Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I've never run a 10K or really wanted to. But with the help of my son we are running to raise money for this great cause. I've worked alot with children in schools and of course have five kids myself, and I have like most taken time to make learning a better experience. But this is small compared to the trials these kids face ;Educate the Kids help children who have absolutely nothing and little hope.This charity helps not only give them hope, but a means to be able to change their lives forever. From small beginnings children who had nothing now have a place to live a loving environment and a school to learn how to make their world a better place permanently.
My final report the race
THE last thing I was asked to do before the race was enjoy myself – bizarre, I know, considering the distance involved and the gale-force wind awaiting me, but I was determined to at least appreciate the moment, writes Graham Winkle.
I’ve always remembered these words from a certain starship captain: "Time is a friend that goes with us along the way to help us appreciate every moment that we have... as it may never come again."
I pondered this quote a few times as I battled my way round the Mey 10k route last Sunday. Of course, a number of other things came to mind too like – "Why am I doing this?" "Stop overtaking me", "What an amazing array of people there are here", "I’ve never seen people running to get to Scarfskerry", "Come on run", "Kids in Africa struggle with life, not just a strong wind"... and so on.
Before the race began I was asked by the amiable Willie Mackay what sort of time I was hoping for, and I quipped that I hoped I would be "back before nightfall". As the strong wind whipped the trees behind me I was hoping those words wouldn’t come back to haunt me.
My fellow featured runners looked fit and ready and I hoped I wouldn’t let the side down as I shuffled to the back of the field and waited for the start. Nearly a minute after the start we reached the start line and we were away.
I told myself to stay calm as an explosion of relief and excitement hit me as I ran away from the castle walls. (I wonder how many have said that in the distant past?) The wind was nasty and in the face for the first half of the race.
I was struggling to keep up with my son, but I kept an eye on him for as long as I could. After trying to follow what looked like experienced runners for the first 5k and joking with those using me as a windbreak, I finally found my own comfortable pace and began to appreciate the moment.
Like a force of nature this meandering line of runners showed as much courage and effort as any group of runners, athletes or explorers could.
I was in undiscovered country myself over the last mile, but buoyed by this feeling of unity and a friendly running companion I began to enjoy it!
Of course that moment has gone now a week on from the race and the thing you immediately judge yourself or others on is the time.
I was pleased with my time (66 minutes), even more pleased in my son’s time (56 minutes) and delighted that I had run, not stopped, and enjoyed the total experience.
Well done everyone who took part and thanks for the support I had, particularly from my family.
I believe that time is the most important thing because it helps you appreciate the journey and only you know what that has been. I wonder if I would say that if I won?
To the winners and in fact everyone, you have my admiration forever.
And as for my future? Yes, I’ll carry on running to support my son who seems to have caught the bug. I’ll run to support my cause and perhaps I’ll strive to do a marathon, but mostly I’ll try to enjoy myself and how it makes me feel.
THE last thing I was asked to do before the race was enjoy myself – bizarre, I know, considering the distance involved and the gale-force wind awaiting me, but I was determined to at least appreciate the moment, writes Graham Winkle.
I’ve always remembered these words from a certain starship captain: "Time is a friend that goes with us along the way to help us appreciate every moment that we have... as it may never come again."
I pondered this quote a few times as I battled my way round the Mey 10k route last Sunday. Of course, a number of other things came to mind too like – "Why am I doing this?" "Stop overtaking me", "What an amazing array of people there are here", "I’ve never seen people running to get to Scarfskerry", "Come on run", "Kids in Africa struggle with life, not just a strong wind"... and so on.
Before the race began I was asked by the amiable Willie Mackay what sort of time I was hoping for, and I quipped that I hoped I would be "back before nightfall". As the strong wind whipped the trees behind me I was hoping those words wouldn’t come back to haunt me.
My fellow featured runners looked fit and ready and I hoped I wouldn’t let the side down as I shuffled to the back of the field and waited for the start. Nearly a minute after the start we reached the start line and we were away.
