Team 5k run

Posted on September 5, 2011 by simon

This sunday three members of blind100 headed to Derbyshire to compete in the Jog Derbyshire 5k.

Matt Puddy, Sian Wheatcroft and Simon Wheatcroft all completed the 5k with ease. It was a great event and was especially good for Sian. After 5 weeks of training having never run before; Sian posted a sub 30 minute finish.

The event took place in Shipley Country Park and ran over grass, gravel, tarmac and bridal paths. The route was surprisingly undulating with many a pot hole. Matt proved to be a great guide runner and everyone finished with a smile.

It was also a great opportunity to meet with the Jog Derbyshire team as they share the same goal as Blind100; increasing the inclusion of visually impaired athletes. Team members will be appearing at other Jog Derbyshire events to continue raising awareness of visual impairment in sport.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Race results & Report – White Horse 5K

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Matt

For those who have followed the Blind 100 since our inception earlier this year, distance is one thing you will have realised we are not afraid of. Well…….when I say distance I mean long distance.

On Thursday 19th Aug, Matt from the Blind 100 team attempted his first 5k race in Gloucester. The race itself isn’t a bad one but when you have been training to run stronger over longer and longer distances you do get left wondering (or at least Matt did) How do I actually run this race? It’s an unfamiliar distance and so do I go all out for as long as I can? or do I pace it and if so at what pace?

Well with all this going on the race was run. The course is a very gentle circuit with a few slight hills in the first mile and then easing off for the final 2. The third mile almost flies by and the last 300m (with the exception of the bend) are really nice for a sprint finish too.

Finishing in a respectable 23:05 on his first attempt, Matt was happy with his result in what is a fast paced crowd. Enjoyable and recommended to anyone local for it too!

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Transition

Posted on August 18, 2011 by simon

This website was initially created to chart the progress of my (Simon Wheatcroft) 100 mile ultra run in the Cotswolds. However along the way this project highlighted a number of ways we could translate what we had achieved as a group into something we could share with others.

So we are beginning a transition from the focus on my adventure to how we can engage with the visually impaired community to promote sporting inclusion.

Over the coming days and weeks we will be adding content focussing on this new goal and hopefully be announcing events and partnerships.

If you are still interested in hearing about my personal goals I will be moving all the content over to &Adapt.

Posted in News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Swing of Things

Posted on July 28, 2011 by simon

My training over the past few weeks has frankly been abysmal. I simply have not been able to make the time to run. Due to only being able to run on my set route and having a baby boy. I can only run the route while he is awake. Basically so there is someone to take me to the beginning of the route.

This is usually quite easy to schedule but the past few weeks have proved difficult. With me starting university in the next few months I have been doing a large amount of mobility training.

Basically practicing such things as boarding a train. Sound easy? I thought it would be until I realised I can’t actually see the doors and I don’t want to be falling onto the tracks!

There is a long list of issues I am having to address in relation to my mobility but it is having a huge impact on my running.

But not to worry! As tomorrow morning my treadmill arrives. I will still be venturing out on the road and utilising the treadmill to fill in the gaps when I am simply unable to hit the streets.

Posted in running | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Just when you think you know the route……

Posted on July 15, 2011 by simon

Just when you think you have memorised the route you go and make a mistake..

I am just getting back into the swing of running my memorised route but a few things have changed. The bushes appear to have been cut back removing some of the physical points of reference I had. I used to use an overgrown bush to make sure I was in the right position of the path. No more as they have cut it down!

Today I also ran into a post, this was due to a number of factors. With it being rather hotter than it usually is there was a need to take water onboard, this is not usually a problem. However I chose to take water on board at a point I would normally be very cautious about.

Lifting the water bottle up with my right hand caused me to take a slight step to the right as well as increase my width; as my elbow was stuck out. This caused me to run into a post, which highlights just how careful I have to be in positioning myself on the pavement.

I cant lose concentration and break from my normal routine or even choose to fuel at random places. It truly highlight the attention to detail I have to maintain.

Posted in running | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Back in the hood

Posted on July 9, 2011 by simon

It has been nearly a month since I ran my normal route. I took sometime off and just before the race I modified where I ran due to some bone bruising. Meaning today was the first time on what I call the “classic” route.

It has changed an enormous amount; the bushes and grass are incredibly overgrown and I took a few swipes to my face. So back to learning the new sections again, its a constant learning curve I swear!

I did attempt to run out a little faster than usual today, that lasted until mile 4 where the fact I had no water or nutrition on me hit me hard. All my nutrition supplements and water bottles are still down in Cheltenham, I will hopefully be popping down in the next couple of weeks to grab it all.

I will also be popping into Up & Running to buy some girly shin guard things. I must learn the actual name for them…..

Posted in running | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ultra No1 – Race report

Posted on June 29, 2011 by simon

I wrote up the experience of my run over at Wired. Instead of repeating it here I am linking it. However I will be covering it far more in depth through this site and my personal blog And Adapt.

Posted in running | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Relaxation

Posted on June 21, 2011 by simon

With the race a few days away I have begun to relax and take it easy. Making sure to stay hydrated and spending my time planning the last few details.

I have everything in place for the race to broadcast live and hopefully there will be enough people with smartphones to do some interesting tweeting along the way. I am hoping to sneak in a few audio messages and maybe a video or two. Failing that lots of images of me eating and running!

I am looking forward to getting down to the Cotswolds. I am having a pre race meal with a large number of my pacing team so really looking forward to meeting a lot of the people for the first time.

So until I enter the Cotswolds this blog will remain quite, but then expect a large flurry of updates in the 24 hours during the race!

Posted in running | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Taper Continues

Posted on June 16, 2011 by simon

As the taper continues the runs are becoming shorter and I am taking it steadier. Well that should be the plan but I ran a little fast today.

I had intended to run a 10 minute mile but pushed a little harder due to having the Rocky soundtrack on the iPhone.

I did however change the route I would normally do for a 5 mile run. In order to reduce stress on my right foot I made sure to run on pavements with a reduced camber. Allowing me a flat foot strike, this seemed to work rather well as my foot is not sore on returning from the run.

Posted in running | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Fundraising

Posted on June 13, 2011 by simon

When I first began training for my run the idea of running for charity never entered my mind. It was and still is a personal challenge to run ultra distance and hopefully soon to hold a few records for a blind runner.

But why not run to raise money? I will be doing the run anyway so raising money for a great cause is a bonus. The charity I chose to support is SightSavers. The reason I chose SightSavers is because for a small amount of money a huge difference can be made.

For a £5 donation someones vision can be restored, that is a tiny amount and a massive difference. I am hoping to raise enough money to at minimum save one persons vision for every mile I run and with the dream of restoring 10 peoples vision per mile.

I hope people will support the run and donate, if you would like to donate simply click here and donate!

For constant updates on training and the run itself follow me on twitter @moochoo

Posted in running | Tagged , , | 2 Comments