The Merthyr Mawr Rabbit Run

 This is a short story about the Merthyr Mawr Rabbit Run. I had booked this race a while ago because it sounded fun and exciting. It was also very near my cousin Phil's in Ogmore-By-Sea. The race didn't start until 2pm though, so could I fit in a parkrun too? Of course I could! I even managed to meet up with Neil Catchlove there. Not only that, but I also entered the hilly Frome half marathon on the Sunday where I would be meeting up with Di Mattingly and Ian Bower.

  Anyway... My cousin was nice enough to drive me to Porthcawl parkrun. I stepped out of Phil's lovely warm car and into the pouring rain and wind. I wasn't really feeling it to be honest. I walked along the promenade with my hood up and head down. It wasn't long until Neil came flying past me in his vest and shorts. This told me that I was being a pussy and needed to man up! Off came the longer shorts and the hoody. I wasn't going for a time today as I had decided to put everything into the Rabbit Run that afternoon. I was also running with a heavy backpack.
I caught up with Neil and we spoke about the course and that we were the only Lordshillers to do this particular parkrun. It was a fantastic course along the coast even though it was a bit windy and very rainy. You run out to a giant Chessboard and turn around and then head up what I thought was the hill that Neil mentioned but the bigger hill is after the first one. The thing is though, that last mile is very fast with the downhill. Hence running an easy 6.30 minute mile. Neil actually came first in 18.18. Neil, like me is also a V40. I wasn't racing but managed a respectable time. Second Lordshiller and second V40. We did our cool down and Neil gave me a lift to Bridgend where I decided to buy a coat after breakfast as it was still raining hard and I had left my last coat in a night club in Plymouth somewhere after a drunken night of breakdancing...

  I got the bus back to Ogmore in my new coat and got myself ready for the Rabbit Run. Mostly cups of tea were drank and then my cousin kindly gave me another lift to Merthyr Mawl. 

I had to queue to get into a tent in the rain to get my race number. This did not make me very happy to start with. I was in that queue for a good 20 minutes as well. Finally got my race number and t-shirt and then we al waited around in the tent until it was time to head to the start. I chatted away to various people. There was "The Giant Rabbit" which was an 18 mile course, which consisted of the rabbit run twice and then 3 miles on sand! The Rabbit Run was a sensible 7.3 miles but looking at the winning times it was a very tough race. At least with all the rain there would be no heat exhaustion and the sand would be easier to run on right? 

    We headed to the start line and on my cousin's great advice, I decided it best to run in my new coat. We stood on the grass while the race director went through the course with some great humour thrown in. I must say that he had me worried a bit. The worry soon turned into adrenaline as we set off. It wasn't too long before we were running uphill in a field. It was tough already but there were some super speedy road parts for me to fly down. Only a couple of miles in, it kind of turned into a scene from a Vietnam film. The trails went into the woods and then the trails were just a bog. People all around me were losing shoes or falling over. I had road shoes but I don't think trail shoes are too beneficial when the mud is nearly up to your knees anyway. This was a very tough and challenging section. Some people decided to walk. I kept my head down and battled on through the rain. Surprisingly I never fell over once! As soon as we got out of those woods I was able to pick up my pace quite a lot. There were some more fields and a car park or two after this but what I had been dreading the most were these sand dunes and the one named "The big dipper". 

   We ran through some more woodland and now I was overtaking a few people but there was one younger guy in front of me who I couldn't catch but at least we were both overtaking people. He shot off ahead at a great pace and then I couldn't see him after overtaking the last guy. I was now kind of leading our little pack which I didn't really like as my navigational skills are terrible. I followed what looked like a path and darted torwards the signs that I could find. 

   Soon after we were running on these narrow sand trails. Either side were bushes, some of them prickly. I had to really concentrate on keeping my feet in those narrow ruts and not falling into a bush. It felt like I was running fast up and down in these narrow sand tracks. It was very exciting indeed. I was now hunting down more runners including the speedy guy from earlier who I shall call Paul for now. 

  I got to the big dipper. I knew it was the big dipper as it was a huge downhill sand dune. It was a weird experience. Here I was mid-race and this was my first time running down a massive sand dune. I thought it was probably the closest i've ever get to becoming an Astronaut. I decided that leaning back and taking long bouncy strides down was the best option. Here I passed paul and another dude. I was also wondering if it was possible to break your leg running fast with these strides and digging my heals into the sand. 

