The Tortoise And The Hare!

Some of the PWR's

Hello blog lovers!

I'm not so sure about todays title really, it should have been Mad Dogs And Englishmen!, but I had this title in mind for quite some time! Well ever since Big Son accepted my challenge to a race over a 10k hilly course!  My son hasn't done an awful lot of training, well not that I have seen. The only training he has done is to abuse the rest days! Sleeping, eating, and playing playstation games!

Big Son!

The event was the Orpington Runners 10k annual  race, and this is my first time entering it. It is also the first event of our PWR Grand Prix for 2013/14.  It was a lovely morning! The sun was up and bright and shining at 6 o'clock this morning!  Already it felt warm.  I couldn't sleep much after I woke up, and just laid quietly waiting for the alarm to go, or for the Dude to wake me up, my grandson! I had him over night, and to 'nobble' the opposition I had him sleeping with his uncle in his big bed, Dude is not one for sleeping by himself, he likes cuddles, and talking, and fidgeting, and generally keeping everyone else awake except himself!

At 6:45 the dude came into our bed, climbed up between me and the Old Boy and promptly fell asleep!  I laid there for the last 15 minutes and the alarm went off.  It's no good, time to get up, into the shower and get some porridge inside and a cuppa.

Eventually everyone else was awake and ready, except the Dude, he was still sleeping, I gently woke him up and then took him over to his great nanny, Nanny Jean Bean! Then me and Big Son made our way to Darrick Wood school, for the start of the event. 

The sun was really heating up the morning, it must be in the early 20's and it was only 8:30!  I just hope they can keep that water chilled half way around!  We got our numbers and timing chips and attached them to our shirts and shoes.  The other PWR's all made their way, and we set up the PWR flag!

9:25! Time to get to the start! I placed my self in the 1 finish start, alongside Big Son.  "See you by the car then" said Big Son with a smirk on his face.  He has been ribbing me all week about how he is going to totally thrash me in this race.  Bless him, he still hasn't quite grasped the idea of who is the 'actual' winner. Him because he will, probably, cross the finishing mats first, or me, because I have managed to get my son out of his pit, away from the computers and playstations, early on a Sunday morning, doing something more healthier?

9:30 and we're off! Big Son showed no mercy as he sped off around the field, I just smiled and plodded along.  This is going to be a very warm race indeed.  Experience has showed me that it's no good tearing off as fast as you can, even if it is not as hot as it is!  I looked at my Garmin, even then I was going slightly faster that I wanted to.  There were people behind, as long as I keep some of them behind me I will be happy. Coming in last, is not an option!

The route took us around the edge of the field and then off into the woods, where I was greeted with "Yeah Go Old Girl" and I realised this wasn't merely because I had my name on my shirt, but that she did know me, it was Ali from ORR, (from the time we got slightly miss-routed on a mob match day)  We then popped out on to a field . The sun was beating down, and there was no shade! Any other day we would be praying for days like this! to be sitting out in our gardens, maybe with a BBQ in mind for the afternoon, but running around in the sun, would not even enter our mind plus it is incredibly hard.  My mind went back to the marathon, (he he he, erm, did I tell you I did the marathon?) and how the sun was really warm them, but not as warm as it is now.  At least I only have 6 miles to do. 

We crossed over the A21, the police and marshals holding up the traffic for us.  I wonder if they will still be about for the return later! Then it was the first bit of the road section.   There is not a lot of road running in this 10k, its mainly fields and woods, which I love doing. Or should I say it's mainly fields! I am glad I put sun cream on today, and I even asked one of the other PWR ladies if I could use hers to reapply some more!  Running along the roads, looking at the drivers patiently waiting for us runners to pass by, all sweating and hot, and wondering "Why?" Again, the phrase Mad dogs and Englishmen, came to mind.

The road section went quickly and we were back into the fields.  I hadn't passed anybody, and nobody had passed me, I looked behind to see if I could still see some people, and I was pleased to say they were there, although closing in!  I picked up the pace  tiny tad, as much as I dare, and just put in a little bit more distance.

The route now has us all running around in circles! I saw people coming in one direction as I was heading in the other direction. I could see people way off in front of me, slightly to my left, running one way, yet there were still more heading in a different way when I looked to my left behind me! I couldn't figure out how it all worked.  I will just have to really listen to the marshals, I don't want to be getting lost, or heading in the wrong direction, or taking short cuts!

Just then I heard my name being called enthusiastically again, and I saw Janet up ahead. There she was waving, with her camera ready to snap away, I hoped I was smiling! In this heat and sunshine it was probably squinty eyes and a grimace!  The route took a right turn to run around yet another field. We ran around there and then headed back up to the path we came down on.  See what I mean about it being round and round in circles. 

Big Son was nowhere to be seen, I presumed he was just breezing through this, wishing that he hadn't challenged his mother, because then he could still be sleeping!  I saw a couple of young ladies ahead of me, and both me and a chap that I had been 'pacing', both over took them.  That is the first time that I have done any over taking so far, apart from 'pacing man'. I passed by a marshal who called out after me "Go on Old Girl" He knew me! Facebook is indeed a very social site! So many Internet friends and even some of my blog readers where here marshaling! 

