Fell, Road and Trail Running - Alan Raby

Been A while

2013-04-03T05:16:00.001-07:00

So, not many posts for a while. There will be more to come, now the sun is back out shining :D

chernobyl charity 10k (preston)

2011-08-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Well I've just done my first race of the year, and my first 10K as well. A lot harder than I expected but it was a bit hilly and it's the furthest I've done for a while, so to be expected!!

Still 1 hour (and 20 seconds) isn't such a bad time for me, gives me something to work on.

Alan

Alan Raby is back!! (again)

2011-08-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

Yep, I'm back again and now living in the centre of Preston!

So what have I been up to running wise, well after what could only be described as a piss poor performance by myself during spring (barely running but enjoying some time off), I've found myself a new route close to where I live.

The route goes down the Preston/Lancaster canal and is perfect for those running experiaces.

Times are all a bit slow currently, and I'm only at 8k but with luck and practice (and a lot of running), I'll soon be back upto speed and distance

So, wish me good luck.

O, and you can now visit me at www.alanraby.co.uk

Cya

10k and a bit of a cycle...."Alan Raby" is back

2011-03-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

I hate winter, gloomy, sullen, wet, cold, windy and worst of all; dark.

Well March is on us and my spirits are finally lifting. Today I did a bit of gym work and managed a fab 10k. Not brilliant for where I was 3 months ago, but the first proper 10k in a while. To add in to this the 6k cycle ride prior to it, and of course another a few hours later and I feel quite achy today.

Got a bit of a fell run on sat (my birthday), so I'll be feeling old.

Well back to work.

Alan Raby

Been awhile

2011-02-23T10:09:00.000-08:00

been suffering from a pulled muscle in my abdomen, and a tight calf. Not done much bar some cycling :(

Training Moving on up!

2011-02-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

now we're in feb, I'm starting to up my training; back to 10k standards. I'm currently still feeling xmas (yes in the mind), and need man up :)

Alan Raby

Alan raby is back!

2011-02-09T13:58:00.001-08:00

ok, it's been a while but I'm back. Not sure how long for as I'm running a lot.

So yes, alan raby is back, he's still alive and getting ready for all the training around preston.

Allan raby

My first 10k

2010-11-28T03:56:00.000-08:00

well I managed to start and finish my first ever 10k yesterday (27/11/2010). The race itself was sprung upon me a few weeks ago by a friend, and so I said I would do it.

The race itself is one that is fondly looked upon in the northwest (well preston area at least) and is called the Wesham 10K. This year was it's 25th aniversary and was fully booked up.

I must say I enjoyed the race immensly, although the weather was a numbing -3, and I was only in a t-shirt and shorts; Brrrrrrrr.

After an initial warm up, we headed off to the start line. Here I walked to the back (I'll be quicker one day) and chatted with some of the other slower racers. Then the race started and the chip timer started beeping us all out.

I managed to cross the 1st, 2nd and 3rd checkpoints in intervals of 9, 18 and 27 minutes. So I can safely say I can hold a consistent speed of 9mph. As it was my first race, I didn't want to burn myself out, and wanted to run the entire length. I suspect I could of gone a little quicker.

After the first 5k, I upped my speed to a staggering 8min&55 seconds per mile. yep, pretty pathetic really. The last mile I dropped back to 9mins and 30 secs (well they forgot to mention the hill!).

So overall I finished with a time of 55Mins and 50 seconds (which strangely is around 9mph).

Am I happy, well yes but I'm also annoyed that I didn't break 55mins. That will have to wait for the next race!!

Signing off

Alan Raby aka The Snail

Been a longer while!

2010-11-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

well it;s been a while since I updated this blog. well that's mainly due to university getting in the way (started uni at the ripe old age of 36).

Anyway, since wrecking my foot after an 11 mile run, I finally got back into the spirit of things. I now cycle to uni, have joined the gym and run about 6 miles/wk and cycle around 25miles/wk.

So all in all, I'm as fit as ever, but doing a bit less running.

I've recently been upping my milage and I successfully managed a 10k at the gym, in a time of 1hr 5 mins. Pretty good going really, still had the legs to do more.

Also managed at the gym a 27 min 5km, which I was quite proud of.

So, although a lot of my running is now gym work, I'm a lot fitter than my last blog post.

