross the finish line and record their official time.

But there were no such problems this year as the Great Run series stamped it's cool authority on the Birmingham event.

The start was smooth with runners funnelled through a bottleneck before the startline before being allowed to jog over the start with plenty of space for everyone.

The water points were well marshalled and there were very few bottlenecks.

Mile markers and 5km markers dotted the course and the all important finish line was clear for runners of all levels to cross without a hassle.

Indeed the finishing straight on Broadstreet saw spectators five deep cheering on their friends and family as they enjoyed the glorious downhill finish straight that made the previous 13 mile slog worthwhile.

But it would be unfair to say that support was only at the start/finish.

Runners were well supported throughout the course with special mentions going to Bournville, Cannon Hill Park and the killer hill in Edgbaston.

The half-mile high-five stretch on the Pershore Road was a nice touch as runners passed each other in opposite directions and gave each other support.

And many of the runners were lucky enough to see Gebrselassie running in the opposite direction as they approached Bournville.

In the Bupa Great Birmingham Run the city has something it can be proud of again.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and to everyone who raised money for charity.

PB Potential: The killer hill at mile 11 makes this tough territory for PB hunters
Would I run it again?: Certainly - the new organisers gave this race a new lease of life
First man: Haile Gebrselassie - 1:01:29
First woman: Gemma Steel - 1:12:21
Verdict: Five stars

Bupa Great Birmingham Run: Top tips for the half marathon

2011-10-21T15:07:35Z

The Bupa Great Birmingham Run is just round the corner. Here are a few of my top tips from my experience of running the race.

1. Eat, drink and be merry

Get the pasta down you! That's the conventional wisdom anyway. But also make sure you drink plenty of water - little and often. Being hydrated will make you feel fresher and improve your performance.
But don't fall into the trap of making huge changes to your diet in the days before a race.
There's no need to pile down litres of lucozade or stuff your face full of energy bars.
And I wouldn't even adapt your breakfast too much either.
If you've stuck to your training schedule and fueled up on water and a few carbs then you will be fine on the big day.
So eat and drink normally - and have fun on the run.

2. Bring warm clothes.

There's a good chance it's going to be cold on Sunday morning. Make sure you wrap up warm for as long as possible.
You will probably leave most of your warm layers with family/friends or at the baggage drop at the NIA.
You will be hanging around on the start line for around 30 minutes.
Bring an old warm t-shirt that you can throw away as you start. If you don't care about how you look then a binbag is good for insulation.
There are normally big bins around that you can throw them into once you have warmed up.

3. Start fast!

The usual advice for running a long distance race is don't start too fast.
But for the Birmingham half I'd say start hard and enjoy the first mile - it's the best bit of downhill you will get.
It's a great chance to build a cushion if you are going for a PB

4. Don't forget the big hill at mile 11

The killer part of the Birmingham half marathon is the 250 foot ascent from the Bristol Road to the Hagley Road. It lasts for a little more than a mile and is tough.
I'd advise to leave a little in the tank for it, factor it in to your race plan as one of your slower miles and then switch on mentally when you get to it.
Once at the top you are on a slight downhill road to the finish line - possibly the best bit of the race.

5. Smile for the cameras

The event is being photographed and filmed by the Birmingham Mail among many others. And it is also being televised live by Channel Five. Smile - you will be on camera!

Leafy Bournville 10k 2011: Race report and photographs

2011-10-12T14:23:51Z

The Leafy Bournville 10k once again proved a great warm up race for the BUPA Great Birmingham Run as a challenging course tested its 160 competitors.

The winner of the race was Orlando Corea, of Bournville Harriers, in 35:51 with the first female finisher being Robyn Matson of Havering Mayesbrook AC in 43:32.

Full results can be found here.

As you can see from the Garmin read-out, the course was slightly longer than 10k. Speaking to other runners after the race it seems that the average GPS read out was about 6.4miles.

Last year this event was made all the more interesting as the heavens opened and runners were left to tolerate torrential rain before, during and after the race.

This year, however, conditions were very good with only a slight breeze to contend with.

The course had changed slightly this year too as a lap of the running track was replaced with an extra lap of the field midway through the race.

But what about the course? As well as being a good warm up for the Great Birmingham Run it is not a bad pre cross country tester.

The race starts with a lap of the Rowheath playing field before the course makes its way downhill towards the Bristol Road.

Runners proceed through one of the village's housing estates before reaching the Bristol Road after about 2 miles.

