July 2018  An update to my unfinished 100 race challenge

Well, it is over 18 months since I had a stroke, at age 66 years, and I am probably as good as I will ever be, so I am looking to complete my 100 race challenge.

To be accurate I did a few races last year (2017), but found the effort was probably not good for my general health and gave up. In 2018, I feel a lot stronger and in the last few weeks, to 18 July, I have ran five races, the latest being Wednesday's Durham City 10K.

I have had to learn to monitor my heart rate when I run and slow down when the rate starts to climb too much. In my one and only fell race , the Humbleton Hill Fell Race, Haydon Bridge, I thought I had slowed when it hit 207 bpm, only to find later that it had maxed at 217bpm! That would be a good way of finishing off this old geezer.

Anyway, here is a list of my 94 races to date and with only six to go to complete my challenge I will try to be sensible, not set any end date and enjoy them all.

The reason for my original challenge - With Izzi (second from right) on Helvellyn

Here is my update:

65FORIZZI
March 29th 2015- March 2016
Date	Race	Event	Time	Overall Finishing Position	Category Position	Comments
29-Mar	1	Hartlepool Marina 5 mile	36.27	173	3rd V65	516 ran
7-Apr	2	Monthly Mile S Shields	6.27	20	na	79 ran
12-Apr	3	Blyth Valley 10k	45.34	296	3rd  V65	563 ran
18-Apr	4	Park Run Ncle 5K	21.44	147	3rd V65	646 ran
19-Apr	5	Gibside Great Run Local 5K	24.28	8	n/a	51 ran.
22-Apr	6	Keswick Round the Houses	46.11	88	3rd V60	186 ran
25-Apr	7	Park Run Ncle 5K	22.44	149	2nd V65	601 ran
4-May	8	Ashington Triathlon	88.48	190	4th	1st 5k
5-May	9	Les Allcorn 10K, Alnwick	45.53	57	2nd V60	125 ran
10-May	10	Great Run Local 5K	25.05	6	n/a	45 ran
13-May	11	Latrigg Short Fell Race	28.5	67	3rd V60	87 ran
24-May	12	Gibside Great Run Local	24.3	10	n/a	50 ran
27-May	13	George Ogle Mem. 6m	43.13	66	1st V60	195 ran
6-Jun	14	Grasmere gallop Trail Race	50.12	25	1st V60	305 ran
9-Jun	15	Blaydon Race	40.13	621	3rd V65	3825 ran
13-Jun	16	Park Run , Ncle	22.2	100	1st V65	511 ran
17-Jun	17	Humbleton Hill Fell Race	47.18	31	2nd V60	59 ran
21-Jun	18	Lambton 10K	47.36	117	2nd V60	715 ran
1-Jul	19	Tynedale 10K	45.1	182	n/a	no chip
5-Jul	20	Red Kite Trail Race	73.57	18	n/a	86 ran
15-Jul	21	Kirkley 10K	45.59	58	1st V65	165 ran
25-Jul	22	Park Run Ncle 5K	22.42	101	1st V65	439 ran
29-Jul	23	Wallington 10K	45.59	52	1st V65	158 ran
5-Sep	24	Gloucester Park Run	23.5	28	1st V65	180 ran
19-Sep	25	Ncle Park Run	25.07	218	1st V65	540 ran
27-Sep	26	Prudhoe Miners 10K	49.06	66	1st V 65	140 ran
3-Oct	27	Park Run Gibside	24.36	14	1st V 65	60 ran
4-Oct	28	Gt Run Local Gibside	25.54	7	1st V 65	54 ran
6-Oct	29	Monthly Mile South Shields	6.44	18	na	18/22
10-Oct	30	Sherman Cup	45.31	391	1st V65	464 ran
17-Oct	31	Gibside Trail Race	59.38	212	8th V60	442 ran
24-Oct	32	Park Run Newcastle	22.57	164	1st v60	562 ran
25-Oct	33	Great Run Local 5K	25.56	8	1st V55/65	57 ran
1-Nov	34	Derwentwater 10 mile	79.19	211	5th V65	436 ran
3-Nov	35	Monthly Mile	6.43	18	na	69 ran
