The Itchen Navigation

     I decided to walk/run some of the Itchen Navigation. I got a train to Winchester and joined the trail from Winnall nature reserve near the leisure centre and followed the river Itchen towards Southampton. I'm not sure how long the Itchen Navigation is but I have previously gone from the start near Woolston train station to Winchester which is about 15 miles from what I can remember. Most people think the Itchen navigation ends in Winchester but it actually carries on towards Alresford and goes through Itchen Abbas, Tichborne and finish just past Cheriton.

        It was a very warm day and I didn't get to Winchester until about 2pm. I had brought a rucksack with me with some useful things and some very useless things... I had water, some flapjack bars, spare shorts, t-shirt, socks, deodorant and a book. The most useful thing I took was sun tan lotion and a cap to wear. It sure was hot but I knew that a lot of the Itchen was shaded by trees.

        After passing the pub in the photo I continued to follow the river until I saw an Itchen way sign telling me to take a left and then a right and then another left. Sometimes there are Itchen way signs in Green and sometimes it will be little Itchen Navigation plaques that you see. There are also various other routes like the Kingfisher trail and the Valley of fields trail etc..
Soon you are away from the crowds of Winchester but still following the river. You can walk peacefully along with very few people around. I decided I would run for a bit and did so in the heat with the sound of the river flowing while I darted around the dancing butterflies in front of me.

     I wasn't really sure if I was actually going to run or just walk the whole way. My running fitness is in a really bad way. I've been cycling for 18 days and covered over a 1000 miles. "Surely you must be very fit?" people often asked. It was true, I had lost a bit of weight and could cycle up hills effortlessly. Yet, I struggled to run a 5k. Being sat on a bike, I had lost my running fitness in a big way. The summer always makes me want to go running for the whole day but I knew this wasn't going to be possible. So, walking and running was the plan.

         It wasn't long before I took a slight diversion to get the wonderful view that you get from the top of St.Catherine's hill. I came around the back way up and lot of steps and there were scores of painted lady butterflies fluttering around me as I disturbed them from their peace. It sure is a great sight. There were cattle grazing at one end of the field. I stopped running and took a wide berth sticking to the edge of the hill and following it around to the other set of steps on the otherside. I was soon distracted by the sound of a Yellowhammer though. I could hear it's song but couldn't see it. I walked stealthily towards the birdsong and scanned the trees but still couldn't see the Yellowhammer. A few more steps forwards and he flew right in front of me and to another bush further down the hill. It was way to hot to be chasing Yellowhammers around! I was just happy that I got to see him.

     As I walked down the wooden steps, a runner was coming up. What a nutter! We exchanged "Hellos". He was panting hard and sweating profusely but he was still nice enough ti say Hello. I like these people. So often, runners just ignore you and look grumpy. Doesn't take much to acknowledge another human being does it? Even when i'm training hard, i'll at least stick a thumb up or force a smile. Anyways... Down the hill and then I followed a sign to the main road. I got a bit lost somehow and did a loop of the "Valley of fields" trail under Hockley viaduct and ended up by the St.Cross church before being back at the first sign I saw previously. That's the problem with the running.. You don't want to stop, so you second guess the route and often go the wrong way. It had been at least a year since I did this route but i've always done it starting at the Southampton end. It was a nice route though and I got to see a Kestrel showing off his flying skills and a Green veined white butterfly.

     I crossed the main road and went under a bridge, back on the main road and then off into woodland where I now decided to take my t-shirt off as there were hardly any people now and I wanted to get a bit of a tan. There was a nice breeze when I ran topless though and it was nice to feel the wind against my perspiring skin. It was quite narrow in places and at times the stinging nettles were unavoidable. Sometimes I would use it as an excuse to walk more and other times I ran skipping through them as if I was Indiana Dean Jones. Every now and then I would stop and wait for a dog walker to pass where the narrow paths would allow.

      I got to Shawford, I knew this as the track opened out and then I came to a road and then was the familiar sight of the railway bridge and a pub. It felt like I had been on the trail for quite a few miles already and I was only in Shawford!
Not long after this it got a bit surreal. It had been so quiet on the trail and then I kind of hit this teenage beach party, without the beach obviously! There were about 50 people in one little area. Some swimming or jumping in the river. Some just sunbathing. The majority were kids around 16 I reckon. They were all pretty friendly though and some said sorry as I tried to run through at a leisurely pace.

