Ian Fisher of Otley Athletic Club

Getting back into it.

2008-07-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

On the running front my progress has improved a lot. I went on the track on Monday to do 45 minutes worth of 300's with jog recovery, with 100's and 100 jog to push it up to an hour. It was very warm. I did these after work, with the first and last 300's being something like 48 seconds. I'm quite sure it would be quicker if I had someone to shield behind, but this way gives good mental strength.

Last night was hill reps down in Otley up the Chevin on a closed off to traffic tarmac road. Hugh Pearson was the coach in charge of the session which included various warm up routines.
We did 5 x 80 metre strong efforts with jog down. This was done 4 times. It was warm again.

Tonight was a hilly 12 miler. Temp was something like a simmering 22c according to my watch? Took ages to cool off afterwards. The run went very well. I didn't wain that much in the heat on the toughest climbs.

Last Friday night my club organised the Washburn Relay which are some reserviour's situated about five miles north of Otley. Conditions were perfect.
I was in Zack Whitehead's men's team. Zack finished an impressive 1st by pulling back the Abbey runner.
I then did the four miler around Fewston. I think I was coming down with a cold or something as my breathing felt restricted for racing at 100%. I felt wobbly early on, but i held and improved our gap over the next Abbey runner by 90 seconds.
Julian Mawson was our last runner on leg 3. He was running Bishop Wilton Half Marathon over the vale of York the next day at 10am. What would he do? He lost a few seconds but he came in clear to win it for us.
Our woman's team came first aswell. New girl Steph Houghton ran first leg and finished well up. Every improving Josie Hodgett's got them into 1st on the second leg, and Laura Martin retained there lead on the final leg to clinch victory.

This Sunday I was going to try and enter Pudsey 10k and use it as a race-back-to-fitness type run.
But instead I'm going to help club member Andrew Robertshaw with the Roundhill trail/fell race up at Timble.
If you fancy it come along. It's left at the cross roads when you turn right to Timble.

Track session

2008-07-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

After three months of cycling and steady running with some surges. I finally made the effort to go to Bradford's Park Avenue's track near Odsal top.
I spent an hour there doing blocks of 300's and 200's. I'm pleased to add it went very well with no serious problem's. My calf's hurt a bit afterwards, but that's down to the spikes.
More to come.

It's back to school ....but in GB kit this time!

2008-07-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law Rachel is a teacher at St Aiden's CE Primary, Billinge near Haydock. The school was having a sports week all last week, which included a variety of sport's people visiting the school.
Rachel suggested that I should go along with my GB kit and medal's and so on. I was a bit worried over the idea as I don't see myself as a confident speaker, but in the end I thought it was a great idea to tell my story to children ranging from 7 to 9 year's old.
I also keen on the idea of making a good impression for my four year old nephew Edward in front of his friends at school.

When I arrived at this school, I was greeted with a warm welcome from the staff and a nice Mars bar (it's not a talking Mars bar, I was just given one to eat!)
I met up with the group of something like 30+ children in the computer room where Rachel proceeded to give a talk and slide show on my running history.
On the front table was some of my GB kit and medal's. Most of it gold I'm afraid.
The children asked me if I had any bronze in my bag of medal's. I said I did, but all I could pick out were the gold and one or two silver. I was a bit embarrassed by that (really I was).
One of the the children had a go at lifting the bag. He said it was heavy. I said it was the gold.

Next thing was photo's with the children outside on the playing fields. We had fun with that which included a few running to the camera shot's. The kid's were trying to outsprint me on that one aswell.

My timetable was to take three groups of different standards up on to Billinge hill which has surprising good view's. With me I had ex-pupil Jemma who runs regularly and a teacher called Rebecca who also runs and cycles often.
The oldest group were off first. It was going to be a hot day. Thankfully, the children had water bottle's with them just in case.
I led off with Rebecca following at the back with Jemma in the middle. The kid's were really up for it and took on board what was said. Before we got to half way point we stopped at near a sub station for some light stretching after the early run.