3-Nov	36	Park Run Newcastle	24.16	118	1st v65	369 ran
8-Nov	37	Town Moor 10K	46.54	302	3rd V65	549 ran
15-Nov	38	Park Run Newcastle	23.38	123	1st V65	470 ran
21-Nov	39	Aykley HeadsCross country	54.52	459	2nd V65	592 ran
1-Dec	40	Monthly Mile	6.44	12	na	90 ran
6-Dec	41	Park Run Ncle 5K	25.32	192	4th V65	363 ran
19-Dec	42	Saltwell 10K	49.36	190	5th V65	419 ran
20-Dec	43	Gibside 5K	27.03	na	na	fun run
5-Jan	44	Monthly mile S. Shields	7.19	14	na	47 ran
30-Jan	45	Riverside Parkrun	24.54	104	2nd v65	229 ran
2-Feb	46	Monthly mile	7.02	13	na	47 ran
6-Feb	47	No Ego Head Torch Lambton	45.56	44	1st v60	180 Ran
13-Feb	48	Park Run Finsbury Park	24.27	96	1st V65	261 ran
20-Feb	49	Park Run Newcastle	23.25	115	1st v65	490 ran
2-Mar	50	Monthly Mile South Shields	6.45	7	na	46 ran
12-Mar	51	Riverside Park Run	22.47	65	2nd V65	231 ran
13-Mar	52	Gibside Great Run Local	24.42	6	na	71 ran
26-Mar	53	Park Run Newcastle	22.47	93	3rd V65	457 ran
27-Mar	54	N. Tyne 10K	45.46	331	1st v65	1779 ran
3 Apl	55	Blyth V. 10K	45.54	221	4th V65	498 ran
10 Apl	56	Sandancer 10K	46.33	130	6th V60	400ran
16 Apl	57	Park Run Town Moor	22.47	135	1st V65	515 ran
20 Apl	58	Keswick 10K	47.01	89	1st V60	179 ran
23 Apl	59	Parkrun Ncle	22.01	131	1st V65	684 ran
26 Apl	60	Spadeadam 10K	46.52	4	3rd male	18 ran
26 Apl	61	Riverside Parkrun	22.28	42	2nd V65	223 ran
1-May	62	Sunderland 10K	46.01	202	2nd V60	1809 ran
3-May	63	Les Allcorn 10K, Alnwick	45.46	57	2nd V60	139 ran
21-May	64	Park Run Town Moor	22.34	117	1st V65	651 ran
25-May	65	George Ogle Mem. 6m	43.03	61	2nd V60	171 ran
Going for 100
1-Jun	66	Vindolanda 10K	48.06	40	1st V65	153 ran
4-Jun	67	Grasmere Gallop 10K	50.35	41	2nd V65	348 ran
9-Jun	68	Blaydon Race	40.08	729	2nd V65	4129 ran
15-Jun	69	Newburn River Run	48.4	95	3rd V60	266 ran
22-Jun	70	Humbleton Hill Fell Race	48.19	32	1st V60	60ran
25-Jun	71	Gibside Parkrun	24.24	19	1st V65	93 ran
3-Jul	72	Great North 10K	46.55	514	1st V65 NA	4104ran
6-Jul	73	Tynedale 10K	45.16	160	2nd V65	379 ran
20-Jul	74	Wallington 10K	48.36	34	1st V65	159 ran
24-Jul	75	Great Run Local 5K	30.27	21	na	ran 6k
17-Aug	76	Stamfordham10K	46.25	35	1st v65	139 ran
3-Sep	77	Rising Sun Parkrun	22.29	30	1st V65	178ran
11-Sep	78	Great North Run	1.42.43	3068	1st V65	57K ran
18-Sep	79	Tynedale 10 mile	1.25.30	35	2nd V60	109 ran
24-Sep	80	Townmoor Parkrun	22.35	109	2ndv65	553 ran
15-Oct	81	Townmoor Parkrun	22.52	159	3rd V65	643 ran
29-Oct	82	Townmoor Parkrun	22.2	162	2nd v65	650 ran
30-Oct	83	Great Run Local 5K	25.24	14	1st v65	80 ran
13-Nov	84	Prudhoe Parkrun	25.24	85	2nd v65	295 ran
26-Nov	85	Prudhoe Parkrun	25.02	21	1st v65	108 ran
25-02-17	86	Prudhoe Parkrun	28.46	72	1st v65	110 ran
9-Jun	87	Blaydon Race 2017	53.06	2611		4319 ran
9-Jul	88	Great North 10K	56.44	1291	8th v65	3434 ran
19-8-17	89	Prudhoe Parkrun	28.01	71	2nd v65	128 ran
9 Jun'18	90	Blaydon Race 2018	47.21	1497	38/173 v60	4351 ran
13 jun'18	91	Newburn river run 6	50.52	193	10th v60	325ran
20-Jun	92	Humbleton Hill Fell Race	62.33	40	2nd v60	45ran
4-Jul	93	Tynedale 10k	55.01	242	6th V60	335ran
18-Jul	94	Durham 10K	53.49	576	5th v60	1796 ran