The water stop was a very welcome sight! I took a cup of water as the water marshall very kindly filled my water bottle for me, I then carried on. I was just about to go through the gate and I stopped for some reason just to check, when I head a voice from the water marshal, "Ooops, sorry not that way, around the field" I knew that, I knew that! I knew I had to go around the field, you can see all the cups leading that way, I just must be delirious from heat! Again, the phrase Mad dogs and Englishmen came to mind. I over took my pacing buddy on this bit of field, and decided that this chap is going to be my race.  He needs to stay behind me!

It was while running along this bit of field just up ahead I saw my son! He had his tee shirt off and was walking! "Ha, ha!" I thought to my self. I caught him up and chatted a while, I let him use my water to pour over his head.  For a moment it seemed as if was going to be quite happy to 'tag' along with me, until, that is, I reminded him that this is a race! "Well, ok, if you you're ok" and then he went off! But from then on wards, he was hardly ever out of my sight!  Now the title of todays blog comes in play.  No son, it is not going to be a total breeze to beat this Old Girl, this little old tortoise easily in a 10k race, especially when you have done no training whatsoever!

I had my 'pacing buddy' behind me. I think I can keep him behind me, as long as he don't speed up, and as long as there is no more hills to run up! But, I knew that there is a least one more hill to do! I heard them all talking about it before the race, it's at the last 1km!  Just when you need it! NOT!  We crossed over the road together, and then started on the second bit of road running.  The marshals were still all very enthusiastic, I was really pleased to see them all cheering us on. In this heat, just standing around can take it out of you!  One of the marshals on this bit of road recognised me, from my ramblings in my blogs! "I'm looking forward to your blog later" she called out to me.   This is where pacing buddy got in front of me!  I was dying with the heat! My bottle of water being poured over me as well as in me! I kept saying to myself, "It's not long to go now"

I caught up to him, and again we crossed over the main road, the A21. Just a little further now, but at least its through the woods, hopefully some shade. We did stay in the shade, running through the trees, it was just perfect.  But pacing buddy was still in front of me. Big Son was not in sight any more, but I know that I am not last as I did manage to pass those two young ladies at the water station.

This is where the 'little' hill is! And really it is a little hill, but after doing all those miles it feels like mount Everest! My pacing buddy seem to fly up it. "That's done it, that's my race finished!" I thought to myself. I kept plodding along, I took one more swig of my water and then handed the rest to the marshal, I wanted to be able to push that little bit harder once on the field. 

As I emerged from the woods I saw my racing pacing buddy ahead of me. If I pushed it, I could over take him, I could beat him to the finish! I ran and ran, I got a little bit faster, I was sweating, I was hot, and I wanted an ice cream! But there he was, I started to gain on him, and I was absolutely thrilled when I over took him on the field! Yes, blooming yes! I did it!  My Garmin told me it was in 1:20:14, the gun time was 1:20:40 but the chip time was spot on with my Garmin!

Oh and Big son he came in at 1:18:16! not quite the total annihilation that he had planned! But, seriously, who is the winner here?

Geeky stats

The Mighty Moosh!

Hello Blog lovers!

It's Thursday, and I am really enjoying my new Thursday sessions with the PWR's.   I feel sure they are working, I can 'plank' till the leader says "And rest" (just about), but today was particularly good fun as I and the rest of the very brave souls, who ventured out this evening, was introduced to something completely different!  Well by the way Emma showed her stuff then I think she has done a few sessions with Adele before!

We started off with some gentle jogging to warm up, 2 laps of the rec. Then once back it was straight into drills and then some more running!  And boy did Adele make us run today! Oh, by the Adele is taking the session today, she does personal training as well, I believe, but in another guise, she trains knockout stars! Anyway, the running was pretty good, hard work of course, but that's why we are here!

The rec was divided into 4 and our task today was to run 80% for the first quarter, then the second quarter just a slow jog, then 80% for the next......and then run for 100%. No slow jog, no walking, but 100% to the finish. We had a little rest after, for about 30 seconds and then Adele said, "Ok, lets go again!" and she had a smile on her face!

I sucked in a load of air, and followed after the rest of the team! There was about 8 of us doing the session today, I think the wet stuff falling gently from the sky put a few of the others off!  We did that fast running one more time! I was sweating, but I think I gave as much as I could have done.  Then the new exercise. Boxercise! Something I have never tried before, and I think 99% of todays team hasn't either.  But what great fun it was.  I think the last time I put on a pair of boxing gloves was when my brothers were about 11 years old, and for Christmas one of them had a punch ball as a gift!  My goodness that was like 40 odd years ago!!! How scary is that!?

After a few rounds with gloves and pads, (did I say what total fun it was), and a cool down jog around the rec, the session continued with the core training, planks and this kind of 'legs up and lift  your butt of the ground with tummy thing', and then this V abs thingy!, I think I did about 2 of those! All done on the mats that Adele kindly bought along as well.    She is a tough session Leader! And I just loved it!  I think the rest of the team did as well! Including Nanny McPhee Michele and SingStarJo who showed up for their first Thursday session, at least I think it was SingstarJo's first.