Alan Raby

been a while

2010-09-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not of noticed, the blogs have slowed down. Well this is mainly down to me havign a stress fracture on my foot.

Well, that's what google and hypochondria tell me anyway!

Stress fracture of the Navicular bone, on my foot. Huts like hell when I do anything other than walking on it, painful for a day or two after I try anything on it and hurts on the bone, and around it.

If it's anything else, i don't know.

Up and down, up and down...

2010-08-24T03:02:00.000-07:00

Had a grand old day out on Sunday. Quick 2 mile run to the nearest park, then 15 hill reps (about 600ft in total).

Strange but I always find these sorts f things, far easier than a plodding session on the road. I manage to run harder, further and enjoy it all. I suspect it's all about positive mental attitude, which for some reason I suffer from when running.

Perhaps I need an I-pod.

Half marathon Training

2010-08-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Well Yesterday I put in my largest stint running...ever. That "ever" makes me sound like 12 :)

Managed a leg busting 11 Miles, in a not too shabby 2hr.

By eck, it did hurt at the end a little.

Could of been one of the poorest days yet though, as I set off and all I could think of was all my aches and pains. Knees, feet, shins, Calves, goin, back...even a headache (who said excercise is good for you).

Anyway, after my initial Mile, i hada slow walk to try to get my head straight (I'm so bad on myself), then decided just to do another mile and home!!

Little did I know, I was about to do a mammoth run.

During the second mile, things started to click and off I went, on my usual 4/6 Mile route. After the 6 Mile came and went, I did the same lap again (well the 4 mile version of it).

I must say at the end, I was dragging my feet with me, but 11 Miles is 11 Miles. All set for my half marathon at the end of sept :)

Cycling and running!!

2010-08-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

Obviously I'm being mental!

yesterday I was suffering the worst case of man flu, for 100 years (I was sure I had the plague), so today I decided to do a 35 Minute bike ride (7 Mile), with a 4 Mile run a few hours later (with a friend).

I actually enjoyed every single minute of both!!

So looks like I have a monday training partner now, she's training for a 10K race and wants to get fit. So she's stupidly asked me to help her.

She's either a glutton for punishment, or genuinly thinks my "No pain, no gain" style of training suits her :D

Sunny!

2010-08-15T07:05:00.001-07:00

Finally a bit of sun! You'v got to love the English weather, and summers in-particular!

Anyway, did a bit of cycling, managed 11k (7 miles), chain fell off once, and every set of traffic lights turned Red as I approached :)

Still apart from the low flying Fruit that hit me on my shoulder, all went pretty much well (my knee gave me a little jip).

Might try a 5k tomorrow to see if my times are improving!!

"Curry Run"

2010-08-13T04:20:00.000-07:00

Strange name, I'm sure it's something to do with eating a curry for the winner of the series.

Anyway....Did the "Curry run" last night, with 8 or 9 Preston harriers, 7 Mile run across streams, hills, fells, trails, bogs; hell even some slabs and stairs thrown in for good measure.

Very hard run, but pleased about the climb up the "Great Hill", managed part of it running, well running being the wrong word, think more of a jog slower than a walk..

Well got round in an amazing time of 1hr 27minutes (it's pretty good for me), but feel let down as I'm sure I could of done it quicker.

It's weird all this running, and I'm disseminated in doing a 7mile, 1300ft fell run, in under 1 and a half hours!!

no laughing!!!!

2010-08-10T15:02:00.001-07:00

Sat down today at my PC, and nearly blacked out from a shooting pain in my right knee!! (why is it always my right leg??).

Looks like Ice will be the method of recovery tomorrow, plus a small jog to see the damage!

10k timed and done!

2010-08-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

I suppose it is also my PB too, as it's the first timed and GPS tracked one.

So in celebration of a 10k in 1hr 3mins, I'm going to crack open a bottle of volvic, and dance the night away. Well that's a bit of a lie, I'm going to sit here, legs reeking of "Deep Freeze", and in muscle spasms!!

It was only supposed to be a quick jaunt out as I was feeling very fatigued from the 30mile cycling I did on Sat, but it went a bit further. My first mile involved me walking, stopping, scratching my arse and anything else but running!! Shame really, as I could of got under the hour mark, if I'd known I was doing 10k!!