I told myself to stay calm as an explosion of relief and excitement hit me as I ran away from the castle walls. (I wonder how many have said that in the distant past?) The wind was nasty and in the face for the first half of the race.
I was struggling to keep up with my son, but I kept an eye on him for as long as I could. After trying to follow what looked like experienced runners for the first 5k and joking with those using me as a windbreak, I finally found my own comfortable pace and began to appreciate the moment.
Like a force of nature this meandering line of runners showed as much courage and effort as any group of runners, athletes or explorers could.
I was in undiscovered country myself over the last mile, but buoyed by this feeling of unity and a friendly running companion I began to enjoy it!
Of course that moment has gone now a week on from the race and the thing you immediately judge yourself or others on is the time.
I was pleased with my time (66 minutes), even more pleased in my son’s time (56 minutes) and delighted that I had run, not stopped, and enjoyed the total experience.
Well done everyone who took part and thanks for the support I had, particularly from my family.
I believe that time is the most important thing because it helps you appreciate the journey and only you know what that has been. I wonder if I would say that if I won?
To the winners and in fact everyone, you have my admiration forever.
And as for my future? Yes, I’ll carry on running to support my son who seems to have caught the bug. I’ll run to support my cause and perhaps I’ll strive to do a marathon, but mostly I’ll try to enjoy myself and how it makes me feel.
Final result -details in John O Groats Journal
Three featured runners had done all of the hard work and readers had followed them in the paper over the last four months. They did not disappoint, with excellent performances on the day. Maxine Whale was first in 1.04.57 and Graham Winkle next in 1.06.07, followed by Kirsty Mackay in 1.10.30. They can all now proudly call themselves runners.
Introduction to Graham
Graham is a children’s author and singer song writer of the poorer variety, but with plenty of enthusiasm and hope for the future. He is known locally as the author of ‘Loch Mey Monster’ and lives on a croft overlooking Loch Mey in Scarfskerry with his wife, 5 kids and a selection of various farm animals. He also manages a small interactive classic book system and his wife runs a small soap business and teaches part time. Their lives are constantly engaged with education and children. So this charity really strikes a chord wit
h them He has spent the last nine years here in Caithness. His working career has included time with the Fire Service, Custodian of a Castle, Journalist in a local newspaper, a Staff Trainer for Cornwall Job Centres and a Gardener at The Castle Of Mey. This was a strange preparation for life on a smallholding but he still loves it all the same.
This keeps him reasonably fit but his 47 year old body is beginning to feel the effects of age and his love of sports in his younger days. However he felt that with the Castle of Mey 10K taking place literally on his doorstep, it is the ideal time to give himself a new challenge, and one he cannot ignore.
Graham Winkle
Training this week: what, where, when and with whom?
Week 13 – After the strain of several months of training I’ve been dreaming of a beautiful sun-soaked beach, so here we are at Dunnet beach for this week’s training. We have run three days this week for five miles, two miles and five miles again. I trained with my son this week and most of it in beautiful sunshine.
Week 14 – Well done everyone! This is the last report before the race and I’m really pleased I’ve got this far. If you are running too then good luck, and thanks for reading my rambles every other week, I hope they’ve helped in some way... laughter is good for you.
This week we have continued on the beach and have run for 45 minutes, 40 minutes and 65 minutes. Also did a few miles cycling. I really hope this is enough as I have gone off schedule to protect my body a bit.
I trained with my son this week at various times in the evening and he has also suffered with a cold recently. Poor thing.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned?
Week 13 – We had planned to run more days this week but I find my body does not recover quickly enough to make this possible. So we have decided to start running on the beach to protect my creaking knee and hip.
Week 14 – Birthdays, children, animals, gardening, work and all usually come before training and this week has been no different. This has sometimes meant we have trained at different times, but we have still done it.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 13 – The first five-mile run we did this week was the hardest run I have had for the whole period I’ve been training. I felt completely shattered after the run – the wind was gale force the sand was heavy and I was finding it difficult to breath. However, the recovery from this was the positive. I had half the aches and pains and felt much better overall.
