…It’s Just A Noisy Hall, Where There’s A Nightly Brawl, And All That Jazz!”

The title comes from the Chicago Soundtrack… I’m trying to get Chicago Marathon fever now that training has officially started!

Robert was getting some stick from the others for his choice of route tonight. Yes it had it’s faults, I agree, but I like a challenge and I would never head out to run a difficult route like this myself. So thanks Robert, I appreciated it!

I decided to run to and from Kilbarchan AAC temporary HQ tonight. With the Chicago Marathon slowly approaching, it’s time to start and up my mileage. So after a total of 15 miles, here’s the stats…

18:40 2 miles 15:13

1 7:38 2 7:36  Average 7:37 min/miles

19:13 11:09 miles 1:31:00

1 8:19 2 9:01 3 9:37 4 10:16 5 8:05 6 8:15 7 7:57 8 7:34 9 7:27 10 7:03 11 6:51 .09 0:36 (6:48 pace)  Average 8:13 min/miles

20:48 2 miles 15:13

1 7:43 2 7:30  Average 7:37 min/miles

Firstly, how bizarre! My two, two mile runs were exactly the same time - although not the same route! I probably had to work a bit harder for the second one though. I didn’t feel as though the initial 2 miles were particularly detrimental to my main run, and it couldn’t have been a tougher run!

I can now confirm that the route we took last week, did indeed come back down again. I know this because we ran up it today! The first seven miles or so were almost all trail tonight and I loved it. On a good down hill stretch I was in my element, flying down steps and over tree roots. I left the others behind a wee bit, although had to keep stopping to check directions, and was really enjoying myself. I suspect I paid for the speed a little later though when we hit the (also hilly) roads.

Robert was in his school PE teacher mode tonight and kept the group together whilst on the trail. This meant a lot of slowing and/or stopping at times but I liked the team spirit. I guess my days as a rugby player have left me with, said team spirit. I was just disappointed when we finished and didn’t all down copious amounts of beer, with the man of the run being forced to down a pint in one whilst standing on a chair, pouring anything they didn’t finish over their heads! 

Anyway, enough of my run, some things deserve a special mention. Anybody that knows Debs and Marco (aka Sonic, and no, he hasn’t finally posted his WHWR report!) really should click here! Sincere congratulations to you both!

It’s my four year wedding anniversary tomorrow. I came home from my run to find a card behind my door. Mrs pacepusher had left it with someone, and they had posted it whilst I was out. A nice surprise! At least I won’t be alone tomorrow evening. I’m heading to Yorkshire for a long weekend to see Mum and Dad. I’m going to the Open Golf Championship on Friday, horse racing at Ripon on Saturday, the cricket Test Match on Sunday, then playing golf on Monday. I might also have a wee beer… I need to celebrate our anniversary, and Deb’s and Marco’s great news!

Tonight I met Boyracer for a run. It was supposed to be a nice easy run, but asking Boyracer to run slowly would be like asking Sonic to blog his West Highland Way Race report… it’s not going to happen!

20:39 5.41 miles 38:58

1 7:26 2 7:11 3 7:05 4 7:13 5 7:10 .41 2:53 (7:04 pace)  Average 7:12 min/miles

As it was we didn’t do too bad. We even managed not to push for a sub 6:00 minute final mile like normal. Boyracer has been away for a two week holiday, and despite running on the beach a few times, tonight he was struggling. For the first time ever, he admitted to being exhausted during the final mile! I think he has been replaced by an impostor… “who are you and what have you done with Boyracer?”

After the run, we both popped off to see the Booksellers. Baby Bookseller was asleep, but it was nice to catch up with the grown-ups! Mrs Bookseller even provided the pathetically tired runners with freshly made banana loaf - excellent! Thank you.  

The self acclaimed West Highland Way DJ (Subversive Runner - Dave Waterman) has posted a musical request for me. I asked for a song by one of my favourite bands, The Polyphonic Spree. Mr Subversive picked the track ‘Soldier Girl’. This song holds a special place in my heart. It was during a random trip to London to see the band that me and Mrs pacepusher decided to get married. This song was an early favourite of us both, and right now, the lyric “she’s so far away” couldn’t be more appropriate. Thanks Dave. To watch the video, click here.