A short but very muddy dash along a wooded trail and then past some Sunday league football makes up the next part of the course.

Then it's a steady climb of 80 feet, over a roughly mile, back to the start line where you repeat the 5k course a second time.

The additional lap of the sodden playing field midway through was a nice energy sapping treat to test tired legs after a tough incline.

Bournville Leafy 10k is always a very friendly event with very supportive marshalls directing runners along the way.

I'm still surprised that more of the 10,000 half marathoners do not use this as a warm up as it's great race practice in a relaxed environment.

The price was £11 EOD for non affiliated runners which was reasonable compared to many other races I have been to this season.

At the finishing line each runner was given a goody bag including a Dairy Milk, banana and a miniature golden running shoe paper weight instead of a medal.

PB potential - Unlikely for road runners
Would I run it again? - Yes, great half marathon prep but tough on the legs.
First man: Orlando Corea 35:31
First woman: Robyn Matson 43:32.
Last finisher: 1:23:32
Verdict: 3 stars

Lichfield 10k 2011: Race report

2011-09-28T15:39:09Z

The 16th Lichfield 10k race and fun run saw nearly 800 competitors take on the lumpy Staffordshire course in near-ideal running conditions.

In one of the best 10k road races in the region (in my opinion) the race was won by Birchfield Harrier James Trollope in 31minutes 41 seconds.

Marton Whitehouse, of Notts AC, was second in 32:59 and Orlando Corea, of Bournville Harriers, was third in 34:48.

The first woman was Mandy Vernon, of Trentham AC, in 38:18.

Full results can be found here and a summary of category winners can be found here.

A minute's silence was held in memory of the 9/11 victims on the tenth anniversary of the tragedy before the race was started.

The first mile was gently downhill and gave the field a chance to spread out along the Tamworth Road before peeling off along the Whittington Common Road towards Whittington.

There was no chance of a bottleneck and there was plenty of room for runners to hit their stride.

The conditions on the day were close to perfect, with only an occasional strong breeze proving a hinderance.

At 2.5 miles and 3.5 miles there were climbs of around 70 feet over a 500m distance that kept everyone interested in the mentally challenging middle parts of the race.

Once again, there was plenty of support out on the course and the marshalling was excellent.

But runners who were taking on the course for the first time may have been in for a bit of a shock as the final mile was a steady uphill run.

Winding up the pace for a fast finish was not one for the faint hearted.

The support, on the final 100m stretch was fantastic as runners were welcomed across the line by an announcer on a loud speaker plus friends and other runners who had stayed behind to cheer on the fellow competitors.

At the finish line there was bottled water and bananas plus a box of marmite nutritional bars.

The goody bag seemed lighter this year but there it did contain an energy and an energy bar.

And of course there was the wick-away running t-shirt for every competitor.

The Lichfield 10k continues to thrive and attract hundreds of runners.
Much of this is down to the excellent organisation before, during and after the race.
Chips on the running numbers which were pinned to each persons top was a new feature this year.

Results were online within 24 hours.

The price (£15 on race day, a few quid cheaper if you paid in advance and were a member of club) was reasonable and good value for money.

Verdict: 4 stars
Would I run it again: Yes, without a doubt
First man: James Trollope 31:41
First woman: Mandy Vernon 38:18
Last finisher: 1:22:23

Maidenhead Half Marathon race report

2011-09-05T14:37:04Z

The inaugural Maidenhead Half Marathon saw more than 1,600 runners tolerate an unexpected torrential summer downpour on a flat and fast course.

As the crowds amassed in the town centre it was clear that the majority of runners belonged to clubs or at least took their running seriously.

However, there was the odd person in fancy dress.

The first man to cross the finish line was Charles Coleman from Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow Athletics Club. He posted a time of 1:12.02.

The first woman was Samantha Amend (who finished in 16th overall) from Belgrave Harriers, in a time of 1:19.39.

The last finisher crossed the line in 3:17.27.

Full results can be viewed here

I recorded a time of 1:40.36 - a new PB by 7 mins and an encouraging time ahead of the New York Marathon.

So what was the race like? Let's start with the positives.

Access to the race was easy with ample parking and the train station only a 2 minute walk away.

The start area was clearly sign posted and the race village had food and drink and just about enough portable toilets.

The race started right in the town centre with hundreds of people lining the street.

The race was very well marshalled with volunteers making sure there was no way you could take a wrong turn.

Equally, the support on the streets, especially in the difficult middle miles, was simply fantastic.