     We ran next to a river and followed it. There were supporters on the stepping stones cheering as we ran past Ogmore castle. The marshals were also brilliant on this race. Just after the castle we ran through another rutted field cover in flint and cow pats. The wind was so strong now and here was this crazy marshal lady whooping and cheering with great enthusiasm. I thanked her and called her a crazy lady as I smiled and ran past. I was nearly 7 miles in and still there was no river crossing that I had read about. There were river crossing but they were across bridges. There was supposed to be a waist height crossing somewhere and also a "Secret tunnel". This also worried me as the race director said it was very dark and I might get lost! 

  Just after 7 miles, sure enough, there was a muddy bank a bridge full of spectators and a rope in the water to grab hold of. The water was too deep to run through or even wade I guess, so you just pulled yourself along on the rope until you got to the otherside. The stones were very slippery on the shore though and I nearly fell over twice. I was running hard and loving it. All the time chasing people down and passing them. Including one very tired looking Paul. Goodbye Paul! 

     Where was I in the field of runners? It was so hard to tell. Top 10, top 20? I just kept on battling away until I came to something that looked like a cricket pavilion or an old rugby hut? Anyway, this was the secret tunnel. A man guided me in and I ran through, up some steps, left turn and then I was out the otherside. That was fun but shouldn't I be at the finish by now? I ran into the last field and could see the finishing area. Time to try and sprint. One last bit of effort to the end and I was in. I was back at the start but I hardly recognised it for a few seconds until I got my bearings. I collected my goody bag and went back into the dry tent. I was soaked as I had decided to take my coat off at 3 miles, it was too warm but no regrets as to starting with it. 

What a wonderful race and well priced with a lovely t-shirt, great marshals and support and check out that coaster! I'll be back to beat my time (63 minutes) and hopefully do better than 16th place. 

   The next day saw mw run a 1hr35 half marathon on tired legs but it was fun racing Ian but he beat me by 30 seconds. What a great weekend and one to be repeated! 

Mount Edgcumbe parkrun

So.... Every now and then I like to go to Plymouth to see my mate Nick. He has been doing a bit of running lately, so I asked him if he fancied doing his first parkrun. He stupidly said yes, so I got the train to his on the Barbican. Like the athletes we are, we didn't drink and went to an art show or something where we looked at photos and illustration. An early night was had and we set off for Mount Edgcumbe. 

You may wonder why I am wearing a rainbow tutu in the first photo? Well, this parkrun had a rainbow fairy theme to which just so happened to coincide with the fairy festival at Mount Edgcumbe. I had shopped for my tutu, got a nice set of sparkly wings and a magic wand. Of course I wasn't going to go on the Ferry dressed as a fairy. I'll get changed when I get to Cornwall.

There are two ferries two Cornwall from Devon, or is it three? Anyways, there is the Cremyll ferry with Marley the ferry dog. See facebook page. He is a cutie... https://www.facebook.com/MarleyTheFerryDog/

and there is Torpoint which is a car ferry. We got this one and then a 20 minute drive from there? 

Anyways, we parked up at the wrong place and couldn't find any runners or marshals. We did the next best thing and found the toilets to urinate in. It was then a climb up a hill to Mount Edgcumbe house. 

We had warmed up nicely with the walk and my mate Nick had printed off his barcode to get his first timed result but we were soon told that the previous weeks run director was uncontactable. This meant that it was just a dude with a watch and a large sheet of paper to write the results on and we got a position number on another piece of paper.
HANG ON A MINUTE!!!! Where are all the other fairies??? Turns out, I got my dates mixed up and so didn't bother changing into all my fairy gear as I had decided I was going to be a proper athlete instead ;)

We were then told to walk back down the massive hill to the start. On the way down we chatted to other parkrun tourists. A girl from York and some dude from somewhere else. Some runners were clever enough not to walk up the hill in the first place and patiently waited at the bottom. One of the smallest parkruns i've ever done with a total of 40 runners! 