About that visit to London… the gig was random. Firstly, we had a surprise support set from Scottish band Mull Historical Society (another band we both like). They were playing in London over the next couple of nights and fancied a warm up gig. Waiting for The Spree to take the stage, a wee guy walked on in a white robe (the old Spree uniform). This wee guy turned out to be Frank Skinner who did a stand-up routine. The band were as always, awesome, and as we had no accommodation, we found a random club to waste away the night, followed by a greasy cafe for breakfast. We were then the only ones requesting alcohol on an early morning flight to Glasgow that was full of business men (…and probably women!). The trip cost a fortune and was worth every penny! Don’t worry, although we agreed to get married over fried egg butties, I did do the romantic thing a few months down the line once I had the ring… you can ask Mrs pacepusher about what I did.

How long’s she been away? Is she not due home yet? …what? …two weeks on Thursday? …better start tidying the house then!

I was a little nervous about tonight’s session. I haven’t done speed work proper for about 6 weeks and had no idea how the legs would hold up.

19:13 8.57 miles 1:12:13

7 mins - 6:21m/m (2 mins recovery) 6 mins - 6:27m/m (2 mins) 5 mins - 6:12m/m (2 mins) 4 mins - 6:13m/m (2 mins) 3 mins - 5:56m/m (1 min) 2 mins - 5:50m/m (1 min) 1 min - 5:15m/m (1 min) 1 min - 5:19m/m (1 min) 1 min - 5:49m/m

I didn’t need to worry. I ran well and the legs held out fine. I’d forgotten how tough these sessions are though!

Meeting at the temporary Kilbarchan HQ didn’t effect things too much. It was a slightly longer warm up but that’s no bad thing. These sessions are always hard, but when the intervals get steadily shorter in time, the pace tends to get steadily quicker, and as tiredness kicks in, the shorter intervals become as painful as the longer ones!

I enjoyed the session, and was at the front of the pack for most of the intervals. I know I gave my all throughout as I had nothing left for the final minute. As you can see from my pace, it was considerably slower than the first couple of minute reps. I feel now that my legs are pretty much back to their old self and that normal service can resume. That means though unfortunately that I also need to return to 20 mile long weekend runs again soon!

I saw John M, who’s been on his holidays to the States, and a couple of others for the first time since the WHWR tonight. This gave me free reign to relive the whole run again - excellent!

Nothing much to report tonight really, except that pacepusher is back!

Finally, ever had problems opening your mail? Can’t find that letter opener when you need it? Try this solution…

I was supposed to do two runs with Crazyboy this weekend. A shorter run on Saturday evening, and a longer run on Sunday. It didn’t quite go to plan…

Saturday 16:13 6 miles 44:36

1 7:34 2 7:31 3 7:33 4 7:24 5 7:52 6 6:42  Average 7:26 min/miles

I arrived at the Crazyboy household at 4pm as requested. The plan was to run, and then be back in time for the Olympic trials on the BBC. We chose the hilly 6 mile route which takes in Pollock Park, and a shortish section of trail. Crazyboy was struggling a little after a tough week at work, a lack of sleep due to Baby Crazyboy and a lurking cold. I had to slow a couple of times to let him catch up with me, and he just had nothing left to follow me over the last mile. He was struggling with getting salt in his eyes. As he wears glasses, this is often a problem.  When we got back to the house his eyes were bloodshot and looked like something created by the special effects department for a horror movie! It was a lovely evening and I enjoyed the run, and as planned, we were back for the athletics.

Dwain Chambers won the 100m which now leaves his Olympic dream in the hands of the courts. I’m not sure how I feel about this. He cheated, he took steroids, but he’s done his time. As long as testing is now showing him as clean, should he not be allowed to participate? That said, what about the guys that have trained for years drug free? should they not get priority? What if his previous steroid use has made him the athlete he is today? It’s a tough call, and I can’t decide how I feel about it. 