There seemed to be a great deal of pride in the locals as they clapped the runners past their houses in the first event of its kind in the locality.

The race was largely on A and B roads with a little bit of running through parks and the odd track.

I particularly enjoyed running along the Thames at about 9 miles.

Something that will continue to make the race popular is the fact that it is so flat. The only notable hill came as we crossed the motorway - and that was more of a slope up to a bridge. Any respectable runner would not class it as a hill.

The water stations were frequent and well organised and the mile markers were generally easy to spot. Obstacles were mostly easy to see thanks to red and white tape around them.

The last mile saw an increase in crowds as the town centre loomed large. One final half mile lap of the town centre and it was over.

The finish line was fluid with plenty of volunteers to remove time chips and to hand out water and bananas.

But now for a few negatives. I hate this part but if events want to be popular they need to improve and compete with the other races in the packed calendar. I hope this is fair.

The first mile of the race included a lap of the town centre that meant runners had to cross the start line for a second time.

Although this was a nice idea the laps weren't quite long enough and the faster runners caught the slower runners causing a bit of a bottleneck.

It also caused a bit of confusion as there did not seem to be any mention of this format in the pre-race brief.

As I've already said the race was well marshalled. However, taking runners down steps and through underpasses is a risky strategy.

For the first runners it means a real adjustment in pace and stride - and fear of injury.

For the slower runners it is asking for a bottleneck.

Also, where there were steps there were not enough signs warning of them (well, I didn't see any anyway).

The finish line was largely well organised. However, this is where I have my main gripe.

The entry fee was more than £20 - but there was no goody bag at the end (unless I just missed it). All runners got was a cup of water, a banana and a medal.

Big races like these need to justify the entrance fee - especially when times are tough.

A bottle of sports drink, a chocolate bar, some sweets and a few freebies are the least we expect. A souvenir T-shirt is always nice too.

The last criticism, which is only a small one, is that there was a large queue to collect bags at the end. This can be solved quite easily though and most people were patient - despite the rain.

When I left I heard people wondering if the race will be held again next year. I hope so because it has the hallmarks of becoming very popular. I certainly felt welcome the whole time I was there.

Road Runner Rating: Three stars

Would I run it again? Certainly

PB potential: Very high

Cannon Hill Park Run: The best way to get quicker

2011-08-29T11:42:30Z

My training for November's New York Marathon has been going well and over the last few weeks I have been focused on improving my speed.

And the weekly 5km Cannon Hill Park Run has helped enormously.

Every Saturday at 9am around 150 runners descend on the park for a time trial. The mostly flat course, which is all off road, is ideal for running quickly.

And despite it being a time trial there is a competitive edge to the run with mini battles forming across the course.

I can now run the course in just over 21 minutes - consistently running sub 7 minute miles.

It's a completely different focus to the rest of my training which ranges from 5 mile tempo runs to 17 mile long runs.

But it's got to be the most painful of runs too - there simply is no place to hide in a 5km race and it's all about running flat out and hanging on.

But like all runs it is the little things that make an organised event enjoyable.

The Park Run is particularly well organised. The pre race briefing is thorough and includes information about upcoming events. There is also a prize for the best runner of the month - usually a pair of running shoes.

Marshalls around the course are not just friendly but really encouraging and engaged in the race.

My favourite is the guy who stands at the bottom of the main hill passionately clapping every single runner on as if he had placed his mortgage on them posting a personal best time.

Each runner has a bar code and collects a timing barcode at the end of the race. These determine the results, times and finishing order.

Results are emailed to each runner on the afternoon of the run. As well as your time and finishing place you are given a points total and percentage - so you can compare yourself to other runners of different ages and sex.

The Cannon Hill Park Run is now part of my weekly schedule. It has helped me improve my pace and it's a nice change from training on your own.

The Cannon Hill Park Run is every Saturday at 9am. It is free to race. To enter go to www.parkrun.org.uk/cannon-hill/home and register by 6pm on the Friday before the run.

The New York Marathon is my first marathon. I am running for Troop Aid and you can sponsor me at www.Justgiving.com/NewYorkMarathonPaulBradley.

Guaranteed entry is still available for the New York Marathon until August 31. Find out more at www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk.

The long and winding run

2011-07-26T16:31:27Z

It's a Sunday, I'm well into my training schedule and I've cleared my diary for the day.

It's time for the "Long Run".

Whether you're training for a 10k, a half marathon or a full marathon the "Long Run" is an integral part of your training schedule.

But it doesn't mean you have to enjoy it - and I certainly don't.

