Running Nick

Sandstorm2008 - Check it Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:38:00 +0000

For the next few months all my blog postings are going to be on http://sandstorm2008.blogspot.com/, which will be covering the Marathon Des Sables 2008 challenge for Ben Ragless and me.

The London Triathlon 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:37:00 +0000

The day started with Claire and I getting up at 04:00 Sunday morning and leaving for the Excel Centre in London! Ben and I had a wave (start) time of 06:30, which suddenly seemed very tight after arriving in the main hall at Excel with only 30 minutes to spare.

We found our designated bike rack and laid out all the kit we would need in the right order to ensure a quick, mistake free transition. Last on was the wetsuit with a splash of baby oil to help with getting it off after the swim. Fortunately there was a 15 min delay to the start for Ben and I to talk tactics!

We jumped into Victoria Dock at 06:45 and surprisingly it wasn't cold but was slightly salty and quite brown?! About 250 25-29 year old guys set off on the 1500m swim as the above picture shows. It was pretty exciting and rough at the start but soon things calmed down and I could get into a rhythm. Due to my lack of freestyle ability I did a mix of breaststroke and front crawl, which served me well. I scrambled out of the dock and began taking off the wetsuit to some greatly appreciated cheers from Claire and Annie! As people staggered into the main hall to get their bikes I ran, as I thought this was easy time to save! The first transition went well, with no slip ups and I headed out on to the bike route and my favorite discipline of the tri.

The 40 km bike course comprised of 2 laps, with the final lap taking competitors up to Big Ben and back to the Excel centre, I have never travelled through central London as fast as Sunday morning! My aim was to keep an average speed at 20 mph, which I could see from my computer as that would put me close to a certain Mr.Cameron's time! It was quite a push but just managed it. I arrived back at Excel in 1hr 8 mins and tried to locate my bike rack, to pick up my trainers for the run. Eventually I found it and did a quick change and set off on the 10 km run.

As I exited the Excel centre Al was on the sidelines cheering away shouting "Pull your socks up Summers"! I was a bit confused as I wasn't wearing socks but appreciated the support anyway and gave him a thumbs up.

When I got outside I realised just how hot it was and it was only 09:00! The run was tough, really tough, I hadn't done enough bike-run practice and I really felt it. The course was 2 laps round the docks and mostly in the sun! Thankfully I had great support and loud cheers from Claire and Al and that kept me going and helped push me on. Strangely I found the second lap a bit easier and to back that up, my time for the 2nd lap was a minute quicker than the first! The first time I've done a negative split.

I crossed the finish line in 2hrs 30mins 52 secs and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and it won't be my last tri!

You can see a breakdown of our times here - http://olympic.triathlonresults.co.uk/ResultODMale2529_2.htm

Claire took some great pictures on the day (please excuse all the sweat!), which are on my Flickr site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicksummers

The nearly Chasing Gurhka route

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:35:00 +0000

So here goes another map (through MyMapPlus) but this time its interactive! On Trailwalker I carried my Garmin etrex round just in case we got into a spot of navigational bother, of course we didn't need it!

However I kept it running and recorded the complete track of our route, along with the waypoints. I've used the waypoints and embedded our celebratory checkpoint photos from Flickr, just for fun!

You should be able to click here to view the track in Google Earth.

BRICK

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:52:00 +0000

A week after Trailwalker and yesterday was going to be another tough one! With less than 2 weeks to go until the London Triathlon I feel very under prepared, as running/walking 100km's is so different to the high heart rate and bursts of speed required for a triathlon.

So yesterday I did a 10 mile bike around Welwyn Garden City, a quick transition in the back garden, then headed out on a 5.5 mile run. The bike and run combined in a training session is know as a 'brick' due to the way your legs and feet feel! I have done one before and that was at the Bude Tri, but I'm conscious that I'm really not used to this kind of thing, so want to get at least another two done before 5th August.

The brick training went to plan and although pretty tough heading straight for the run, it was manageable and got round in 1:10 mins. The bike was 32 mins and run (included Knightsfield Road!) was 35mins and the rest being transition.

Today is a rest day! Back to the pool tomorrow though : )

Trailwalker Rankings

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:42:00 +0000

The Trailwalker 2007 times are finally out and we officially came 16th out of 196 of teams that finished as a team of 4 people - many did not! Our ranking of Male teams puts us 13th!!!

It was no surprise to see 4 Gurhka teams leading the way, with the winning team crossing the line in 10 hrs 34 mins 12 secs. Well done guys!