Still, gives me plenty of scope to beat it now :)

Is cycling a good alternative!!

2010-08-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Today I spent 2 1/2 hours riding my sorry ass, up 1000ft of roads. By the end of it, I couldn't, if i wanted, go up any more hills.

felt terrific for doing it it, but is 21 miles of cycling, going to improve my running?

Well, it should help with my CV, as at times my lungs where popping out of my mouth. So hopefully, the next time I run, I should be able to go a little further (fingers crossed).

No doubt I will let people know how much of a superman I was today :)

Small Jog to keep me going

2010-08-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

Now the race is off, I managed a 4Mile run (38 minutes), nothing too serious, just enough to loosen the old legs. Got a long long long long cycle on sat, can't wait :D

Race Off

2010-08-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

Today's 10k is off. After myself suffering from the cold earlier in the week, my training partner Lindsey has succumbed to it too. Last thing anyone wants to do is jog whe4n under the influence of a cold, I know I didn't :D

1 mile run, and a PB

2010-08-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

Like a week of PBs for me. First it was a PB for a 5 mile run hill run (57), then it was a PB for a flat 4 Mile run (37), now it's a PB for a 1 Mile run (7.30).

All in Prep for my 10k on Thursday (which to be honest I'm dreading a little, as the previous races all seem to be full of pretty quick racers!)

So a nice PB today for my 1 Mile, hopefully run tomorrow to break my 5k Record of 28 Mins...hopefully!

New PB for 4 Mile!

2010-08-01T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well it might be, then again it might not, but since it's the firs time I timed doing 4 Mil.es, it's now classed as my PB :D

Anyway, thought I'd get a small run in for preparation of my first 10K this coming thursday.

The route takes me down a 200ft hill, then back up it, followed by a further 2 miles on the flats (pretty much).

The entire run took me 37minutes, which I am well chuffed about. was a little bit of walking in there (since my phobia of hills is back :( ) and a final 8 minute mile at the end (which again, quite pleased about).

If I can sort out my hill climbing, I'll be thinking about knocking 3 or 4 minutes of this time pretty soon.

Little Run

2010-07-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Kept it simple today 8 minute mile, 10 minute mile, 12 minute mile (with a 150ft hill in there). Just turning over my muscles, rather than anything too strenuous.

no pain...

2010-07-29T15:16:00.001-07:00

...amazingly!

was expecting a world of pain, but instead just my ankles! Very weird.

Race Day - Harrock Hill

2010-07-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Well the day has arrived, I've been eating pasta for the last week, like it was the only meal in the world. I've flooded my body with isotonic drinks, and I even bought a watch with a Chrono on it.

studied the map the night before, and the timings from runners the last time it was held (trust me to take part in a race that seems to consist of nothing but athletic clubs!).

Anyway, I'm here now. Legs feeling tender, which I'm worried about but I'm getting some good encouragement from my training partner Lindsey (A fully fledged Preston Harrier).

Anyway, after the 1 mile warmup run to the start line, from the pub (no I hadn't been drinking), we finally got into position (me further at the back).

Well, in the odour of Deep Heat around me, I braced myself for the run. Just over 5 miles in total, and a steepish hill start for the first mile. With my Calve still playing on my mind, I couldn't get in the right frame of mind but I just thought, set a time I would be happy with. That time was 1 hr, and I thought it would be hard to do it.

Well we started, and up the track we went. I think I may of started a little fast, but I had a point to prove (not being last, and beating an hour). Well I made the top, with only a little bit of walking (not my fault, the people in front of me started walking, and one retired!!).

Anyway, the first 1/2 mile done, then settled into a mile and a half downhill, which was pleasent. This is where things started to go wrong, getting to the 2 mile point and seeing the next climb, this one I knew was tough.

With the pain in my leg and my fast start taking affect, I had to do a walk/run combo to get up this first hill, then again on the next. So three miles in, and my mind is buckling. Luckily, I came to pass a man and a women walking up a muddy section (god bless my fell shies and his trainers!!).

At this point, I motivate the guy to run further and all three of us set off. For the rest of the route, there is no walking, and the final mile is a dream (downhill!).

I came in at 57 minutes, and 125th. Not last and under an hour. Job Done!