The run where I get creative / lose the plot a little

-

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 totalled 6 miles but was so engrossed in the map I didn’t realise I had run so far. It isn’t something I would do regularly as it takes away from the run itself but it was a bit of fun.

Strava also enables you to set particular segments within your run that you can share with others and then compete to see how quickly you can run them. You can search these segments to challenge others. Again something different to motivate you when you want a challenge.

The other app John showed me (there’s your mention John) is Relive. This amazing software enables you to show your run on a satellite image of the area making it more identifiable and showing the environment, contours and landmarks. If you take photos while running these also pop up when you reach them.

If you are on Strava please follow me there. Adam Pope with an MAF UK photo.

Popular posts from this blog

A bridge too far?

-
Image
A post on Facebook caught my attention. This is how many of my running adventures begin. Bex Band, founder of the women's adventure community Love Her Wild had walked across all the bridges in Greater London. Obviously this meant the Thames River. Less obviously there are 33 bridges in total starting at Hampton Court and ending at Tower Bridge. Of these, 26 have pedestrian access and she had crossed them all. 'Hmm, that would make a good run' was my first thought. Seed planted. A couple of months later on a mild, bright January day I travelled to Richmond. My first run was Richmond parkrun with my friend Vicki and her pal Nicola. 3.1 miles, no dear and a warming coffee later, I ran the nine miles to Hampton Court. Twelve miles done and I was ready to start my run! My goal was to cross each bridge when I came to it. That meant crossing Hampton Bridge and a sign denoting entrance to Surrey before turning and re-crossing it to begin. Yes, I am a pedant. Hampton Court Bridge I
Read more

Bushy, crewing and an Epping ultra

-
Image
What a weekend. It involved some running, some supporting runners and a bit more running. Saturday dawned wet and windy. 300 runners were assembling in Wendover ready for a 43 mile run into London. The fields were boggy, the paths were waterlogged and it was cold. Well, what do you expect on January 8th. These hardcore runners set off while I was driving from east to west London. My first stop was Bushy Park. This, as many will know, was the birthplace of parkrun. On 2nd October 2004 13 runners completed the first 5k with support from Paul  and Joanne Sinton-Hewitt. 17 years later it is a global phenomenon. This was my running pilgrimage. I have wanted to run Bushy since I ran my first parkrun in September 2012. This would be my 291st. A gentle rain was falling as I parked up by the Diana Fountain just across from Hampton Court. To stretch my legs - and kill some time, I was an hour early - I ran around the park exploring the tree lined avenues, gated gardens and open marshland.  Tiny
Read more

The Druid's Challenge

-
Image
This weekend I signed up to be a member of the support team on the Druid's Challenge ultra running event in the Chiltern Hills. My friend Matt was running the three day, 85 mile event. I was allocated to help with set up and checkpoint duties on the Saturday and Sweeper on Sunday. The Druid has been going for 12 years. It is organised by XNRG, a family business that 'help people challenge themselves and break through their mental and physical barriers, whilst providing peace of mind with expertly run events, going the extra mile for every competitor.' They also put on the Pilgrim Challenge and a number of charity events raising money for Humanity Direct. To get there for the 7 o'clock start I left London at 3:30am. The benefit of this was clear roads and the ability to drive through the centre of London with no Congestion Charge to pay. I arrived at the agreed meeting point outside the village of Watlington.  The first wave of competitors were walkers. They were brought
Read more