Week 14 – I’ve felt a bit lethargic and I had a bout of asthma, but I’m not sure what brought it on. Oh well" Really enjoyed running down the beautiful Dunnet beach, I feel quite lucky to live here at times.
Are you seeing improvements in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 13 – Hard to compare this week as we’ve been running on a different surface. But my breathing is still not as it was before the cold virus.
Week 14 – My breathing is more difficult with this touch of asthma but bearable, which is nice to know.
Any injuries/concerns?
Are you feeling any benefits as a result of the training – health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 13 – After this week’s training I feel much happier as I’ve been able to do some decent miles but have not suffered the side effects.
Week 14 – I feel I still have the capacity to improve my physical endurance and hope to continue to do this after the race. I’ve learned a lot about myself during the course of my training and I have hopes for more challenges in the future.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 13 – I really appreciate the time running gives me to relax mentally. I hope to carry on after the race as I do enjoy it in a strange way.
I was asked this week if I was going to run in a "Loch Mey Monster" suit ? Unfortunately I don’t have one any more and if I did I’m sure my son would run nowhere near me.
Week 14 – I can hardly believe how far I have been since the start of my training, literally I’ve run several marathons. More than this I’ve found a new door open for experiences for myself and my family.
I have found my training difficult, frustrating and at times enjoyable. I’ve found some limits I didn’t know I had and some strengths that I’ve not been using.
I’ve had some great experiences with my son, wife and the rest of the family and I’ve found that Caithness has a rich beauty that can only be discovered while running at strange times throughout the evening. My three goals for the race were to finish, to finish without stopping, and to make under 60 minutes. My last goal has been changed to 70 minutes.
I’ll be pleased with any or all of them as I’ve not achieved them in a race situation before, especially when I consider my struggle to run for more than two or three minutes a few months back.
Report 6 - Weeks 11 & 12
Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?
Week 11 - Well, I’m not sure what to write this week as I’m not sure that you want to hear the details of this cold virus. It must have been flu of course!!
I’ve not been able to train or exercise in any way and have been setting new goals for the 10K to keep me in a positive frame of mind. My running partner has been unable to run for over two weeks so we’re not in the best of shape, but we will not give up.
Week 12 - The sun is shining and it’s the last day of the children’s holidays. I’m still struggling with this cold a little, but we decide to run down to the beach about a mile. The weather and the rest of the family are with me it’s an effort to breath clearly and my body still feels like I’ve been hit by a large bus, but we made it!
After a day’s rest we run two and a half miles along our road.
Another days rest and we tackle five miles around the loch. Ran with my son this week who seems to be recovering slowly too.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.
Week 11 - The cold virus, small comfort to see it’s rained all week so I didn’t miss any good weather.
Week 12 - No, apart from horrible weather. We were pleased to get going again so we made it a priority.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 11 - No training!
Week 12 - I feel I’ve lost some conditioning and my breathing is still not quite right. The doctor tells me there is nothing in my lungs so it’s purely superficial. My high was too start running again and to have the family around supporting me along the way.
Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 11 - No.
Week 12 - The speed work I had done has totally left me so I’ll be adjusting my targets for the race week by week. To finish would be good!
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 11 - This may be a positive as any aches and pains I have may have a chance to recover. Doesn’t feel like it though as everything aches right now.
Week 12 - No, just keep taking the hot baths.
Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 11 - Not at the moment.
Week 12 - I’m not back to full health yet so it’s difficult to assess but to be able to run 5 miles after 10 days of doing nothing is pleasing.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 11 - A few years ago I came down with pneumonia and the effects of that lasted for months and were very frustrating. As I contemplate another week with this virus I’m frustrated, but it’s also made me realise how important completing the 10K is to me.
Week 12 - I’m beginning to feel nervous about the run it’s creeping up on me. I really need to think about getting my sponsor forms out for ‘Educate the Kids’ too so watch out! Received a message this week from an old friend who reminded me “I was lucky to be able to run as he could not, following a heart attack”…I decided to take the more.
Report 5 - Weeks 9 & 10
Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?