      Not long after this, I spot two cyclists coming the other way. I think this a bit odd as a lot of the trail doesn't seem very cycle friendly to me. They wait for me to pass as it's narrow and then it turns out that I know one of the cyclists. Sarah from my old running club. We stopped for a bit of a chat and exchanged our journey experiences. I tell her about the kid's party thing and she says the same thing is happening further down the river. We then fantasise about our final destinations.. the pub!
I wish her and her friend Alex a good day and head on my way. Straight away there is a big puddle and I try to tip toe around it but its impossible. I then come to my senses. "What are you doing?" I just run through the middle of it and welcome the cooling sensation that it gives my feet. Soon after I am running effortlessly and diligently skipping around trees roots and ducking under the low branches. I actually felt like a nimble runner for that little stretch.

      The part of Bishopstoke is very scenic. Okay, you're still just running/walking along the river Itchen but there are some lovely houses that back onto it. I bet those houses cost some money. My thoughts then wonder onto winning the lottery before I snap out of it and get running again. I see a chick. Maybe a blackbird, I always struggle with juveniles. Anyway, he must have fallen from tree as I can hear the mother's distressful call. What do I do? It looks like it's ready to fly soon-ish, so it isn't like a proper chick. I just wanted to get it off the path as I thought it'd be in danger of being killed in one way of another. I try to whistle to the mother to attract her attention. Sounds so stupid I know! Anyway, I don't want to pick the chcik up as the mum wouldn't like that and would probably abandon the chick. I get close enough to the chick to scare it off the gravel path and onto the woodland but then I pause as it's quite close to the river. Luckily it didn't go any further. What do I do? I try to attract the mother again but walking on and feeling completely useless.

     There are now more people along this stretch. Fisherman, dog walkers and families. I chat to a few people or exchange some friendly words. "A bit hot for running isn't it?" One man enquires. "I stop as his dog jumps on me and reply "Lots of shade on this trail, so it isn't too bad". I later meet another dog walker and she says a similar thing and adds that I may be better off running in the river. I must admit, I was tempted to get into too! I bump into another runner who has two dogs with him. Like I did with Sarah earlier, we exchange our knowledge of the route and the directions in which we came. He tells me about the kids party coming up and says that they pretty harmless though. Which is a relief. The kids had broken up for the summer holidays and were making the most of it already. I wish him a great adventure and run on in the shade of the woodland.

             Not far up I come to that crazy party that my friend Sarah and the other running dude was talking about. There were even more children here. This time there were sausages cooking on barbeques, Music playing from stereos and lots of sunbathing teenagers. Lots were quite friendly and said hello as I ran through. There were many groups of kids all the way along the Itchen Navigation for the next half a mile or so. It was very busy again until I got to Allbrook, cross the main road and then lots of stinging nettles. I had recently read something useful about them too, You are going to get stung and it will itch for about 30 seconds but if you scratch that itch/pain, what you are actually doing is spreading the nettle's poison. The best thing to do is just leave it until the poison wears off. It may cause discomfort for 30 seconds but then no more pain unless you touch it!


 

 I

   I must admit that the nicest part of the Itchen Navigation I did that day was from Shawford to Fairoak. After that it can be quite hard going. It's overgrown in a lot of places and the paths are uneven and can be narrow or on a slope. I am getting very tired now too and am walking a lot more as my legs are really starting to ache. Maybe i'll just get the train from Eastleigh I tell myself. There are not really many landmarks on this part of the Itchen way but I know where I am because there are swarms of flies everywhere. Ah yes, I remember this bit. And then, the smell... It's the sewage works! I keep my head down and hold my nose as I weave through the overgrown woods.

           I hoping to get to Bitterne quite soon as I am almost out of water. I ration it accordingly as there are no tesco expresses or Costa's build yet. I then get to the Itchen valley Nature reserve. You don't run on it but you run next to it. I hear flapping from a tree and when I investigate it turns out to be a green woodpecker in flight. I can also hear the wheezing sound of a greenfinch. In fact, I have been hearing Greenfinches all day but hardly see them. Their wheeze always sounds quite angry, like they are upset about something. I still, love the call though.
Further up, I see a dog but no owner. I'm in the shade though and have my sunglasses on. Looks like a Corgi maybe? Where is the owner though. It just stands there as I walk nearer. Still no onwer. I take off my sunglasses and then realise that it's actually a fox cub. I stop walking and let him make his decision to run off into the hedge. Such a cutie!