We stayed up too late and consumed too much lager that night. That said, Crazyboy fell asleep on the sofa,  spilling his drink down himself, and myself and Mrs Crazyboy were left watching car crash TV in the form of ‘Ibiza Uncovered’. We were planning nasty things to do to Crazyboy that we could video and publish on ‘You Tube’. My favourite option was to pick Crazyboy up, and put him in Baby Crazyboy’s play pen!

This morning Crazyboy, true to form, was a lot worse for wear than I was, and running was not an option. To be fair, he did also sound very bunged up, his cold had surfaced. We watched ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ all morning on the Paramount channel, giving him a complex. Crazyboy is just an alias after all!

Once I had finally made it home, I forced myself into my running kit, and headed off for a shorter run than planned…

Sunday 15:02 5 miles 35:32

1 7:22 2 7:24 3 7:24 4 6:52 5 6:31  Average 7:06 min/miles

Not much to report from the run. I was feeling pretty awful at first, but keeping things steady I settled into the run. I was pretty pleased with my consistent pace over the first three miles, and not surprised by the faster fourth mile as it’s pretty much downhill. The final mile split is really pleasing though as I felt really strong and could have pushed a lot harder, yet still clocked 6:31 for the mile. I plan to start my Chicago Marathon training as of tomorrow, one week later than planned. My legs were not ready last week, but I think that final mile gives me the go ahead, as long as my hip holds out.

So tomorrow night will see my return to speed work at the club. I don’t know how I’ll get on, time will tell.

I’ve just watched Jo Pavey in the 5000m Olympic Trials - she won it by a country mile. I love Jo Pavey. Not only is she an incredibly gutsy runner, but she is also training hard as a ventriloquist. She talks without opening her mouth!

See… you’re never quite sure which person on camera is talking. Just picture a big green duck on her right arm, mouth opening in time to her comments… “I ‘ate that duck!”

Have you ever seen a more inappropriate medal than this? This was the one presented to me by the Gala Queen after my attempts at the Langdale Gala Fell Race.

How exactly was the lead vehicle supposed to get up and down the fell? It is at least engraved with the correct race details on the reverse!

Anybody else received any strange or inappropriate medals/goodies after a race?

Imagine the scene. Your last lesson of the day has just cancelled on you, Deal Or No Deal has just finished with another failed attempt at winning £250, 000. You should go for a run but are struggling to find the motivation when Richard & Judy comes on…

17:10 3 miles 21:00

1 7:17 2 6:59 3 6:45  Average 7:00 min/miles

My ipod shuffle selected the perfect tune during my run again. The Enemy’s ‘Away From Here’ with the lyric “…cause it is much easier for me, to stay at home with Richard & Judy”. I’m telling you, you can’t make this stuff up!

I hit the Linwood woodland trail again today. I was feeling a little low in energy having consumed a total of about 7 Weight Watchers points since last nights run (that equates to about half an apple in comparative terms to my usual diet!), and struggled a bit throughout. The Buzzard was out hunting me from tree to tree again which is always a little unnerving but nice to see none the less. Other than that, not much to report. Except for my sore hip, but shush! Like your local Ned, I’m sure it’ll go away if I ignore it!

I realised that my comments last night could have been misinterpreted, so I’m here to set the record straight. I am not a sheep racist. I don’t just like Black Sheep. I also like white sheep, mixed race sheep, and sheep of any sexual orientation (you don’t need to make the obvious comment, I realise that could be interpreted badly!). I am however against people from Lancashire (he says tongue firmly in cheek!). Don’t get me wrong, Yorkshire has it’s bad elements, just visit Elland Road on a Saturday. Leeds United and their Fans, I don’t like them very much!

Mrs pacepusher’s teaching blog has been updated by yours truly again, to have a read about her latest experiences click here

The average pace of this run does not tell the whole story, yes it was slow, but there was a reason for that…

19:11 8.78 miles 1:10:04

1 8:42 2 8:15 3 8:36 4 7:37 5 7:57 6 7:41 7 8:42 8 7:12 .78 5:23 (6:53pace)  Average 7:59 min/miles

Meeting at the rather embarrassing new club HQ (The Sommerfield car park in Johnstone!) all the talk of tonights route seemed to involve the word, ‘up’! I protested, to no avail, and the route was set. I had no idea where we were going, other than upwards!