Week 9 – One of my problems with long distance running has always been the boredom and monotony of just pushing my legs out again and again. However, this week I have run around most of the Mey 10K course and it wasn’t too monotonous.
How did I break the monotony? Well not surprisingly I listened to the radio on my mobile, but I could only clearly get Caithness FM! So I have listened to a surprisingly… varied selection of music, thanks guys.
My schedule included; A three mile run, a half hour tempo run and a 5 mile run. Again I ran alone as my family all seem to have the after effect of a nasty cold or two!
Week 10 – Calamity strikes I seemed to have picked up the cold virus which has gone into my chest!
I ran 3 miles fairly easily on the first day of the week.
I ran 2 and a half miles in 25 minutes, but I felt really exhausted.
I haven’t run since …I could moan about how I feel and how annoying it is, but instead I just feel fed up, and worried about achieving my goals. Oh well, be positive!
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.
Week 9 – Too much gardening this week trying to get the smallholding ready for the year ahead has given me less time to do everything else. So my running times have become later and later in the evening.
Week 10 – It snowed which was bizarre considering the heat wave.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 9 – Tempo run was difficult again I’m beginning to doubt I can do consistent 10 minute miles or less.
5 mile run was easier than I thought! 5 miles is the most I’ve run before [without stopping] and I could have gone on and on. I felt completely energised by the achievement! Yes!!.
Week 10 – I enjoyed running this week until the cold struck me down.
High; I began to feel I was speeding up a little!
Low: I couldn’t run as I couldn’t breathe properly!
Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 9 – My distance running is improving but my speed is not which is quite frustrating, but I prefer to see the positive side.
Week 10 – I continued to feel better and more comfortable and particularly enjoyed training off my normal road. I felt the speed was just beginning to come, but I miss not having my son around to push me on a bit more.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 9 – I used to own some years ago a beautiful painted horse called Bailey, who trod on my big toe and cracked the bone it.[That’s not the reason I don’t have him now] That toe has been aching badly this week and it’s now become more difficult to push of that foot.
Week 10 – Apart from this cold virus I’m okay.
Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 9 – I have felt better in general for the last 2 weeks now. Even though 2 colds and some other virus have swept through the household I’m still standing, or rather running.
Week 10 – Yes, I was able to garden, run around playing basketball and even scramble round for hours trying to help our new born lambs and their first time mother get together properly. Two tiny lambs now quite content.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 9 – When I first came too Caithness I always loved this time of year when the geese prepare for their long trip north. [Of course seeing them gathered in huge flocks in the sky was my inspiration for Loch Mey Monster] As I ran this week pondering on the endurance needed for 10k I heard the geese flying overhead and realised, my journey was nothing compared to theirs.
Week 10 – Thanks to Caithness FM for entertaining me between 9pm and 10pm.
Nothing more annoying than putting in the hours and being held back by bad health.
As I’m running these longer distances looking at the fields and dimly lit houses around me it does seem like nothing compared to the hours put in by farmers and all every day.
Report 4 - Weeks 7 & 8
Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?
Week 7 - The week began quite brightly, the warmth outside is a welcome support. My training partners played badminton to start the week, I decided to rest from that and let my knee fully recover. My son and I did a 3 mile run to start my week moving, but after that I was alone completing a 30 minute tempo run and another 4 mile run to end the week.
We still run on the same mile and a quarter long road outside our front gate, but we aim to mix this up a bit as the miles and repetition build up. I tried a couple of the runs during the day too.
Week 8 - Sometime during my forties my ability to recover from smacking a shuttlecock around a badminton court has mysteriously disappeared. Badminton on day one with Jordan and then nothing until 3 days later; a 2 ½ mile run on a beautiful cloudless night lit by multiple stars and a misty aurora streak across the sky . Finished the week with a 3 mile run.
Last 2 days trained alone.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.
Week 7 - Everyone seemed to get a cold this week as the warm weather seems to have also increased the number of germs, running through the corridors of our local schools and playgroup. So I need to fill in of course in areas where my wife would usually do so much. Running alone is not so easy especially as the miles and boredom begin to increase.
