TEAM REPORT (RACE DAY)

After all the effort and sacrifice in the months leading up to the big day, here we were at Hyde Park Corner shuffling our way to the start line in amongst 25,000 fellow runners. It took some 25 minutes to reach the start line but I personally was savouring the oxygen whilst it was still easily available. Slightly nervous faces surrounded me as we neared the military band which was playing at the start of the course, but the nerves soon turned to focus of the task ahead as we crossed the start line.

The weather was perfect for running, slightly cool with the odd light shower to help keep you cool. With all the excitement and anticipation of the race, I set off a lot faster than planned but soon settled in to a more conservative pace after about 15 minutes. The atmosphere was brilliant with runners of all ages and abilities facing their own personal challenges and being helped along by the enthusiastic supporters who lined the streets of London.

Special thanks to MIDIRS Business Manager Andy Fisher, who had the idea of entering in the first place and to the MIDIRS supporters who travelled to London to support us on the day – the cheers they gave on Westminster Bridge certainly came as a welcome source of inspiration to me when things were starting to hurt near the end of the race. Lastly, congratulations to all MIDIRS runners for their dedication, everyone smashed their expected finish time and I think the photos tell the story of the day very well.

Steve Clayton
Graphic Designer
MIDIRS

a.k.a COACH CLAYTON.

It's been a long hard road

Words escape me when I think of how far the MIDIRS running team have come the past six months (personally I reckon over 200 miles in training…………WOW!). As I wait to start my last training session and with only four days to go until the 10k run, I feel moved to quote the immortal words of the great man himself ........... ............”Didn’t they do well”

Well I suppose Brucie’s words are a little understated, I’d put it a little stronger, we all did BLOODY WELL!!

Everyone has put 100% into the training and met their respective challenges with determination and resolve. It makes me very proud to be part of this team and you should all be congratulated on reaching the finish line (even before the actual race). Some people attain their goals in different ways but Julie falling pregnant is probably the most obscure one (well they do say that fertility is improved with fitness!).
So without further ado………

Congratulations - Adam McGahern

Very well done - Ann-marie Kelly

Gold star - Cara Gordon

Order of merit - Charlotte Robinson

Passed with distinction - Judith Sirr

Nice one – Julie Rogers

Good on ya - Michelle Brumby

Pat on the back - Steve Clayton (Coach)

Bravo - Vanessa Avery

Is that everyone?.................Oh yeah, I forgot…..…..Cheers - Andy Fisher (next year the marathon – now that’s a really good idea!)

Out of the running..?

Typical. Two weeks to go to the big day and I pulled my Achilles tendon showing off by running up a slope during a training session. Am gutted to get an injury at such a late stage as I really felt like I have been improving a bit over the past couple of months. The NHS has prescribed ice, ibuprofen and inactivity but hasn’t ordered me not to run (although a consultant at the trauma and orthopaedics clinic at the BRI where my Mum works has warned of the dangers of rupture-causing intensive exercise in cases of tendonitis!), so at present I’m still intending to give it my best shot on Sunday (although my husband has threatened me with divorce if I damage myself to the extent that I can’t help him put up the 10-person hyperdome on our two-week camping holiday that follows the race…)

My original goal was to get round the course without having to break into a walk, but at present my aim is just to start. And if I hobble anywhere near the finishing line among the pantomime horses, giant bananas and 90-year olds, then I shall consider that a major success!

Good luck everyone!

Update...Not Long to Go...

Well, today i'm feeling a little tired from the group training session yesturday, I have to say I have improved from when I started running in january which is a big relieve!!

I'm looking forward to the 10k in London - but a liitle nervous about the actual run, as long as i make it round picece I will be happy.

Not long to go now so Good Luck to Everyone!!!!

COACH CLAYTON (week 21)

TEAM REPORT (week 21)
As the big day draws ever closer, six team members attended the training session this week. After months of effort and continued improvement from all runners, the reality of the trial ahead has been marked with the arrival of our individual runners numbers and programme for the day. Only two more official training sessions to go and the mood in the MIDIRS camp remains positive with EVERYONE now tackling the longer ‘route 3’ each week which includes an energy sapping hill in the last mile.

I have recently discovered the wonders of an ipod shuffle whilst running which certainly helps to lift my spirits after i’ve passed through my usual comfort zone of about 3 miles. With only two weeks to go i’m now looking forward to the event and will be concentrating on staying injury free until at least the beginning of the race.

THIS WEEKS TOP TIP:
Play Your Favorite Music: Research has shown that listening to music while you workout can help you to work harder and enjoy your workout more.

INFO STORE:
Approximately 3 weeks before the race, check out the kit that you intend to wear on race day. Make sure that any new shorts, vest and socks still feel comfortable after 45 mins running. If you bought new shoes they should now be very comfortable.

The week before the race should still include some quality running, but short stuff. And you have 2 days off before the race - don't worry about this lapse, you won't forget how to run by race day! Eat more carbohydrates than you normally do in the last 3 days.

CHINESE PROVERB:
“To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.”

Pregnant and can't run anymore

Well I have great news, I am pregnant but unfortunately this means I am no longer able to run with my fellow team mates in the 10K London run. As this is my second child I already look about 8 months, I will however be cheering them on from the side lines with the other Midirs contingent. Bless them they have all just left to go running and most are attempting the big loop number 3 which some have been doing for a while now.

Good luck to them not that they need it.