We then went on up to Billinge hill. There we rested and had a drink. Up there they asked me question's like how tall I was, and what's you favourite team. Someone asked me how do I descend. Well I said I run down hill spinning my arm's like a windmill ...as a joke.
Next thing all of them did just that. A lad called Ryan who did a lot of the leading fell over at the bottom. He soon bounced back.

The second group before lunch had some interesting sporting talent in there. Once again they we're keen to try it out. In this group I noticed a boy called Alex Sankey who just kept on running all the time. His friend Alex, and other's such as Alice, Ryan and Adam ran very well.

Lunchtime my brother came to the school and we took Edward to the park to run some energy off.

After lunch was the final group which included the youngest. Once again they were showing they had ability to do very well. Not content with just the one run. Alex Sankey and his mate also Alex joined us. Alice also wanted to have another go.
In this group we also had another special boy called Caine Gault. The kid isn't too well at this moment but that didn't stop him from joining his friends in this run which lasted for a few miles.
There was other children to think off so when we stopped and regrouped along the way so we all could stay together.

All three groups were fantastic. I did enjoy being involved and being constantly asked about how tall I am, and what's my favourite footy team!
Afterwards like after the previous two the children wanted my autograph. Some even asked me to do one for their parent's. It was quite funny to hear that, but I declined on that one.

We got back just in time for the afternoon assembly where they asked me to present certificate's to all the runner's. The school does pride itself in rewarding it's pupil's.

Rachel also took me to my nephew Edward's class. He was very happy to see me come in and tower over his friends. We then went for a quick jog around the nursery running track.

All 31 runner's did very well on the run, but two stood out from the rest. For his natural running ability it has to be Alex Sankey. I hope his parent's will gently persuade him to progress further. Caine Gault also impressed me with his determination to succeed.

Finally, St Aiden's CE Primary teacher's should also be given credit on my blog for being one of only three other schools involved from sixty plus schools in the St Helen's area who took part in getting the children in sport's week.

Harrogate League. Swaledale 2nd July

2008-07-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

After three month's I finally lined up for my first attempt at racing. The road race is an out and back from Hudwell village near Richmond in North Yorkshire. It's a popular one with many as there is a good spread afterwards.

Otley AC prior to the race were leading overall team and elite men's. But at the back of my mind I was thinking that R&Z could pull a good chunk back to threaten our postition.
I was running more now, but a slight discomfort was still there. I could only run to a limit. This in mind I decided to start just off the front with my team mates. Thirsk's Gary Dunn was there to win I hope over the other bloke from R&Z.

The race started, and I felt I was running with the brakes on. It was hard for the first part. At halfway I was okay, but on the way down to the finish I was being cautious with my sprain. But it was also hard trying to go quick down hill.
Still, I had the spread to look forward to afterwards.

Gary broke clear of Jon Orange of Richmond & Zetland well before halfway. Gary deserved the win. He had won Rainton 10k two day's earlier, and was going to race the the Burn Valley Half up in Masham on the following Saturday.

Otley had a successful night and became champions again without me being in the first four races.

I don't think I will do the Ripon handicap. We shall see.

The comeback!

2008-06-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

Nice title?

Things are going well now. The training balance between cycling and running is tipping more towards running now.
The muscle spasm is almost gone. It takes me around half an hour for my leg to settle in to running more naturally.
I'm not running like Quasimodo, but I still run with a slight hobble. My head is telling me to hold back on the descent's until I'm 100%.

Going to Otley tomorrow for my first training run since back in March. I hope running in a pack will help confidence.

Going to pay a visit to my sister-in-law Rachel's school over in Merseyside very soon. I will be talking to the youngster's on how I started running at school when I was 10.