Week 8 - Well…yes; My training partners are still struggling with a cold. I came back from badminton, aching again. I caught some sort of illness that raised my temperature for a few days and gave me a lovely headache to go with it. My youngest is lying on the couch suffering with it now, poor thing.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 7 – I felt fine this week as long as the longer distances were done at a slow pace I was fine. I tried running quicker for my 30 minute run and managed to do 3 miles which was good, but I could not have gone another step!
Week 8 -. High; is the warmth and sunshine it really lifts you. It’s great to be out in it !
Low point is; my poor kids and wife suffering with different coughs and colds and my lack of ability to recover from exercise as I did in my youth is also a low.
Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 7 – I am finding the longer distance easier as long as I start of nice and slowly and don’t’ force myself to speed up. Strangely I run faster during the day than at night, perhaps I become more self- conscious I’m not sure.
Week 8 - It was hard to measure how well I was progressing this week as I didn’t really feel 100% in general.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 7 – My legs are feeling better overall my feet are taking a pounding of course, but the hot bath works wonders. I had a pain in the hip that appeared part way through a run and almost made me stop, but eventually it went. Feels a bit hot and sore now. Hips…I didn’t realise I was getting that old! ;]
Week 8 - No injuries that really concern me just hope the joints hold together really. I want to shake off this ‘bug’ I have so I can really attack the longer distances.
Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 7 – Overall I’d say I was feeling better and the fact I look forward to going out now is an improvement.
Week 8 - Hard to tell this week but overall yes I’d say I had more energy.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 7 – I didn’t realise my picture would appear here ‘every’ 2 weeks! [sorry about that] It meant I was recognised a couple of times this week. Which was fine and I therefore heard some great accounts of other peoples running achievements… They were inspiring and at worst entertaining you never know what great potential and experience is out there. Thanks.
Week 8 - Despite it being a rough week I feel eager to regain full health and test myself on the longer miles ahead.
Someone asked me if I was running for charity or myself. Both really, but more importantly for charity. The Cash for kids is a great cause and my other chosen charity ‘Educate The Kids’ who do great work in some dangerous areas in Africa.
Report 3 - Weeks 5 & 6
Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?
Week 5 - Well this was a spectacular week for viewing the sky at night; Venus, Jupiter, Mars and all looked down upon us meandering along our beautifully flat road at Scarfskerry, once more. Our road here is part of the 10K course so I hope the fact that it’s ‘flat’ inspires you a little.
We decided on three 30 minute runs this week which filled me with some trepidation immediately, but determined to follow the plan I ran with; Rebecca, my wife on Monday. And after spending Monday night playing badminton, Jordan and my daughter, Gaby joined us on Wednesday and Friday.
Week 6 - A snowstorm welcomed us in week six as the wind hammered hail and snow into our inadequately dressed bodies. We were looking forward to starting the week with some speed work and something a bit different;
- Day 1 - Badminton
- Day 2 - Rest
- Day 3 - 4 x 400 metres
- Day 4 - 3 Miles
- Day 5 - 30 mins tempo
- Day 6 - 4 miles
- Day 7 - Rest.
We all trained together most of the week but my wife and daughter who are not competing in the Mey 10K, opted out of the longer distances.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.
Week 5 – We still seem to go out at various times in the darkness as organising, dinner, kids clubs, lessons, bed times, feeding animals, business, and all never really work out the same on any day. I also feel extremely tired this week doing battle with some general fence maintenance and gardening leaves me feeling extremely…rough!.
Week 6 - I only planned in one day of rest this week and a night of relaxing badminton. I last played badminton 20 years ago and of course thought I could do the same as I did back then. Some of which I did of course. Sadly my; arms, back, knees and hips all screamed at me for a several days afterwards so the day after became, a rest day too…
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 5 – I felt I couldn’t make the first run this week but my wife got me out the door. I went at double slow speed, but after about 15 minutes I suddenly felt fine again and was able to run as normal. The second run was much the same slow, slower, normal. The third run I started off feeling cold and wished for “Thermal Long Johns” and finished having enjoyed the run more than ever…Who needs’ soaps’ on TV? Life and death is all here in a night’s run.
