The Tony Mackness web pages

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The Tony Mackness Running Pages

2020 Race Reports
Centurion Grand Prix /

Centurion Grand Prix Series

2019 / 2020

5 Miles

2019 / 2020 Full results HERE

Organised by Centurion Running Club, consisting of 6 races over a 5 mile traffic free course round
parkland in Chelmsley Wood. One small loop and two larger loops..

JANUARY
Unfortunately had to miss this one.
The previous Monday I was within half mile of home when my left calf tightened up. To be expected really as I had run injury free since July 2019 !
It just came on without warning, and the best plan was to rest it, but I dont mind saying I was pretty
pissed off as it meant no parkrun double on New Years Day.

FEBRUARY
Tried out the calf a week prior to the Febraury race, and I only lasted for 5 minutes.
It had felt Ok but obviously it needed more time. A period of rest required.

MARCH (1.3.2020)
So being the sensible person I am (not) I rested my calf for 5 whole weeks before starting running again. in the interim I had did alot of work on the stepper to keep my fitness up, whilst not overloading my legs.
I then started running for 15 minutes, then 18, then 20, 22, 25 and 30 minutes.
All went well so I did Coventry parkrun on 29th February
(as there will not be another Saturday 29th Feb until the year 2048), so it had to be done !!

Sunday turned out a reasonable day for running, dry, but a strong headwind along the back straight (three times) meant it was hard work. Some standing water, ankle deep couldn't be avoided. I maintained a steady pace all the way round, and happy to get round in one piece.
My legs were sore on Monday, but by Wednesday all was back to normal.

MARCH (15.3.2020)
The second race in march due to the December race being cancelled due to an outbreak of norovirus
at the school used for race HQ.
Driving over to the race the heavens opened, but by race time it had stopped.
It then proceeded to rain again on the way home.
The puddles had mainly dried up since the last race but they had been replaced with mud.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be another get round in one piece race, having slightly jarred my ankle the previous weekend, and I had only run a total 30 minutes at the start of the week, and then rested until race day.

APRIL
April's race is in doubt due to Corona Virus.

Click here to go to the Centurion Grand Prix 2017 / 2018 results
and here to go to my Centurion Grand Prix 2017 race reports

Click HERE to view the CGP archive which has results going back to the 2001/2002 series
See how many names you recognise !

	Race Number	Overall Position	Age Position	Time
Sunday 3rd November	82	44 / 108	4 / 5	38.41
Sunday 1st December	RACE CANCELLED - MOVED TO 15.3.2020
Sunday 5th January	NO RACE THIS MONTH - CALF INJURY
Sunday 2nd February	NO RACE THIS MONTH - CALF INJURY
Sunday 1st March	155	40 / 74	4 / 7	41.26
Sunday 15th March	220	34 / 58	4 / 7	41.44
Sunday 5th April	RACE CANCELLED DUE TO CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC

On the 24th March 2020 the UK was placed in "Lock Down" due to the escalation of Corona Virus "COVID19".
As from this date the government stipulated that you could only leave the house for shopping, work (but working from home was to be the norm where possible), collecting medicine, and once a day for excercise, which could be a RUN, walk or cycle). Social distancing was introduced where you should keep a distance of two metres between you and another person. All restaurants, bars, cinemas, gyms and mass attendance events like football were also banned, and only essential shops remained open.
This would have far reaching effects on the running community, which would see major events like London, Boston and Berlin marathons cancelled or rescheduled together with parkruns and all local races. Running clubs were unable to meet.

The lockdown has had a positive effect on my running.
I have been going out every other day running either 5 miles or 10k, and between lockdown start and 30th April I have done 100 miles !

I am now writing this on Sunday October 3rd 2020
The pandemic is still with us.
The London Marathon was run today, but only for elite men, women and wheelchair athletes. It was run over 19 laps of St James Park, The Mall and Birdcage Walk.
6 foot high barriers were erected round the course, so there were no spectators allowed.
Worldwide 45,000 did run a "Virtual London Marathon". Those who did a 26.2 mile run were elligible to claim their finisher T shirt and medal.

However, in reality they have NOT done the London Marathon.
That may be a controversial statement but how can running 26.2 miles round your local neighbourhood be the same as running the street of London, (or Manchester or Boston or anywhere else for that matter)

99.99% of all races are still cancelled, although many have also been run as "Virtual" races.
Earlier in September parkrun stated they intended to restart in late October.
Rising numbers of Covid infections in the UK meant that this plan was shelved. At the moment if you want to get your parkrun fix, you can run in Australia, New Zealand and the Falklands Islands.

Good luck trying to get a flight there !!