A full breakdown of the results can be found here - http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/events/trailwalker/downloads/20070718-TeamRankings-250ops.xls

Some early video footage!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:56:00 +0000

Courtesy of Claire Nally Movies Inc we're all very lucky to have some early video action from Trailwalker 2007!

There's going to be more coming from my Dad following some much needed editing out of cheesy smiles and lack of conversation I expect!

There are some more YouTube clips below:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mlkNolXcl_U (Check out the Pasta Feast! - Checkpoint 2)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5viOl0lOe9w

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EyowJPG5J9k (Ben's new Trainers!)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vkfXi4elbjw (Jack & Jill Windmills - Checkpoint 8)

TRAILWALKER 2007 - In Sub 17hrs!!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 18:11:00 +0000

Yesterday at 22:51 the Chasing Gurkhas (Ben, Me, Dan, Sim) completed the 100km Trailwalker event across the South Downs Way!

We achieved both our aims of finishing as a team of four and doing it in under 18 hrs, we actually managed to complete the 100km's in an official 16 hrs:51mins:7secs.

We're still waiting to hear our final finishing place...as soon as we get it, I'll post it!

The Trailwalker Route

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:16:00 +0000

It's three days to go until the 100 Km challenge across the South Downs Way and The Chasing Gurkhas team (Ben, Dan, Sim and me) are raring to go and final preparations are in full swing!

Today I banged into my Garmin etrex the waypoint/checkpoint locations, so we know ETA's at checkpoints and just in case we not sure where we are on the map, we can always check the GPS!

I'm also hoping to write a list of food supplies we need for the trip as well and pick everything up tomorrow. There's lots to consider as carbohydrate is the order of the day but it can get boring and sickly, so I'll probably be mixing it up with some raisins, nuts and cold pasta to keep me going.

Click here to check out the Checkpoints along the route.

To view in Google Earth click this link - http://sandstorm2008.com/kml/trailwalker2007waypoints.kmz

A sunny bike ride at last!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:58:00 +0000

For the first time in what seems like weeks, we had a sunny evening. So I took headed out for a bike round the countryside of Hertfordshire. It was perfect conditions with little wind and humidity.

I completed 14.5 miles in 50 mins around a route I've done 4 times now.

The Bude Triathlon

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 20:51:00 +0000

On Sunday while the rest of the UK were getting soaked Al, Kathy and I took part in the Bude Tri, all the way down in sunny Cornwall. We all met up in Sidbury (where we were staying) on Saturday and headed straight for the beach for a practice sea swim in wetsuits which until then I hadn't done! Following the practice swim, Mr.Cameron gave a 1 hour How To session on bike transitions, which was great for me and Kathy as this was our first tri.

On Sunday we arrived in Bude, racked our bikes and begun checking out the competition as well as the swimming route. We had a quick briefing, then headed down to the beach ready for the start. Our route started in a river, then out to a buoy and back in to the beach. The bike was scenic 11 mile ride out of Bude up and down some hills then back into Bude. The run was a tough 3.5 mile route around Bude, with lots of much needed support towards the end! If anyone is interested in the results click here - http://www.shorelineactivities.co.uk/shorelinetriathlonresults07.htm

It was a really fun event to do and great practice for the real deal in August.

My first Tri - Bude (Sprint)

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:45:00 +0000

For the past couple of months I've been triathlon training and Sunday marks my first race at the Bude Triathlon! I'm looking at it more like an experience rather than actually a race as my swimming is still pretty bad but I expect that's what most beginner triathletes say - at least I hope so! After spending the past couple of weekends away I haven't even done a 'Brick', the bike then run bit, so I'm hoping I don't get cramp!

I'm sure it will all come together and it is just a Sprint:

Swim 500m

Cycle 11km

Run 5km

I'm doing it with Al Cameron and Katherine Berry. I think all of us are counting this one as a bit of practice for the main event which is the London Tri on 5th August.

Stats and Maps from last weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:18:00 +0000

Using Dan and Simeon's Garmin running computers and my Garmin etrex GPS receiver (the yellow brick!) we've got the following split times for each of the 42 miles and a map for the route in the Peak District.

Here are the stats:

1 15.15 2 17.25 3 15.52 4 10.12 5 10.42 6 12.57 7 14.26 8 15.28 9 18.45 10 14.31 11 13.39 12 11.30 13 16.08 14 17.20 15 20.03 16 14.44 17 15.56 18 25.42 19 16.33 20 16.58 21 22.12 22 11.06 23 40.40 24 16.37 25 17.57 26 15.53 27 13.49 28 13.52 29 14.03 30 15.26 31 22.14 32 16.06 33 12.18 34 20.01 35 15.54 36 13.33 37 13.43 38 15.15 39 24.05 40 11.54 41 13.26 42 12.04

The slow miles were either the food stop in Matlock or the constant changing of the map!

