Riverbank run

This blog entry is dedicated to all new runners who have acheived something. And today this was my friends Louisa, Rory & Liz who completed their first 10k. Well done. Goal setting for better times starts here. Goals acheived the the 3 -completion of 10k, running all the way , and not coming last .
Also this entry is dedicated to the hard working volunteers of running clubs , their friends & families- the marshals and people at registration desk - did i realy make my cheque out to Gill's holiday fund?
To the Riverbank Run
what a great little off road 10k !
Starting just outside Rhuddlan (- you know the village with the castle outside Sunny Rhyl) less than 5 minutes from the A55 at St Asaph.
Before the race i must mention the benefit of it starting at a caravan site - adequate clean toilets! (After an excellent Malaysian Banquet at the Hot Wok in Mold last night -the spice had a little effect on me - and another loo visit was essential < runners talk.)
The race itself - runners from Buckley, Eryri, Denbigh, Prestatyn, ?Cobi & elsewhere . Where are the Mysterons from ?
Different to other off road (eg Deeside) this was relatively even- a run along a track , then the old Clwyd Valley railway track (anybody remember a Rhyl to St Asaph to Ruthin train - dear old Dr Beeching)- under the existing North Wales coast mainline and over the Rhyl Blue Bridge. Around the 'Marine Lake' then back the same way.
As a new runner on this race - i slowed a touch as we found the track / route back.
I completed in 50min 28sec -
goal acheived- finish , not last, & reasonable run
other goals - i missed the 8min per mile , which i'd set the garmin for - i think it showed @ end 8min 12 per mile =ok; probably going off too quick , i'll look at the slpit times later (the garmin is on charge ). Starting at the back then going past a few folks in mile 1, the mile 2 to 3 arouund the lake a couple of folks passed, 2 more on the track 2 who passed in last mile i managed to pass in last 1/2.
A big well done to Louisa, Rory & Liz. And Especially John for being the friendly face at Marine lake & the end. Poss more later with results .
Riverbank Race - recommended.

Marathon number 8

Another day another marathon! Having enjoyed the 2007 Flora London Marathon a couple of months ago for wonderful attmosphere & a feel good run , but disappointed with my time - another personal worst- i decided to run anoher marathon soon . So Today , less than 2 months after London , I completed the Blackpool Marathon.
And goals acheived
goal 1 to finish - acheived
goal 2 comes from goal 1- to complete 2 marathons in the same year for me the first time ever- acheived
goal 3 - to buck the trend , my last 2 marathons have been personal worsts- acheived
a finish better than not only the personal worst in London - but also better than my previous time - back to the near to 4:30 mark , with a finish today of 4:36 or 4:37 - awaiting official chip time.
As ever, lots of emotion of good and bad points
or better still the highs and the learning points
the highs - the running community cameraderie, the volunteers /marshals/ race organisers- thank you
- and meeting Mick N Phil ( do a google & see the web site)

Learning points
-once again keeping the pace after 17 miles , keeping the focus in the dark time , today the mile 22 to 25 time.

And this is marathon number 8 completed for me, and thats 6 since hitting age 40 . There is life..