Matthew J Townsend

I came to running late in life, only taking it up at the age of 30. It was a milestone age therefore it was time to work at returning my body to its svelte former self. After running for a year or so I joined Les Croupiers Running Club and have competed regularly ever since.

In recent months my times have been improving no end and with the recent addition to my arsenal of a Respiratory Muscle Trainer (RMT) I hope to improve yet more. Here are the results of the RMT study after a full 8 week programme, 3 times a week. To maintain these attained levels the training must continue but only twice a week.

After Rotterdam marathon 2003 I developed an injury to my right knee, strengthening exercises prescribed by my physiotherapist have corrected the muscle weakness and helped build my core stability. Weight training now forms a part of my training programme twice a week.

Most recently I have started including swimming in my training schedule, my swimming coach; Leon Vaughan, has improved my technique by leaps and bounds, I cannot praise him enough.

Despite all of my training and the advice from my Les Croupiers Running Club team mates; especially Dave Coles & Bill Fear I still manage to cock it up.

Photos


 Currently my best times are:
 
Road races  
Distance Where When

Time

 
Marathon Stratford upon Avon 25th April 2004  *3:22:32  
15 miles Bourton-on-the-Water 29th June 2002 1:46:48  
Half Marathon Islwyn 20th March 2005  1:21:51  
10 miles Les Croupiers Club Handicap 10 19th January 2004 1:00:53  
10k Atlantic College 11th April 2005 36:18  
5 miles Great Welsh Run 2nd May 2005 28:20  
5k SSAFA Series 26th May 2005 17:11  
* 37th on what was a very hot day with a 1pm start.  
         

Off road races

 
Event When Position

Time

 
Dursley Dozen 10th February 2002 151/384 1:45:52  
Chedworth Roman Trail 10 30th March 2003 26/369 1:11:33  
Pentyrch Hill Race 26th April 2005 21/102 51:50  
KIMM 'A' 30th-31st October 2004 75/115 17:56:52  
KIMM 'B' 25th-26th October 2003 57/224 15:24:36  
KIMM 'C' 26th-27th October 2002 19/274 9:17:58  
Sodbury Slog 7th November 2003 45/779 1:08:32  
RNLI Reindeer Run 1st December 2002 12/428 43:13  
Forest of Dean Xmas Pudding 8th December 2002 9/172 38:1  
Merthyr Mawr Xmas Pudding 21st December 2003 33/482 40:02  
   
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