Now, when doing parkrun tourism, you should always check out the parkrun page and do a bit of research. How many runners do they get? What is a fast time? Where can I place? Will I be the first V40? etc... Turns out our very own Southampton's Steve Hayes-Arter had won the parkrun the previous week and hadn't even got a sub 20! We know how fast he is, so it must be a toughie right? 

The race director does the talking and informs us that next week there is a fairy fancy dress run and before you know it we are off. We climb to start with and turn left still climbing. In fact, we are climbing for a very long time! I am trying to catch other runners and occasionally glancing at my watch. We go through the woods and yet it still climbs. 

Did I mention the climbing? We reach the apex of the hill at 1.8 miles (3 kms) I am still passing people though and going for a place. I wanted a top 10 finish but was now more focused on a top 5 finish. At this point, I thought about my poor friend Nick and his first parkrun experience. What a debut course to pick..lol. Anyways, the marshal informs me that it's all down hill from here... 

...But we all know that marshals were born to lie or wind people up. It sure does descend though and I am flying down the gravel track and under the shade of the trees. Sadly or sadistically, the last quarter of a mile is uphill again to the finish. I swear a bit and me and another dude pass one more dude but I can't pass him. I know that I am currently in 6th place and will have to settle for that. 

I chase the guy in front to the bitter end but he is too strong for me. I cross the finish line and stop my garmin. 22.43 for a 5k which later on Steve Hayes-Arter tells me is a great time on a tough course. This makes me smile :) I somehow managed to get 5th place as well. So I was happy although nearly dead from a heart attack! 

I speak to the guy who beat me and he was super nice. I tell him i'm from Southampton and he tells me he's from Portsmouth. I mention i'm an Arsenal fan and he's says he's an Aston Villa fan. We laugh and have a good joke as we watch my mate Nick struggling up the last hill. He is chasing that young girl from York but is unable to catch her. A great effort from Nick though with 28 minutes and 15th place. I'm not sure if he'll do another one but I hope he does. He will knock at least 3 minutes off his time if he does Plymvalley parkrun! 

Anyway, A great parkrun it was and then I dropped my two day old phone and had to pay £180 for a new screen. We went to the pub afterwards and got quite drunk. Athletes to alcoholics as my friend Nick named it. Sure was a great day though and the toughest parkrun i've ever done with as much climbing in the 5k as in the Plymouth half marathon! 

2016

J

JANUARY

Being me nowadays isn't easy. I can barely remember yesterday, let alone a whole year. Here is a concise review of what I got up to in 2016. I've had to look at the Runbritain website to remind me!

  It started off a bit mad really. I had decided to get up really early and cycle to Queen Elizabeth Country Park for the parkrun which started at 10.30. It was a 26 mile bike ride on my mountain bike. It was muddy and hard going down Butser hill with all those holes all over the place. I didn't even get lost! I made it with plenty of time but my legs felt heavy for some reason! I saw the founder of parkrun there to along with Dave Williams formerly of Pompey Joggers. I think Kiernan was race directing. Someone I would get to meet better later in the year. 

It was bloody hilly and very muddy! I poor legs struggled on the mud. I was wearing road shoes and sliding everywhere. I was too scared to even run downhill. It is still my slowest ever parkrun of 32 minutes but what an experience. After eating a large brekkie it was time to cycle another 26 miles home in the pouring rain and strong winds. Never again! 

The next day I did a comfortable 23 minute parkrun at Southampton. It made me appreciate the lovely tarmac and lack of hills. I only did one other parkrun that month. I was training for a half marathon..

FEBRUARY

I did Netley parkrun with an uninspiring time and then Exeter Riverside parkrun. Exeter was good but quite a challenge with a muddy field and the wind on the way into the finish. The weirdest part was getting your barcode scanned. You had to take your token to this building and take your shoes off outside. Walk up and couple of flights of stairs and queue outside this room to get your token scanned. You entered a room where a lady would be sat with a scanner. It kinda reminded me of being summoned to the headmasters office at school. 

