Adam in Runderland

Finally. Last Saturday I completed my 250th parkrun. I ran this momentous one in Folkestone and took it steady enjoying the event coming 64th in 23:48. I celebrated with cake for a change. Here are some stats: Date of first parkrun - 15th September 2012 Time of first run - 24:26 Location of first run - Northampton Different locations run - Northampton 156, Folkestone79, other 15 Number of times as volunteer - 33 Number of volunteering roles - 9 Number of PBs - Northampton 15, Folkestone 6 Fastest time - Northampton 18:27, Folkestone 18:34 16th February 2019 Slowest time - Northampton 48:30, Folkestone 16th March 2019 Highest age grading - Folkestone 74.6% 16th February 2019 Highest placing - 3rd Folkestone 16th February 2019 Number of top 10 finishes - 50 Most common finish place - 9th / 11th (9 times each)

  For my fifth marathon of the year I chose the superbly named Cakeathon. This run was organised by Saxons, Vikings, Normans (SVN) who do novelty races throughout the year, many of which are local to me. This one was held at Jeskyn’s Country Park just outside Gravesend. It involved laps of a 3.28 mile course along paths, grassland and through woodland. At the end of every lap there were a selection of cakes available for consumption. Each runner was free to do as many or as few laps as they wanted within a 6 hour time limit. My aim was to do eight laps – a full marathon distance. It was the May bank holiday and the event started at 7:30. The weather was slightly overcast and cool when I arrived but the sun was starting to break through. We all assembled for the briefing and after a short pep talk were off. The route took us away from the car park and down a narrow grassy hill. It was uneven underfoot and took some concentration for my feet to grow accustomed to it. By th...

This month was all about Paris. I dialled down the distances but kept the intensity high. I managed to be sensible and mature about what I did and when. Not something that comes naturally. On the day I managed a good time but short I what I could have done. This was due to factors outside of my control but the week after I went on a bit of a downer. I didn't want to run and lost my mojo completely. Thankfully it soon returned and I managed to finish the month strongly. Achievements 155 miles run No alcohol A balanced diet Paris Marathon completed in 3.27.12 Daily yoga stretches and core work Goals for May Cakeathon marathon No alcohol A balanced diet Daily yoga stretches Reach 1000 miles for year Highlight It has to be Paris. My first marathon outside the UK. Despite a heavy cold and not finishing as quickly as I'd hoped it was an unforgettable experience.  Best run Even somewhere as beautiful as Folkestone can become boring ...

This week I set off for a morning jog. I was without my fellow Bald Monkey as he is suffering from a foot injury and heavy cold. I wasn't sure where I was going to go but decided to head up the hills above Folkestone. Before I knew it I was blasting up what is known as Miller's Evil Hill on Strava. By the time I reached the top I was gasping for air and had to lie down. A nice easy start..... Once I had recovered sufficiently I followed the path along the top of the hills heading north-west. Below me I saw the chalk white horse, the sun glinting off the bright white stone. The sky was blue but there was a chill in the wind. It was 7am. The fields to my right were a deep green, knee high in young wheat plants. Yellow fields of Oil seed rape lined the horizon. Skylarks twittered above me. To my left Folkestone began to wake up and the lorries were already queuing at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel. The sea winked at me in the distance. A few miles on I turned inland and ...