Bali Self-Transcendence 1 Miler #3

My last day in Bali saw us all lining up once again for the early morning 1-mile race. This time we were getting a reminder of why they call this the rainy season - it was steadily pouring down as we warmed up, but still hot and sultry enough to make hard running pretty taxing.

If anything, this wet weather made me more optimistic that I could run faster than on my previous two outings, but it proved beyond me in the end - perhaps the absence of some similar-paced sparring partners in the closing stages didn't help, as I came up a couple of seconds short of the target. Full details are at sacred steps.

Bali Self-Transcendence 2 Miler

My target for this race was to hit the 11.34 I ran on this same road 5 years ago, but I knew I would wilt in the heat if I went off too fast, expecially as I was still a little tired after (aforementioned) illness and tough trek on Mt Agung.

It was a little cooler this time around than in 2004, and I think I am generally more "race fit" this year than I was then, so despite the passing of years I managed to transcend the 2004 effort by around 3 seconds! More details are, of course, on my personal homepage.

Bali Self-Transcendennce 1 Miler #2

The second one-mile race was strange because of what had led up to it - a bout of intense food poisoning which left me extremely weak, then, on recovery from that, a 10 hour trek to the summit of Gunung Agung which left my leg muscles in shock.

I never really got up to full speed, but I did manage to hang in there and keep up a reasonable pace on the tired and sore legs, coming home in a better-than-expected 5.32. More grisly details are on my web page.

Bali Self-Transcendence 1 Miler #1

The pic is of a temple in Sanur that I ran to in my post-race warmdown - as you can see it was the wet season (hence dull, but still hot and humid conditions). I was back in the exquisite surrounds of Sanur, Bali, five years after my first visit and I was thrilled to see that we would be racing twice a week on the same stretch of road we used in 2005, when Sri Chinmoy came in person to each race to inspire and encourage all his team members, from the fastest to the slowest.

Despite the jet lag, heat, humidity and 7am start, I actually felt quite fresh and had a good race, finishing strongly on the long home straight to clock 5.26. A full, blow by blow account is as usual blogged at sacred steps.

Cardiff Cross Challenge 2009

Thanks to Dave Weedon of Les Croupiers for the unflattering photo :)
This was my first proper cross country race, after years of doing fell and trail events. While most XC races are club events or at least club focussed, this one is very open and a first time can register online then just turn up and go. The "masters" event for oldsters like me (vet 40 men or 35 for women) was last on the menu so the ground was good and muddy. The distance was around 6k, and was on a varied, scenic and very soggy loop course. Superb fun. Full report at my race site.

Hereford New Years Day 10k

My 23rd race was a great way to start the new year - a freezing but extremely scenic run along frosty lanes from the middle of Hereford out into the lovely surrounding countryside. It's an undulating course so I was well happy to get under 40 minutes by some margin. Fran joined me for this one and also had a good run. Above photo shows the start line which is an old bridge over the Wye. Report & pics on my homepage.

Glynneath 5 2008

Still waiting for the photos to go live on the event web site - pic will be added when available!Race 22 of 40 was on another chilly morning of intense winter sunshine, this time in the Vale of Neath on Boxing Day. I had a great run and for the third time in 2008 managed to hit a PB for this distance (5 miles). It was a real landmark for me as I dipped under 30 minutes for the first time, a very nice Christmas present! Full race report at Sacred Steps.