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The Tony Mackness
Running Pages
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2005
Ashby 20 | Milton Keynes Half | Flora London Marathon | Oxford Town And Gown | 2 Castles |
Coventry Half | Kenilworth Half | Rugby 10 | Sneyd Striders Pudding Run
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- Ashby 20
- Sunday 13th March
- Running Number 367
- Conditions were good, that is
until about 18 miles when it came over a bit dark and it started to get
cold. A light flurry of snow or sleet only lasted a few minutes. The
last mile is a tough one, fast going out but coming back up the hill on
tired legs isn't easy.
- A finishing time of
2:30:08 was achieved.
- Would have been nice to get
under 2:30, but as my target was 2:30 / 2:35 I guess that I shouldn't be
that disappointed.
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- Milton Keynes Half Marathon
- Sunday 20th March
- Running Number 819
- Good conditions for this half, a
mostly traffic free race, using the footpaths and cycle routes round
Milton Keynes. A week after my 20 at Ashby I was still feeling the after
effects and wasn't that confident
of putting in a good performance. I set myself a target of 1.30 /
1.35 which I knew I would have to work hard to achieve.
- I got off to a good start and then pushed myself
to finish in
1:32:44 very nearly a new PB
The Flora London Marathon
Sunday 17th April
Running Number 22889
After months of training the big day
arrived. Weather forecasts from Wednesday onwards had predicted rain and
winds for the day, then on Saturday they changed their minds and predicted a
sunny day - which was spot on as I found out at half past six in the morning
when the sunlight beamed through the chink in the bedroom curtain !! Before
breakfast my race plan was decided - I would go for finishing in just under
the magical 3:15.. enough to get a PB, but also with it would come automatic
entry for the next two years. I wrote the splits on my arm and went down for
breakfast.
Walking over Blackheath made me
sweat, and I thought maybe a little spot of rain wouldn't be that bad after
all.
After the usual slowish start I got
into my stride and everything went well, at 9 miles I was just one second
over my split time target. After about 18 though the going
started to get a bit tougher and each mile was taking a bit longer, and I
had to dig deep. I realised that my sub 3:15 target was slipping away, but a
PB was still achievable. Nearing the end I went through the last
couple of miles and 385 yards in my head, Embankment, Big Ben, Birdcage Walk, Buckingham Palace and the
final right turn into The Mall.
- I rounded the final corner and the finish line
came into view. The spectators over the last few miles were fantastic,
cheering and urging everyone on to their own personal victory. Support
all round the course was superb, their numbers swelled due to the fine
weather (that is for them, not the runners !)
- From somewhere I found a little bit extra and
pushed for the line, crossing in a time of
- 3 hours 26 minutes and 55 seconds knocking 1
minute and 32 seconds of my previous PB.
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- Oxford Town And Gown
- Sunday 15th May 2005
- Distance 10k
- Running Number 1697
- It just gets better...
- 10 years after setting a PB of 42mins 41secs
in the Coventry BUPA 10k on Sunday 15th October 1995, I completed
the Town And Gown in a new PB, knocking 1min 16seconds of my previous
best to finish in a time of 41mins 26secs
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- Two Castles
- Warwick Castle to Kenilworth Castle
- Sunday 12th June 2005
- Distance 10k
- Running Number 1280
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- Last did this race in 1995 !!
- For this one I couldn't reprise my
performance in the Town And Gown.
- Probably down to the four days in
Barcelona the previous weekend !!
- A nice course with a hilly bit in the
middle. Target time was between 42 and 43 minutes.
- Finished in 42mins 54seconds.
- Must try harder next time.
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Coventry Lady Godiva Half Marathon
- Sunday 25th September
2005
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- Distance 13.1 miles
- Running Number 1253
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- After a delay of 15 minutes I was standing on the start line with Fred
Flintstone in front of me. I decided to push a little bit further
towards the front, and, would you believe it Scooby Doo was on the
front line. Obviously not serious runners I thought.....
- After less than
100 yards I passed a couple who remarked "I'm not going to run at that
pace".
- Why oh why do people not start in their
designated time zones ? It makes it so much easier for everyone.
I am not suggesting this was unique to Coventry Half, It happens at
every race.
- I shall now get off my soap box !
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- Excellently organised, with Lady Godiva giving
out the medals at the finish line. Support along the course was very
good, and the marshal's were offering encouragement all the way round.
That's something that runners appreciate, and unfortunately in some
races you don't get a peep out of marshals.
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- But... if this event is to make a mark on the race calendar it must find
a better route. The course seems to be mainly uphill, and the out and
back along major roads combined with a full lap of the Coventry Ring
Road at the beginning, and half a lap towards the end just doesn't make it an interesting route.
Fellow Coventry runners were not pleased with the route, so what must
those who travelled have thought ?
I went into the race unsure of how I
would do after a knee problem on Monday. Plenty of treatment throughout the
week and a few days rest proved to be beneficial. After taking the first few
miles easy I picked up the pace on the second half to finish in a time of
1:40:54
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- Kenilworth Half Marathon
- Sunday October 9th 2005
- Distance 13.1 miles
- Running Number 761
- A great half marathon and one which I would
certainly put on the race calendar for next year. Superb course from
Kenilworth to Hasley Knob, Beausale and back, Rural route along quiet
mainly traffic free Warwickshire roads. Some testing hills, particularly
the one at 12 miles, but then a nice downhill to the finish line.
- Finishing time 1:35:41
http://www.krrac.co.uk
Rugby 10
Sunday October 16th 2005
Distance 10 miles
Running Number 475
- If you are looking for a 10 mile PB
course.....then don't do this race !!!!
- There are a couple of hill's, the toughest
"Cart Hill" coming between miles two and three, and the other between
seven and eight. Its a nice run otherwise, through countryside and
some small villages. One downside is that none of the roads are closed,
so care is needed at all times.
- Finishing time 1:12:20
- Sneyd Striders
- Christmas Pudding Run
- Sunday 11th December 2005
- Distance 10 Miles
- Running Number 72
- Six weeks ago I was really looking forward to
my third Pudding run, and after good performances in the two half marathons
and the rugby 10 I was confident that I could get a new PB or very close
to one. That was before my achilles tendon became a problem. Running
was impossible for two weeks and then over the last four weeks I only
managed to run three times a week for a maximum distance of six miles.
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- I knew that anywhere near a PB was not
possible, but went into the run just happy to get round. Plenty of
stretching before the race proved to be beneficial as I got to about
eight miles before it started to hurt... only two to go, so you can't
stop now...can you !!
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- Official finishing time of 1:18:07
