Adam in Runderland

Last week I travelled to Leicester as part of a team hosting an event for supporters of Mission Aviation Fellowship. It was aimed at those who have agreed to leave a Legacy in their will. There would be speakers including a couple back in the UK from Uganda, our Chief Executive and a pilot who flew with us in the 1970's. My role was to supervise the car park, chat to those who attended and help with the set up of the display materials. We travelled up on Wednesday with the event taking place on Thursday. When I found out I would be involved I quickly looked up possible running routes in Leicester. From our hotel it was only a couple of blocks to the River Soar and Grand Union Canal. The choice was whether to run north or south. Eventually I settled on south. Within half a mile I was out of the traffic and on the towpath. The water was smooth and disturbed only by swans gliding along in the morning sun. Temperatures had been in the 30's all week but at 6am it was just right. I...

A few more photos from the day.

The Clifftop Challenge 2018 is a trail run from Hastings to Deal with options of a 55 mile ultra, a 26.2 mile marathon, 15, 10 and 5 miler. The event helps to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. Over 300 people had entered, a sell out. I had opted for the marathon distance which began at Lympne Castle outside Hythe and passed through Folkestone and Dover on the way to the finish in Deal. Over recent weeks I had run the route from Lympne to Folkestone, and the Folkestone to Dover section is a regular trail for me. John, who I was running with had run the final stretch from Dover to Deal but for me this was virgin territory. We met with around a dozen others in the grounds of Lympne Castle at 8:30. Conditions were perfect; overcast and cool and with a stiff breeze that would be at our backs. The organisers sent us on our way and we got off to a quick start full of adrenaline and raring to go. John was full of running and I tried to slow us a little knowing we had to keep somethin...

Over the last 7 years my knowledge of running equipment has certainly expanded. I have also learned what is a waste of time and money. The joy of running is in its simplicity. However it can be made more enjoyable by using some or all of the following: Running shoes These are essential to provide protection from injury. They're not cheap but they are worth every pound if you are going to be out there running regularly. Once you have found a pair that suits you stick to them. Sign up for a Gait Analysis and find out the best recommendation for you; size, weight, brand etc. GPS watch A great way to know how far, how fast and how efficiently you are running. Hat Either to keep you warm or protect you from the sun, especially if you are bald like me. Water carrier A camel back or drinks bottle depending on the length of your run. You never want to run out of water! Flipbelt A wonderful invention allowing you to store your phone, bank card, key...

This weekend I was running solo as my friend John had abandoned me for the arid trails of southern Spain. It was the last weekend before the Cliff Top Challenge Marathon and so I decided to get some distance in my legs. Rising early, I set out at 6:30am and followed a new trail that started behind my house. It was a struggle doing the first mile uphill as my legs didn’t have much time to warm up. The discomfort was soon forgotten, however, as I passed a field of ponies and emerged on top of the downs overlooking the Old Folkestone Road on one side and Alkham Valley on the other. The view stretched away as far as Dover Castle and the port in the distance.    I had a rough idea of the route from Strava. There were a  number of trails that eventually ended up in Capel-Le-Ferne just outside Folkestone. I didn’t look too closely though as I wanted to explore and gave myself enough time for a few wrong turns.  The path took me across open meadows and through ...

I was 36 when I started running. I’ll never know what I would have been capable of during my teenage years and on into my twenties. Those years of exam stress, career and relationship pressures could have been so much easier if I had known the release that could be found from a good run. Nothing can change that now. There is no point dwelling on what could have been and wallowing in regret. I’m happy that I found running – or should I say running found me – when it did, and for the years of pleasure it has given me and I’m sure will continue to until the day I can no longer do it. When I was 12 I did have a mild flirtation with running. Someone introduced me to the concept of the Fun Run, a local event where people would run a 10k run to raise money for charity. I have a vivid recollection of my parents encouraging me to take part and investing in a vest and pair of shorts so that I would look the part. I completed the course and in a good time of around 45 minutes. I ran a couple more...

The planned run Freehand (foot) That's supposed to be a heart I’ve just started using Strava and it’s a revelation. Although I signed up months ago I couldn’t connect my Garmin watch and hadn’t realised that it was possible to use my phone with the Strava app. Now I can pop it in my fitbelt and I’m good to go. This week I set up my profile and followed some other runners I know. Then I went out and drew some words. People sometimes post pictures of their route online and they are usually just an out and back or circular shape. Occasionally however, someone will draw a picture (usually of a man’s part) but sometimes a more creative piece. Yesterday I thought I would start simple and attempt to write some words. First up was MAF, the name of the charity I work for. I planned it out on the streets but then went to the nearby park and traced it freehand - or should I say freefoot. Afterwards I had a go at my daughter’s name which was a little more successful. In all I to...

Running reflects life in many ways. One of these is the way we mature as we go along. As a teenager I was impetuous and constantly on the lookout for the next new experience, often fixing my eyes on the destination and neglecting to appreciate the journey. As I have reached – dare I say it – middle age, I have begun to see the importance of living in the moment and finding joy in the little things. I’ve begun to appreciate that the journey is as, if not more, enjoyable than the destination. And so it is with running. When I first started 6 years ago I was fresh and, in terms of my running experiences, a teenager. My goal was to achieve a Personal Best every time I ran. I chased a quicker parkrun PB every week, straining every sinew to shave a few seconds off my record. In doing so I managed a time I would never have thought I was capable of, but I can’t say I remember many of those runs. Once I had reached a plateau in this area I started to run further. Half marathons, mar...

No run this Saturday and I was cranky all day. Thankfully Sunday morning I had planned a long one with John. We arranged to meet in Folkestone at 6:30am and it was a beautiful clear, sunny morning as I drove to his house. Warm up done and Garmins set we headed off loaded with snacks and plenty of water in our camel backs. It was already warm and set to get hotter as the day went on. Our route took us out of Cheriton and south towards Seabrook and the coast. After a short stretch of road we turned off at the top of Hospital Hill and ascended through woodland along a mountain bike trail. The dappled sunlight streaming through the canopy, birds singing and cool breeze made for beautiful downhill glide. It felt as though we could be in the middle of the countryside. We emerged on the main Hythe to Folkestone road, crossed it and followed the canal path behind the houses heading west. Again we were transported out of suburbia into an idyllic scene of still waters, dozens of ...