Cardiff Half Marathon 2012

It didn't take much convincing from my friend Michael when he asked if I would join him on the Cardiff Half Marathon.  I was well up for the challenge, but with only 6 weeks before the big event I was going to have to put some serious training in if I was to run just over 13 miles.  I have never run seriously in my life, an odd 10-20 mins after a gym workout is all I've ever managed.  Even so I didn't just want to finish the race, I wanted to push myself and get a good time also.  

I started straight away and tallied up 16.84 miles over 4 sessions in my first week.  I felt great, my timings were looking good as well, I felt I could go on and on.  I was starting to enjoy running.  The following week I only managed a 3.23 mile run early in the week.  As time dragged on I realised I had to put more of an effort in so planned a 10 mile run for the weekend.  I managed 13.38 miles, just over the half marathon distance in just over two hours.  Again I felt amazing and felt like I could keep going.  

My legs however didn't agree...that evening I couldn't put any pressure on my right knee (my good one).  This pain continued for the following two weeks.  I tried a run around my estate but didn't even get to the end of my street.  My hopes of doing the run looked doubtful.  I followed a routine of ice, heat, stretching and light weights and finally managed a short 3.25 mile run.  It hurt and my time had dropped considerably.  Three days later and only four days before the event I ran 5.17 miles before giving in to the pain and calling my wife for a lift.  I now had three days rest before the event and decided to give it a go even if I end up walking most of it. 

This was my track on the day.  Well I did it but it wasn't easy.  It was a perfect day for it, the sun was out, it was nice an cool.  I met my Michael after jumping out of the car leaving Hannah in gridlock traffic.  We ran to join over 18,000 runners at the start line just in time, not the best thing to do before a run.  We were off at a brisk walk, it was really hard to get a good pace going but I finally managed to get going, winding in and out of the crowd.  

 I felt great at the 5 mile mark crossing the Cardiff Bay barrage.  At the 6 mile marker my knee started to give.  By the time I got to roughly 9 miles I was seriously struggling.

I slowed right down hardly able to bend my right knee.  Everyone was over taking me.  It was so frustrating, people were soaked in sweat, panting, really looking like they were struggling but still they were passing me.  I hadn't even broken into a sweat and felt I had so much more to give.  I was practically running at walking pace and the limp was starting to take it's toll on my left knee.  I considered giving in, limping to the finish.  I thought as long as I keep moving my leg wont seize up.

 The crowd was amazing all the way around and really kept you going.  Sounds a bit soppy but you actually get a bit emotional in the last few miles.    The last mile was carnage, people falling over, lying on the side of the road, throwing up, paramedics everywhere.  

I ran over the finish line with huge relief.  My official time was 02hrs08min24sec, which I was actually quite surprised with, I was expecting a lot worse.  Michael finished ahead of me just short of 2hrs. 

I knew I would pay for it if I kept going.  I'm taking a bit of time off work, gardening isn't exactly easy on the knees either.  It was definitely worth it though, and maybe if I can sort out my knees I may even run it next year, but for now I'm taking a well earned rest from running.

Big Swells at the Gower

Today I was paddling with James and Steve again and a couple of new faces Gareth and Kevin.  Another successfully gathering as a result of the new Sea Kayaking Cymru page.

Yet another early start, up at 6:30am to get ready and down to Port Eynon on the Gower coast line for 9:30.

Conditions looked perfect within the bay but with a force 3-4 head wind we suspected it might be a bit of a slog around the point and onto Worms Head and intended to take it as it comes one step at a time.

Waves broke off the point and beyond over the Helwick pass.  I must add that Steve in the red Scorpio and Kevin in the Yellow Charleston are both complete novices with very little previous experience.

The sight of the big rollers off the point was a bit intimidating for both but we reassured them it would calm down once we pass through to the other side.

We battled on into the wind around the point together with a big rolling swell.

Unfortunately the swell didn't subside on the other side of the point but we continued on toward the Worms Head in the distance.

We passed by the stunning scenery of the Gower at a safe distance as big rolling surf battered the cliffs.

 Steve about to disappear over the peak of a wave.

Kevin just going out of sight.

Kevin looking very comfortable in his stable Charleston.  This was the furthest Kevin has paddled and was starting to feel the strain.

 James in the Cetus.

 Gareth in his shiny new Tiderace.