I am a Survivor

Race no. 87 Blaydon Race 2017 (plus race 86 Prudhoe Park Run 25Feb. 2017)

I survived Blaydon

Yes, I am back. Some six months after suffering a stroke I have made a (slow) return to racing.

I wish I could say that it was all systems go, far from it. Never the less, I have taken part in one of my favourite races and enjoyed the experience.

In an earlier Parkrun, at Prudhoe in February, I found out the hard way that I cannot put too much effort into running as my heart rate soars to over 200bpm. The after effects are appalling and I just do not wish to cause myself this problem again. Thus it is an average heart rate of 150bpm for me when running and a constant watch on my heart monitor.

In the Blaydon I was helped in this task by a calf problem which I just cannot get rid of. After just a mile of running I am in pain which is only reduced by dropping the pace. This definitely helped in keeping the pace down to approx. 9.30 minute miling and 150 bpm.

So it was that I cruised along at the back of the field, chatting to fellow runners and so comfortable that I wasn't even panting. In the final 250 metres, I went for it - oh the joy of running fast! Of course you cannot run through a calf injury and as soon as I stopped, boy was I in pain. The painful limp back to my car was not pleasant.

Did I really enjoy racing with the injury and the heart rate concern? Yes, hopefully I can race again if and when I get rid of the injury. In my next race I will be looking to see if I can pick up the pace without increasing the heart rate too much. Of course, I have a theory that it is a thyroid problem causing the fast bpm (I googled it!) , but that is for another day. For now recovery and who knows, I may disprove yet my mantra 'I'm only human, after all'*

Statistics
Finishing time    53.05 (40.05)**
Position              2610/4184   (305)
Age category V60      92/166  (2nd)

** Last years results in brackets
*Ragnbone Man's world wide hit which I predicted in December 2016.

A Christmas Update

But not the one I wanted for Christmas

A Christmas Elf

Afie & Granpops

Great North Runners with the same family expression

Great Granma Cochrane knitted this jacket

Dad shows Alfie how to take his first steps

As I jogged through Throckley Woods a couple of days ago I was thinking happy thoughts.
- I could do Prudhoe Riverside Parkrun on Saturday.
- Then follow it up on New Years Eve.
- A weekly race for the next few months would complete my challenge by my birthday on 29th      March.
- I feel good!

Three miles under the belt and I turned for home. Later that day it hit me, unbelieveable tiredness. By bedtime I felt so ill that I began thinking the worst. The next day, yesterday, I still felt weak. Today, I sought advice/ reassurance from the Stroke Unit.

Stroke fatigue is normal, rest (damn you!). It seems that adrenal and the release of endorphins was all that was keeping me going as I ran. Afterwards, fatigue is normal. So, for me, it is rest and in a week, or two, I can walk quickly and maybe, just maybe, jog a very short distance. Let your body tell you what you can do. Ok, I accept.

