Wednesday, 25 August 2010

R & R Update No.3

After 16 days off, Statto contemplates actually doing a run again!

I'm back from the seaside, and whilst not exactly gagging to be running/training again, I'm at least not totally against the idea - and that's progress! Sometimes, it's good to gain a bit of perspective. I'm also missing my NHRR chums, so see you soon...

Wednesday, 11 August 2010

R&R Update

Seeing the Light

The reduced mileage, zero speedwork and slow-pace running has, as yet, failed to revive me. These past few weeks I’ve rarely completed a run over 6 miles and most have been 5 or less, yet still, my legs often feel listless. The further step of running only 3-4 times a week at easy pace over short distances does not seem to have helped either, so the only option left seems like full abstention for a couple of weeks.

Whilst painful at first to accept, now I have come to terms with my drop in form and fitness and the need to take it easy, I feel strangely liberated! There's a message in there somewhere.

Thursday, 29 July 2010

R&R Update

Taking stock without the aid of a training log-book

Sometimes you have to step back to really see things properly. I have been training like a man possessed for 3 years without a major rest. I have achieved many satisfying results, culminating this year with half-marathon, marathon and 10k times that I am very proud of at the ripe old age of 47. I have certainly become a legend in my own imagination!

I've had a few minor setbacks and spells of over-training, but what I am experiencing now is pay-back for never giving myself an extended rest period. My body is now making me take one. Having got over the final wake-up call at the FVS Relays and backing off from running, I've become aware of other interests that have taken a back-seat (or the boot)! All running and no play can make Statto a duller and exhausted boy.

You may be wondering why I've behaved in this manner (or you may not, but I'll go on anyway). Well, without calling in a psychotherapist at £40-50/hr (apparently), I would say this. I do tend towards OCD-type behaviour at times (sorry, must just check I've locked the car again - phew that was close). Couple this with innate insecurity and a need for regular ego reinforcement and you might start to see how running and in partcular PB/Club Record/gong-chasing might make a good fit with my personality! For a number of personal reasons, I've also been less than totally happy in recent years and become increasingly socially withdrawn. You could ask my close friends about this, presuming they can remember who I am. Whilst I value all the friendships I've made at NHRR, running has certainly helped me avoid contact with the real world. Mind you, if you've seen "Inception", you might be questioning if this is real world, so maybe I'm off the hook!

Anyway, of enough of this self-indulgence. All this is not to say that Statto will not be back, meaner and faster than ever, but it will be hopefully with a new appreciation of how to be a smarter, more well-rounded and likeable, obsessive self-centered ego-maniac.

Friday, 23 July 2010

Going back to the well

Hello, and welcome to Jazz Club - great!

In olden times, I was known to blow my own trumpet somewhat [what do you mean olden times - Ed]. Today, I felt inspired to blow a few cobwebs off my trusty horn after dicovering a little U-tube gem of of Eric Miyashiro doing a fantastic cover of Maynard Ferguson's "MacArthur Park"

And then, there's this version too with ex-Maynard lead trumpet, Wayne Bergeron

Nice!

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

FVS 3k Relays - 20th July 2010

Running Backwards

Over the last 2 years and after a lot of dedication and hard work, I managed to convert my 3k pace into my 10k pace. Last night represented a far more spectacular turn of events as, within the space of just 2.5 months, I've suceeded in totally reversing the process.

This depressing achievement has made me realise that I should not be attempting races at the moment, even if it might benefit the team. I had resolved not to do this event, but allowed myself to be persuaded. I should have resisted because physically, but more particularly psychologically, I needed last night’s performance like a hole in the head.

Friday, 16 July 2010

Statto Special - Top 50 All-time Age% Scorers

This is what happens when you're bored on a Friday night!