So to try and make my 16 mile run a bit more enjoyable this weekend I decided to run from Kings Heath to Bromsgrove along the canal.

The sun was shining, I was well hydrated and I had planned my run using walkjogrun.com - what could possibly go wrong?

Well, as it turns out, running along a canal towpath isn't quite as relaxing as you may think.

Firstly there was the terrain. I was wearing my UK Gear PT 1000 trail running shoes but as the canal turned and twisted the trail got slimmer and slimmer - more of a "toe-path" than a towpath.

So, my pace slowed as I watched every step with trepidation. And then the inevitable - my foot slipped, my ankle twisted and my leg gave way.

I was seven miles into the run - almost exactly half way - and I was in the middle of nowhere. It couldn't be worse. My only option was to soldier on.

Like an overpaid Premier League footballer I began to run off my feared injury - wincing and grimacing, hobbling and wobbling, determined to make my way through the pain barrier.

And, like the overpaid Premier League footballer, I was miraculously fine again within minutes.

The run continued. The weather was sunny - too sunny - and a few miles later and I was out of water and in need of a decent drink.

So the search for a canal-side pub began.

The river was busy with families on boating holidays so I knew the pubs would be busy. But boy was I wrong.

I ran past three pubs in the Alvechurch area and all three were closed. Closed?! On a sunny Sunday at the beginning of the school holidays?! Quite incomprehensible.

Finally I found some public toilets and a water fountain and trudged on.

11 miles done I was starting to focus on the final stretch home.

The thought of a sit down, in the shade, a shower, a nice glass of water, fresh clean clothes and that familiar "good ache" that all runners get after a good training session.

But then the towpath disappeared, signposts led me uphill into a wood, across a field of wheat and onto a sideroad.

And then nothing. No canalside, no path, no signposts. No nothing.

After a lot of swearing, with no idea of where I was and without my mobile, I continued along a deserted track.

I picked up the path again which took me across a field and towards a stile.

Here I met a cyclist carrying his bike in the other direction.

"Is this the way to the canal," he asked.

"Yes," I replied, in the knowledge that we both must be on the right route still.

100 metres later this assertion was cast into a new depth of doubt.

I was faced by a dual carriageway.

With no option but to keep going I crossed the road, dodging speeding cars, and I carried along the footpath which eventually turned into a B road.

The Garmin watch said I had done 13.5 miles so if I was on the right route then I wasn't far from my end target of my mom's house.

But by now I had been running for two hours, was tired, dehydrated, and muddy. I needed help.

Finally I found a dog walker who pointed me in the right direction. I was half a mile away from the canal. I had to take the next left and the canal was at the top of a big hill.

Confused at how the canal would be at the top of a hill (surely it would be relatively flat?) I plodded on and finally picked up the waterway again.

Counting down the bridge numbers from 51 to my end target of 48 I staggered through the last few miles.

I had run 16 miles in two hours 32 minutes. A pretty slow time for me.

So then I came to write this - my reward for a traumatic "Long Run" experience.

Now I would find out where I had gone wrong by uploading my Garmin stats to Garmin Connect online.

But it seems my Garmin had also had enough of the run and when I connected it to my laptop it told me it had malfunctioned.

I turned it on and off and on again in the hope it would shed some light on where I had run.

But when I reconnected it to the laptop it had wiped my last 16 saved runs.

I will never know where I ran, and how I got so badly lost. Next time I think I'll just run round the block 16 times.

Pitchcroft 10k, Worcester Racecourse (2011): Race report

2011-07-17T19:06:17Z

The fast and flat Pitchcroft 10k attracted more than 200 runners with the unattached Richard Hunting winning the race in a time of 32min 42 sec.

Second was Mark Couldwell, of Charnwood AC in 33min 15 sec and third was Mike Wilesmith, of Guernsey, in 34min 23 sec.

The first female was Lynne Cox, of Tipton Harriers, in 37min 33sec, and the second female was Linda Howell, of Bournville Harriers, in 39min 10 seconds.

The last finisher, in a field of 230, completed the three lap race round Worcester Racecourse in 1 hour 7min 40sec.

The winner of the 2.5km fun run was Declan McManus in 9min 35sec.

For me, like many others, the attraction of this race was the potential for a personal best time.

The course was very flat and the overcast, cool, drizzley weather conditions on the day made for the perfect recipe for a fast time.

The only downside was a slight headwind on the back straight of the racecourse.