      A bit later on I can hear the motorway. The woodland is too dense to see it though. I now know that i'm not too far away from Riverside park in Bitterne and all i'm thinking about is that Ice cream van that's usually in the car park. My legs are aching so much now so I decided my running for the day is done. I cross a road and then i'm familiar with my surroundings. Riverside park. People walk past me eating ice creams, some people are sat on benches drinking beer and others taking photos of the swans. This really stoned kid asked me if I have a lighter and I tell him that some other guy up the river was smoking. He just mumbles that it's too far to walk and I just laugh.
To my surprise there is no-one at the ice cream van. I had a flapjack earlier but I still don't feel hungry, so I just have a bottle of water and a can of diet coke for the walk into Portswood and town where I change my clothes and drink cold cider in the fading sun. What a wonderful day.

Plymouth half marathon

         I had been wanting to do the Plymouth half marathon for a couple of years now but somehow seem to miss it. I always found out about it when it was too late but last year I got in there early and booked it up. I've always loved Plymouth and spent quite a bit of time there skateboarding with friends over the years. I would set this half marathon as my one to race for the year. I was long overdue a half marathon PB which currently stood at 1 hour 29 mins and 26 secs.
   Sadly, I was nowhere near racing weight or fit enough. I told myself I would still race hard though and try and run 7's. 7 minute miles for 13.1 miles would roughly get me a time of 1 hour and 32 minutes.

     Leading up to the race, other runners started to ask me questions about the race. "Is it flat/hilly?". "Where did it start/finish?". "Was it a fast course?". I knew nothing about the course apart from that it started from the Hoe.
I found a course map and studied the course. I had done quite a bit of the route when I got lost trying to find Plym Valley parkrun. The course would start at the Hoe and head towards the Barbican along the sea front and then I was a bit confused as the Barbican was all cobbles. Surely we weren't running on cobblestone? I had trouble walking on them when I was hungover!
The course continued past the beloved Gin distillery and then right towards a bridge and then a nice climb up Billacombe and then a right into the top of Saltram. A beautiful area owned by the National Trust.
You were then heading back right? Well, you had to run up and down this A road. An out and back section of closed road with cones and tape either side. That was mile 10, It was a long way out and it was kind of depressing knowing that you had to run back again, but at least you wouldn't have the headwind on the way back. I was really struggling here. Anyways, i'm jumping all over the place...

    The day before the race, I got on the train after Fareham parkrun and stayed at my mate Nick's on the Barbican. We went on a 5 hour drinking session where I was a very good boy and drank diet cokes until I could take no more and gave in to a full fat coke. It was this girl's 29th birthday who worked for the BBC. She was a very nice lady and I chatted to lots of others with people asking me about the race and word soon spreads around. "This guy is running the marathon tomorrow!". In the end, I gave up explaining that it was merely a half marathon..lol. I also made a new lady friend who liked to blow cigarette smoke in my face, hug me and tell me how much she loved athletes. It was funny.
A battered sausage and chips later, we were back at Nick and Hannah's place. I went to bed and only had a 5 minute walk to the start the next day.
I had a banana for breakfast and that was it. On the way there, I caught this woman taking selfies. We walked together and chatted. Her name was Lisa, it was only her 2nd half marathon. Her first being in Stafford with a time of 1.45. She was originally from Plymouth. We took photos for each other (See above photo). She said she would try and catch me up during the race even though I told her I was going for 1.32. She was quite competitive but very nice all the same. I found the baggage tent and then queued for the portaloos. This was a big event, so the queues were big. Would I make the start in time? Did I really need the toilet or was it just pre-race nerves?

     
       I got to the start with 5 minutes to spare but the 1.30-1.45 area was rammed. I could not even get into the starting area. I had to wait in a gap by the barriers and wait for the crowd to filter through. Even then, some of the 1.45+ runners were passing me. Did they not think to let us in? Obviously not! Anyways, I crossed the chip map and it was still busy. It was downhill too. I tried to weave the best I could but before I knew it, the course was climbing again towards the Barbican. Oh look, cobbles to run on. It actually wasn't bad and they didn't last for long. People lined the streets shouting words of encouragement. The support here was fantastic. We were close to my mate Nick's. I wonder if he bothered to get up on his hangover this morning. And then, I saw him. I was already sweating a lot by then. I thought it would be funny to wipe as much sweat from my forehead into the palm of my hand and try and "High 5" him as I passed. I was to be disappointed as he stood there taking photos of me and grinning instead. That made me laugh for a few miles. Until we hit this really big hill in fact! My pace was off by now and I wasn't feeling comfortable or fast at all. I carried on battling away though. This hill really did climb a lot! But then, soon after I looked at my watch and I was running a sub 6 pace downhill towards Saltram. We entered Saltram from the top too which meant there was more downhill. I was really liking this bit. The marshals were great too.