**************************************************************************************

I was lucky to be the best long distance runner at my schools.
When I joined Bingley Harrier's when I was 11/12 years old, I quickly found out that I wasn't good enough to be with the fast lads of the same age.
At the time, I wasn't that dedicated as they were. I didn't do as much in junior racing as I should. If I was encouraged more by my dad who also ran at the time. Maybe, the outcome could have been different?
Many of those lads didn't progress beyond their teens cause they burned out, or more realistically just moved on.
I was never forced into it. I was just nice to do a sport that I was actually good at, along with cycling. I'm quite useless at ball sport's.
Support from my club Otley AC has helped me to stick it out. Also getting my first open race win for the club was a great feeling. It gives you great confidence which makes racing easier.

**************************************************************************************

I hope the GB kit and medals will give them a proper understanding about what can be achieved if you stick it out. I will be pointing out to them at that early age that they will have plenty of time to develope as they get older.
I only ever ran at school in the sports lessons. At home, I was always playing out with the rest of the kids, using my bike or skateboard if required. Simply because us lot didn't have a distracting computer games console to keep us indoors.

(The editor now stop's and then sigh's for a moment at this point before adding..)
It was a hard life.

End of history lesson.

Well done! Harrogate League. LBT. Garforth 17th June.

2008-06-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

In my absence, my club have once again ran superb as a team. It was good to see a turn out with one more counting race to go.
Looking at the results on the Harrogate League Road Race series web site, I noticed Dale Foster, and welcome second claimer for us from Leeds City Tim Midgley. Tim can run faster than what he did at Rothwell.
Laura Martin was at the front again with good ladies back up.

Matt Cox was again first back, followed by a quick Andrew Robertshaw and Zack Whitehead who's foot was sore from the previous weeks Otley 10.

The club has maintained it's elite and team lead's. I'm sure we can keep the elite, and it would be nice if we can keep hold of the overall winning team after the next and final race in Swaledale in two weeks.
It's nice to know that we're coping so far without injured Jamil and myself.
Hope to back soon.

Otley 10 mile road race. Wednesday 11th June

2008-06-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday was my club's 10 mile road race. It's quite popular for a mid-week race despite the nature of the course which is flat for the first 4 miles, and quite hilly with two large hills to climb at 5 and 8 miles.

As for myself, I'm still getting over a muscle spasm on my right thigh. I can run with some reservation at a sensible pace, but going all out is I think not possible. My fitness is being kept in track with plenty of cycling. Riding to work and back and doing a 42 mile ride in 2 hours at the weekends. This 42 mile loop that I do is quite fast and flat with some undulation and always some head wind for the first 15 miles.

I will try a long run tomorrow. I hope to be more daring and try a faster pace. It would be nice to do at least the last Harrogate League race to test me out, and to support my club after being out of it since the start of April this year.

This year's 10 had my rival's and mate's Darren Bilton from Leeds City who is on blinding form and my Harrogate League and North Yorkshire open race challenger from Thirsk & Sowerby Gary Dunn.
Gary had finished an excellent 4th at Edinburgh around 17 day's earlier, so Darren had to be favourite in my absence.

As the race started it was Darren leading out with Gary on his heals. This stayed like this till 2 miles, and then Darren broke away. Gary must have been feeling heavy legged early on.

My job this year was to do the lead car from Farnley school which is before the 8 mile point. I drive a Fiat Punto, so seeing David Fox drive a Porsche 911 Carrera for the first seven miles did make my car a little ordinary. Darren though said to me afterwards that the 911 struggled to go at that slow pace with it jumping forwards etc. Mine was okay cause 10 mph is it's top speed!

Darren had a huge gap over Gary. But Gary ran well so soon after a marathon. It would have interesting to see what would have happened if I was also in the race. I think I would have fought for it hard like I did with Ian Holmes a few year's back when I missed out on the course record by 26 seconds I believe (51.25).

The rest of the Otley club member's also ran very well which included the ladies Laura Martin and Josie Hodgett's. Simon Anderson had a crack but I'm not sure what he made of it.