Three laps of the 2 mile perimeter path isn't the most exciting route you will ever race but with most people running against their watches the scenery was not important.

As ever, many personal battles developed over the 10km and a great atmosphere at the start/finish by the grandstand was a real boost.

But apart from the fast course I have to say I was disappointed by this event.

An £11 entry on the day fee is relatively expensive. Ok, it did have the all important UK Athletics permit.

But I found the organisation to be fairly poor.

I hate to criticise volunteers - after all they are volunteers and work hard to make the race as enjoyable as possible - but this race could have been better.

As people came down the finishing straight there was some confusion with the filtering system with one or two people confused which side of the tape to pass down.

There were no mile or kilometre markers.

There was no goody back at the end - just a medal.

None of my entrance fee was going to charity (as far as I was aware).

Although there was a grandstand for the hundreds of spectators there were no refreshments available at all.

The car park was not marshalled when I arrived (one hour before the start).

On the plus side the results were up on the web by 8pm on the same day as the race.
I don't think there were any official photographers for anyone who wanted a souvenir picture.

I may be being harsh but this is my honest opinion of the event.

Saying all this I would definitely do this race again and I would also recommend it to other runners.

Event rating: Two stars (four stars for the course though)

I race this event in training for the New York Marathon 2011. I am being sponsored by Sports Tours International who organise running holidays around the world (www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk)

This is my sponsorship page http://www.justgiving.com/NewYorkMarathonPaulBradley/

Asafa Powell to train at University of Birmingham ahead of Diamond League Athletics meeting

2011-07-08T15:10:41Z

Some of the fastest men in the world will be warming up at the University of Birmingham's track ahead of Sunday's Diamond League meet, at the Alexender stadium (Press release below).

It's just a shame that Usain Bolt won't be among them as he is not competing at this meet.

However, Asafa Powell, who is the fastest man over 100m this year having clocked 9.78secs in Lausanne last week, will be at the track.

Read the press release (below) from the University of Birmingham:

One of the world's fastest men, Asafa Powell, current 4 x 100 world record holders, Nester Carter and Michael Frater, and Olympic Silver Medalist Shericka Williams will be warming up on the University of Birmingham's athletics track ahead of the Diamond League (Aviva Grand Prix) Athletics which takes place at the Alexander Stadium this Sunday.

The University will host the Jamaican team for its pre-Games camp next July ahead of the London Olympics.

The visit on Saturday by some of Jamaica's top Olympic medal prospects will allow the squad to endorse the University's facilities, test out the track as well as meet and speak to sports scholars and staff.

Zena Wooldridge, Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham said: "There's obviously lots of excitement amongst our university students and staff about the Jamaican team staying on campus ahead of London, and we are delighted that some of Jamaica's top athletes are visiting us, with a year to go, to see for themselves their training and living environment for next July."

The visit will take place Saturday 9 July 2011, 13.00 - 14.00 at the Munrow Sports Centre on the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston campus.

Cannon Hill Park Run: The way to get fast for fun?

2011-07-05T13:45:18Z

Running friends of mine have flagged up the Cannon Hill Park Run a few times in the past and now I'm finally getting round to having a crack at it.

It's a flat 5km course, all off road, around Cannon Hill Park. It happens every Saturday at 9am, it's free, and essentially it's a low key race just for kicks.

Every runner gets timed and runners meet up after the race for a coffee at a near by cafe.

Everything I have heard about the event has been good and I understand it's a very friendly community atmosphere.

A friend of mine ran in it for the first time last week and we're going to race this weekend.

The times vary: Last week the winner ran 17:06 and the last finisher did 35 minutes. The results are posted here.

If all goes well I'm going to build the run into my training for the New York Marathon - hopefully it will help with the speed aspect of my training.

I'll let you all know how I get on next week.

Running in the heat? Don't sweat it

2011-06-28T14:15:04Z

It's that time of year when all the training in the dark, rain, wind, and snow finally pays off and you can run and race in daylight and warmth.

For me it marks the beginning of a 16 week training phase as I prepare for the New York Marathon courtesy of Sports Tours International.

As we've seen over the past few days it can get too hot for running.

Here's a few bits and pieces I've picked up that have helped me train effectively in the warmth - both here and on holiday in Cyprus.