        And then it got really hard. An out and back A road at mile 10. It lasted a long time but I got talking to someone on the way back when I could hear again as there was now no headwind. That really helped put my mind in a more positive place. I was just pushing on now and wanted to get to the finish. This was hard and I was suffering. My 1 hour 32 nowhere near possible. It didn't matter though, all that mattered to me is that I was trying and racing hard (Despite the mini conversation).
  It was pretty warm too, so I would be pouring water over my head at the aid stations. Back onto the Barbican and then support was electric. There was also a band playing that I forgot to mention earlier. I clapped them as I ran past. And next... A 1K climb to the finish line!!! Are you kidding me..lol. The crowd were amazing though and very encouraging as I dug deep into my soul to get up that hill.

       I crossed the line in 1 hour 35 and something. I was 3 minutes off my desired time but it was a great test for me as I hadn't run a half marathon for nearly 2 years. I really didn't know how fit or unfit I was when I approached that start line. I cheered others in and I looked out for Lisa, hoping see was going to beat her 1.45 on a tough course. I didn't see her but I did manage to see my friend Liz who runs for Tavistock but by the time I got back to the finish line, I couldn't find her in the swarms of runners and supporters. It was a great race though and I was smiling all the way to the pub with my medal. A nice goody bag too. I think I would do this one again and try to smash my current time here on a challenging course. A wonderful weekend all round.

Wimborne 20

      After enjoying the Wimborne 10 so much in November, it would be silly not to enter the Wimborne 20 in 2016. Great Spring marathon training and at a bargain of £13! Yes, 20 miles for £13.
Anyways, I entered and sorted out a lift with Rob Benham who had also entered. When he picked me up on the day there were sheets of ice outside on the car park floor. It was bloody freezing!
   
   Rob drove us there and we chatted all the way and occasionally got lost through lapse of concentration. We had plenty of time though and the place was easily found. We already had our race numbers in the post so we just sat in the car to keep warm until nearer the race start time. The start was delayed due to queues for the toilets. I was relieved in both senses of the word as I was in one of these queues. I wasn't feeling great to be honest. The previous couple of days I had been going to the toilet a lot and getting dizzy spells. Food poisoning or a stomach bug perhaps. Either way I felt uneasy about racing. I managed to stuff some toilet paper in with my Minion's Haribo on my waist belt.

      More importantly, what sort of pace would I run today. I haven't really trained to race a 20 miler. I was thinking 8 minute miles or trying to run sub 8's all the way around. Was I fit enough or would I blow up and have to run 9 minute miles after the first 10 miles? It was too hard to say.
Anyways, we were off. We ran round a little school field and then we were out onto the country lanes. The weather was perfect now and not too cold. It wasn't long into the race that I realised that you couldn't really average the time of each mile because of the undulations. I thought there was just one hill. That's what it looked like on the profile picture to me.
By the way, this is a course made up of 3 loops. So you kind of ran 3 loops of 6.5 miles with a bit extra at the start and finish.

    Bloody hell this was pretty hilly. I was running sub 8's though, so all was good. My breathing was a bit heavy so I tried to relax a bit more and settle into a rhythm. I was just trying to get to the first 5 miles and then the first loop or 10k. I worked out that I roughly needed to run 3 x 50 minute 10k's. Not sure if that sounds good or not..lol. The marshals on this race were the best! They were all smiling and genuinely shouting words of encouragement and comments of humour. They were incredible and it really made the race very special. I would see all these people 3 times at least :)

      So this first loop finally came around which seemed like forever and then I was happy to recognise where I was again. That first loop had at least 3 pretty big hill climbs. One of them seemed to go on for ages twisting around a corner to the peak and then you got a nice fast downhill. Thank god for the guy standing over the cattle grid. Every loop he directed me to the side of the road as I kept on forgetting it was even there. I thanked everyone I could and even joked with one marshal that I was sad to be on my last loop. This comment came back and shot me in the ass a few miles later as I was suffering after mile 16. Anyways, i'm jumping all over the place with these race details.

    Another great thing about this race is that there were out and back sections too, so that meant that you got to pass other runners and smile, wave, thumbs up or whatever. I managed to high 5 Rob as he flew by on the last lap. He must have been at least 2 miles ahead of me. He was in good form and would be great for VLM. I was doing okay but cursed myself a bit when I ran a mile in 8.15. My first mile over 8 minutes. It was getting tougher from mile 11 but I still had the belief in me. I wasn't tired yet but I was slowing a little.