What more can I say? Is the Thursdays working, yup I believe they are! What's for next Thursday? Rest days now, till the Orpington 10k on Sunday.

A Lap Of Honour!

Hello blog lovers.

I am needing to get a few miles running in this week because of the race and the family challenge I have this weekend coming.  The Orpington 10k, which I am running with my son.  My training has consisted of running.....obviously, cycling, resting when necessary and getting myself mentally prepared for the race.

My son, on the other hand, has prepared by, obviously, resting.  A growing lad of his age needs so much sleep, eating pot noodles, playing computer games, occasionally venturing outside of the house and thinking about when his next pot noodle will be ready.

My route today, is our usual summer route, (as it's become), so it looks like I am going to have to make friends with Goss Hill.  I don't want to be defeated by this hill anymore!  But it is hot (I write this as I delve in to the Old Girls book of excuses) and I am feeling a tad tired.  Needless to say I didn't manage to get up in in one, I did it in two.  But the Old Boy said to me that we are not going to stop at the top for a breather, we are going to continue, continue through to the gates at the other end.

I thought to myself, "Old Girl, you gotta give it a go" with that in mind once I got to the top, I turned left straight away and carried on running.  Something I have never done before! But I carried on, I carried on till the gates at the end, then I carried on up the path/road to the bridle path and I carried even further. In fact all the way up the first little hill, and then up some of the next bigger hill!.  I didn't quite manage to run all the way.  But I was pleased with my effort to that point.

Once at the top of this hill I ran non stop, with maybe just one slight walking bit, all the way to the little river, the Kidbrook.  A good run today, I was pleased with what I had done.  I don't think it is any quicker than what I have done before, even though the fact I probably have done more running on this particular time!  I feel as if I should have taken my trophy on this run, like a lap of honour for all the races I had to enter to gain the points to win the trophy! But I think that is going slightly over the top!

So geeky stats for you :-)

A Mid Summers Dream!

Hello Blog lovers.

As promised yesterday, my blog for yesterdays running.

Well, I guess it was running!  It was our annual Mid Summers Day club run.  And it is quite a popular one too.  Club members and our newbies were all invited to take part.  It's where we amalgamate our groups together to create just three groups, which run at the slowest pace of the newly formed groups, then we run to a spot in Chislehurst. There, outside one our runners home, is a table set with water, squash....and beer!

We were to have two such stops before eventually all running back towards where we started but taking a slight detour to PhysioMikes garden.  He has opened up his garden for any of the PWR's who have went along to this event, to enjoy Pimms and of course, what us PWR's are also famous for, cake!  We have a good number of bakers among us, who regularly supply superb cakes at our club 'do's'.  Another very good reason for joining the best club in the area!

We had some of our beginners group with us, who were a bit anxious about the distance, but we assured them that we run for about 1.5 miles then rest up for at least 10 mins to drink beer.....I mean to rehydrate, before going on to the next hydration station in Scadbury Park.  I think we settled their reservations about todays run.

We were heading to the woods so that we can run up Botony Bay towards our first stop near Chislehurst common.  We went through 'Dog poo' ally and turned left. This is where we had our first stumble-ee!  But us PWR's are made of firm stuff, she just picked herself up, dusted herself off and then carried on going.  The water stop was a welcome relief! It was quite a warm and muggy evening, I was sweating.....glowing profusely! After a beer it was on to the next hydration station.

On out way though, through the woods, the trees were getting annoyed at us! We all had beer, wine and Pimms on our mind was ignoring the gorgeous scenery we were running through, and all of a sudden at tree jumped up, tripped up my sister-in-law, laid her flat and put this huge bump and bruise on her leg!  It came up so quick and so big (the bump that is) if it had been on the head, it could have looked like one of those cartoons, where you can see the bump grow from the head!  She felt as if she could go on to the next stop, but after a word or two, and a few moments for the pain and throbbing to kick in, she decided, actually, it would be better to walk the rest of the way to PhysioMikes house, cutting out the second water stop, and receiving first aid treatment, i.e. ice for the bruise and ice in the Pimms!

I walked with her and her friend Angela to the garden.  Even as we were about a half mile from our final destination, some of the faster runners flew by us.  We have some pretty fast runners in our club!  It does make you proud.

That wasn't the end of our evening. Oh no.  The other reason for all traipsing over Mikes superb garden is that we are having an awards evening.  Trophies for all the races we have been doing through out the year, club runs, an the Grand Prix.  That particular event is open for everyone as we all compete with the people in our own groups. It's all very friendly rivalry, and it does make us all want to do our best!  And guess what folks, guess who came first in group one, guess who took the first place trophy! you give in? Well, look at this.

Yup it was little ol' me! My first ever trophy. Not only that but it is a first place first trophy!  I am in my element!  In my dreams I have only ever won first place in anything, and now that dream has become a reality!

No geeky stats but I will try and 'pinch' some pictures of the prize giving, as soon as I find out where they are hiding them :-)

Division 7 PWR Grand Prix. 1st place

A Friday Quickie! - Sort Of!