Julie xx

COACH CLAYTON (week 16)

TEAM REPORT (week 16)

As the holiday season begins the MIDIRS 10K contingent was reduced to only six at this weeks training session. After a brief stretch out under the blazing afternoon sun we set off along our normal route of pain. Now usually the field will start and continue in roughly the same order each week according to distance running ability of each person, and this usually means Adam and Cara running at the front. For some reason this week I started at the front of the group, which caused me a slight problem, I am traditionally a sprinter, so if you show me some clear track I'll run into it as fast as I can – not the best idea on a distance run, but luckily after about a mile Adam passed by and order was once again restored to the universe.

With only seven more weeks to go until the big day, we all look for extra inspiration for our training and this came for some of my fellow team members this week. The Downs, where we train, is host to many a jogger especially on such a hot day, so when 'catalogue man' ran past us all with his semi-naked, bronzed, chiseled physique a few people quickened their pace in an attempt to stay with him, but to no avail; in a breeze of tanning oil and hair care products he was gone.

THIS WEEKS TOP TIP: 

When training for a race, keep yourself feeling motivated by varying your workout location – it's good to have something fresh to look at.

INFO STORE:

Every little helps – research shows that three ten minute walks is as effective as one thirty minute walk. So even if you don't have time for an hour's workout at the end of the day, you can find ways to fit things in throughout the day – walk to work, always use the stairs, etc.

CHINESE PROVERB:

Be the first to the field and the last to the couch.

COACH CLAYTON (week 9)

TEAM REPORT (week 9)

The Easter feasting is over and I think it’s finally getting to them – as I met with my fellow team members at this weeks training session I was greeted with mainly glum looking faces; was everyone just missing Adam who is on holiday this week, or was it just the thought of yet another run in the COLD that was doing it? After the usual warm up with partial comic value, we set off reluctantly. With Adam away, Cara led the field with 3 of the 8 runners on show taking on ‘route 2’. Andy showed a touch of the Dunkirk spirit, who after running ‘route 2’ with a heavily strapped knee injury, was lavished was applause from the rest of the team for his efforts. There was a no show from guest runner ‘Penn’ this week who having fallen off her horse, re-mounted and injured her ankle in the process. With motivation in mind perhaps we can all turn to the charity we are running for and this weeks topical Chinese proverb for inspiration.

THIS WEEKS TOP TIP:
Visualize Your Success: One of the secrets of top athletes is that they constantly visualize themselves achieving success, winning races, etc. The mind then directs your behavior towards achieving those goals. The secret is to picture yourself the way you want to be - how will you look when you've lost ten pounds, how will it feel to win the race, etc. Visualize this first thing in the morning, throughout the day, and as you go to sleep at night. You'll soon be on your way to realizing that vision.

INFO STORE:
Be strong: Runners work hard on training their legs, but you also need to workout your upper body and core stomach muscles to really improve your running. Start a simple daily strengthening routine - press-ups, arm curls, pull-ups, sit-ups. Do as many as you can and do them when you come back warm from your run. You should try to increase the number of repetitions of each exercise on a weekly basis.

CHINESE PROVERB:
“A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.”

COACH CLAYTON (week 8)

TEAM REPORT (week 8)
The MIDIRS 10K team was back in force this week, with a full compliment of 10 team runners and guest runner ‘Penn’ enjoying more civilized weather conditions than the previous week. Six runners managed ‘route 2’ whilst Julie and Charlotte joined Ann-marie in the achievement of making it around ‘route 1’ without stopping which is a huge step forward. Vanessa and Andy donned very expensive new running trainers, although the big man has irritated an old knee injury and rumour has it that his knee is very swollen this morning.

THIS WEEKS TOP TIP:
Monitor Your Progress: Many people keep a training log or diary - it's a great way to keep track of your progress, and also a motivator on those bad days - it will remind you of your efforts so far, and encourage you to not let them go to waste.

INFO STORE:
Once your activity or exercise routine is finished, its important that you take time to allow your body to recover, especially after a hard aerobic workout. Always let you heart rate come down gradually, if you simply stop at the end of a run, then its likely that the blood that was flowing smoothly around your body will simply be restricted in areas such as your lower legs (blood pooling) which will make recovery and stretching much harder. Aim to keep warm and moving, slowly taking your heart rate down for a minimum period or 5 minutes before you look at performing the cool down stretches.

At the same time you're cooling down, take in fluids to help your body recover

CHINESE PROVERB:
“Dig the well before you are thirsty.”

Back in the saddle

It was with no small amount of trepidation that I started out on yesterday's weekly run on the Downs. Having missed three consecutive weeks of training, I was sure that my fellow runners would leave me for dust! I was pleasantly surprised, however (more like amazed actually), that together with running buddies Julie & Ann-Marie, for the first time I managed to make it round ‘Route 1’ (2.3 miles) without stopping and in my fastest time yet! I guess that a week of holidaying and indulgence was not such a bad thing after all! (I'm trying to ignore the stiff muscles that I woke up with this morning!). Not being the most (ahem) sporty of people, when I first embarked on this training 'journey', I was haunted by memories of school PE lessons spent running around freezing cold cross-country pitches in the driving rain. I'm happy to say, though, that a few months into it, my exercise fears have not been realised and I'm actually beginning enjoy the challenge (yes really) and the opportunity to get fit. I only have to treble the distance I’ve run so far – that can’t be so bad can it??