1. Keep Hydrated

Sports people are told this over and over again - keeping up the fluids is crucial.
Studies show that being just two percent dehydrated can have a 30 percent effect on your running times - with the fatigue in your legs being the main perpertrator.
After five percent of the body's water has been lost you will feel sick and if you are dehydrated this much before a race you may well feel sleepy.
As 10 percent of your body fluid is lost you will start to get headaches and your vision will become impaired.
So, my recommendation is to drink little and frequently leading up to the run and have loads of water available during your training.
I did a 13 miler in 30c heat in Cyprus last week and got through 2 litres of fluid during the run and it took me a lot longer to fully rehydrate afterwards.

2. Set yourself a realistic target

It's unlikely you'll be running PBs when the mercury hits 20c or higher - so be realistic in your aims.
I reckoned my tempo runs were about 5 pc slower in the heat and my long runs up to 12 percent slower.
Instead of focussing on speed try and focus on form and your efficiency when the going gets tough.

3. Be in the right frame of mind

If it's hot and you're struggling just think how bad it was on those January nights when it was sleeting and blowing a gale.
Now compare it to the beautiful sunshine you are running in now.
It doesn't quite seem so horrendous any, more does it?

4. Plan your route

There's nothing quite like running in front of crowds to keep you going - and when the weather is good the parks and beer gardens are full.
Plan your route past a few of these and the bizarre looks of respect that you will get from boozers and picnic-ers will spur you on.

5. Wear the right gear

It sounds obvious but wear gear that keep you cool. That's everything from a Dri-Fit singlet to a decent pair of socks to stop you getting blisters on your sweaty feet.
And don't forget the sunglasses (Oakleys are my recommendation)

New York Marathon training: Personal bests and hitting form

2011-06-10T10:41:12Z

After a few bad weeks where my long runs and tempo runs ended in me giving up - I'm back on track again.

Of course my long term aim is the New York Marathon (being backed by Sports Tours international) and raising money for Troop Aid.

But after a personal set back it feels great to be performing to my best again.

Not only did I complete my runs and feel good this week but I also set a personal best for 4miles - twice....on consecutive days.

Ok it was only 7 seconds then 1 second but I'm chuffed to be closing in on the 29 minute barrier for four miles.

And looking further ahead I'd love to go sub 45 minutes for 10k, sub 1 hour 45 for a half marathon and sub 4 hours for the New York Marathon.

I'm off to the med for a 2 week holiday now so my plan is to keep running and stay in good condition.

I'll be running in 25c heat but if I can run 3 days a week, early in the morning, then I think I should be ok.

After a couple of dodgy weeks, I think I've got the bug again.

Bupa Great Birmingham Run 2011: Race details

2011-06-02T13:57:38Z

The new organisers of the Bupa Great Birmingham Run (formerly the EDF Birmingham Half Marathon) have vowed to put an end to the start/finish line debacle that left thousands of runners cursing last year.

The 2010 Birmingham Half Marathon descended into chaos as thousands of runners queued for up to 20 minutes to cross the finish line.

Timing chips being removed too soon after the race seemed to be at the heart of the problem.

Anyone finishing in around two hours had to push and shove their way to the timing mats as crowds of runners formed on Broad Street.

And the start line was just as chaotic as runners came to a standstill no more than 200 metres into the race.

In an interview with the Road Runner blog, Nova International communications director, David Hart, said his team were working hard to make sure the disaster was not repeated again this year.

Mr Hart told this blog: "From the research that we do we know that people want to be running actually when they cross the start line, when they are on the route and running when they cross the finish line.

"There will be significant tweaks to both the start and finish areas.

"We are working to ensure there will be enough space for people to spread out.

"Timing chips and finishing packs will not be managed until a long way after the finish line.

"At the start we will employ a system that lets runners off in a series of waves.
"We will pulse runners across the start line rather than having a mass start.
"Generally speaking there will be a short break between each time-section of people crossing the start line.
"Runners will still be able to find out their accurate finish time using the timing chips."

Mr Hart also revealed that 1,000 people signed up to the race within the first two hours of entries opening.

The capacity this year is 15,000 but the organisers genuinely believe there is a potential to make the race as big as the 10K Great Manchester Run (38,000) and the Great North Run (55,000).

The race will also be televised with a highlights package to be put to either Channel 4 or Channel Five.

The highlights may also be seen across the world in more than 100 different countries.

The entrance fee this year has risen from £25 to £30.

Mr Hart said: "The price compares favourably to other events of this size and scale and we are confident that participants will see it as a value-for-money rewarding experience in a safe environment."

You can find out more about the race on the links below:

www.greatrun.org
www.facebook.com/pages/Bupa-Great-Birmingham-Run
www.taketothestreets.org/