Week 6 -. Apart from straining a few muscles playing badminton I felt the best I have since the beginning. Really enjoyed badminton and the long runs. My worst night was the 4x 400metre runs I really couldn’t pace myself very well. I kept starting too quickly and was almost out of breath by 300 metres each time. It didn’t help that snow and wind was lashing in our faces throughout the night.
Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 5 – The last run was a great improvement and I felt I could have gone on and on.
Week 6 - My speed is picking up a little and once I get through the first ten minute breathing becomes quite easy.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 6 - I have an old knee ligament injury that didn’t trouble me until I played badminton. But I put some support on it for the runs and it was fine. I’ll remember not to dive around in badminton again!
Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 5 – I can run much further of course but my energy seems sapped for anything else. I think I may be toning down I’m not really sure. Is weight going on or off? A bit of both depending which part of my body I look at. Mentally I’m sharper I just have no energy to make it work for me yet.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 5 – Well I’m hoping I’ve turned a corner in my progress my last run seemed much better and yes I really enjoyed it…for a moment.
Stunning and beautiful, if I don't take up running after the Mey 10K maybe I'll take up Astronomy; Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and all clear as day! Even saw the biggest piece of space debris/meteorite burn out across the sky. You’ve got to love Caithness!
Week 6 - Finally, yes I do feel healthier this week!
Report 2 - Weeks 3 & 4
Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?
Week 3 - Well here we are for another report on this the week that moves us up to the heady heights of; three eleven minute runs! However, our training this week has been really disjointed. I was away in England for a few days and managed to pick up a cold [Unusually it was colder there than it was here.] so I trained once with Jordan and once on my own. I thought about the third run this week, but that was about as far as it got. My head, eyes and ultimately whole body felt extremely rough so running was out of the question.
Week 4 - We were supposed to move on to 20 minute runs this week, but we missed another day with a cold so we decided to do one day of 11 minute cycles and one day 20 minutes. I ran one day with my wife and one day with Jordan. My daughter has decided to join us on some of the runs too. So we break up into two groups one slightly slower than the other depending on how we feel.
We started to run down to the local harbour from our house to give us a bit more interest. It’s also very dark and without a torch between us we ran into a passing place on the road… But, we thought we were still in the middle of road and nearly dive over someone’s wall as we reached the end of the passing area! Anyway, it did give the ran more interest.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.
Week 3 - We all got colds this week and I had to be away for a few days and when I got back everyone had a cold. It was difficult to know exactly when to restart and the longer we put it off the easier it seemed not to go.
Week 4 - After a having a cold for a few days it was hard to get back into it.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 3 – I really noticed the difference in having just one minute in-between the three running cycles. My breathing seemed to cope quite well, but my legs were feeling the effects by the time I got to the last eleven minutes I could feel my thigh muscles really tightening up.
Week 4 - Surprisingly after not running for 4 or 5 days I felt fine and got straight back into it, I was really pleased that I managed the 20 minute run without a problem. However, I’m still quite slow and don’t feel confident about increasing my speed until the end is in sight.
Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 3 – Depending on the wind conditions we seem to travel a little further each night, but my speed still seems somewhere between slow and stop. Apart from the first three or four minutes my breathing is fine.
Week 4 - My breathing is much better overall, and even running with a high wind into my face it manages to regulate itself.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 3 – I think I ache less in general this week and the new trainers are helping.
Week 4 - My thigh muscles are aching more consistently now so I’ve started to stretch them out more and hope that resolves it as it did my calf muscles.
Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 3 – Still feeling quite tired the day after the run and coming down with a cold feel even worse. Once I’m into the run though I feel much better.
Week 4 - I actually felt more active the day after the 20 minute run for the first time!
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 3 – It seems no matter how I felt before each run it bears little comparison to how well the run goes. In general, there is a good response from everyone about my participation in the run. Some I think are just pleased they are not doing it. Someone asked me what the point of running was as ‘we all only had so many’ heartbeats?’ I told them that the general idea was to give yourself a few more…
Week 4 - I’m really enjoying the experience and the challenge. I’ve enjoyed seeing some beautiful clear nights and a hazy sighting of the aurora too. I’m sure I don’t need to run to spend good time with the family, but the sense of achieving something together is quite nice.