Hello blog lovers,

I had almost completely forgot that I had done a little bit of exercise yesterday! Incredible isn't it!  I must be getting so blase' (is that how you spell the French word?) about it all. But it really was a 'blink and you miss it' kind of run.

Of course, I don't mean it was a speedy run, although it should have been, it was that it was just a very short run.  A run to the garage to pick up the Old Boys car which had just had some repairs and MOT done on it.

The job didn't take that long! I thought the car would be there all day, but there I was, going to pick it up at around 10;30 ish!  It was a pretty warm morning, and I was pleased that I hadn't actually had my breakfast yet, I had a lazy lay down on the Old Boys sofa after I got back from dropping him off!

I thought I would run the shortest route to the garage to get there as quick as I could so as to get the car out of their way.  I arrived at the garage, looking hot and sweaty, and out of breath! But I think I was pleased with my 'rest day' run.

The mechanics seemed amazed that I had ran all the way, ok  it only was only a one and quarter mile away! But he said he couldn't have even run the quarter!  Of course I championed us runners and the benefits of running! Lets see what happens!

Geeky stats

No Lazyitus Today!

Hello blog lovers.

Thursday, and it's training day, I had lazyitus last Thursday but I am well over that now.  And I am looking forward to this evenings activities.  I am not sure who is taking the leaders 'hats' today, the anticipation of finding out that is just as much fun as the doing of the sessions!

 

I arrived at the park on my bike. I had collected my Giant from my sisters house only about an hour before hand.  It felt great to be out on the bike, so I thought why pollute the atmosphere with fumes and gasses (sorry, not quite sure what the scientific name is for the emissions from cars) I just know that it's not necessary. When the sun is bright and the day is warm, why start up my car to drive just a mile or so to the rec?  There was just one other person there when I got there, I was there early for a change! I chained up my bike, grabbed my drink and wandered over to the benches.

There were soon quite a few others turning up, including two ladies from PhysioMikes beginners class!  "Come along, its fun, we just do some running and exercises in the rec" was what our Illustrious leader had said to them!  It was I.L. and Sue who will be leading todays session.  Sue was the first to start the warm ups and the drills.  Then after that she had us running the three flag relay thingy again.  The flags seem to be set at a shorter distance that what Disco Rich had them a couple of weeks ago, but I found that was even harder, because the 'No.1's'  ( Sue had given half of us no.1 and half no.2) had to run to the first flag, then run back and the 'No.2's' had to run to the first flag, but of course they had got back before you had even had a chance to catch your breath.  But it was all still great fun.

After that it was the core training!  I.L. leader set out 5 stations, and we have five activities to do at each station.  Burpees, ab crunches, squats, planks and push ups!  I.L. asked me to demonstrate the ab crunch!  I you can remember from my other blogs, the only way I can describe what I look like when I am doing these is like a tortoise that has been flipped over, and is trying to get back on her feet!

But I think I gave it a pretty good shot!  The newbies Tracey and Sally seemed to be enjoying the whole experience.  Judging by the giggling going on!  And that is how these training sessions are.  They are hard work, we do sweat a lot, and do puff and groan (and maybe even fart....) and we do have a laugh! These sessions are kept fun, but they also work! I am sure they do! After all, on my first core training session, I couldn't even manage one half asses attempt at a sit up, and as for those burpees, they were just a burp to far for me!  But today, I think I managed to do at least 2 or 3  of them how they should be done!

All in all a great session.  At notice ladies and gentlemen, no one got a mention of who was the windy one or who was practising their 'poo face' while doing the squats!

Pettswood,The Place To Run!

Hello blog lovers.

Today is club run, as all my regular readers know, and our group 1 ranks have swelled slightly with the welcoming of the graduates from the beginners class.  And also our Illustrious Leader is taking them further into the woods than they have been before!  So all in all, a great evening is planned!

Sister-in-law Jackie is there, her friend couldn't make it this time, and some of the other beginners were all looking a bit apprehensive, but we assured them that no one will get lost, or left behind!  Our route is going through 'Poo Ally' and then instead of going left we are going straight up, into the heart of the woods.  It is a bit of an incline, but it is a very do-able incline for the beginners, and me!  I kept thinking that I had done Goss hill, which is a bit steeper than what we are doing now.  I am hoping that the lovely woods, and the trees and the peace and quiet will be a beautiful distraction to the beginners as they run up the hills.  Once at the top it will be all down hill, apart from the little incline just before the back of the school, which I am sure they will all manage to do.

The group was really keeping together quite well, with just one of our beginners at the back, but PhysioMike was with her, keeping her motivated and encouraging her along the way. I stayed with my sister-in-law as she kept running along.  She didn't think she would be able to do a group 1 run, but she managed to keep up with the main group.

A great introduction to the Pettswood runners club, and I believe they will all enjoy being part of the club, one of the best running clubs around.....or am I just a tad biased?! And a brilliant route for all of us to realise just how gorgeous our doorstep is, He has blessed us with such a fantastic place to live!

No geeky stats today, as I loaned my Garmin to Hitchy, who is now a group leader herself, and she lead group 3 today, taking in Summer Hill!! See what can happen when you start running with the Pettswood Runners.