And here is the route we took on a map along with some photos that you can view by clicking on the map pins - http://www.sandstorm2008.com/kml/chasinggurkhastraininggmap.html

Summer Training Camp for Chasing Gurkhas

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:11:00 +0000

Last weekend the Chasing Gurkhas (Ben Ragless, me, Dan Barrett, Simeon Willis) 2007 Trailwalker team had a training session up in the Peak District. We all met up at a cracking Youth Hostel (Ravenstor) near Buxton with yours truly getting the top bunk, which was going to prove tough going on Saturday evening!

My challenge had been to come up with a 42 mile route with some hills, downhills and hopefully some flats, trying to imitate the South Downs - all with a piece of string! After 10 miles or so it quickly became apparent my route was nearer 50-55 miles, so a more direct route back to the YH was found! Our plan was to run the downhills, flat sections and walk (as fast as we could) the hills. This worked pretty well and we managed to maintain a similar pace throughout the 42 miles, with only changing the map causing delays. The weather was pretty typical....sun one minute, then heavy rain the next but was never really a problem and the scenery was brilliant...

We completed the 42 miles in 11hrs 25mins, which will hopefully stand us in good stead for 14th July. But perhaps the best news is that nobody has reported any injuries, let's keep it like that! : )

My MRI

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:10:00 +0000

Over the past 6 weeks you would have noticed a real lack of Posts on my blog. Unfortunately this has been due to a knee injury I picked up way back on 17th February at the Thames Path Ultra. Since then I've been visiting the physio twice a week for suspected tendinitis, along with the usual anti-inflammatory, ice and NO RUNNING!

It's steadily improved but running is still painful, so I visited the 'Knee Guy' in Hertfordshire last week and he put me in for an x-ray and MRI.

The MRI was a crazy experience! I was put on a bed, with headphones on listening to Top Gear, Greatest Car Driving Songs!! It lasted 35 mins and the noise from the machine virtually blocked out those great rock tunes like Huey Lewis and the News! I should find out more on Wednesday...

Saracens v harlequins

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 16:40:00 +0000

What better way to spend a sunny april afternoon than watch some live rugby! Some friends from Welwyn and i enjoyed the 33-19 at sarcaracens in watford.

A year later and back at the Berkhampsted 1/2 Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 18:35:00 +0000

My first half marathon was last years at Berkhampsted. The route is a good mix of town and rural roads with at least three pretty long hills, with the final one being just before the 11 mile marker. Last year I made it round in 1hr 49 mins, which I was pleased about seeing as though it was the longest distance I'd ever run!

So a year on I was eager to find out how much of an improvement they'd be! Conditions were shockingly bad, with torrential rain from start to finish. The route was identical to last years, which was reassuring and felt familiar.

My plan was to try and match my Stevenage pace of 7.5 minute miles. I finished with a time of 1hr 37 mins - identical to my Stevenage 1/2 marathon but this race was much tougher, rain and hills, so all in all pretty chuffed! Place 203 out of 943.

Next up is the Silverstone 1/2, which is flat and in theory fast! Just need to sort out my 'Runners Knee' over the next few weeks, with a visit to the physio.

A few days after...

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:48:00 +0000

Looking back on Saturday it was such good fun, even if my legs are still like two stiff planks of wood! I'd defintely recommend this event next year.
So the big question was did I take too much kit and give myself back sores unnecessarily? The answer is a definet YES! I probably ate half of what is in the picture below. The organisers were really good and gave us a rationed 500 ml bottle of water (at checkpoint 2 I had to take 1ltr) cake, Haribo and chocolate, so I just didn't need to break into my stuff, so I'll know for next year.

The GPS receiver came in handy, helping us out in the dark when we had no clue where we were on the map! Here's our actual route in GE, after checkpoint 4 you might spot some doubling back, when we should have crossed the bridge!- TPU_17_2_07

The next race on the calendar is the Berkhampsted Half Marathon, which was my first running race, so looking forward to that on Sunday 4th March.

Matching medals and jumpers

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 21:53:00 +0000

We successfully completed the thames path ultra in 10 hrs 36 mins. Secretely we were hoping for anything under 12 so we're dead chuffed with the time. Really good event with lots of cool people happy to share their experiences . Off home for a long sleep!

