So that was 2008?
Posted in GeneralA long year for me! In some ways great, in some ways I am glad it is over.
I have had some great times over the year. Here are some of the sporting highlights:
Best Fell Race: Ennerdale Horsehoe
A great route, great scenery and felt good all the way round. A really good result at the end of it. Weather was perfect. My only regret for this year is not being able to do this race due to other commitments but 2010 I will be there. Pendle has to be up there as well as another cracking race where I left smiling despite struggling to walk the next day through ankle trouble.
Best Adventure Race: Dark and White
A bit unfair as I only did 2 Adventure races this year. Both of them late Jan / Early Feb but I like the Dark and White races as the organisation tends to be very smooth (so are open Adventure) yet low key. I also liked the little twist of an ‘O’ course and a proper fell course. Dates just been released for 09 so must see if I can get these done again.
Best buy: Inov8 Mudclaws.
Despite the fact the first pair went back, depsite the fact the second pair are showing wear and the stitching is coming undone. I cannot see how these shoes can be bettered? I may try the X-talons next but they have a lot to live up to.
Best Mountain Marathon: Rab Mountain Marathon
The OMM was a debacle that promised a lot and failed to deliver. Maybe its just too big now? Saunders I was too slow to get entry in. Lamm I had no interest in and the Highlander just too cold. The Rab was great size, great course, great location. Oh and I won! The mini MM’s are also great fun. A real shame that I could only do one this year.
Best training session: Run to work
A strange one here. Probably my most beneficial training session over the year has been my tempo runs to work. Exactly 4 miles there and 4 miles back. A reasonably hilly run and a great set up to the day. Best time 23.48 A great way to get your milage up with 8 free miles. The bus takes over an hour! This was a close run thing as I also did a two day weekend run of over 60 miles mountain marathon style which I think helped me a lot
So these are the highlights. I did 2 Adventure Races, lost count of the fell races, 2 Orienteering events, no road and no trail races.
So the lowlights:
Worst Injury: Ankle Injury
High Peaks Marathon and a cold windy night in the peak. Me rolling round in a bog grabbing my ankle after going over on it for the third time. Game over for me. X-rays showed a previous break and a misformed ankle. 2 months in pot and a seasons goal ruined and still lingering problems from the same injury.
Worst buy: Watch
This is the worst buy mainly because it was an un-needed buy. I turned up at the D&W Adventure race with no watch. A bit of an issue in a timed event. I bought one at the event for £40 gone. Set off and somehow managed to stop the timer on it mid-race. Won’t mention the make as it is an okay watch. Just a bad buy at a timee when I was skint.
Worst Race: Duddon Valley
A great course but in bad conditions for me. A really really hot day and me being a bit enthusiastic meant I struggled badly for much of the race. Deyhdrated and sluggish and the toys went out of the pram early on. I will be back to banish the demons of this race but not till 2010.
Worst training Session: Track
Its flat, short and running on hard ground. A real way to show my weak area of running. Suppose that is why I have only shown my face twice this year at track session. Will do it more this year.
So a quick summary of the year. A busy one for my first full season running. Just hope that 09 is even more productive and i get a few more wins under my belt.
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