PosNameDateRace TypeRace NameTimeAge%
1HALLNeilsonSun 04/10/0910kmRoadStandalone 10k (RotM)00:30:3887.65%
2SibbettPeterSun 05/11/9510kmRoadBarnsley00:30:5987.34%
3WardleDavidWed 26/05/1010kmRoadNHRR MWL 10k (Ridlins) RotM00:31:2986.67%
4OldershawLawrenceSun 29/10/9510MileWisbeach 1000:51:3486.65%
5HancockJonSat 29/03/0310MileStevenage 1000:58:2686.35%
6McKeownAstridWed 12/12/075kmRoadStevenage 5k Series III00:17:2286.11%
7HalseyGaryWed 18/11/9210MileHenlow 1000:52:0985.65%
8MitchinsonDaveTue 20/07/103kmFVS 3k Relays (RotM)00:08:3985.19%
9PearcePaulSun 02/10/05MarathonKosice Peace Marathon02:34:3484.68%
10ScrowtherPeterTue 04/05/1010kmRoadSilverstone 10k00:35:2883.86%
11McKeownSteveWed 09/06/105kmRoadPortsmouth Promenade 5k00:16:2983.43%
12SmitherStewartFri 24/09/105kmRoadSerpentine LFotM 5k00:19:4583.40%
13GibbsRachelTue 20/07/103kmFVS 3k Relays (RotM)00:10:0283.29%
14CroneBillSun 09/04/8910kmRoadRoyston 10km00:36:0183.22%
15BeresfordNickTue 04/05/1010kmRoadSilverstone 10k00:33:1482.54%
16GentleDaveThu 12/11/985kmRoadStevenage 5km00:15:5781.64%
17FramptonDavidSun 05/10/9710kmRoadStandalone 10km00:34:2381.63%
18TyrellAngelaWed 14/12/055kmRoadStevenage 5K Race 300:17:3981.56%
19MyallDerekFri 11/07/035kmRoadCranfield 5k00:18:5581.46%
20HALLLizzieSun 04/10/0910kmRoadStandalone 10k (RotM)00:37:1581.43%
21AdamsPaulaWed 29/11/065kmRoadStevenage 5km series race 200:18:3281.35%
22BRYANTStewartThu 10/12/095kmRoadStevenage 5k - Race 300:18:4680.53%
23HarbonRichardWed 12/12/075kmRoadStevenage 5k Series III00:17:3880.40%
24FootSusanThu 02/09/105kmRoadStevenage 5k Series race 300:23:0580.31%
25NewsteadRebeccaWed 26/05/1010kmRoadNHRR MWL 10k (Ridlins) RotM00:37:5080.21%
26HumphreysLukeSun 01/02/095MileRoadAlsager 500:26:4580.14%
27WestropePaulSun 03/09/9510MileWelwyn 1000:55:4580.12%
28PowellDonaldSun 20/05/0710kmRoadSt Albans 10k00:46:3280.01%
29DaveyMelSun 19/06/9410kmRoadNorth Herts 10km00:39:4479.80%
30WintersMelissaWed 12/12/075kmRoadStevenage 5k Series III00:18:4179.42%
31RussellJohnWed 29/11/065kmRoadStevenage 5km series race 200:17:4579.26%
32MillerSteveThu 16/12/045kmRoadStevenage 5km (race 3)00:16:4979.04%
33AnsfieldMattSun 08/04/0110kmRoadRoyston 10km00:34:1178.91%
34chappellJaneFri 25/09/095kmRoadSerpentine LFotM 5k00:19:2978.69%
35MullinsTimSun 08/10/8910kmRoadBuntingford 10km00:35:2278.57%
36PriestleyChrisWed 14/12/055kmRoadStevenage 5K Race 300:18:5878.49%
37KelleyPaulSun 05/09/1010mileGarden City 1001:07:0378.45%
38HutchinsonMarkTue 20/07/103kmFVS 3k Relays (RotM)00:10:2478.10%
39FarmanJohnSun 20/11/94Half.MarStevenage HM 01:39:3277.87%
40JonesAlanSun 13/12/09Half.MarBedford HM (RotM)01:29:1077.75%
41FerryKevinWed 21/07/043kmFairlands Valley Relays 3km00:09:4377.69%
42WaiteStephenThu 30/11/005kmRoadStevenage 5K Series00:16:4277.68%
43SmithersNickWed 20/02/0210MileFred Hughes Memorial 1001:00:5777.60%
44Saunders-MullinsJoylynWed 29/11/065kmRoadStevenage 5km series race 200:22:5777.59%
45YOUNGMarkWed 12/11/085kmRoadStevenage 5k Series I (ROTM)00:18:2777.45%
46PITMANNatashaSun 15/11/09Half.MarSt Neot's HM01:25:5177.34%
47TiveyIanTue 11/05/1010kmRoadWelwyn MWL 10k (RotM)00:34:4577.27%
48CoxJohnSun 19/06/9410kmRoadNorth Herts 10km00:34:5577.25%
49LongMattSat 19/08/0010kmRoadLe Touquet 10k00:34:5977.10%
50WattsPaulFri 15/12/005kmRoadStevenage 5K Series00:17:1277.09%