Report 1 - Weeks 1 & 2
Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?
Week 1 - This week we were doing three 8 minute runs with a 2 minute walk in-between and at the beginning and end. We usually run in the evening about 7pm onwards along the single track road in front of our house, that runs between the main John O Groats road and Scarfskerry. Three of us run together my wife, Rebecca and Jordan my son who is also running the 10K.
Week 2 - Training on the road again this week in 9 minute cycles on some beautiful star lit freezing evenings. My daughter joined us for one night this week and ran along with my wife and found out how much fitter her mum was now. My son and I went ahead a little to see if we could go any faster, I could, but 9 minutes was my limit!
One night I had to run alone as my wife had a cold and my son was playing badminton. So with a number of extra things to do I almost put it off, but decided to go at about 10pm! I set off too quickly and almost ran out of breath after three or four minutes. Fortunately I found my steady slow rhythm again and despite feeling every moment of the run more intensely than ever, I made it with energy to spare…phew.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned? Explain.
Week 1 - Whatever happens at the moment we get out of the door sometime during the evening. Dropping of children to various friend’s houses, picking up others from sports clubs at the high school and making sure we can get everyone together for something to eat can be awkward but not insurmountable. Helping with homework and reading to our youngest before bed after a draining run, is not as easy though.
Week 2 - We’ve been fairly flexible with our running times so far, they all take place in the evening but vary from 5pm to 10pm. However the desire weakens the more the evening goes on with the rigours of making sure dinner, homework, baths for the little ones, piano lessons, youth nights and so on still happening.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week 1 - Before the run I have felt quite lethargic this week, but as I get out into the freezing night gale I feel more invigorated. The first 8 minute run is the most difficult and I find myself looking at the watch for the end. But the next 2 runs are great and I feel I could have kept going. I even managed to sprint at the end of the final run as I tried to keep up with my son. Of course he sprinted ahead but I was pleased anyway.
Week 2 - I had some new training shoes arrive this week which added a spring to my step. I had no pain in the calves at all. Strangely the only concern I had [apart from the obvious lack of breath if I speeded up] was my right arm felt uncomfortable being held in the regular running position, all the time. Letting it hang down didn’t really help and looked fairly odd so I’ll have to try something else.
Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?
Week 1 - I have found a slow speed that I think I could keep going for hours and my breathing is fine. But if I push up to a faster speed I struggle to keep the 8 minutes going. I really find I must start off slowly and build up or I begin to breathe heavily and feel uncomfortable.
Week 2 - Although I have been trying not to notice the distance I go each night and concentrate on the time spent running I am slowly getting further on our route. The road is exactly 1 and1/4 miles long so I have passed 2 and 1/2 miles now.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week 1 - I had a lot of trouble with my calf muscles this week they would ache before I started and became quite painful during the run But, I’ve found stretching them more before and after have really helped. In general I ache a bit all over and I have to say showers don’t do it for me at the moment, I need a good bath!
Week 2 - I had a real concern about my knee when I started as I have a long term injury there, but so far it’s been fine. My main concern now is general tiredness the day after the run and avoiding the bad cold that is rampaging through the house.
Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?
Week 1 - In general my body is feeling more tired and if I sit down for too long my eyes begin to close. However, my breathing is better and I feel more able to react and run quickly when my youngest son wants to run or play, which is everyday of course.
Week 2 - In a strange way I am feeling energised by the fact I can run so far now, but it’s probably more a state of mind than body.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week 1 - I find running in the dark quite relaxing as no-one can see you and you don’t pay as much attention to the distance you travel. Running with others keeps the focus off myself and able to cope more easily. We run on one of the roads the 10K is to be held on which is very flat, however if the wind blows it feels like a small mountain range.
Week 2 - I was inspired to write a song this week that shares some of my experiences so far…its on youtube and is called ; “Mey 10K training song ‘Run Run run’”