My apprentice Zack Whitehead continued to impress with his 58 minute plus run. He also claimed first local with a sprint finish over the next local.

Harrogate League. Starbeck 22nd May.

2008-05-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

I've just seen the results for the second HL race ran last night.
Well done to all in my club who turned out in force, and racing so well to keep our club in front. I wish I was there to support and expand the elite gap, but I'm still out of it I'm afraid. Still, it's given me chance to change some windows and pave a path to my front door.
It so pleasing to see everyone pull together and run so well in mine and Jamil's absense.
The ladies did very well again, but I have to mention the lads who ran at the front. Matt Cox had another blinder to finish first Otley runner followed by Andrew Robertshaw. And what can I say about Zack Whitehead's run, he's just getting faster. They were so close to the race winner. He must have panicked with those white vest's in the chase.
Well done everyone!

No Windermere marathon.

2008-05-17T02:41:00.000-07:00

In the last hour (10am) I have decided not to run in the Windermere marathon tomorrow. Doubt has been setting in this past week through trying to run comfortably. It's quite hard trying to block an injury from your mind.

I can walk, bike and get up and down stairs in no pain well enough. But pounding 26 undulating miles on the road seemed quite daunting after six weeks of minimal running. Having visions of dropping out in the race would have made me more miserable because I knew felt I could win this one. Then on the other side of the coin I knew it might have made it worse.

Now that I have no races planned over the next few months, I can let things repair naturally. My experience in the sport has helped me made the right choice in the end.

Still not running!

2008-05-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

The sprain around the quad area on my right leg is hampering any sort of running. I can walk and bike okay, but I can only run for a mile or so before I can feel the tightness. It's taking time to heal, and I am using heat lamps, magnets, massager's, massaging and creams and sprays. I'm accepting I will have to let it heal naturally.

After missing a few key races the past month, I have pulled out of Edinburgh marathon on 25th May.
Windermere is a week before. If I can run without any problems I will go ahead with that. Other than that, I have decided to do no other races or training until I recover.

It does mean I will be out of the Harrogate League races. After being dominant in that sries since the early nineties. I think quite alot of runner's will be quite pleased to have someone else win them.

Other things outside racing has also had an impact on wanting to compete. So there you go.

Next time, I hope to be back to normal and in a more positive mood.

Rothwell 10k

2008-04-20T03:45:00.000-07:00

Missed Rothwell 10k near Leeds today just to be on the safe side from making my sprain worse. Got this shuitsu massager the other day. It seems to be doing the trick as my leg seems better. Going to run a careful one on the grass later. But before that I will go on the turbo trainer.
I hope to do Sheffield next Sunday. I'm missing vital training for key races over the next month or so. Everything could be wiped out until I'm 100% sure of running without the injury playing on my mind.

Baildon Boundary Off-Road Half Marathon

2008-04-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

I was looking forward to having an enjoyable run today in this popular trail race which takes in Baildon (north of Bradford) Esholt, Leeds and Liverpool canal, various woodlands, Saltaire, and Shipley Glen including Baildon Moor.
I did a long run of 2.15 last Monday in my racer trail/fell shoes. But after such a pounding which I later found out to be mostly hard trail, my legs took a bashing. I took Tuesday off to recover and then went out on a fast run on Wednesday around Lister Park. I started off alright, but i had to cut it short as my right leg was giving me some jip. I decided to rest up till Sunday's race instead.

It was a nice day for the race. I was still worried about my niggle near my right knee. There wasn't acute pain, but it did cause me to hobble. I decided to run in running tight's to keep my muscle/joints warm.

I had only run for mere seconds and just had to pull out. There was no way I was going to run it as a limp for 13.4 miles (my friend Pete Shields had a Garmin).
It was a wise thing to do, but I was so looking forward to running it and prove something for Baildon Running club. I was left quietly disappointed. The organiser's and other folk were understanding which did help.

Later in the day I used my bike turbo trainer. I had no problems with that so my knee is alright. Some tendon soreness I think.

