Tim's Races: Latest Update (24/04/2010)
Upcoming Races
August - Newark Half Marathon
Completed Races
2010
2009
2008
26 May 2010 - Lincoln Wellington AC 5K Series Race 1 (of 4)
Description: Race 1 of a 4 race series around the cycle track at Yarborough Leisure Centre.
Joggling: Another series of 5K races starting again and was feeling a bit faster this year so hoping for some quickish times.
Took the clubs out for a few practice laps of the running track as a warm up but struggled to hold on in the wind - managed a 2 minute lap (400m) which works out about 8 minute mile pace if I could stop dropping the things!
Thankfully the balls were easier to handle and managed to get round without dropping any. Got my laps mixed up and tanked it on what I thought was the last lap but unfortunately wasn't - so was cream crackered at the end - but still got a PB - hooray!
Time: 23:16
Pictures: Click Here
21 Mar 2010 - Lincoln 10K 2010
Description: 2 Jogglers at the Lincoln 10K and 2 PB's.
Joggling: There is more than 1 Joggler in the country - and he came to run the Lincoln 10K with me. I was after a quick time so started near the front and Joggled my best ever 10K. No drops (first time over 10K) and managed to sneak in under 50 minutes.
Ralph managed a PB and was only a few minutes behind having started at the back. A few drops meant he lost some time so it won't be long before he manages sub 50 as well.
Time: 49:52
Pictures: Click Here
28 Feb 2010 - Sleaford Half Marathon 2010
Description: Half Marathon through the countryside near Sleaford with a few muddy off road miles.
Joggling: First Joggling race of 2010 and managed a PB but would have been quicker if it wasn't for the muddy off-road parts.
It was blooming freezing with a strong wind so the first few miles were challenging and then the off-road bit came along. This was the old Viking Way, but it can't have been raining when they invaded or else they would have given up and gone home. It's hard enough to run through mud with road shoes - so the Joggling was a toughie. After this, and a few miles to recover, managed to get a decent pace going so sub 1:50 is definitely possible in the future.
Time: 1:55:02
Pictures: Click Here
13 Dec 2009 - Lincoln Santa Run 2009 (3.5K)
Description: 1500 Santa's running around Lincoln.
Joggling: I was using the stage balls for this one which are about twice the size of normal Joggling balls - so it was easier to show off 
. Lots of santas meant starting near the back to avoid any catastrophies - plus I was running with the dogs and their owners so I had extra incentive not to drop any balls.
Met the major at the end and was told I was the first Joggler to finish - no winnings prize though!.
Time: 18 Mins (ish)
Pictures: Click Here
18 Oct 2009 - Spires and Steeples Challenge 2009 (26 Miles)
Description: This is a trail marathon from Lincoln to Sleaford via all the village/town churches(spires) along the way.
It follows the Spires and Steeples route which goes via Washingborough, Branston, Potterhanworth, Nocton, Dunston, Metheringham (half way), Blankney, Scopwick, Digby, Dorrington, Ruskington. and finally Sleaford. Runners / walkers have the option to stop at half way or carry on for the full distance.
This year there were over 400 people taking part including lots from the Lincoln and District Runners who were all quicker than me!
Joggling: This was my first attempt at Joggling a marathon - my longest distance up to now was 15 miles so I didn't know what to expect.
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0 - 4 miles: Started slowly (marathon lesson 1:
) - nice easy joggling through Lincoln and along cycle paths.
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4 - 7 miles: Bit more cross country - over railway line and lots of stiles and gates. 1st Drop @ about 5 miles trying to avoid stinging nettles
. Had to stop Joggling to get over stiles and through gates & had 2nd drop smiling at someone's camera
.
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7 - 13 miles: Marvellous - across fields and along farm paths - not many obstacles so could get into a decent rhythm. A few more drops (3, 4, 5 & 6) - mainly on tricky ground or around foot bridges
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Half way - Metheringham: drinks, energy bars, chocolate and few sweets. Met Ros & Nick from the
club who kept me company for the next few miles.