Shake The Sand Out!

Hello blog lovers.

Me and the Old boy decided to go out for a ''shake out' of the ol' limbs.  We could have gone out for a bike ride, which means I would have been riding on my new bike. (My Giant is still at my sisters house after she took it home for me, from the Brighton bike ride yesterday)  But today, we needed, I needed to keep my legs moving, burning up all those fat cells, or at least train the fat cells to become muscles! Ok, so we didn't actually get to the sands, or pebbles on the beach, but we did get to the seaside, and we do need to move our limbs about!

A run is what we both decided on.  Running through the woods, it's the business! You just can't compare that to running on the streets!  It would be criminal not to run through the woods.  It is a very humid evening, I think I will be 'glowing' well this evening.  We are doing the Goss Hill route, and before we left the house, the Old boy said to me "Are you going to run up the whole hill" and I replied "I will try" and before I could finish what I was saying he said "No! Wrong Answer, the answer is Yes!"

Well, I think I will be able to do it, as long as I follow the same sort of running style I did with China, then I believe I will be able to run up the whole entire hill! That is my plan anyway.  We started off running, "So what's the pace then, 10 m/mi" he said to me "10 minutes, are you kidding, 10 minutes! that's a sprint" I told him!  After I told him my plan which included a 1 minute walk after the first mile (which the Old Boy was not best pleased with!) we jogged along at my pace.  Just getting my breathing under control, warming up the leg muscles and any other muscles that I will be using to get up the hill. I was weirdly looking forward to it, just to prove to myself that I can do it.

The first mile was done in 11.12 m/mi, I took a one minute walk break here, I originally planned to walk for 2 minutes but decided to change that as I was with the Old Boy.  And then before long Goss hill was in front of me.  I was already back to running  so had to 'hit' Goss hill on the trot! No walk time here.  I kept going, I slowed my pace down, I tried to keep my breathing under control, block out anything that would take my distraction from getting to the top, people in the woods, tree roots, metal things sticking out of the path.  I know they are all there, I just have to be vigilant, stay focused, get up this hill! Do or Die!!!  Well, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but I really wanted to get to the top.

The Old Boy was running next to me, encouraging me, "You're doing well, keep going" When ever I hear that from him, my natural reaction is to think "blimey, I must be running at his pace" and then I would want to slow down.  But I am going up hill, there is no way that I am running at this pace.  This is all my pace. Stay focused Old Girl, you can do it.  I can see the last little bend of the hill, the bend that leads to the bench at the top! I can almost hear the bench calling out to me "Come on Old Girl, you can do it"  I really wanted to sit on that bench, I saw wanted to stop jogging right now, I so wanted to say to the O.B. that I can't do it! But I didn't. I kept going. Right to the very top! I did it, and he didn't push me up there at all!

Now for the next couple of hills.  I managed to  get up the shorter one but the next one was just a hill too far today.  Well, I did ride over 52 miles yesterday on 'me' bike!  But once at the top, oh, once at the top, it was all down hill! I just love it! I can run down hill, who doesn't love to run down hill.  And really, it's not that steep that you have to 'flap your arms' up and down, like you're trying fly. It's a nice downhill, where you can relax your arms and shoulders, and just let gravity get you to the bottom.

I ran all the way to the first bridge to walk over. The path is still a little soft in places, and I'm still having to tiptoe to avoid these bits. But a great run, a great humid, horridly muggy run. But I do so love running in the woods!

Geeky stats

Proud Moment at Park Run!

Hello blog lovers.


Well, I am up, and ready, even managed to make a smoothie for breakfast, and drink half a cuppa before heading off to Normans Park for the weekly Park Run.  The beginners from our Tuesday group were going to be doing their first Park Run, 3 miles, at their own pace, hopefully non stop, (something that I have not yet done!)

I saw Sally and Tracey jogging along to the start of the run and caught up with them.  We found the rest of the beginners group their, Peter, and Illustrious leader was there as well to encourage our group to get around their first timed run.  The weather was quite breezy but the sun was shining.  It was going to be an interesting first timed run for them.  On the long straight the wind will be zapping energy, trying to slow them down, but on the shorter straight and then the run to the tunnel the wind will be assisting them to put that little bit extra in.

There were about 10 other beginners there, all looking excited about it, along with at least 160+ other people. You can see the people who are planning to try and beat their PB's, all stretching, looking focused, and there were others with buggies just out for the sheer enjoyment of it all, and even a pooch on a leash was dragging his owner around the park!

Singstar Jo was the....., well, I think it was the race directors position, but there she was with the mega phone, thanking all the volunteers for todays run, congratulation another for there 100th park run, and for starting the run itself.  We are back into the summer direction of this route, so we will be going 'cross country' as we cut through the middle of the field, following the little river and then going back again to head towards the end of the other side of the park.

I stayed with PhysioMike as we kept with Tracey and Sally, the other beginners were doing their own pacing and were doing very well indeed.  Sally began to feel a bit tired and her calfs started to hurt, I encouraged Tracey to go on as PhysioMike stayed with Sally.