The next day however, the real challenge happened. The Bodmin half marathon. Me, Mikey, Di and Larry decided to give this one ago. I think it was my idea actually. One day I hope to do all the Cornish Grandprix races. It was cold. We started running and it was boiling hot with the sun beating down upon us. Me and this other run stood on a hill taking off our base-layers and moaning about the heat. There were some hills! Very muddy hills and the only way to get up them was to pull yourself up by using branches from the nearby trees. I loved it, Mikey loved and Di and Larry hated it. I tried to get them to enter again but they aid something very offensive... 

MARCH

Wimborne 20. 3 laps with some hills thrown in. After doing Wimborne 10 with Rob Benham we both decided to enter this one and it would prove to be great training for Rob's London marathon! I was just happy to race and see what I could achieve. Rob smashed it obviously and I got 2.37 which I was very happy with. I wanted 8 minute miles and got under, so all good. A great race but the only thing that annoyed me was that there were no XL t-shirts even though I put down for one on my entry form. They clearly had no intention of printing any, maybe due to lack of demand. So I just got a large which was thrown in the bin. Still, a great race and good to see White Star running legend Andy Palmer cheering us into the finish, 

I did a pretty impressive parkrun at Southampton and ran a time of 20.18. More impressively getting a PB the next day at Eastleigh 10k with a time of 41.15. This would sadly be my only PB of the year. I was quite shocked to get this PB and really wasn't expecting it. 

APRIL

A slow Winchester parkrun was done and then a speedy 20.10 at Lee-on-the-solent parkrun the weekend after. The weekend after that was a slow-ish parkrun at Fareham. It was great to see all these new parkruns popping all over the place. Always very friendly and great fun. Straight after Fareham parkrun I hopped on the train to Plymouth. 

The next day I ran the Plymouth half marathon. I put in all my effort and was a bit disappointed with my time. I knew I was struggling with the weight and training hadn't been great. It may have been a hilly course with a brutal uphill finish but it's a great race. I had been meaning to enter this race year after year but it always sold out! 95.42 was my time and I went on a pub crawl drinking diet cokes all night the day before! 

A 22 minute parkrun at Netley and then the Southampton half marathon the next day. It was quite exciting to be running a race in your home town. It was a big event (almost as big as Plymouth) and the crowds were wonderful. I had to do better than Plymouth didn't I? Well, for the first 5 miles I thought I might even be on for a PB! Thing is, this race had tricked me. The first half was easy going and the second half seemed hilly and I was feeling destroyed at only mile 8. I pushed hard though and dug real deep. This was real suffering. 92.05 was my finishing time. A long way off a PB but I was more than happy with my efforts. I felt like I gave it everything. The cider went down nicely as I watched the rest of the runners coming in. I was getting fit again... maybe. . 

The very end of April saw me jumping on a train to Fareham and getting picked up by Jeff Scarle. We were off to Wickham ito run the Wickham Whistler. An Event organised by Kiernan that I mentioned earlier. They were such a lovely bunch of down to earth people and very funny and quick witted with it. It was a simple idea really. Run 3.5 miles of the Meon Valley railway line and get a lovely medal with some great support thrown in. In fact, you could run for the whole 12 hours if you wanted! Well, me and Jeff managed a 28 mile marathon and Carlo from Hedge End runners kept on going. What a machine. I thought I might be on for another PB but a few toilet stops put an end to that one after only 7 miles. The best thing is that it's so cheap and you can stop whenever you like or push yourself to the limits.  I would also see Dave Williams again and meet a few other runners like Robert Bryan of Winchester AC who was sadly injured at the time and Chris Maple. 

MAY

May would see me heading back to Fareham parkrun and trying to run a sub 20. It never came but I was happy with a course PB of 20.10 there. 

The week after would see my favourite event of the year and the best race in the world... but wait... Southwick parkrun first at 9am and then it begins..

The Bratton hilly 11.4K race. Bacon and egg roll and coffee and then race at 11am. I found this race back in 2012 and love it so much. The first mile is all uphill. You can see for miles across the Wiltshire countryside as you race onto a gravel track and past farmland. I am so excited and running as fast as I can. Will I get a course PB, will I finish in the top 20 this year? 

A lovely little village 7 miles from Westbury. This race is led by Avon Valley runners, It's been going for years but this year I thought I woud bring Larry and Mikey along. Would they share my love and enthusiasm for this race? Would I still enjoy it year after year? 