        I was nearing the end of my second loop in the picture above. There was lots of support here and I managed to get a high 5 from White star running Director Andy Palmer. Was great to see and chat to a familiar face. I had decided against energy gels and thought i'd just try the Minion's Haribo I bought from my local shop for 50p. I had one near the end of my first loop and then I was umming and arring when to have another. I told myself to live a little and had a second Haribo at mile 10 and then a third one at mile 14. The plan was not to eat them when running uphill as past experience tells me that it's much harder to chew and breathe when you are on a hill! Anyways, I had a total of 4 Haribo and 2 jelly babies from a young marshal at a water station. There were plenty of water stations too. Did I mention that this race was only £13! Crazy value for money.

    When the lady marshal shouted and smiled "Only one parkrun to go". I smiled back but knew I was in a world of pain and it was time to dig deep. Just then, this young dude called Dave rocks up. He spoke a lot and when we ran uphill he was still chatting while I concentrated on my breathing. I was struggling to run the sub 8's now but pushed on with determination. In about one mile I got to know Dave. He had only started running at Xmas. He was doing the London marathon. This was his first 20 mile race. He beat me by 44 seconds and he runs for Lychett Manor Striders. He was a lovely guy though and his enthusiasm reminded me of when I started running. I gave him lots of marathon advice though and he was very grateful for it. I don't think he needed it to be honest. It was great to chat to someone near the end when I was struggling so much. He sure kept me going until the end. I was glad of his company and I was happy to let him keep talking but on the last mile I told him to push on. I knew we were both going to achieve our sub 2 hour 40 target so I was really pleased.

      I could see the signs... 400 metres to go... 200 metres to go... Then this spectator says "Right, go for it, may as well sprint this last bit". I just laughed and turned my head back and said "I thought I was sprinting!" I could see the finish clock and the other finishers. Dave had already finished and there was no-one behind me for 30 seconds. I crossed the line in 66th place in a time of 2 hrs 37 mins and 00 secs. I had a wonderful time! And then it was time to collect my race t-shirt. I had put down for an "XL T-shirt". "I'm sorry, we don't do XL t-shirts". That made me a bit angry. Anways, I am wearing it in the pic above and breathing in. I know it'll shrink a bit after one wash and i'll be using it as a rag to clean by bike but apart from that it was a brilliant race and very well organised with the friendliest marshals of any race I have ever done. I would happily do this race again. Rob finished in 38th place with a time of 2 hrs 21 mins and some secs. Beating me by over 15 minutes. It's not a race Rob..lol. Rob also said that he felt the loops quite mentally challenging. I was fine though as I did a 12 hour race last summer with 5 mile loops and ran 11 loops and i'd probably do that again too ;)

The Bodmin Half Marathon 2016

      So, I had always wanted to do the Bodmin half marathon. I would love to do all the Cornish races. I love the races and I love the people. So friendly and welcoming. So far I had done The Stormforce 10, Indian Queens half and the Cubert 5. These races were all amazing. When the locals tell you the course is pretty flat, it usually means it's bloody hilly! Anyway, I had talked Di, Mike and Larry into this race. I knew nothing about it but later the course and it's wonderful elevation emerged online. It was a new course this year due to property issues. The course starts at Bodmin college and heads through the National Trust's Lanhydrock.

   I am currently training for the Plymouth half marathon and I thought this would be a nice warm up race. This would have been the furthest I had run this year. The previous week I had run 9 miles to Netley parkrun in the wind and rain and did the parkrun totalling 12.1 miles. I was expecting a lot of mud, rain, wind and off road. Boy, was I wrong!

   We did Exeter parkrun the day before which was a nice course but challenging when it went through the woods and around a field and on the way back we had the wind against us. I struggled due to a hangover but loved it and the support was fab. You have to take your finish tokens into this climbing place. Take your shoes off at the door, walk up a couple of flights of stairs and queue to get into this room where people were sat at a desk ready to scan your barcodes. A bit of a weird one, but adds to the uniqueness of parkrun.

    

 

 

 

Anyway. We got to Bodmin college and collected our numbers and bright Orange t-shirts. Di and myself did a brief warm up in some cold drizzle. The race started just after 10. They did say that things are a bit more relaxed in Cornwall and that the races rarely start on time ;) Me and Mikey started quite far back with Di just up ahead and Larry at the front of course. I wasn't race fit and I thought I wasn't going to race either. Just plod around and get the miles in and enjoy the route. It was a congested start and no chip time. So I was surprised to run a sub 8 on the first mile. There was an uphill climb straight away and then a springy bridge but not long after there was a massive downhill where I passed Di. I hadn't run down a massive hill like this for a while and I pretty much ran flat out..lol. I then thought that i'd better slow down or else I wouldn't even make it halfway.

