A decision not taken lightly, but here goes as to an explanation...
Filling the shoes of someone like John Radigan was never going to be an easy job for anyone in the club. Bev did a good job when he left, but then her own personal pressures forced her to hand over to me.
At the time this happened, I was seriously considering whether or not to continue as a coach. I felt that the social running structure at the club did not really "fit" with the notion of traditional coaching - where a group turn up for a regular session and have a structured workout.
But I tried! I published a marathon training program and ran some sessions on Saturdays involving hill and fartlek training, but did not seem to inspire people to join me.
I would really like to see a juniors section at the club, and if this happens, you may see me back coaching them.
Thanks to anyone who gave me support and encouragement, and keep on running!
Russ
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Getting Better All The Time
Horsforth 10k was a great run - felt strong all the way round but did not see John Bradbury coming down the home straight like an express train!
Good strong runs also by Alejandro Pinto and Helen Bradbury
49mins on my watch on a hilly course, so feel strong now for the Abbey Dash in November
Plenty of speed training over the next 2 months and a 45min 10k might be within reach
Back to being a happy runner!
Good strong runs also by Alejandro Pinto and Helen Bradbury
49mins on my watch on a hilly course, so feel strong now for the Abbey Dash in November
Plenty of speed training over the next 2 months and a 45min 10k might be within reach
Back to being a happy runner!
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Keeping it simple
Back to basics!
Training now for a couple of 10k runs, which might seem like a backwards step compared with everything going on around the club at the moment!
Surely I should be planning to run 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 different countries or something?
The truth is after my last marathon I had lost the desire to just go out and run. What used to be fun felt like a chore and it really worried me. The saving grace came when reading a Runners World article where someone had gone through a similar experience and advised stepping back in distance for a few months.
It worked! Shorter runs, Fartlek, Intervals and the smile was back!
So Horsforth 10k in September and the Abbey Dash in November are my race goals
Anyone around the club on Saturday is welcome to join a shorter quicker session and let me know if you share my goals
Has this happened to you? How do you overcome the running blues? How do you motivate yourself to run when a pizza and beer seems more attractive?
Feel free to comment here
Russ
Training now for a couple of 10k runs, which might seem like a backwards step compared with everything going on around the club at the moment!
Surely I should be planning to run 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 different countries or something?
The truth is after my last marathon I had lost the desire to just go out and run. What used to be fun felt like a chore and it really worried me. The saving grace came when reading a Runners World article where someone had gone through a similar experience and advised stepping back in distance for a few months.
It worked! Shorter runs, Fartlek, Intervals and the smile was back!
So Horsforth 10k in September and the Abbey Dash in November are my race goals
Anyone around the club on Saturday is welcome to join a shorter quicker session and let me know if you share my goals
Has this happened to you? How do you overcome the running blues? How do you motivate yourself to run when a pizza and beer seems more attractive?
Feel free to comment here
Russ
Friday, 7 August 2009
Cairngorm Running
CAIRNGORM RUNNING
Whilst on holiday in Aviemore, Scotland, I made contact with a fantastic running club called Cairngorm Runners. They could not do enough to accomodate me and were one of the most friendly groups of people I have ever met in my life.
They invited me along to one of their training sessions and have already linked Dragons Running club on their website
They have issued an open invitation to any Dragons Runners who are visiting the area, or on holiday, to join them for training on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. They run from Inverdruie, which is close to Aviemore.
Email any of the links - they will respond - and be sure of a great Scottish welcome!
www.cairngormrunners.org
Whilst on holiday in Aviemore, Scotland, I made contact with a fantastic running club called Cairngorm Runners. They could not do enough to accomodate me and were one of the most friendly groups of people I have ever met in my life.
They invited me along to one of their training sessions and have already linked Dragons Running club on their website
They have issued an open invitation to any Dragons Runners who are visiting the area, or on holiday, to join them for training on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. They run from Inverdruie, which is close to Aviemore.
Email any of the links - they will respond - and be sure of a great Scottish welcome!
www.cairngormrunners.org
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Doing It For The Kids...
A great fun run last night at the back of the Emmott Arms.
The highlight of the evening was the fun run orgainised for children of running club members and the participation in the adult run of one young man (proudly mine!)
This highlights to me what we should be doing more of as a club - and I know Bev has already started this on Tuesday nights. We will add a Dragons Juniors section to what we do as a club - proper coaching, affiliation and events
Thanks again to everyone who came out and supported, marshalled, participated and cheered on the youngsters and the not-so-youngsters. They all appreciated it.
Just a note - this was intended to be a fun run, not an evening social event! It would have been nice to see a few of the people who just turned up at the pub actually running or at least cheering on the kids
We will be organising an official club championship in the future - Dave has agreed that we could start in the morning and have a brunch laid on. All to be consumed in sweaty running gear by everyone - make up and party frocks will not be required...
The highlight of the evening was the fun run orgainised for children of running club members and the participation in the adult run of one young man (proudly mine!)
This highlights to me what we should be doing more of as a club - and I know Bev has already started this on Tuesday nights. We will add a Dragons Juniors section to what we do as a club - proper coaching, affiliation and events
Thanks again to everyone who came out and supported, marshalled, participated and cheered on the youngsters and the not-so-youngsters. They all appreciated it.
Just a note - this was intended to be a fun run, not an evening social event! It would have been nice to see a few of the people who just turned up at the pub actually running or at least cheering on the kids
We will be organising an official club championship in the future - Dave has agreed that we could start in the morning and have a brunch laid on. All to be consumed in sweaty running gear by everyone - make up and party frocks will not be required...
Monday, 15 June 2009
Back to normal
Whatever 'normal' is...
Some people would argue that I could never be normal! It feels good not to have the pressure of the training regime for a marathon hanging over you - but then again, it got you out on nights when you just wouldn't...
Nice to get out on the Chevin again - offroad is just so risky when a marathon is on the horizon.
So, new targets? a 45 minute 10k and a 1:40 half marathon!
Watch this space, or comment if you have the same goals and want to work towards them with me
Some people would argue that I could never be normal! It feels good not to have the pressure of the training regime for a marathon hanging over you - but then again, it got you out on nights when you just wouldn't...
Nice to get out on the Chevin again - offroad is just so risky when a marathon is on the horizon.
So, new targets? a 45 minute 10k and a 1:40 half marathon!
Watch this space, or comment if you have the same goals and want to work towards them with me
Monday, 1 June 2009
Edinburgh Marathon 2009
It was hot! Not as hot as it has been in previous years, but still very, very hot!
Well done to everyone who took part
The super fit Dragons (Simon, Willie, Torri) seemed to cope better with the conditions than many of the other club runners (me included) and various heat related cramps, etc were setting in on the last 5 miles - probably put 15 minutes on a 'cool' time
Big thankyou to Liz Moyes who saw me streching out a cramped muscle and slapped me on the back with encouragement to keep going and also Iain Denby and Craig Savage who also egged me on as well.
Great support on the way from Wendy, Lorraine, John Laurie and Bev - thanks guys
Will post some piccies later
Well done to everyone who took part
The super fit Dragons (Simon, Willie, Torri) seemed to cope better with the conditions than many of the other club runners (me included) and various heat related cramps, etc were setting in on the last 5 miles - probably put 15 minutes on a 'cool' time
Big thankyou to Liz Moyes who saw me streching out a cramped muscle and slapped me on the back with encouragement to keep going and also Iain Denby and Craig Savage who also egged me on as well.
Great support on the way from Wendy, Lorraine, John Laurie and Bev - thanks guys
Will post some piccies later
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