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13 - 17 miles: Unchartered territory - first thing to start aching were my arms (had been joggling for about 3 hours by now). Ros and Nick wanted to stop for a pint at a pub along the way but I knew I'd never finish if I did so had to keep plodding on. MP3 player kept me company & kept me going (spent the day before loading on a few joggling tunes - decent beat that matches the joggling and plenty of guitars!). Mostly joggling over large fields so just concentrated on making the next hedgerow.
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17 - 20 miles: Starting to get tougher - getting a bit tired and lots and lots of stiles to climb over. Didn't have the energy to try juggling and climbing over the stiles so it was lots of stopping and starting - quick 10 second rest at each stile and then another 300/400m joggling, another stile and repeat.
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20 miles: Checkpoint and flapjack: water, flapjack and more sweets, and a 5 minute rest. Arms were fine now but legs and feet starting to ache a bit - only 10K to go though so tried to convince myself it was a doddle.
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20 - 22 miles: Tripped in the grass - balls went everywhere! - but there was a long road section (with a water stop at then end) so could get into a bit of a rhythm again.
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22 - Finish: Last 4 miles were along the river into Sleaford. Was fine until 23 miles and then felt Achilles tendon start to tighten. Kept on going a bit more and it got a bit tighter. Stopped and tried to relax (think like a jelly! and all that). Did some power walking joggling (not sure what that's called!) for 5 minutes and then tried a bit more running. Miracle! - pain gone so Joggle next mile. Another power walk joggle for 2 minutes under bridge and around obstacles and then joggle last few miles to finish.
Hooray! - survived it - now to plan for an Ultra 
Time: 4:34:50
Pictures: Click Here
13 Sep 2009 - East Coast Classic 10K (Mablethorpe)
Description: A 10K out and back along the promenade at Mablethorpe.
Joggling: This was my latest attempt to joggle a 10K under 50 minutes. The race started at Mablethorpe, followed the promenade south for 5K and then returned back.
There was an incredibly gusty wind which was behind on the way out , but a headwind on the way back . Windy conditions are the worst for Joggling - we don't mind the rain or snow too much, so I knew I had to go for it on the way out and try and hang on on the way back.
I managed just over 23 minutes for the first 5K (a wind assisted PB), then ran out of steam on the way back and took 5 minutes longer (28 minutes). I'm now on the lookout for a flat 10K with not much wind to beat my 50 minute goal before the end of the year.
Time: 51:29
Pictures: Click Here
26 Aug 2009 - Lincoln Wellington AC 5K Series Race 4 (of 4)
Description: Race 4 of a 4 race series around the cycle track at Yarborough Leisure Centre.
Joggling: Race 4 was very wet and windy so any chance of a PB was out of the window. Managed to get round in under 25 minutes without any drops.
Time: 24:25
9 Aug 2009 - Newark Half Marathon 2009
Description: A Half Marathon around Newark and the surrounding countryside. A scorching hot day was nice for the sun tan but meant plenty of water stops. I banished the demons from last year's event (2008) and conquered the hill at 10miles. Managed a PB but am still losing time at the start and every water station so will have to work on a ingenius joggling solution.
Joggling: 1st drop @ 5 miles and 2 more towards the end so was quite pleased.
Time: 1:55:02 (589/1047)
Pictures: Click Here
29 Jul 2009 - Lincoln Wellington AC 5K Series Race 3 (of 4)
Description: Race 3 of a 4 race series around the cycle track at Yarborough Leisure Centre.
Joggling: Race 3 was a rainy affair so the Joggling was a bit more tricky - slippery balls. Had no idea what time I could manage in the conditions but was delighted to finish in a new PB a few seconds quicker than last time. Had 1 drop after 2K but the balls didn't roll backwards (which costs more time) so it didn't affect the performance.
Time: 23:48
12 Jul 2009 - Run in the park Sheffield 10K 2009
Description: Woohoo! - finally met another Joggler
. Ralph from Leeds got in touch with me and we decided we'd meet up and both Joggle the Sheffield Run in the Park 10K.