Now it was just Tracey concentrating on her Park run.  So far the first lap has been done none stop.  She felt a bit guilty about leaving her friend behind, but P.M. will looking after her.  We picked up the pace a little bit more.  Both of us nicely warmed up now.  The long straight was a head of us. "Look, we are gaining on those ladies there" I pointed to a group of 3 or 4 ladies all jogging along together. "You can overtake them if we keep this pace up" I said to her  That seemed to pick up the pace just a tad more.  WE PASSED THEM! I gave her a big cheer!

The second lap now, and Peter is waiting at the place we started shouting encouragement at us.  So far still no stopping, we kept the pace a nice consistent 12:30 m/ml, Tracey was feeling comfortable.  We slowed it down a tad as we started along the river side again. 

As we were heading up to the other end of the park P.M. caught up with us saying that Sally had pulled out with calf trouble, and he stayed with us for the rest of the run.  As we were coming down the long straight, with that wind blowing hard in our faces, P.M. began running in front of Tracey acting as a 'wind break'!

As we were nearing the end of the long straight, she wanted to pick the pace up "just a smidgen" she said.  Just the very last corners to do now as we head down towards the short straight and into the tunnel.  I hope there is some tea and cake left!  Getting closer to the finishing tunnel I encouraged Sally to just give a little bit more, "I haven't got it in my legs" she said But she did! She managed to find a little bit more as she picked up the pace even more to get to the finish. Falling back from her now so that she can claim her first park run token that will record her time. 

A non stop first run for Tracey AND......my first non stop park run!!  I usually walk/jog on the second lap!  So a first for me too!  A great run by all the beginners!  It was just so marvellous to see how much they have improved from the 8 weeks since they started the course.  I will be looking forward to seeing the next new recruits for the beginners group in 2 weeks time!  Well done all, and well done Mike for getting them running their first ever 3 mile park run, and all of them getting in in under 40 minutes!!

Here is our pacing for this run, geeky stats.

How To Rest!

Hello blog lovers.

1. Reach the grand old age of 50 so someone can buy you a massage for a birthday
2. Save the gift certificate for at least 8 months so that you have no other agenda to have a massage than just total relaxation
3. Have massage.

I haven't been running and I haven't been cycling, but I still had to write up this days activities. Rest is a very important part of running and cycling! Normally when I rest, I potter about the house, doing cleaning, washing, running after kids, but it doesn't include being pampered. But today was different.

Last November I reached the grand old age of 50, and for that my lovely baby brother, (who by the way is in his 40's) and his lovely girlfriend bought me a massage, for me to use in the run up to the marathon, or after, which ever I wanted.  Well I finally cashed in that gift certificate today! As I had a kid free morning and afternoon.

Now my experience of massages is very limited indeed, having only ever had 2 before this.  One when I was totally stressed out and probably didn't really feel the benefits of what a massage can do, and that was when my mum was still with us.  And then my second massage plus physio was for more pressing needs as I had hurt my back 2 weeks before the marathon.  And this is where I thought massages belong, you know for when you really need them, for hurt muscles, physio therapy, to help get all those miles out of your muscles that you have been running into them!  Or when you have pulled something, twisted this or twanged that. It was after I had been to PhysioMike that the benefits of a massage actually showed itself to me!  My back was 'unlocked' my muscles working, and my plans for the marathon were back on track!

But here I was cashing in my certificate, not really knowing what to expect of a 'pampering' massage.  But wow, when I got there, there were candles burning, some beautiful aroma coming out, Amanda put me at my ease.  And once all the paperwork done I got my self ready and for an hour and 15 minutes I was pampered.  From my feet (yuck, but I didn't say that out loud, and so glad she didn't spend that much time on them) to the tips of my fingers!  Cottage Therapist, just down the road from me! Hidden away in the tardis style garden she has!  Yep, these massages are not just for sports injuries or rehab they can be for total relaxation and pampering too,  who'd have thought it, eh?

Very very nice, very relaxing. I didn't want to go home and do housework! So I called my mate and we had lunch!

Final Week For Beginners!

Hello blog lovers.

This blog is a day late, and you will find out why at the end.  It was the last day for the beginners, before their first 5k park run on Saturday!  From their first day 8 weeks ago, running for 1 minute then walking for 2 to today, running for 20 minutes and walking for 10 then running for 10 minutes.

When they heard last week what they were going to be doing this week, they were a little bit anxious, and some even felt they wouldn't be able to do it! But after the drills and warm up we gave them all the encouragement we could.  They can do! They have done well so far. Helping with PhysoMike today is Illustrious Leader, Singstar Jo,  and Peter.

The route was going to be a straight out and back, through Jubilee Park and keep running until the Garmin says 16 minutes and the we are to turn around and head straight back the same way.   I had four in my group, but me and SingStar Jo joined up together.  As we ran out, two of my group were running really well, and so they joined in on Peters group, and the other two ladies were just a tad faster than Singstar Jo's group of ladies. 

Once we were over the bridge I told the two ladies to keep on going, while I waited for the others, after all we didn't want them to go off down Tent Peg lane.  As I saw them come from the path I started off to catch up the others.  In the meantime another beginner from Illustrious leaders group came running up doing his own pace.  He was doing very well indeed!