With Christmas almost here, I must be thankful for the most important thing in life, my family. I have been lucky to have had just a mini stroke, now I must thank God for that and being here and able to enjoy a happy Christmas.

As a follow up to my last post ' I'm only human after all' , Rag'n'Bone Man is looking like being No. 1 for Christmas in the charts. He is already number 1 in I Tunes (?). You heard it here first.

I'm Only Human After All

An update to my running challenge

With Izzi , the inspiration for my original challenge, on Helvellyn, plus fellow Harriers

Mum and dad (Flight Sergeant Ronald Graham) 1946

My grandfather, (William) Monkhouse Graham was born in 1900 and served as a 16 year old in the First World War until his mother pointed out his age and was able to reclaim him from the front line. He went on to live a very ordinary life. You could say he didn't really achieve much, but he was a smashing chap. I can never recall him saying a bad word about anyone, never swore, shouted, or had a bad mood, ever. He did not have a day's illness in his life, until the very end, when 74 years old, he suffered a massive stroke. Even then he fought it courageously and when I visited him in Sunderland General Hospital, he couldn't speak but still pointed me out to his nurse. I could see that he was as proud of me, as I was of him. I loved Granda and know that he would hate to think that he left an unwanted legacy to me, but it would appear that he did.

My dad, Ronald (Ronnie) Graham, born 1923, like his father, Will, he never had a single day's illness. He never smoked, was always fit and lived a healthy life style, but in his sixties suffered a stroke. Not a massive one like Granda, but enough to take away his ability to swallow. It meant that for sixteen hours a day he took all nourishment through a tube into his stomach. After eighteen months, the doctors said that his system's ability to take nourishment normally would have atrophied, but he did not accept that and continued to take a single drop of malt whisky onto his tongue every day to keep his taste buds working. Over two years passed before he was able to actually swallow, but he did and for the rest of his life, almost twenty years, was able to eat, albiet slowly, in the normal way.

At this point you may wonder what this family history has to do with a running log recording one hundred races from my 65th birthday. Please bear with me.

I was always aware that I had a marginally increased risk of suffering a stoke myself because of the family history( Just today, my elder brother, William Monkhouse Graham, told me that Great Grandfather also suffered a stroke at age 74 years. In his case death was instantaneous). To reduce the risk further I have never smoked, and kept myself fairly fit. In my thirties when my lifestyle, desk/ company car/ expense account,  started to impinge on my weight and fitness I started running. It was not long before I found that I was pretty good runner and after joining Tynedale Harriers, soon had my 10k times below 40 minutes and 10 miles below 65 minutes. These were my average race times until I hit my fifties, infact, in my fifties I was able to get around the Hexhamshire Hobble's 10.5 mile Fell Race in 1hr.15mins. The latter race has particular significance to this blog as I was not able to compete in last Sunday's race after a incident the previous evening.

Whilst sitting in my armchair watching 'Celebrity',  I must have been bored - no surprise there - and started working on my stiff neck. Click, click, went my stiff upper vertebrae as I nodded up and down, then crack, crack as I moved my head from side to side. Then I stood up and was in trouble. I felt weak and when I tried to speak, I was slurring my words.

Yes, I did worry about a possible stroke, but I didn't feel ill - as an endurance runner pain is just something you accept. Muriel asked if we should go to Casualty. "What at 10pm on a Saturday night?" I replied. " Let's see how I am tomorrow."

The next morning my speech had improved to the point that it sounded just a little short tongued. "Would you Google -  'sudden onset of short tongued', Muriel, please." I asked. Well, you might guess that there was a website that provided an acceptable answer, 'Short tongued Syndrome', easily cured by a visit to your chiropractor, and that is what I did. My Chiropractor, Russell, at Hexham Family Chiropractic, soon put a stop to that nonsense.

To cut a long story short, my blood pressure, heart rate, etc., are what you would expect from a runner, a CAT scan was also ok, but we have a wonderful N.H.S and that was not enough to give me a clean bill of health, to cut out any doubts I was given a MRI scan and I have suffered a stoke.

