My 10K Run Recorded in time lapse

Quick video of a 10K run. Enjoy!

This was my first and probably last attempt at recording a run in time lapse. I'm not sure it's turned out that great. I had the camera strapped to my chest when it should of been on my head (cutting movement down), but that's quite a public route and can live without the odd looks.

It's a great 10k run, well to be honest it's just under that distance. If you like trail runs and live around Warrington then you should try it out. The video has the stats for the run at the beginning. ENJOY!

MTB / Go Pro Camera Ride

Ive always owned a bike. Chopper, Grifter, BMX, Racer and so on. In fact looking back some of the happiest times of my youth were spent on a bike. But as with some of the more enjoyable elements of life getting a bit older meant the fun had gone out of being on the bike. My rusty MTB (mountain bike) was just a slave, something I used and abused to get me to work or for a late night drunken bike ride in search of more booze.

Being a keen runner meant I would use it even less, why bother as I had always felt sorry for cyclist when I was out running. My view was running beat being out on a bike hands down and on the whole I still believe that. Absolutely nothing beats the rush of smashing through the 10k mark with your favourite tunes in your ear. But thats another story.

So I'll get to my point. I had injured my knee and needed to cut back on the runs so in desperation I went looking for something beyond the gym (too boring) and came across MTB footage on you tube which had been caught on a Go Pro Camera.

I was instantly hooked. It was like this whole new movement in outdoor sports culture. People doing crazy stuff on bikes and it doesn't stop there, the whole Go Pro revolution is vast. I'll blog on this soon.
 

Just a few weeks after seeing the footage I'm the owner of a new MTB and the latest Go Pro camera. On reflection I could not afford it but it was one of the best things I ever did.

Not only did it keep my fitness levels up but it was fun. a lot of fun. It also reignited my love of photography and film which I thought had died some time ago.

Anyway here below is just one of the short films I've made and edited together. I'm still getting my head round the camera and editing software also my MTB skills are what you would expect from someone who hasn't been on a bike properly for 20 years (4 min 49 sec into the video proves this) but I hope you enjoy it.

Cheers

Sports Relief 10k

On one of the hottest March days on record the Sport Relief Run was held at Victoria Park Warrington. To be honest I didn't train much for it. I was only doing 6 miles which I run most days but I was in for quite a shock as it turned out. Great for the fun runners doing a mile but not so much fun for the handful of us doing the 6 miles, the sun was blistering!

To be honest it was still a lot of fun, just wish I'd got some sunny days of training in before hand. Don't think anyone was ready for the weather conditions that day but at least the park was full of people enjoying it.

I'd like to thank everyone who sponsored me and came along to clap all the runners over the line. Same time same place next year.

The 2 videos are just a bit of fun, shot using a Go Pro camera. Yes I had that thing strapped to my head running the full 6 miles!

Enjoy the Vids

Back From A Break - UPDATE

Well it's been some time since I've been here, typing away in the vain hope to get some point or other across with the shared hope someone will find it interesting. I'm already questioning how long this stint will last but I guess judging from my last period on here it will last as long as my motivation to type lasts, this bringing me nicely to saying hello again everyone and welcome to my blog.

My absence has been due to mainly moving house, then moving back. Starting a new job then ending the new job. Yes it's been a very disruptive year so far but I'm settled again now, so with some solid plans in place lets hope it stays that way.

Quick update on things so far.

My visits to Moore Nature Reserve have dropped off, my commitment to running has taken over and I've also found out what all the fuss was about with mountain bikes. After a running injury I bought one to help keep the fitness up. Turned out to be one of the best things I ever did.

The nature reserve is still very important to me, but I tend to be running round the place now more than walking or bird watching, this is a shame and something I hope to put right this year.

Not done much camping, not had the time or the funds but going out on the MTB and running around the countryside has made up for the lack of camping hours.

I've a huge amount of pics and videos to post up, so I'll push on.

Thanks for reading.

Tony

English Half Marathon 2011

My very first half marathon loomed and at 3am on race day I'm wide awake.  I was thinking back to the previous year when as a spectator I vowed I would be running it the following year and that my time would be competitive. Cometh the man........

So I've blogged a little about training for this years marathon etc, this can be found in the mix of my old blogs in the 'Legacy 5k' and 'Running Photography'. I'm guessing like a lot of other runners out there, we all have a fitness/running story.

I felt ill during the early hours, panicking over lack of sleep, what to eat pre-run and was I up to the job. The fact I'd been training for almost a year and getting in about 30 miles a week made no difference, I was still bricking it.

My fears and anxiety faded away once I got to the park. Seeing such a huge amount of runners and spectators just washed all my fears away. Everyone seamed to be enjoying the moment and getting on with their run prep, so I did the same.

I shall avoid going into detail about my experience during the very long 13.01 miles across South Warrington. I was lucky in some respects that I had run parts of the the course during this year and did my homework on how to approach and run my first half marathon.

The best advice I got came from a mate. Sprint train, this I did lots of during the run-up to the marathon. It worked for me and I always felt stronger the day after. Combined with a good diet and minimum booze during the week of the marathon I trained well in the hope to prove to myself I could put in a competitive time.

Support from Marshall's, the public and other runners was overwhelming and I'll repeat what everyone else is saying, the people helped us all through each hard run mile.

Yes then, I did put in a great time for my first marathon ( see first pic ) and the whole experience was a really great one. I felt liberated after the run, nackered but liberated from the un-healthy and some-what lazy individual I had been for the previous 40 years on this planet, it was a good feeling.

So to cut a long blog short it was a job well done. Not only by the 'self congratulating me' but a great job done by all the other runners, no matter what time someone had finished in. It was well organised and even though it's up against The Great North Run it attracted great crowds and some quality runners.

For me, now? I need to recover and find a running club to join so if anyone knows of a good Warrington club then drop me a line here in the comments box.

Cheers for reading.

Big thanks to Nez for the pics and support!

5k Legacy Run

I've been absent from my Blogg for some time due to being ill and Ive started a new job so things have been a bit mental. Anyway I'm going to make an effort to update again at least a few times a week. Ive neglected loads of activities so haven't got much to write and talk about but Ive a few Moore Nature Reserve trips planned and outdoor stuff happening soon so loads on the way.

I did this run just as a test to check my fitness level and also I've an injured knee so wanted to see how that would hold up. I managed a great time, 24 mins despite having the smallest of hangovers. I finished mid-field of the other runner which was a good result considering about 250 ran. Bring on the English Half Marathon.

Blog #15 Dawn Chorus Event - Local Nature Reserve

Dawn Chorus Event @ Moore Nature Reserve 5.50am Pictured is sunrise over the meadow on Lapwing Lane.

Spotted and more important 'heard'

Greenfinch
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Swift
Sparrowhawk
Song Thrush
Long-Lailed Tit
Wren
Chaffinch
Whitethroat
Woodpigeon
Willow Warbler
Kestrel
Reed Warbler
Pheasant
Robin
Oystercatcher
Blue Tit
Sand Martin
Mistle Thrush
Dunnock
Great Tit
Jackaw