August 2025

            

         August saw Clare and myself heading to Meon Valley for a new-ish Hampshire parkrun and my NENDY. The Meon Valley trail parkrun is an out and back course near Wickham on a disused railway line. CC knows the area very well as it was her old local "stomping ground" as she calls it. It was a nice parkrun where we jogged together at the back of the field. Clare, still working on her fitness, did surprisingly well I think and got a sub 40. We then went for pasties/sausage rolls and coffee at the local pasty shop in Wickham, which was quite busy with other runners. Great Vegan pasties and coffee by the way and very friendly and accommodating staff. Must go back.

 The day after on Sunday 3rd, I had the Sturminster Newton Half Marathon, or the Stur Half as its simply known. This would be my fifth time doing the race. I don’t think I have run any other race Five times. It must be a good race! 

Clare drove and we picked up Joshy on the way. I had a bit of a shit race to be honest. I was hoping to beat my time from the previous year of 86.07. I went out pretty quick but struggled as early as Seven miles into the race. It was hard from then on. I was digging deep and suffering a lot. My pace was slowing too. I finished in 86.51.

Not a bad time at all but I just felt awful throughout. Fitness levels not quite where they were a year ago maybe? It was a lovely event as always though and Joshy did really well and got a SB of 76.39. Beating me by over Ten minutes! As CC said “What were you doing out there?” lol. Thanks for the wonderful support as always CC. Seeing your face out there always helps me to stay strong and push on. Xx

We also saw my mate "Level 10 Kev" from the Vegan Running Club who also ran in the half marathon, which was a lovely surprise. He also runs for Yeovil Road Runners. I had won 1st V50 at his local race at Easter. We didn't stick around to collect my prize though and he kinda felt guilty. It was lovely of him to pop into my works a few weeks later and present me with an engraved medal. Cheers Kev, you're a star :) 

Not long after this, I went a bit mad at work and bought lots of shoes. A pair of Terrex trail shoes, some Boston 13’s, some more Pro 4’s and Two pairs of Evo SL’s. Obviously I had to get CC some new shoes too :D 

I may need to get another job, so that I can actually earn some money one day!

I am still in love with the new climbing gym, The Climbing Hangar. I have been going most Wednesdays and some Fridays at 6.30am! I am getting stronger and even managed a handstand PB of around Twelve seconds, which doesn’t seem like a lot but when you are in the handstand, it feels like ages.

On Wednesday the 13^th, I decided to jog to the track after climbing to attempt a sub 18 minute 5k. I worked out that I needed to run each mile at 5.50 pace. My maths were slightly out though. I had the track to myself and decided to run without music so that I could keep my breathing as relaxed as possible. 5.49 for the first mile and 5.49 for the 2^nd mile. It was going pretty well. 

My last mile went by in 5.42. Good pacing indeed and I thought I would go under 18 minutes with ease but not when I glanced at my watch. I basically sprinted that 0.12 of a mile at 5.12 pace. I got 17.58 on my watch and Strava and my Coros watch both gave me a new 5k PB of 17.50. I had done it, just. Average pace was 5.45, so I must remember to run at 5.45 pace and not 5.50 pace if ever attempted again.

Where CC and myself live a good 10k apart, and I don’t drive, and the traffic is terrible at rush hour, and we don’t see each other as much as we would like… we decided to introduce “Date Night” on a Wednesday evening where possible. Sometimes I will run and meet her somewhere, or we’d both get the bus to meet somewhere or she’ll drive us. A great idea as we both love eating and seeing each other :D

16.08.2025 saw me and CC both volunteering at Itchen Valley again. The people are so nice and I love catching up with the crew in the cafe afterwards while enjoying a Coronation Chickpea toastie with lots of Coffee.

I only ran one parkrun this month and am sat here now writing this on a Saturday morning while CC is getting another volunteering credit. Well done CC. 

I have a hamstring injury at the moment which not ideal ahead of the start of the new Hampshire League season. I am also supposed to be marathon training for Abingdon. In fact, I had a really nice 18 mile run to Stockbridge the other week which felt really good. Hopefully I can get back on track and run the marathon but tomorrow will be a cautious jog around Totton 10k, so I won’t be competitive in the league unfortunately.

I have a few plans for September. It’s my birthday, so I’ll be off to Wales with CC.

I have a bodyweight training plan which I have set up for myself to get stronger, so I’m looking forward to seeing the progress in that.

My eating habits have been terrible. I plan to work on that too and cut out the crisps and chocolate. I’ll be allowed birthday cake of course ;) but the focus will be on more cooked meals and vegetables.

It’ll be good to lose a couple of kgs and get my body fat percentage down, which currently stands at 15%

            Anyways, thanks for reading. Getting older, wiser and stronger hopefully. Stay rad people. xx