Until the doctor told me this I would not accept that I had a problem. After he left the room I shed tears, not I hope, of self pity, but frustration and disbelief. How could I, a super athlete, possessing almost super human powers ( I exaggerate ) be human after all?

For the moment my 100 race challenge must come to an end. I will try to append my progress in the original 65forizzi challenge and the 100 race challenge to this blog - my IT skills are not very good, but bear with me. I do hope to come back to the challenge, but it is better if I do not put myself under any pressure in this respect right now.

 For the moment have a look at what I have actually achieved over the last 19/20 months, then look at  Rag'n'Bone Man-Human (Official Video)- Youtube, it has been quite a shock to accept but,
                I'M ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL.

https://youtu.be/L3wKzyIN1yk

65FORIZZI March 29th 2015- March 2016 Date Race Event                     Time Overall Finishing Position  Category Position Comments 29-Mar 1 Hartlepool Marina 5 mile 36.27 173 3rd V65 516 ran 7-Apr 2 Monthly Mile S Shields 6.27 20 na 79 ran 12-Apr 3 Blyth Valley 10k 45.34 296 3rd  V65 563 ran 18-Apr 4 Park Run Ncle 5K 21.44 147 3rd V65 646 ran 19-Apr 5 Gibside Great Run Local 5K 24.28 8 n/a 51 ran.  22-Apr 6 Keswick Round the Houses 46.11 88 3rd V60 186 ran 25-Apr 7 Park Run Ncle 5K 22.44 149 2nd V65 601 ran 4-May 8 Ashington Triathlon 88.48 190 4th 1st 5k  5-May 9 Les Allcorn 10K, Alnwick 45.53 57 2nd V60 125 ran 10-May 10 Great Run Local 5K 25.05 6 n/a 45 ran 13-May 11 Latrigg Short Fell Race 28.5 67 3rd V60 87 ran 24-May 12 Gibside Great Run Local 24.3 10 n/a 50 ran 27-May 13 George Ogle Mem. 6m 43.13 66 1st V60 195 ran 6-Jun 14 Grasmere gallop Trail Race 50.12 25 1st V60 305 ran 9-Jun 15 Blaydon Race 40.13 621 3rd V65 3825 ran 13-Jun 16 Park Run , Ncle 22.2 100 1st V65 511 ran 17-Jun 17 Humbleton Hill Fell Race 47.18 31 2nd V60 59 ran 21-Jun 18 Lambton 10K 47.36 117 2nd V60 715 ran 1-Jul 19 Tynedale 10K 45.1 182 n/a no chip 5-Jul 20 Red Kite Trail Race 73.57 18 n/a 86 ran 15-Jul 21 Kirkley 10K 45.59 58 1st V65 165 ran 25-Jul 22 Park Run Ncle 5K 22.42 101 1st V65 439 ran 29-Jul 23 Wallington 10K 45.59 52 1st V65 158 ran 5-Sep 24 Gloucester Park Run 23.5 28 1st V65 180 ran 19-Sep 25 Ncle Park Run 25.07 218 1st V65 540 ran 27-Sep 26 Prudhoe Miners 10K 49.06 66 1st V 65 140 ran 3-Oct 27 Park Run Gibside 24.36 14 1st V 65 60 ran 4-Oct 28 Gt Run Local Gibside 25.54 7 1st V 65 54 ran 6-Oct 29 Monthly Mile South Shields 6.44 18 na 18/22 10-Oct 30 Sherman Cup 45.31 391 1st V65 464 ran 17-Oct 31 Gibside Trail Race 59.38 212 8th V60 442 ran 24-Oct 32 Park Run Newcastle 22.57 164 1st v60 562 ran 25-Oct 33 Great Run Local 5K 25.56 8 1st V55/65 57 ran 1-Nov 34 Derwentwater 10 mile 79.19 211 5th V65 436 ran 3-Nov 35 Monthly Mile 6.43 18 na 69 ran 3-Nov 36 Park Run Newcastle 