Joggling: This was the first time I'd met another Joggler so it was good fun to Joggle the race together and hear the comments from the other runners and spectators. The course was quite hilly around the park with some steep juggling ball swallowing ravines so a quick time was out of the question.
A reporter from Look North came and interviewed and videoed us racing so we could show off some tricks everytime we saw the camera. (The video will be on the Media page soon).
Had 1 drop after about 7K and another right at the end after trying (and failing) to throw a ball over the top of the finish barrier - and then having to go back and fetch it 
Time: 61:00 ish
Pictures: Click Here
24 Jun 2009 - Lincoln Wellington AC 5K Series Race 2 (of 4)
Description: Race 2 of a 4 race series around the cycle track at Yarborough Leisure Centre.
Joggling: Race 2 of the 5K Series and I wanted to see if I could sneak under 24 minutes for the first time ever.
This was the first race I've finished without any drops at all. The last 2K were hard work but managed a sprint at the end and just sneaked under 24 minutes.
Time: 23:56
7 Jun 2009 - Woodhall Spa 10K 2009
Description: A nice 10K around the village of Woodhall spa. This was a well organised races around the countryside, however there seemed to be a lot more runners that last year so the start was very congested. It was wet and windy for the first 20 minutes
Joggling: I wanted to try and break 50 minutes for Joggling 10K and thought I could do it here. However, due to the sheer number of people running, I had to start at the back to avoid any calamities. The wind and the rain didn't help and I spent the first 2 miles trying to get past people and picking up juggling balls from the side of the road quite a lot. After this it thinned out a lot and I could tank it down the open road. The damage was done though so the sub 50 will have too wait a while.
Time: 50:43
Pictures: Click Here
20 May 2009 - Lincoln Wellington AC 5K Series Race 1 (of 4)
Description: Race 1 of a 4 race series around the cycle track at Yarborough Leisure Centre.
Joggling: I saw this series of 5K's advertised and thought 'I've got to give these a go'. There are 4 races, 1 at the end of each month (May, June, July, August) so it's good to see how the training is (or isn't) going.
I had no idea what pace I could Joggle at, or if I'd end up miles away at the back of the field, but as it turned out I got a good reception from the other runners and spectators, didn't finish last, and managed a reasonable 5K time. Had 1 drop after about 2K.
Time: 24:01
15 Mar 2009 - Louth 6 Miles
Description: Originally a 10K but ended up a 6 miler along the country lanes around Louth.
Joggling: First 10K of the year so was determined to get a good time. However, someone had lost 1/4 of a mile and it ended up as a 6 miler instead. Started off at a reasonable (8min mile) pace but started to struggle in the sunshine and the last 2 miles was a killer.
Had lots of drop after about 4 miles and after that it was mind over matter to finish - who says Joggling is easy!
Time: 51:47
Pictures: Click Here
22 Feb 2009 - Sleaford Half Marathon 2009
Description: 13 Miles around RAF Cranwell including a couple of miles cross country.
Joggling: This was my first Joggling race of 2009 and it was a bit of a toughie. The cross country part was especially challenging as it included a few hilly inclines - the whole course felt like there were more uphill than downhill parts even though it started and finished at the same place (must have been the caffeine taking effect). 
Had a spate of drops at the 9-10 mile stage but felt fine until about 12 miles. The last mile was hard work and I was little more than plodding at the finish - it's amazing how many people try and sprint at the end so they don't get beaten by a Joggler. Got a PB though and definitely getting faster - if I could work out how to joggle and take water at the drinks stations without stopping then could be a few minutes quicker..
Time: 1:58:36
Pictures: Click Here
14 Dec 2008 - Lincoln Santa Run 2008 (3.5K)
Description: A couple of laps of uptown Lincoln dressed as Santas.
Joggling: There was a lot of santas to negotiate so I had to be careful for the first 1K until the field stretched out, and then there was plenty of room to stretch my legs. It was quite cold on the hands after forgetting my gloves but it was only a short 20 minute yomp to the finish.
