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Showing posts from November, 2019

View from the top

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Here are a few shots I took while running in the hills above Folkestone recently.

Mud, glorious mud.

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What are your favourite conditions for running? I love those balmy summer days when you don’t need to worry about layers and can jump in the sea to cool off. Spring is another wonderful time with so much to see as the blossom, leaves and flowers emerge from their slumber. Snow running is fun too. Hats, gloves, meggings and base layers, the steam pouring from your lungs and icicles forming on the end of your nose. However, autumn has to be my favourite. The November rain, wind and mud were the perfect conditions for a long run this weekend. My usual Saturday morning run wasn’t possible, and so I ended up going out on Sunday. I had considered a local race, the Brett Owler Half Marathon but couldn’t really justify the cost when I could run locally for free. I headed out with no clear idea of where I would end up. All I had done in the way of preparation was ensure I had my bank card in case I needed to refuel. The choice was to head east or west. East would take me through town and

Parkrun in diagrams

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parkrun Venn Diagram 1 parkrun Venn Diagram 2 parkrun Pie Chart 1

October

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October was a strange month after all the excitement and effort of September. I needed a rest but became quite down and lost my running mojo for a few weeks. It also meant that I got out of the habit of stretching and eating well. By the end of the month I was wanting to be out again though. I was even a little nervous when I turned up for my October Marathon but ended up running well and with no injuries or lack of fitness. I felt that the long distances had improved my stamina and speed. Achievements: 101.5 miles run Ranscombe Marathon completed 10/12 Goals for November: Thames Meander Marathon 200 miles No alcohol Daily stretching Highlight: A strong run at the Ranscombe Autumn Marathon led to finishing second on a beautiful Autumn day. The route took us through woodland and fields. It had rained for a full week beforehand and continued the day after, but on the day of the run it was clear and dry. Best run: A 17 mile bimble alone out on the hills around Folkest

Thames Meander

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The forecast was for 45mph winds and lashing rain - again. For the third month out of the last four, I’d signed up for a marathon in storm conditions. November was the 11th of my 12 marathons in 12 months with John. We had chosen the Thames Meander which starts in Kingston-Upon-Thames and winds along the river towards Hammersmith and back. The journey there was eventful. We had a coming together with another car on a roundabout just a few miles from our destination. Thankfully there was limited damage to either car, and we arrived at 8:30 in the pouring rain. The marquee where we collected our bibs was being buffeted around by the gusts. Our plan had been to arrive before 9am and run the Kingston parkrun before the marathon itself. (Un)fortunately it had been cancelled, and so we headed to the gym next door to watch the start of the rugby World Cup final instead. The room was soon crammed with runners in lycra and bin bags. At five minutes to ten everyone started exiting