So for the first 5 miles that were largely into the wind, we ran up, at times very up, at other times even more up! Up, up, up until we reached the top of the Glennifer Braes. Still I thought, “at least I’ll have a few miles back down the hill”. If we did I missed them!

Leaving the road we hit some great trail, I was thinking that this would be like my second fell race, but the terrain just steadily undulated. There were a few short steep descents but I’m still trying to work out how we got from the top of the Braes, back to Kilbarchan HQ!

So that’s my longest run since that day (WHW race day, obviously!), and it didn’t feel too bad. I even managed a strong finish. Despite telling the 3 guys around me that my legs were done and I’d see them back at HQ, I ran passed them all and lead the way to the (say it quietly, other clubs may not hear us) car park.

I have to give out a ‘How Annoying?’ award tonight though. Davie, who I always thought was an intelligent man, is heading to my home county (Yorkshire) for a week. No, that’s not why I no longer think him intelligent - if you thought that you are probably from (don’t know if I can type it) Lancashire! I am questioning his intellect as he is staying in Masham. Masham houses two of the greatest breweries in the world, Theakstons and Black Sheep ales… a good reason to go there I here you say. Indeed, but… 

****History Alert****

Theakstons was originally run by two brothers. They fell out, in fact one brother fell out with the whole family, and started his own brewery. Appropriately titled, the “Black Sheep” brewery.

 ****History Alert over****

…whilst Davie will have the chance to sample these fine ales, in their finest form, fresh from the brew house… he said to me tonight? “I don’t like beer unless it’s cold and gassy”, yep, he’s a lager only man. Imagine my disgust… as a baby my bottle contained ‘bitter’ (or ‘heavy’ for my Scottish readers!) not milk!

Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh! I don’t know if I’ll sleep tonight, it’s just soooooo wrong! Anyway Davie, your certificate will be knitted by a Masham member of the WI. It will be knitted from the tastiest Sheep in the world, a  Black one! Enjoy your Fosters!

Back to Glasgow…

14:59 5 miles 35:12

1 7:07 2 7:14 3 7:12 4 6:52 5 6:47  Average 7:03 min/miles

After a few soggy days in the Lake District I was delighted to return to Glasgow today and find warm sunny weather. Heading off for my run in shorts and t-shirt, I was appreciating the temperature and the sun on my back. Imagine my surprise then when with just over a mile to go I received blows about the head and body of Mike Tyson proportions. What seemed like hail stones at first, became huge drops of water as torrential rain bucketed down on Linwood. My trainers felt more like leather walking boots and my clothing was sticking to me tighter than Skins that are two sizes too small! I was finding it hard to see where I was going,  and by the time I turned for the final stretch for home, the water level was almost as high as the kerbs. It was incredible! 

Somehow I maintained the faster pace over the final mile, but I think that was probably due to a desire to get home out of the rain, rather than a deliberate effort to run harder!

My legs are still not great. The hills were hard today (I guess as a result of the fell race), and I continue to feel like running is more of an effort than it used to be. I’m sure I’ll be back to my old self soon though!

I didn’t run yesterday. Instead I settled for the more leisurely sport of golf, at the lovely Keswick Golf Club. I used to have a handicap of 9, although regularly shot lower than that, but I haven’t played golf for at least three years so wasn’t expecting miracles. As it was I played pretty well, even managing to beat my playing partner in matchplay (although he did have to give me a few shots!).

I hit some great shots, some average shots, and some terrible shots, but most importantly really enjoyed the game. The course was lovely, with some fantastic holes, the par 3, 16th being perhaps the signature hole. The views of the hills were fantastic throughout the round, especially during the short section of sunshine we were blessed with!

The course has no bunkers. The reason for this is that it’s part of the National Park, and therefore planning permission is required, and causes a problem. They use the natural amount of water available in the Lake District to cause plenty of other hazards though!