Simply Yes! Ask them, this is the best race ever. If you only do one race next year, do this one. Yes, it's hilly but it's incredible and varied. I smashed a minute off my course time. I think this is probably my biggest achievement running wise for 2016. Happy days :)

My fitness was at its peak and I ran a 20,30 parkrun and then it was time to go for that Marathon PB.

I got a free place at the Kent roadrunners marathon thanks to Neil Garton who volunteered there every year, or is it twice a year? Anyway, it was super tough. It was 21 laps of a cyclo-park. It was up and down. Glad it wasn't flat as the hills gave you something to look forward to! And seeing Neil cheer me on. I had 21 elastic bands to take off my wrist every time I completed a lap. Sounds easy right? I felt ok for about 15-18 miles and then it was getting harder to keep those sub 8 minute miles. I was slowly slipping into a very dark place inside my own mind and no-one could get me out. Thanks Neil..lol. The wrist bands never seemed to go down. Still 5 left!! I passed the 26.2 mark in about 3hrs 35 but the course was more like 27+ miles. I finished in 3,39. It was a great day though and the best bit was eating and chatting away to all the other runners and drinking a few beers. I even caught up with marathon legend Brian who had currently run about 1300 marathons. He can be quite hard to chat to at first but just mention Man. United and that'll do it..lol. Lovely guy really.  

JUNE

That marathon at the end of May had destroyed me. It was going to take a while to recover from. I also thought I had an umbilical hernia from the marathon. I went to the doctors and they told me it was just an infection and would clear up in a few weeks. All I did in June was run a few mediocre parkruns and jogged the 5 mile Beer race with my mate Rob Benham. It was still hard work though. I did want to push to hard and wanted to make sure I recovered well as I had some big plans coming up. 

At the end of June I was off cycling around the U.K. The aim was to get to Dylan Thomas' boathouse from Southampton and raise money for Cancer research UK. It wasn't a direct route I choose though. I would be heading to Dorset, South Devon, most of the coast of Cornwall and up into North Devon, Somerset and then heading into Wales that way. It was an epic journey. On the first day is was raining heavily for 5 hours. My seat post had snapped and I had to cycle 10K standing up until I got into Wareham to get my bike fixed. I had also realised that I had packed way too much stuff to carry on my mountain bike and panniers! 85 miles for the first day was good but it was going to get very hilly in Devon. I kept at it but had a few foot pains after 4 days. I was already tired and feeling really bad. It had rained a lot and it getting me down a bit. It was nice to see friends in Plymouth and make the crossing on the Cremyl ferry to Cornwall. Right at the end of June I made it to Penrose parkrun near Helston. My legs were sore and tired but I managed 23 minutes on a newer flat course. 

JULY

The cycling continued as I looped Cornwall staying at my friend's house in Camborne and doing a few more ferry crossings. I also stayed at my friend Craig's in St. Allen and caught up with my good friend Anishka in Quintrill downs. North Devon was kind of lonely as I didn't really know anyone there but it was lovely... and hilly again. At least the sun was out more now. I did Highbridge and Burnham parkrun in 22.50. Such a lovely course. One of the best I would say. Would love to do this one again. Beautiful and varied. 

I travelled up to Somerset where I met up with an ultra running buddy I met at a race last year. His name is Nicolas Thick and he lives in Portishead. All the way there I was singing "Wandering Star" by Portishead but didn't really know the words. Was great to see a familiar face again as it seemed like ages since i'd seen a friend. He showed me around the bars of Portishead while we drank cider and he told me some fascinating stuff and knew the most random things. I loved the conversation and I was going to miss it! Nick warned me about Avonmouth being a bit of a dump. As soon as I got there, there were two burnt out cars in the subway. I'm glad it was really early in the morning. I passed the Spanner and Hammer he was talking about. At the time of him telling me, I was just really confused..lol. I crossed a big bridge over the water and was now in Gloucester but not for long as I could see the old Severn bridge. 

I always thought you were in Wales as soon as you crossed the river Severn but you're only just getting to Chepstow. It wasn't long until I found the "Welcome to Wales" sign though. I took a picture and a group of cyclists passed. One of them stopped and asked if I was doing LeJog. I said "No, too short for me" and cockily winked and smiled. He laughed and caught his crew up. I messaged my friend Becci Starr in Newport and was glad to see her and John. They made me tea or was it coffee? and offered to do my washing. I nearly cried at their generosity. I was feeling quite weak and emotional at this point. I realised that I had cycles 65 miles with no food or water. 