We had managed to get as far as Bickely Manor Hotel in the 16 minutes time limit, and then I had to do my whistle to call the escapee from I.L. Group to turn around and head back to the rec.  We still kept on running though, for another 4 minutes.  They were all doing so well, and I am sure they were all surprised at what that have actually achieved.

They were ready for the 2 minutes walking!  Which went really quickly!  Just the 10 minutes left of jogging to get back to the rec.

Next its the 5k Park run at Normans Park!  I am looking forward to it! It's going to be fabulous.  Them all doing their own thing, their own pace, with just us that to encourage and help in anyway.

Geeky stats.

Next it was our club run.  As it had been raining we didn't go into the woods and I.L. was leading today.  Our first bit of road was up hill, Birchwood, I was still feeling it from doing the 20 minutes running (usually I have a walk before that time!) So it just goes to show me that I can actually do it when I need to! 

Me and Singstar Jo were sweeping at the back. But the group was running really smoothly, every body was evening paced for the first half.  It wasn't until we were heading along, I think it's Chislehurst road, that I started to slow up a bit. The rest of the group, however was doing well.  Singstar Jo stayed with me at the back, but we were never far from the main group.

I was looking forward to the next stop.  It was just before we got to Willet Way.  This is where I.L. said that we can go at our own pace, fast of slow but no changing the route!.  She also said that me and Singstar Jo and be relieved of our sweeper positions and put some speed in! 

I really didn't think I had any legs left, and was quite happy to plod on home at the back, and so was S.J.  But from somewhere deep inside both us started to push forward, not as fast as the front runners, they are way up in the distance, but we did start to over take, and then me and S.J. had a bit of a race down Crossways!  We both not sure who was racing who, but let me just say that S.J. came in first!

A great run and it just goes to show that there is always something left when you think there is not!  Oh and after the group run, me and a couple of other ladies we out to the pub for a well earned refreshment :-)

Geeky stats.

Come On China!

Hello blog lovers.

It's Sunday, and I have a slight hangover!  Family day yesterday in Herne Bay! A great time was had, even though we never managed to get on the beach, it was too windy. So we ended up still having our BBQ at my brothers house!  In the chilly sea air, BBQing, sitting around in coats and fleeces! Only in Britain!

My old 'China Plate' Mr. Adrian 'Crazy Fool' Clay (hence the reference to China), in fact that will be his nickname from now on, 'China'! Well China wants to get back to running.  He was doing  well until about 18 months ago, and you know how it is, you have a week off running, that work stuff gets in the way, kids, schools, life, beer, holidays! It all grabs your attention and tries to make you forget about your running.  But, once the running bug is in there it will re-surface again.

So China asked to come along for a run.  I planned to take him through the woods, up Goss hill, and just generally have a nice plod along the paths enjoying the freedom of getting out!  I wasn't quite sure how he would do, and he admitted he wasn't quite sure how he would do.  So we shall just 'wing it'.  I ran to his house, so that I can warm myself up, and then knocked on his door. He was ready! Brand new shoes for running, only purchased about half hour before I got there! And looking as if he was really looking forward to it!

I took him for a slow jog to Tent Peg Lane to get him warmed up, and that was before I started to the Garmin!  We had a quick, breather, and then went straight into our jog!  It was going to be lovely.  The weather is not too bad, brilliant for jogging, especially long jogs, (not that this will be a long jog) it wasn't hot, it was overcast but no rain, we shall be just nice and comfortable as we jog along. 

It was a nice 'conversational' paced jog.  "I think we shall jog for 10 minutes, with two minutes rest" I told China "If it is too much then we can cut it down to 8 minutes jog" "That's fine, I think I will be able to do that" he said.  I started the Garmin and we jogged along through Jubilee Park.  It was a very nice conversational pace as we chatted away catching up with what's been happening over the last 7 months (has it been that long since I saw you guys!) and the 10 minutes soon went by virtually unnoticed!

Then came Goss Hill. "I remember this hill" Said China, "It's steep!"  We ran this particular hill with group 1. It's good to remind him of what he has been missing with the running club!  I was feeling particularly good as I was running up this hill! I ran passed most of the 'stops' I normally stop at, I turned around to see how China was doing, considering he hasn't been running for a while, to get just a bit up the hill is pretty good going! He did walk the hill.  I stopped jogging a little further up the hill and walked a bit of the hill and then waited for him to catch up. Just the last bit of hill to do, "Come on China, lets run this last bit" And he ran up to the top of the hill.  There was no stopping altogether, I got him to walk along the next bit.  This was going to be our 2 minute walking bit.

We turned left at the end of the path, ready to turn right along the bridle path and up and over the next couple of little undulations.  China was doing very well, the down hill sections were a most welcome relief, and a time to shake out the shoulders and relax into the run.  Then he saw the little 'undulations" "Oh blimey" he said, as he saw it sweep up.  But we got up there, the walk/jog scenario working out well!  It was soon time to go down the path, towards the railway lines. A time to pick up the pace a bit! Well, I did try, but decided to keep it a the nice conversational pace, just for this time!

