LB Challenge - Rugged Radnage

Morning all


It has been a while since I blogged so thought I would get my thoughts down!  I really struggle to settle on a proper strategy about my running and I have now come to the conclusion that I am happiest just running when I want to, not feeling the need to follow a structure.  Just enjoying myself really.
After starting the training plan for the MK 10K in early December I hurt my groin (for about the billionth time!) and as a result missed 2 weeks of running.  I then got a nice dose of man-flu which completely knocked me sideways to be honest.  Therefore at the beginning of last week I knew that it was time to just enjoy myself again and the pace will come back in due course.Having had a couple of nice runs Thursday and Friday, I was looking forward to the Rugged Radnage 10K race on Sunday (yesterday).  However when I woke up on Saturday a little thought went through my tiny head.  'What if I go out for a cheeky 3 mile this morning, then by tomorrow I will be on Day 4....!'  Now, followers of Lardy Boy's 'progress' will know a run streak is something I have tried before, making it to day 20 something and then failing.  So this time it is something I want to embrace and have a crack at, trying to run at least 2 miles every day.  This time though I am not going to make a big deal out of it but the signs are good.  On the way back from the race yesterday (more on that in a mo) I was already thinking about what to do today.  As it happens I went out with Mrs LB for nice gentle 2.7 mile recovery run and all of a sudden I am at day 5!  The legs feel sore but ok, the groin is for now not causing much dis-comfort, so let's see what tomorrow brings.  Of course the focus for me remains the same:

• Lose weight
• 50 mins for the MK 10K
• 4 hours for the Brighton Marathon
• now I will add a run streak to this list but only if I am enjoying it

RUGGED RADNAGE

I have been meaning to do this race for a couple of years.  I grew up half a mile from Radnage and indeed my mum still lives there.  I found out that one of my mates and his wife help with the organisation, indeed I started following Denis (@RuggedRadnage) on twitter so I entered this year.  As well as some mates, I knew some of the Twitter Crew were going to be there so it would be good to meet them.

A week later I was invited to a friend's 40th Birthday Party in Belper (Derbyshire) the night before!  Typical.  The old LB would have cancelled the race, got hammered on the Saturday, had a fry up on Sunday morning then gone home.  This time though I behaved myself at the party, still had a great time although Mrs LB tucked into the wine so had me on the dance floor til midnight and got an OK night's sleep.  Then I got up at 6:30 and drove back in time for the race.

It was the most perfect day for a race, clear, cold but so sunny.  The race itself for me (and I think a lot of others) was more about finishing than a time.  The course is brutal in places with 2 big off road climbs at 4km and 10km.  The last one in particular is an absolute killer!   I was pretty happy with 1:04 (14 mins slower than my PB) given my preparation was so poor.  I would have liked to have broken an hour but it wasn't to be.  It was great to meet some of the Twitter Crew including  @Dunsrunner @mikew30 @TeamB_O_B @Stoerminator  @mrsstoerminator and @RuggedRadnage although a shame not to see them in the pub after the race!  Given their long journeys though they are excused!  There were others there that I didn't meet up with, next time!

Also an honourable mention to @A_Hirschybar  who walked the course and more.  She also took a some photos of me not looking so great at 7km!

I would recommend the Rugged Radnage as it is a very friendly race, quite small and sociable, a real challenge but the marshals etc were fantastic, very encouraging and making sure you didn't get lost in the woods and / or quagmires! I will definitely do this one again!

Have a great week all, I have rambled on enough....  Here's to the run streak lasting at least another day or so!

LBx