Lots of shouts of 'look at that santa juggling' - will have to work on the "Joggling not Juggling" patter. Overall it was jolly good fun.
Time: 20 Mins (ish)
Pictures: Click Here
16 Nov 2008 - Thorpe Park 10K 2008
Description: A 10K run around Thorpe Park holiday resort near Cleethorpes.
Joggling: I was a bit worried about the weather before hand as it was predicted to be wet and rain is not the jogglers best friend. As it turned out it was a glorious day and ideal for running fast. I decided to start quickly this time - instead of starting out of the way at the back and joggled the first mile in about 8 minutes. Even with a couple of drops I still managed to beat my PB by about 2 minutes.
Time: 52:55
Pictures: Click Here
19 Oct 2008 - Spires and Steeples Challenge 2008
Description: This is a route along public footpaths from Lincoln to Sleaford. It follows the Spires and Steeples route which goes via Washingborough, Branston, Potterhanworth, Nocton, Dunston, Metheringham (half way), Blankney, Scopwick, Digby, Dorrington, Ruskington. and finally Sleaford. It is about 12.5 miles to Metheringham and about 27 miles to Sleaford.
The course goes along roads, down paths, across fields, over railway lines and and over lots of stiles and gates. The course was generally well signposted but we all had route guides with more detailed instructions. The marshalls and emergency crews were very supportive and gave me lots of support as I joggled past.
Joggling: This was hard work! I had cycled half the course before so knew where I was going but the terrain was difficult to joggle on - the cows in the field were amused though. I managed to joggle to Metheringham in about 2hrs 10 minutes which wasn't too bad for the distance.
After a 15 minute rest I thought I'd set off and see how far I could get before my arms/legs conked out. I managed another 2/3 miles before I started to get lost so I kept having to stop joggling to read the guide. I ended up walking / navigating the next 9 - 10 miles (must admit I was tempted to give up) but joggled the last mile to the finish (was going to convince the people at the finish that I'd joggled the whole way 
.
One good thing was meeting Geoff Capes (Olympic shot putter and former worlds strongest man) who kindly autographed one of my juggling balls.
Maybe I could start a collection - I'll try Bruce Forsyth next (Nice to see you ...... to see you .......)
Time: 5:35:00 ish
Pictures: Click Here
28 Sep 2008 - Clumber Park 10K 2008
Description: This is a nice 10K run around Clumber Park. Lots of undulations and a few large puddles to negotiate but good support from the crowd and lots of encouragment from all the Marshalls. Had lots of support from fellow runners.
Joggling: 2 drops @ 4K and 7K. First one was my own mistake for trying to look around. 2nd time was lack of concentration after a steep incline - unsuprisingly the ball dropped in a big puddle so had cold hands for the rest of the race.
Time: 57:06
Pictures: Click Here
10 Aug 2008 - Newark Half Marathon 2008
Description: A Half Marathon around Newark and the surrounding countryside. The first few miles are around Newark before heading out along the country roads. A fairly steep hill after 9 miles which nearly finished me off. This was my first ever half-marathon and I found it incredibly difficult after about 8 miles. I missed a few water stations and started to wilt in the sun. Lots of support in the last few miles which helped but need lots more training before the next half.
Joggling: 1 drop @ 6 Miles and a few more in the last 3 miles (lost count as I had to walk a little bit of the way).
Time: 2:18:53
Pictures: Click Here
21 July 2008 - Woodhall Spa 10K 2008
Description: A nice 10K around the village of Woodhall spa. This was a well organised races around the countryside. It was my first ever full joggle race and besides a short burst of rain during the last 2K went very well. Got a nice medal at the end.
Joggling: 1 drop @ 4K. I was a bit annoyed as I wanted to do a drop free run. I started right at the back to avoid any mishaps and was overtaking people on the grass verges as the road was busy when the inevitable happened.
Time: 55:06
Pictures: Click Here