After Cardiff I was starting to urinate a lot and when I wasn't urinating I felt like I needed to urinate! I thought I had a kidney infection from dehydration and not drinking enough water. Maybe it was but another theory from my sports therapist is that I had a bladder infection from leaning over my bike so much. I was so painful when see massaged my swollen bladder. It was also later confirmed that I had an umbilical hernia. I probably shouldn't have done this bike ride but hey, it's for a good cause right? I even met someone in Plymouth who was having radiotherapy. She couldn't thank me enough and I felt very touched and determined after that. 

Anyway, off to my cousin Phil's next in Ogmore-by-sea. What a lovely place. More sheep than people and right on the coast. He made me a family sized lasagne which I scoffed down when I wasn't going to the toilet for another wee. I was then travelling into the familiar grounds of Carmarthenshire where I spent a lot of my childhood in the summer holidays. I cycled up the hill to my old nan's house in Pensarn. I managed to find the exact house and all the wonderful memories came flooding back and the next thing you know.. i've burst into tears and i'm crying. My emotions were really pushed on this bike ride. I was constantly tired but had the desire and sometimes that is enough. 

I was glad to get to my Auntie and Uncle's house in Banc-y-felen. I only has one more day to go to get to Laugharne and Dylan's boathouse. Now though, I kind of wanted to make 1000 miles on the trip. I decided to cycle into Pembrokshire and Tenby and then head back to the Boathouse in a loop. This was a hilly day but 60 odd miles felt easy now. Nothing to it and best of all. I could leave my panniers at my Auntie's house! I was free and flying. I got to the boathouse and drank coffee and ate some lunch. I had made it! I couldn't believe it was over. Even worse, I didn't want it to be over but the urinating was getting worse, plus the hernia was worrying me. I had raised over £1000 though and was very happy. My dad drove to Wales and picked me up. Everyone was calling me lazy for not cycling back but I just couldn't face that hill in Sidmouth again! 

It was an incredible journey that took me about 15 days I think. I wrote a journal every night but often fell asleep while writing it. I may write a book one day as there is just too much mention about the experience. Thanks to all who sponsored, supported me and left messages of encouragement. Couldn't have done it without you! 

I did a few parkruns after that but I had only run 5k a week. It was hard to run. My body was trying to recover and my normal 40 miles a week of running was no longer there. 5k's were hard! I did Woodhouse parkrun in Leeds which was a nice course and very friendly people. One of the oldest parkruns too. 

AUGUST

I was still fucked! I did a few parkruns. Southampton, Netley and my 100th parkrun at Eastleigh. It was slow but I was so happy to have reached the milestone. Never thought it would happen and now I have the t-shirt (finally). Below is a photo of Patrick beating me at parkrun after running 3 miles with me. Nice sprint finish Patrick! 

SEPTEMBER

September with something completely different. I was going skateboarding around North Devon. At the time I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. 

Just before my bike ride I had become a qualified skateboard instructor. I met some nice people on that course and Andy Norman was one of them. He lived in Barnstaple and was part of the older generation of skateboarders like myself. 

I booked a hotel in Barnstaple but jumped off the train in Exeter to skate with my friend Simon Gillard first and then it was rest and an early night. 

Andy and I met at the bus station pretty early and caught the bus to Appledore where we would be the others and begin our journey. Parks and Pubs was done twice a year. Once in September and once in April. There was a scheduled route and Andy was our leader. We left the Appledore mini ramp and skated along the coast. We ended up at someone's house for a can of beer at 9.00-9.30? Felt a bit weird drinking beer this early on a skateboard but what the hell. i had signed up for this now. 

Onwards we went into places like Bideford and it's Wetherspoons, We skated Devonshire bowl for a bit but tragedy struck as Steve fell going down a hill and his bone came through his shin, We shut the road off and called an ambulance. I had never seen blood some thick before! We were too scared to take his sock off. We used one of my old t-shirts to wrap around the wound and try and stop the bleeding a bit. We made him as comfortable as we could. The ambulance crew gave him some strong stuff to make him laugh and then they had to pull his sock out from the open fracture. 