 

   I remember the race director telling us that there was a 5 minute delay for the people running with dogs. Well, only 5K in and I was being passed by the first runner with his dog. I thought I was running pretty well though but it was bloody hot. The sun was coming out and I had a long sleeve t-shirt under my short sleeve t-shirt. I wanted to take it off but couldn't be bothered to do it.

We ran through the grounds of Lanhydrock and the support was great. Plenty of water stations too. We got to a climb and then I noticed a man taking his base later off. I decided to join him and do the same while we chatted about how warm it was. Bloody runners, always complaining about something! I carried the t-shirt and used it as a towel to dry my face and head. This was a big climb and we had to do this loop twice! I knew this because of the mile markers.

 

 

    The second dog now passes me. Although, I didn't know it was a dog. I thought it was an old man panting heavily behind me, not realising the man and his dog wanted to pass. I said sorry and moved over. There was a really nice part that was flat and you ran next to a river in the woods. You then crossed a road and then the biggest climb came. I walked up this because it was too muddy for my road shoes. I was actually holding onto tree branches to keep my grip as I pulled myself up the hill. All this had to be done again too! How cruel. When we ran back into Lanhydrock I decided to dump my long sleeve t-shirt in the bin at the water station. I may have had to run 42 miles to get that t-shirt but I didn't like it anyway, plus I had plenty more running T's.

 

     After 6.5 miles I felt like I was ready to quit. I was really struggling. My legs were aching so much and I felt tired. I knew I was unfit but this was ridiculous. I pushed the negativity to one side and kept on pushing thinking that Di was going to catch me up soon. That was all the motivation I needed ;) Then another dog passed me, cocked his leg against a tree, did a wee and ran off before I even got near him again. I had to laugh and see the funny side. I got speaking to a few people.

The thing with these hilly races is that runners have different techniques. I am a fast downhiller and crap uphill. Some runners run the whole thing but at a slower pace. So there were runners that I kept on passing downhill and then they would pass me when I was walking uphill. I even got to chat to a few of them at the end to.

 

 

 

     We came onto the second loop and I said to Super girl and Spiderman that I didn't like the fact that we knew what was to come. Super girl said "Well, I think, Better the devil you know". I told her that I liked her view much better than mine as it was a lot more positive. We got talking to them at the end of the race and it turns out that they're from Shirley Avenue in Southampton! Small world huh? Anyway, I had a game plan for this loop. I would run like hell on the downhill before the horrific climb with the tree grabbing. I actually ran a mile in 6 mins 24 secs. but the climb just after was my slowest mile in 11 mins 34 secs. That was the last biggish hill done. I almost forgot! After your first loop they hand you a magnetic wristband to wear so they know to redirect you towards the finish next time around. Back through Lanhydrock and towards the college with some nice downhill.

 

 

 

 

This was a great race. I loved it. Great support and plenty of water stations and friendly faces. A lot of people said they wouldn't do it again as it was so tough. I felt like I put my body through a lot and I raced much harder than I thought I would.. It was my first race of 2016 and I was on a runner's high for days after this race. Although blasting down those hills meant I had painful quads when it came to sitting on the toilet or walking downstairs. Like I said, not quite race fit yet ;)

 

    I managed to pour some water over Larry's head while he was getting a massage and the massage lady told me off but it was worth it. Larry had done an amazing 1 hour 38 mins. You know it's a tough course when the winning time is 1 hour and 21 mins! Di and Mike were 5 mins behind me with Mikey narrowly beating his wife (but not like James Brown did). We had a lovely pasty before hitting Jamaica Inn for beer! A great day was had :D

 

 







Looking back on 2015

                                                     Fort William marathon, July 2015


                            The first thing I think about when I reflect on 2015 is that I didn't achieve any running PBs at any distance. Now, this upsets me a little bit. So then I think, what did I actually do in 2015? I only did 16 races this year. Although I did a lot more parkruns than in previous years. I remember saying that I wanted to run less than my 1300 mile average for the year and concentrate on getting fast. It simply didn't happen and I wasn't disciplined enough to really try too hard either if i'm honest.

        The year started with me coming back from injury and running the Somerley 10k in January. I still remember feeling so fat and unfit. I felt sick running that 10k and I can't even remember my time. I know it was awful though. But it was quite a nice 10k route around the estate.
Not too far away came the Bramley 20 miler. Again, I was feeling unfit and hadn't really trained for the miles. I should have been up to speed as I had the London Marathon just around the corner. I ran Bramley with Mike Mattingly for the first 16 miles and achieved a PW on the course. I didn't intend to race, it was just a case of "getting the miles in".