Trying to capture the scale of the swell.  The aim was to land at the only beach along the way at Mewslade Bay.  Progress was slow under 2 knots.  I had the bay in my GPS from a previous visit and worked out with another 1.6 nautical miles to go it would take around another hour, with no guarantee it would be safe to land.

As the swell seemed increase further on Steve openly admitted he was beyond his comfort level now and both were keen to turn back.  We made excellent progress once we turned more than doubling our previous speed.

Gareth and James had a play in the huge surf off the point on our return while I was quite happy to sit back with Steve and Kevin and take pictures.

To be fair to Kevin and Steve they did really well today.  It can be really intimidating with a wall of dark blue water looming down on you when your sat in a tiny craft.  All good experience though and hopefully everything else will now seem quite small in comparison. 

Although we didn't reach our destination it was good to get out on the water in great company again.  Chip shop chips in the cafe before heading home.  Can't wait for the next one.

Welcome Holm Taran

A last minute random trip to Flat Holm in stupid conditions can only mean one thing...Taran's back.  After all wasn't up to much sat at home fed up with the weather and not getting any work done. 

We launch from the usual spot, seems sully beach is getting a face lift.  Easterly force 4 was the forecast.  With a westerly flow it was likely to get messy.  Flat Holm barely stood out on the horizon in the poor conditions.

Out on the water I had my doubts as it got a little bit interesting.

It seemed to flatten off a bit past the Wolves but did it's usual spikey thing on the eastern side of the island.  We arrived unscathed on the beach just as a boat was departing.  Taran must have thought it was cold quickly putting on a coat hat and gloves, you would swear he had just spent the last couple of months in Sardinia or something.

We go for a wonder up on the island.  I've been looking out for this after seeing it on a documentary.  I think it's the prehistoric beach, looks like it.

 A huge ship steams down the channel.

 Soay sheep on Flat Holm, weirdly at the time I thought they looked similar to the sheep on Soay, Skye.

 Two Badger Face sheep.  Not helping the Welsh man stereotype am I.

Not looking very inviting.

Through castle rock and we make a speedy return in considerably calmer conditions now the tide has turned.

That doesn't stop it getting a little interesting around Sully's tip.

Great to be back on the water with Taran, I feel the paddles are going to get a little crazy again.

Summers Arrives At Flat Holm

Today I was amongst new faces.  I would be meeting up with James, Steve and Chris.  I've know of James for quite some time so it was nice to actually get on the water with him at last.  Steve and Chris are new to kayaking.  Both have been on a beginner course with Mike Mayberry but today really marked their first trip.

With a fantastic forecast, NE force 2, we pencilled in Flat Holm as a potential trip.  We meet up at Sully a couple of hours before high water and James gave the newbies a crash course in breaking in and out of the flow running over Sully Island causeway.  This was as likely as 'rough' as it was going to get so we set off.  

Explaining transits and ferry gliding along the way we make steady progress into blues sky's and a blinding sun...makes a change.

Steve above in his new Scorpio, first time paddled this boat.

And Chris in his new Easky.

We bumped into Hywel and Rob in the car park and they caught up with us by the time we reached the island.

Rob and his blue Capella.

We make our way around the island past the usual landmarks.

We land next to the slipway, a real mix of boats today.

We take our lunch up by the lighthouse and admire the stunning view, very clear today.  Last time I was stood here with weather like this it was back in February with Eurion, Mike and Steve.

Blue sky's!!

A ferry makes it's way down the channel.

A resident sheep grazes above the fast flowing currents of the Severn.

Back on the slipway and we point out the fast stream flowing through castle rock to Steve and Chris..."what we paddle through there!"

Here comes Steve!
Just a lot of fast moving water today.

For the purpose of Chris and Steve to show that it isn't always that nice through there.  From our trip in May.

Out of the flow of the island and it's glassy seas, it doesn't get any better than this.  I couldn't take enough photo's....Steve above, a new member to the tilly hat crew.

All the gang.

Jim powering on...

Chris with Barry and Aberthaw power station behind and a cargo ship.

Hywel, Chris, Steve and Jim.

We let the stream take us off course slightly to show Chris and Steve the effects of the tide at Wolves Buoy.

We carry on with the tide taking quite a hold on course.

But we finally made it to the red cliffs of Sully to the relief of the newbies.

Chris with Sully in the back.
2 hours exact paddling time or an hour each way over 7.2 nautical miles/13.3km.  Once again a great trip with great company  hopefully more trips like that to come... I hope I got everyone's names right :-)