Baildon Boundary Off-Road Half Marathon

2008-04-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

I was out on a 2 hour 20 minute run yesterday. It was mostly off road taking in the race route and some more on top. The race route passes through a couple of miles away along the canal.
I haven't done this event since 1999. Since then the route has been changed. I have noticed there is more hard tracks than before. I ran it in the Adidas Swoops. Okay on soft surface, but I felt it afterwards. Going to run it in more cushions shoes.
I followed the written plan of the route. Everything went very well until I got to Fairweather Farm area as it forks off into two lanes. I took the left one down to a stream which would lead up to Baildon road. I was soon back on track though. I'm confident that I won't go wrong. I'm looking forward to running it again. I'm going go for the record.
It makes a nice change after running London every year from 2000 to 2007.
I felt stale in London 2007 after doing two foreign marathons since October 2006.

I've got my number's for Rothwell 10k on 20th April, and Sheffield Half marathon a week later. That will be the final race prior to Windermere.

I'm going to run a tactfull Windermere. I'm in the Edinburgh marathon the week after.

The Guisley Gallop

2008-03-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

This race has always seemed to pass my attention over the year's. Today, after partying over the two previous night's (dressed as a jester at Jamil's birthday party at Barden Tower's last night), I thought about doing this race.
It was a snowy start to the day which mean't a revised route away from the canal and main road. It could have easily been cancelled, but it's so popular with runner's.

I had a great start by nearly falling into what looked like a small puddle, but it turned out to be quite deep. After gurning with my arms out like an airplane I got my balance back. There was still some icy snow at 10.30am. Going down into the woods needed some care and attention. I think everybody were being cautious themselves.

I began to brake away quite early on. There was a sharp right onto some concrete slaps at the far end of the route. It did make me slip out. At the corner of my eye running back I noticed Tim Midgley and Jamie Noon in persuit. I din't look back after that, but I felt I was extending the gap.
The surface was now getting pretty churned up as I went into the second lap. I felt I could settle down now into it.
In the last two miles I was passing some back marker's. As I finished the last loop before returning uphill to the finish I noticed some runner's coming from a different direction?
After jumping over the stream and then making my way back someone mentioned I should be doing another lap. At first I dismissed it, but after 50 meter's I grinded to a halt and asked them if they were telling the truth. I must have lost a good 20-30 seconds trying to get an answer from them which never came. I then turned and ran back to the finish.
The last stretch was on the tarmac to the retail park. It seemed an age until the next runner came in. Something had gone wrong.

About five ninutes later the next runner's were coming, but I later found out around a dozen had gone of course.
The course was well marked out even for someone like me who is short sighted. But I think my knowledge off that area did help.
To be fair to the organiser's they did a great job remarking the new route with only a few hour's to go. I'm afraid things like this are alway's going to happen with off road races. There was a few angry people taking it out on the organiser's at first but things soon cooled down soon after.
There was 404 finisher's. I won the race in 32.01 going by my watch.

Edinburgh Marathon 25th May

2008-03-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have been recently offered a all expenses paid package to run the Edinburgh Marathon. Sadly, it's just a week after my Windermere Marathon run-out at a sensible pace.
I've done okay in 10k road races a week after London, but never another marathon. I think I would be just running myself into the ground by doing it. It's a novel way to get into Ultra-distance running. And can you imagine the Athletic's weekly report on it.
I've got till 31st March to tell the organiser's if I want to slug it out.

Having a day off today. I'm feeling a bit run down with a headache. Hope eating half a family size chocolate swiss roll has nothing to do with it. But I think it must be the late night - early start to work today. Shame on me!

I need to get back into track work again. I haven't been on a track since last autumn.

Ackworth Half 16th March 2008

2008-03-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

Yet another windy race. I do pick 'em.