                       Drinking booze at the Lovestation on the Larmer tree marathon at mile 20


    With the VLM just around the corner, it's best just to concentrate on pace and distance right? Stick to that marathon training plan! Or.... You could just run around an estate in a place called Tollard Royal. This being the very hilly Larmer tree marathon. I was still not feeling that much fitter. This was treated as an adventurous day out with my running buddies Chris and Dean from my running club. It was another PW for me. Over 5 hours to finish a marathon! We did drink quite a bit of cider, vodka and bucks fizz at the love station, at mile 20 though. Perfect training for VLM of course.

   Next up was the big one. VLM (London marathon) in April. This is the race which is probably on most runner's bucket list as a must do. I must say that all the hype about this race was putting me off it. I was fortunate to get a lift up with my running club on a hired coach. This made the whole experience even better. I was so nervous about this race that I slept no more than 2 hours the night before and couldn't eat much on the day. Again, I knew I wasn't race fit but I had enough experience to know how I should run this thing, I would start slow and end faster. I was there to enjoy the day and soak up the atmosphere. The last thing I wanted to do was blow up and suffer for the last 10k.
It was an incredible day. Despite not being a big fan of London or crowds, you can't help but get caught up in this race. The crowds are amazing and their generosity on the day nearly brought me to tears. A lot of runners will slag the VLM off and I really don't get why!

     Looking back on the VLM afterwards I was gutted to have not trained well and raced it. It may be the only time I ever get to run it after-all. Next up was my favourite race of the year. In May it's The Bratton hilly 11.4K. Easily my favourite race ever. One mile up hill to start you off and then massive undulations across the Wiltshire countryside. A small village race with lots of friendly people. I talked Mike Mattingly into this one too and as it starts at 11am, you can run Southwick parkrun beforehand. I feel that this was one of my best race performances of the year finishing in the top 30 but boy did I suffer the following day trying to run Alton 10. Three races in Two days!

      I was craving another marathon and I found a good one too. The Arun river marathon. I got the train to Littlehampton on a very hot Saturday morning in May. This was a lovely trail marathon following the river Arun from Littlehampton to Arundel and Amberley and back. Only 100 runners means that it's nice and small but very friendly and very well organised. It was a bit too hot though and I had heat exhaustion at the end. Would definitely do this race again though despite having to run through a load of stinging nettles less than half a mile into the race.

    I was off to Cornwall for some skateboarding and alcohol abuse. While I was there I decided to run the Cubert 5 miler. The race is organised by Newquay road runners. I swear I was on for a PB that day and this is definitely a PB course! I was running sub 6.30's pretty comfortably halfway round and then something wasn't right. A week of pasties and Betty Stoggs had caught up with me. I needed the toilet badly. I was only running 5 miles! It was a 2 lapped course (kind of) so I found a portaloo in the school and after 2 minutes I came out to the applause of the spectators. That PB wasn't happing now and I was whizzing past the slower runners as I re-joined the race. Another race I would like to do again for sure.

                   Getting lost on a random 20 mile run somewhere near St.Clears, SW Wales


    Ok, this is going on a bit now. I didn't realise I was going to type so much! The Giant's head marathon was another White star running event. This was a crazy hilly marathon based in Cerne Abbas. Again, I ran this with buddies Dean and Chris for a day of laughing and adventure. It was bloody hard work though but the views were stunning. I also made an edit of this as I filmed on the day. It's on youtube somewhere if you're interested. https://youtu.be/1uzBxNjqFks

    Every year I crave to do an ultra and this year was no exception. It was to be the Ham & Lyme 50k race. I had heard about this race because of a book I read called "Everything will work out in the long run". The author Dave Urwin was also the race director of this race. He was so helpful with directions, accommodation etc.. I nearly entered the 100k but so glad I didn't as that was the hardest and hilliest 50K I have ever run. I felt such a great sense of achievement when I completed this race because I felt it was that hard. It starts in Ham Hill near Yeovil and finishes in Lyme Regis hence the name of the race. I also got to meet a very nice dude from my running club called Mark Glanville.

        At this point of the year I was in my running element and loving the distance. I had booked to run the Fort William marathon in July but wait.. there's a free place going on a 12 hour running event the week before.. Seems silly to let it go to waste right?
This was another incredible experience for me and meant so much. Not only would this be the longest I had ever ran but also the farthest of 55 miles. The race in called Endure 12/50 and it's only in Pangbourne near Reading and doesn't rip you off with overpriced race entry like so many events do nowadays. I think it's about £35? You can run for 50k, 50 miles or a 12 hour run and then you can do it solo or in a relay team. It starts at 7pm on Saturday and ends at 7am on a Sunday morning. I had a wonderful time even if I did get a hard time with Eastleigh running club. They were awesome and let me hang out with them. Also the support from Hedge end running club was fantastic. Cheering for the lone Lordshiller on his solo 12 hour mission. I also got to run with running buddy Carla for a few laps. She ran 50 miles that night and she hadn't even run a marathon before! Incredible girl. I also got to witness Lydia from Eastleigh win the Woman's 50 mile race. Such a bizarre feeling to be running until the sun comes up.

