Ed from Langport

I first took up running with Yate AC in September 1996 to keep fit and as a social activity. I ran a race each at the 100m and 200m, before deciding to move up to 400m where I stayed for1997 and 1998, doing some 800's and 1500's too. In late 1998 I moved up again to 800m/1500m as I'd achieved my goal in the 400m. I'd done some 5K races late in 1997 and early in 1998 as endurance work. When I moved up to 800m/1500m I competed in another 5K, slashing 1min and 14 secs off of by best and ran a 10K for the first time. Oddly enough the 10K was run a couple of months prior to the 5K and I actually ran it at a faster pace than my then PB for the 5K! At the beginning of 1999 my times were improving at all distances from 800m to 5K, but I went abroad for a year so missed the summer. On my return I ran a few 800's and was getting back to my best when I went to university for four years. Despite joining a club there I didn't compete and despite the odd burst of training I moved onto other things.

In summer 2002 I started preparing for the Battle of Sedgemoor 10K and put in a lot of mileage, starting with 20 miles a week and increasing it until one week I ran 100 miles. That compares with when I was at Yate AC doing 20 - 30 miles a week. Despite weighing a good stone and a half more than my previous racing weight, I was able to put in a run that was less than a minute and a half shy of my best.

After another very long hiatus I've decided to return to my favourite sport because I feel I have unfinished business- that and too much spare tyre! - and joined Langport Runners on January 30th this year. My ambition is to be as good as I was before and eventually better, combining the low body weight of my Yate AC years with the heavier mileage of 2002.
Most of the long path there is through known territory, but beyond that it gets really interesting!