24.16 118 1st v65 369 ran 8-Nov 37 Town Moor 10K 46.54 302 3rd V65 549 ran 15-Nov 38 Park Run Newcastle 23.38 123 1st V65 470 ran 21-Nov 39 Aykley HeadsCross country 54.52 459 2nd V65 592 ran 1-Dec 40 Monthly Mile 6.44 12 na 90 ran 6-Dec 41 Park Run Ncle 5K 25.32 192 4th V65 363 ran 19-Dec 42 Saltwell 10K 49.36 190 5th V65 419 ran 20-Dec 43 Gibside 5K 27.03 na na fun run 5-Jan 44 Monthly mile S. Shields 7.19 14 na 47 ran 30-Jan 45 Riverside Parkrun 24.54 104 2nd v65 229 ran 2-Feb 46 Monthly mile 7.02 13 na 47 ran 6-Feb 47 No Ego Head Torch Lambton 45.56 44 1st v60 180 Ran 13-Feb 48 Park Run Finsbury Park 24.27 96 1st V65 261 ran 20-Feb 49 Park Run Newcastle 23.25 115 1st v65 490 ran 2-Mar 50 Monthly Mile South Shields 6.45 7 na 46 ran 12-Mar 51 Riverside Park Run 22.47 65 2nd V65 231 ran 13-Mar 52 Gibside Great Run Local 24.42 6 na 71 ran 26-Mar 53 Park Run Newcastle 22.47 93 3rd V65 457 ran 27-Mar 54 N. Tyne 10K 45.46 331 1st v65 1779 ran 3 Apl 55 Blyth V. 10K 45.54 221 4th V65 498 ran 10 Apl  56 Sandancer 10K 46.33 130 6th V60 400ran 16 Apl 57 Park Run Town Moor 22.47 135 1st V65 515 ran 20 Apl 58 Keswick 10K 47.01 89 1st V60 179 ran 23 Apl 59 Parkrun Ncle 22.01 131 1st V65 684 ran 26 Apl 60 Spadeadam 10K 46.52 4 3rd male 18 ran 26 Apl 61 Riverside Parkrun 22.28 42 2nd V65 223 ran 1-May 62 Sunderland 10K 46.01 202 2nd V60 1809 ran 3-May 63 Les Allcorn 10K, Alnwick 45.46 57 2nd V60 139 ran 21-May 64 Park Run Town Moor 22.34 117 1st V65 651 ran 25-May 65 George Ogle Mem. 6m 43.03 61 2nd V60 171 ran Going for 100 1-Jun 66 Vindolanda 10K 48.06 40 1st V65 153 ran 4-Jun 67 Grasmere Gallop 10K 50.35 41 2nd V65 348 ran 9-Jun 68 Blaydon Race 40.08 729 2nd V65 4129 ran 15-Jun 69 Newburn River Run 48.4 95 3rd V60 266 ran 22-Jun 70 Humbleton Hill Fell Race 48.19 32 1st V60 60 25-Jun 71 Gibside Parkrun 24.24 19 1st V65 93 ran 3-Jul 72 Great North 10K 46.55 514 1st V65 NA 5,000 6-Jul 73 Tynedale 10K 45.16 160 2nd V65 379 ran 20-Jul 74 Wallington 10K 48.36 34 1st V65 159 ran 24-Jul 75 Great Run Local 5K 30.27 21 na ran 6k 17-Aug 76 Stamfordham10K 46.25 35 1st v65 139 ran 3-Sep 77 Rising Sun Parkrun 22.29 30 1st V65 178 11-Sep 78 Great North Run 1.42.43 3068 1st V65 57K ran 18-Sep 79 Tynedale 10 mile 1.25.30 35 2nd V60 109 ran 24-Sep 80 Townmoor Parkrun 22.35 109 2ndv65 553 ran 15-Oct 81 Townmoor Parkrun 22.52 159 3rd V65 643 ran 29-Oct 82 Townmoor Parkrun 22.2 162 2nd v65 650 ran 30-Oct 83 Great Run Local 5K 25.24 14 1st v65 80 ran 13-Nov 84 Prudhoe Parkrun 25.24 85 2nd v65 295 ran 26-Nov 85 Prudhoe Parkrun 25.02 21 1st v65 108 ran To be continued

Race no.85 Prudhoe Riverside Parkrun

....and the calf goes

Jogging in a winter wonderland alongside fellow harrier Hilary Graham

Picking up the pace

After two weeks of rest and recovery from the hamstring injury, it was time to try a jog and what could be better than an easy jog around an icy Prudhoe Riverside Parkrun course.