                                                      The beautiful views of Fort William


      So, it was time to jump in the car with the Mattinglys and head to Fort William for a marathon. I would also get to meet another running buddy. Nigel from Inverness. Was great to chat to him and meet his family in the pub afterwards too. We both share a passion for eating multi-packs of mars bars.
I ran with Mike Mattingly for a bit but struggled with pace and had to walk for a while. The views on this race were so stunning. The best that I have ever seen in fact! The thing is that you think you've seen the lot and then the scenery just keeps on impressing you as the miles pass. About halfway in, something went a bit weird in my knee. I was then walking in pain. I got to the point where it was too painful to walk. I had to keep on running after this. I took my mind off the knee by chatting to other runners and staring up at the snow on the top of Ben Nevis in July! Sand martins flew across in front of me as I passed a loch on the left and a river on the right.
Even when the hills came I had to run. I knew that if I walked again my leg would lock up and my marathon would be over. All I could think was "I'm not travelling 1300 miles to not complete a marathon. I want that t-shirt and medal". I just about finished with a sub 4. Di was with us but couldn't run it because she was out with injury. She had entered the race so I lied and said it was a crap race with nothing to see. She didn't believe me though ;)

    After that it was time for me to take some time out from the distance. I was feeling burnt out and low. The highs are a lot higher on the further distances but the lows are even lower as all those miles catch up with you and you struggle to recover. I think I spent August either in bed or in the pub with a bit of cycling, walking and photography in between.

All the free cake you can eat after the Wimborne 10 miler

    Overton 5 was my next race in September. No PB was had though and I was actually 2 minutes slower than the previous year. I was feeling a bit annoyed with myself afterwards. A week later I cycled 254 miles from my house in Southampton to Cornwall for my birthday. It took me 4 days in total. Bridport on day 1, Exeter on day 2, Plymouth on day 3 with lots of booze for my birthday then a short cycle to Saltash to see my mate Carl for a nice walk with him and his dog. 93 miles was the furthest that I had ever cycled in one day.

     Still not running much, I didn't really have the pace and mileage to race the Solent half marathon at the end of September. I just ran it with Di. I was trying to pace her but we both really struggled and I remember my legs aching for days afterwards. I was just enjoying the cycling a lot more after all the long distance running earlier in the year. I cycled 85 miles to Bath to see my friend SJ. I cycled about 70 miles to kingsclere and did a tour of the places from one of my favourite childhood books "Watership down". I also did a 80+ mile bike ride around the Isle of wight. I was just loving the Exploration but sadly the evenings were getting darker sooner as the Autumn/Winter came drawing in.

    I was running again and getting quicker on the shorter stuff. I had run my first sub 20 parkrun of the year thanks to Rob Benham for pacing me. I was close on a previous occasion with a 20.02. It was then time to run the Wimborne 10 in November. Thanks again to Rob B for the lift and company and his comforting words as struggled to believe in my abilities. I was very happy with my 68.59 even though it was 2 minutes slower than my course PB. I had a really bad cold on the day and thought that I would struggle to even achieve a sub 70. I really did impress myself that day and my speed was coming back.

    Sadly I didn't race Victory 5 and just got myself round. Legs were hurting from a 20.05 parkrun the day before. I hadn't run for over a week and this seemed to strain the hamstrings which is a current injury but is starting to dissipate.

                                   Somerley 10k with the dudes from Lordshill road runners

 In total I ran 16 races plus 24 parkruns. 7 of those races were either of marathon distance or over. I have also finished the year on my 77th parkrun in total. Hopefully I will reach my 100th next year
Looking back I had another great year of running with a lot of great memories and I made a lot more running friends and visited some amazing places. I also ran less than 1300 miles this year which is a first in a few years ;)

     I look forward to my races, goals for next year which include: Bodmin half marathon, Plymouth half marathon, the Ultra flat 50 and the Kent roadrunners marathon. I have decided not to run with a running club next year as I may be moving to the West country for a bit in the Springtime. Just hope I can find a job! I may well also plan another cycling trip. Possibly LeJog on my mountain bike for a charity in the late summer. Lots to think about, lots to see and lots to achieve :) Looking forward to 2016. Who knows, I may even get around to writing that book that I've been on about for some time....