Thankfully we were really lucky with the weather and stayed relatively dry, and after sinking a few putts, we headed into the clubhouse to sink a few beers. Thus leading to me spending an extra night away from home, and missing the running club last night!

Thanks to Mrs pacepusher’s Aunt and Uncle for putting up with me this weekend. Although I can guarantee that they won’t read this unless someone shows them it, or prints it off for them. The mobile phone is still a piece of technology too far for them, so the internet is just beyond their powers of imagination!

It was pointed out by Debs that I may have spelt Caroline’s name wrong during a part of my WHWR video. You are in fact mistaken. Caroline in fact has an Austrian cousin called, Craoline, who looks very much like her, and was kind enough to come across to Scotland to support me during the race. Thank you Craoline, and thanks Debs… she may never have noticed!

Anyway, here I am sitting in the bar of the lodges I am staying in this weekend in the Lake District. With beer in hand and lap top connected to the real world, here’s my latest running tales…

Thursday 0 miles, Friday 0 miles, Saturday 0 miles, Sunday…

11:08 4 miles 28:01

1 6:51 2 6:47 3 7:05 4 7:18  Average 7:00 min/miles

This was a pretty hilly route, actually, I’m in the Lakes, it was a very hilly route. Well the first two miles were anyway. I didn’t feel like I was really pushing things, but with the first two splits, the undulations, and the way I tired as the miles went on, I was clearly faster than I should have been. Still I enjoyed running somewhere new and was pleased with my pace overall. I’m sure the tiredness in the latter stages is still a result of the WHWR… and a few beers the day before!

…anyway, in the afternoon, I came 14th in my first ever fell race!

15:05 1.27 miles 18:04

…14th out of 18 competitors that is!

If you’ve ever seen the Father Ted episode which involves the Craggy Island Gala Day, you may appreciate a little about the Langdale Gala Day. The announcer had a dry voice, and the announcements were always informative, “there’s only one tomato plant left now!” The stalls and the events were also comical, tombolas etc. filled the stalls, and as for the events… there was the vintage car display (4 cars), the dog show (not many dogs worth showing), the falconry display, in which the bird just looked at the guy and said “no, I won’t fly and get that meat, you’ll bring it to me!” Then, there was the traditional Cumbrian Wrestling. Two guys hug each other until one can’t take the lovin’ anymore, they then lose and the winner goes off to hug the next competitor! If this was performed by women it might have attracted my attentions, but as it was I was off to find the registration tent. 

There’s a history regarding Lake District Gala/Sports Days, and the beginning of Fell Races. I can’t remember the exact details, and don’t want to bore you with the details, but I felt that this was the time to give fell running a try!

Signing up I asked what the standard was, “there’s not many applied you should have a good chance”, I corrected him, and pointed out the reason for the question was not that I expected to win, but that I didn’t want to embarrass myself!

So standing on the start line I looked up the hill and waited for the word go! The uphill burns, my calves are still on fire now, but the downhill was great fun. I didn’t have the kind of fell shoes that allow you to just let rip, and wasn’t going to kill myself running for fun. Myself and a guy running just behind me both had the same problem. He passed me approaching the bottom of the hill. It wasn’t deliberate, he fell, shouting, “coming through left”, and continued to basically fall till the road at the bottom! I tried to catch him, and almost did, sprinting downhill on thickish grass, looking something like Phoebe from friends, arms and legs swinging out of control. Unfortunately though, like parachute jumping, the best bit was over too quickly. It takes ages to get up, and no time at all to get down. However, it was so much fun I was on a high for ages!

It cost me three pounds to get into the gala. Registration for the race was free, and I got sports drink and a medal for competing. In the words of Mastercard, “participation… priceless!”

You know I love randomness!

The kids these days say, “it’s all gravy”, meaning, ‘it’s all good’. However, if my dinner arrived and it was, ‘all gravy’ - no Yorkshire puddings,  roast beef et. al. (you can tell I’m a Yorkshire boy, I put the puddings first!) - It would not be, ‘all good’! Thus the saying is incorrect. From now on, could the youth of today please state that it is in fact, “a full sunday lunch with gravy.”

Thank you