Anyways, we soldiered on but it was a really sad thing to happen. My legs were aching a lot now too. It was quite rough along the Tarka trail and I hadn't really bought soft enough wheels. 

By the time we got to Barnstaple we were about 17 miles in and my leg had cramped and really tightened. I was struggled but pushed through the pain. I was starting to feel a bit drunk now too! 

Anyways, we made it all the way to Braunton and finished the day with another beer and a shot for our fallen hero Steve. What an epic adventure and a very long day! I was out injured for a while after that but obviously still managed a few slow parkruns. I should train a bit next time. 

I also took photos at Overton 5 and the New Forest half where my friend Russ was running dressed as a Rhino for the "Save the Rhinos" charity. It was funny to watch him charging past runners and see their faces of disbelief as they were getting beaten. 

OCTOBER

I ran the Solent half. I was aiming for 8 minute miles/1hr 45. I ran it with my mate Paul Carpentar most of the way but he slowed on the last 5k or I sped up. It was also our mate Paddy's first half marathon and he smashed out a 1hr 33 and later admitted that he "Held back"! 

I did a couple of parkruns at Southampton. One of them 20 minutes something and then I got a last minute place for Snowdonia marathon because poor Rachel was injured. So, I did some last minute marathon training with a 17 miler and went off and plodded out a 4hr 30 marathon or just under. Thankfully I had Angela to keep me company as I was already feeling it at 7 miles! She and the others had already ran a really fast marathon the week before too. Sarah W and Mike Bisson still smashed out incredible sub 3.30 times too! 

Beautiful views and a great day overall. Not long after Mikey had finished, we walked back to the car and there was a man running in backwards! What a nutter! Thanks to Sarah Winstone who I stole this photo from ;) Oh yeah and after taking a year out to run the Lorsdhill 10 mile race, I was back in the club again. Thanks for taking me back Lordshill roadrunners.

NOVEMBER

Let's face it, my running wasn't really going well. I had no real goals and was struggling with weight and fitness but who says you still cant enjoy it? Poor Tony Rickman had injured his back and his Gosport number was up for grabs I didn't really want it to be honest but Rob Agar talked me round. Another slow half marathon at Gosport with a time of 1hr 40 but I was glad to to it. I think that is the only time that i've actually enjoyed that race. I pushed hard though but knew I wasn't in the great shape I was in earlier in the year. Still, I had targets for my comeback tour and I was achieving them. Next I would run Hayling 10. A time of 73 minutes. I was aiming for 7.30 pace, so all good there. I was starting to get the racing bug again and nothing could please me more. Also, I enjoyed the days out with the club and the great support. Especially from people like Kev Wilsher, Rob Agar, Ben Tavendale and Emily Smith. Always a pleasure to these people and many others and of course my old captain Jim. 

A big thanks to Brian Davenport who was also a really big support when he was injured and took this the photo below at Hayling 10.

DECEMBER

December was here already and I had been getting great support from everyone including Paul Johnson from Southampton AC who was cheering me on throughout the year at various races. He text me to ask what races I was doing and what he was doing. I totally surprised myself at Victory 5 with a time of 33.05. Not only was this a course PB for me but i was 2 seconds away from an all time PB. Dammit, if only i'd known! I was over the moon and on cloud nine for a while after that. I felt like a proper runner again and I wanted to get fast. Speedwork and hill sessions were to follow. 

I did Poole parkrun for the first time in 20,25 and the next day raced the Christchurch Xmas 10k. It was tough and I think I really paid for that parkrun the day before. Just after two miles the pace was maintained but felt strained. I just snuck under 42 minutes though, so I was very pleased with this. I was running hard again but I still know that 16 stone runners don't get much faster than this. I'll have to lose some weight! 

I then tried for one last sub 20 parkrun jsut before xmas and managed a 20.04. Not quite there but a Season's best for me. Things are definitely heading in the right direction for 2017. 

Thanks for reading. Now to concentrate on 2017 and my goals for that. It's been a wonderful year and typing this is a great to remember it and look back at it all. See you all on the start line..........

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.