Tag: frostbite

Frostbite and a rabbit…..

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

Today it was race 2 in the Frostbite Friendly League hosted by Bushfield Runners. A 5-miler starting and finishing at Bushfield's Leisure Centre near Peterborough. When I left home at around 9.30am all seemed good. When I got to the race is was no longer 'all good'. It was absolutely pissing it down! Walked to race HQ in rain. Warmed up in the rain. Ran the race in the rain. Walked back to the car in the rain. I was wet through and just wanted to get home.

Finished in 145th place in a pretty decent time of 34.06, less than 7 min/mile pace, so couldn't moan too much. But a shower, a lovely bacon and egg baguette and cup of tea and I was sorted.

As for November's Challenge, the traditional art of Japanese paper folding, may I present a rabbit….

Now I understand it may look a tiny bit like a donkey or a dog, but I can assure you it is a rabbit, the app says so….

I can't quite understand how their rabbit is looking slightly more happy and proud than my slightly depressed looking rabbit. I think a visit to the art department tomorrow to steal borrow some coloured paper may be required.

 

Failure. Blood. Running.

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 2 Comments

Failure. I hate to admit defeat, but for one reason or another I am officially announcing that September's challenge has been extended into October. I'm slightly disappointed that I've had to take such drastic action but with a two week half-term coming up, together with the fact that my body is finally starting to feel better, I feel it is the best option. The challenge of learning to ride a unicycle was always going to be difficult fully fit, but with various aches and pains appearing (none I think directly related to unicycling) completing the challenge in one month was near impossible.

Blood. It has been a busy week at school. Various assessments taking place and an ever increasing pile of marking that needs completing. Thursday saw the school's open evening, and the annual 'teach the parents' classes I put on. All was going well early on, I was doing the old descriptive writing session using sweets to encourage the use of senses in our writing. We had got through the sight, sound, touch, smell parts without any problems. At this stage I did the old comedy healthy and safety speech before tasting sweets, “please don't eat sweets if you are allergic to anything that could possibly be contained within the sweet”. I should also have mentioned loose teeth! Before I knew it I had a prospective student in front of me in tears, blood flowing down her chin and tissues being stuffed in her mouth by her mother. She was quickly whisked out of the room passed other prospective parents and students, leaving a trail of blood from the English classroom. Not the 'English is Fun' look I was going for. Needless to say that could be one less student joining us next September.

Running. Today I went for a run, the first for three weeks, and although my back was a tad sore it felt good to be finally running again. So I'll be partaking in the first Frostbite run tomorrow morning at St Neots. The Frostbite Races are a great little series of six races held throughout the winter (hence the name) for local club runners to enter. I'll use tomorrow's race as a nice training run and take it pretty steady. That should put me in good stead for next weekend's Great Eastern Run, a half-marathon run around the picturesque streets of Peterborough. Followed, of course, by the Zombie Run later in the month.

 

#janathon Day 15

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 3 Comments

Janathon Day 15 – Frostbite Race 4

It was a frosty, cold morning as I waited for a lift to March for the 4th race in the Frostbite League….

Today’s race was held by March AC and was a 5-miler around Whitemoor Prison – there were no armed guards, observation towers or beefy prisoners lifting weights in sight (I thing I’ve watched too many movies). But there was a ‘Whitemoor Prison Fishing Club’  – but no prisoners fishing this morning! Probably for two reasons: a dangerous prisoner with a fishing rod can do a lot of damage to a runner and the lake was partly frozen (it was very cold this morning).

I enjoyed the run, my new ‘go faster’ socks did the trick! 5 miles over a variety of terrain: track, road and mud. I worked hard in the race and bagged the four points for fourth club runner home. Although, club turnout was low so I’d imagine we’ll be pretty close to the bottom of the table when team results are published.

Summary
******
Distance: 5.00mi
Time taken: 00:35:43
Average/Max Speed : 8.40/10.84 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:07:08/00:05:31
Calories: 586

Janathon mileage after day 15 = 55.99 miles

And for #jokeathon a bad prison joke……

Q: What do you call a clairvoyant midget who escaped from prison?
A: A small medium at large.

 

Project365 #275 – Serious preparations…

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

Today’s picture – runners in preparation for the first ‘Frostbite‘ race of the season, at St Neots.

A series of 6 races make up the ‘Frostbite‘, called ‘Frostbite‘ because all races held over autumn/winter period. Although, perhaps ‘Heatwave’ would make more sense! It was a tough run – 5mile in 36.36 – temperature of 28 deg C in OCTOBER!!?

A poor turn-out from the Bourne Town Harriers means we start the season near the bottom of the league.

Project365 #16 – Ramsey Frostbite

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ Leave a comment

Today saw the fourth race of the Frostbite League take place, hosted by Ramsey Runners. A very windy morning welcomed all runners to the 5ish mile course. A thirteen strong Bourne Town Harriers senior team made the long and arduous journey into Fenland along with nearly 400 runners from various local running clubs.

With the wind mainly in their backs for the first half of the race a good early pace was needed. Tony did just this and disappeared into the distance finishing in 45th place in a time of 33.46, and being first Bourne runner home bagged the 1pt towards the BTH Club Series. Second Bourne runner home was not as cut-and-dry. Richard got off to a fast pace only for Phil and Shaun to hunt him down at around the half-way mark. As they headed into the wind for the second half of the race it was clear it was going to be a close run thing with neither runner wanting to relinquish the coverted second Bourne runner home.

It all came down to the last half-mile, Phil was ahead, although clearly struggling, when Shaun found the extra strength needed to power home. It was a good run from Shaun in his first race since September, even if it was a bit sneaky!! Phil held off the challenge of Richard to finish in 110th place (3rd BTH runner).

Further mentions must go to Brian (fashioning his usual bright orange hat) being the 5th BTH runner home, followed by Roland, Dave and Natalie (first of the BTH ladies). Final times and placings can be found here and on the BTH website here.

Well done to everyone, not forgetting Rich for the fantastic collecting and recording of numbers.