Ben on the Thames Path Ultra at Marlow

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 13:10:00 +0000

Kit for tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 20:34:00 +0000

Hopefully i need all this kit! We'll soon see.

Thames Path Ultra

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:24:00 +0000

Tomorrow marks my first Ultra anything! The Thames Path Ultra is a 50 mile foot race from Reading to Shepperton. It starts at 09:00 Saturday and closes at 01:00 Sunday morning! There are 4 checkpoints along the route, which also close at preset times, so if we start to slow too much, we're out! Our tactics at the moment are to run steadily for as long as possible, hopefully around 5 hrs. We know that once we break into a walk it will be near impossible for us to start running again!

The Thames Path Ultra is intended to be an essential part of training for the MdS taking place at the end March this year. All participants must carry all water, food, clothing and any other essentials like Vaseline, just like the Marathon of the Sahara but without the sand!

The leaders should be finished between 7-8 hours, fortunately for Ben and I, we're not doing the MdS until next year, so we're using this race more for experience and meeting people who've been there and done it before. The only aim I'm going to post is that we want to finish and get the medal and certificate, anything else would be a bonus right now.

Off now to get an emergency pair of socks and my kit!

A New Toy

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:51:00 +0000

This Christmas I got a Garmin etrex GPS receiver from Claire, which I'm sure is no reflection of my map reading skills on those walks in the Lake District!!

I was up and running recording tracks within minutes, which could be uploaded to some mapping software like Cadcorp or Google Earth but what I really struggled with was creating Waypoints and constructing a route! So with its first real test looming this Saturday at the Thames Path Ultra, I've finally got it nailed and its very cool!

For those that are interested click here to see the Waypoints for the route Ben and I will be taking on the Thames Path Ultra this Saturday on a map! Where you can also link off to Google Earth to fly the route.

Its Official - I am a TG!

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:00:00 +0000

On January 28th, Ben and I undertook the Tough Guy challenge, which this year was known as the Oirish Toiger 2007?!?! It was a relatively mild, dry day at around 8 deg but that doesn't help a great deal when you have obstacle after obstacle to contend with - most of which involve getting very wet and cold!

It started with an 8 or so cross country miles, which was pretty dry under foot, until some cargo netting towards the end. At this point the wet, cold torture started to take its grip, with ditches full of water to contend...then on to the Killing Fields!

The Killing Fields is basically an open space, with a variety of challenges ranging from climbing A-Frames (for the first time ever) to the really tough obstacles like the above picture (not me!) know as the Fiery Holes. This involved jumping between deep, muddy water with hay bails to clamber on, whilst negotiating a hot, smouldering bonfire. All good fun!

Ben and I finished with a good time of 2hrs 29 mins and received the biggest medal yet! Imagine a horse brass and you'll be on the right lines!

So was it the toughest thing I've done yet, you may ask? Well I'm not sure, its incomparable to any other event I've entered up until now. I have to say, nothing quite hurt as much as crossing the 24 mile marker at the London Marathon last year!

No excuses this year - Tough Guy 2007 this w/e

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 17:16:00 +0000

Last years disappointed is soon to be all forgotten about when Ben and I take on the Tough Guy 2007 challenge. Whilst snowboarding last year I dislocated my shoulder on Day 2 in Val d'isere, getting a massive air off a chairlift - if only!! This meant pulling out of Tough Guy and watching from the sidelines with Ben doing a magnificent job of completing the event. I was very gutted not to be taking part.

Back to this year and preperations have gone well for the event as Ben and I competed in plenty of races and Trailwalker, which was tough! A few weeks ago I went snowboarding again, for some cold weather training, which kinda worked except it wasn't much below freezing! But all day spent on snow and strapped to a board wouldn't do any harm and a lot more fun than being at work!

Since coming back, a mixture of gym work and running has been the order of the day, as this event is extremely hard to train for. Yes, it starts with a cross country run , which sounds very nice but then there's A-Frames, Vietcong tunnels and a Paradise Climb, which you just can't prepare for, so fingers crossed for tomorrow! As well as the training Ben and I have been massing together quite a bit of kit for the day, inc. neoprene vest, neoprene gloves, swim hat, hats and other disposable gloves! Watching last year, hopefully gave me some tips for the day.

Thanks for entering again Ben, I doubt I would be doing this if it weren't for you!

The aim of tomorrow is to finish as I'm not going back to beat a time!! Right off to put this one to bed once and for all!

...photos and report to follow shortly.

Trailwalker 2006 my favourite pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Summers) — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 11:43:00 +0000

Click here to see and download pictures.