Good competition this time (maybe because of the prize money on offer...could be wrong).
In the line up was Dominic Bannister of Shaftsbury H, Chris Birchall of Leeds City, Dave Norman of Altrincham & District Ac, Neil Renault of Long Eaton, Darren Bilton of Leeds City, and up and coming runner Nathan Williams of NYM Ac and a few other's.

The first half is the hilliest part of the course, but also can be tough with open landscape which attracted the strong wind. The race fully started at 2 miles and the pace was hot. I was struggling for the first part, while Dom, Dave, Neil and Chris were breaking away.
My group were just off that group which included Nathan, Darren and Matt Pierson of Holmfirth H.
Around halfway it was myself, Nathan and Neil taking turns into the wind.
By this point Bannister was off on his own, while Dave and Chris were slugging it out behind. With five miles to go, I got my break and second wind. But my right hamstring was giving me problems to go fast. But I noticed I was catching Dave up slowly which was a boost. I finished 4th in the end 68.30. I was finding it hard to walk without a limp afterwards. A few hours later I was okay.
Julian Mawson and Zack Whitehead back me up for the team with there respective positions 20th and 32nd, and times 1.15.53 and 1.18.53. Also Howard Jeffrey was there and finished as 'Jeffrey Howard' on the results with 154th with 1.31.30.
I won a bronze Yorkshire medal in the end. It was a good solid race with some good competition.

Future plans include Baildon Boundry trail, Rothwell 10k, Sheffield half and three weeks after that Windermere Marathon.

Otley AC training weekend

2008-03-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

This was held in Keswick in the Lake District from Saturday 8th to Tuesday 11th March 2008. Weather during the break was fine.

Around 20+ Otley member's were booked in some nice log cabins at the foot of Skiddaw hills, but minutes from the local Jennings Ale house. The Pheasant.

Saturday's run was the Dewentwater 10 with a bit added on (as I got lost trying to get out of Keswick onto the right road to Barrowdale.
Going to Grange was a head wind on the main road to Grange. I was keen to get this part out of the way quickly and then settle down. It's about 4.5 miles from Keswick to Grange, and then it's up the west side which is more enjoyable. Did the run in about an hour on my own.

Sunday's run was with Andy Robertshaw (our guide), Hugh Pearson and heavy rucksack (triathlete) and John Armitstead.
Our objective was Skiddaw the direct route! What a long long climb. My calfs were screaming. I was pleading in my mind for mountain goat Andy R. to wait for the other to catch up.
We had started in the warm sunshine and ended up on a snow covered peak. I was wary of falling over because of Ackworth Half in a weeks time. But thankfully, nothing happened to me. We went down the other side and then east bound and loop around to the climb were the Skiddaw race route comes up and down.

Monday was another solo run with a difference. It was east bound along the dissused railway track which is quite close to A66, and then it went off northbound to Musgrisedale village. It was then southbound to the A66 and then west to Grangehouse and then back to Keswick. Something like 22 miles in all.

Tuesday was taken up with a walk from the Great Wood beside Derwentwater.

It was a nice weekend apart from paying twice the price for a curry. And £1.10 for one japatti!
A highlight of the weekend was the accoustic guitar face-off with Rogan Ashton Vs. David Hainsworth. What a battle indeed.

Norton 9 mile road race. Sunday 2nd March 08.

2008-03-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Once again.......another windy day.

In this race near Askern, Donaster. I had two proper challenger's as I later found out.
There was Leeds City's Chris Birchall ad Rotherham's Yorkshire steeplechase champ Richard Harris.
I took the lead early on and was surprised not have Chris with me. He is in marathon training like myself, but he did a long run the day before.
The first four miles were just into a head wind to the north of the town. Then we had the cross winds going west and then it was the turn of the hill's. Thankfully after running into the wind earlier these hills were managable.
I was still infront with Richard Harris in second place. Chris Birchall got second wind in the later half and got into second place in the last few miles.
I finished 1st in 46.55. Chris was 48.15 and Rick was 48.31.
Chris would get his revenge later in the month.
Results www.ukresults.net/2008/norton9.html