The freezing cold morning must have put a lot of Parkrunners off, for numbers were down, from 295 in my previous run here to just over 100. For me, knowing that the -4c temperature overnight  would have frozen the muddy off road section was all the incentive I needed to give it a go.

In the event, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the offroad section, the muddy part, that is, had actually been resurfaced in the interim. Wow, that was almost unbelievably quick!

Letting my running pal, Brian Stonehouse,  go nearer to the front at the start, I was happy to settle into an easy jog for the first mile and even happier to find no discomfort from the hamstring. Then, just as I was feeling more confident in my running, there was a sharp pain in my calf, damn!

After a year of running injury free, I just cannot enjoy my running. What should I do, stop, or (wishful thinking) try and run it off? Yes, I chose the latter and as I jogged on the pain went from sharp to just discomfort. Picking up the pace a little, I went round the course for the second lap, easing back as I did so , no sprint finish for me today.

At the end I was 21st out of a field of 108 in 25.02. Brian was 17th in 23.45. Fellow Tynedale Harrier, Hilary Graham ( pictured above), was 39th in 26.57. For me, it is back to ice pack, rest, recovery and treatment. If there is any silver lining to the injury cloud, it is that recovery from a calf strain is, generally,  a lot quicker than a hamstring problem, here's hoping!

Brian pushes on

The Inaugral Prudhoe Riverside Parkrun

Race no. 84 Whoops I did it again

Runners gather for the first Prudhoe Parkrun

The test event

Look at my muddy legs

After an injury free year and just when I thought I would get some classic autumn races under the belt, my hamstring has given up on me, again.

Some years ago I realised that I was always just a sprint away from a hamstring injury, but in recent times it has all being going so well. Maybe I should have realised that track sessions are risky for me, but when you are going well in training and racing you, or rather me, go for it.

So it was that a couple of weeks ago I put in eight fast 600m sprints on the track and was left with a painful hamstring. In the following days I used the roller on the hamstring and also the tight periformis/sacrailiac/sciatic nerve and things were not too bad. As a precaution I also opted out of the Norman Woodcock 5m. The next day was the test event of the new Prudhoe Riverside Parkrun and in awful conditions of heavy rain and on a muddy course I was so sensible, jogging around at a reasonable pace." It seems ok", thought I, "tight, but ok". At the next Harrier session I simply jogged a few laps and again, it seemed that I might just have got away with it.

Come this last weekend, 12/13th Nov. I was entered for the Town Moor 10k on the Sunday, but thought I would test the hamstring with an easy jog in the inaugral Prudhoe Parkrun on the previous morning. Lining up with almost three hundred runners I felt quite good. In my warmup there was no discomfort, but I still moved back down the field at the start to make sure that I didn't set off too fast. Everything felt ok, perhaps a bit tight in the hamstring tendon, but nothing in the muscle itself. Then we got to the end of the first lap of two laps and b......., it just went. "Stop, or slow jog?" I opted for a slow jog and finished in a reasonable 25.24, but I knew that I had a strained hamstring.

A few days later, I am resting, massaging, using hot and cold packs and hoping I will be back within three to four weeks. In the meantime the Brampton to Carlisle Road Race has come a cropper, as has the Town Moor 10K. It will be too soon for the next Harrier League Cross Country and the Hexhamshire Hobble is doubtful. Just when it was looking an easy ask to complete my one hundred race challenge by 29 March 2017 it isn't looking a forgone conclusion.

I hate injury!!