I pointed out 'Dog Poo Ally' and how close, now, we are to finishing todays run.  Just the next section along the side of the railway lines, and then up and over the three bridges.  I Think Mr. China Clay enjoyed his run out in the woods today, but I didn't let him stop there!  We were going to just run along to his house and finish the run there!  I kept an eye on my Garmin! It is going to be a 4 mile jog out! Not bad for a come back run!  And he has decided that he will be back at club run on Tuesday!  A successful jog out.

Geeky stats for you.

The Craic was good In Willet Way

Hello blog lovers!

It seems these Thursday sessions come around pretty quickly!  My legs still don't quite feel fully recovered from last Thursdays session, but I guess, I did have that race in between!  But what can I say about todays session. Well, first of, let me tell you who was taking the core training session part of this evenings training, it is Emma, our membership secretary at our running club.  A lovely lady, always smiling, and I think last year she passed her training to be come a personal trainer!  She also does a spin class some where as well.

I took my car to the rec today, and as I was parking I saw Emma coming in behind me.  There were a couple of people there at the rec, and I was wondering how many would be turning up.  It's always a surprise to me who will be taking the Thursday sessions, but I know that some of them knew that it would be Emma, and also I know that some of them felt like me, when I found out she was doing it....a little bit...shall we say anxious!

There was going to be someone else to be joining in but didn't make it, so DiscoRich said he would jump into the breach and be the second trainer for todays session.  Emma told us what she had planned for us, and something about finding muscles that we have not used before! You can see why we were so anxious! So first of as always, a jog around the green to warm up.  Then it was straight into 'Emmas 4 minute Hit!  I am sure that is what she said! It was to include 4 'things', like star jumps, which she said we can make harder if we wanted to by doing a squat with it! and pencil jumps, side to sides and then my favourite (not).....burpees!

There was no resting for 30 seconds or even 10 seconds, as soon as the first minute was up it was straight into the next exercise. The moans and groans coming from me was being emulated by the others!  I am glad I was not the only one finding it hard!  There was a group of teenagers in the rec, and they came over to have a look at what we were doing, and they decided to join in as well!  They kept up pretty well! Considering they spent the first hour or so they were in the park having cigarettes and crisps!

After this 4 minute 'Hit' session we then did some strengthening exercises.  Backs against the wall, slide down to a sitting position and then stay there until told we can get up, or fall to the floor, which ever was easier!  Emma had a whole list of exercises for us to do in her session.  Some planking, and some oblique planks, some triceps dips or squats or something like that, I think by the time I got to those particular delights my brain had decided to switch off, just in case I talked myself into quitting and going home! "Count how many you can do in the minute" She said. Well I think I got up to 5 and then lost count!

Then there were push ups! Yes that right, straight from the triceps dips to push ups, and then plankings and who knows what else!  Some one stop her!! 

What I didn't tell you at the beginning is that she had actually forgotten that it was her turn to do the Thursday session. She said that she was well into the comfort zone, had dinner, nice glass of vino, until she started to think that she should be doing something!  Then when it dawned on her she grabbed her kids, had them in shorts and shoes quicker that a quick change artist can blink  and grabbed her agenda for tonights core training.  The thing is, I think she grabbed the wrong sheet!  I think she actually secretly trains the S.A.S. and she grabbed the sheet that is used for the S.A.S. guys and bought that along to us. 

It was a very hard tough first half of the session.  After that DiscoRich took over.  You would have thought it was going to take it easy on us! But no. 'What is the point of a core training and strengthening session if things are easy.' were the words running through my mind as we had a ninety second rest, while he explained the fartlek running to the teenagers and anyone else who didn't know about them. The teenagers by they way only did a couple of legs of the Fartleks.

After that, DiscoRich set up another sort of relay thing, and he chose to set it up so that we ran up the slight incline!! How cruel do you have to be to be a Core Trainer?!  Three sets of flags stretching out, 50, yards 100 yards, and 150 yards.  And it was run hard to the first, jog back, run hard to the second and jog back, run hard to the third and run back, the run hard to the second, and first etc.  And we were to do this twice!

It was a tough session, the hour, again, went by very quickly, and I feel as if I really have worked my muscles hard!  Doing the cool down stretches DiscoRich mentioned something about the Craic as he was showing us a stretch, where we have to reach our arms up over our heads and down our backs....reaching as far as we could....without doing damage of course!

A great session today, thoroughly enjoyed it, in a wired masochistic way. Bring on next weeks session!

Just The Beginners

Hello blog lovers,

This blog is a day late!  Yesterday I had no time to write it up as yesterday was our club's AGM.  Usually on those days the group runs begin half an hour earlier, which means as I was helping out at the beginners I would not be able to join in with the group run.  But it doesn't matter.  There are plenty of days for running.

There were quite a few PWR's who had helped out, at least 6, including 'The Jogging hippo', who was taking things easy as he had done a marathon at the weekend! And one that would completely do my head in!  It was round and round a track, 17 laps! Add to that 3 inclines on each lap!  A test mental strength as well as physical strength!


There was the usual  walk around to warm up, then the drills to get the blood pumping.  After that the beginners were divided between the PWR's. I seemed to have the second fastest group again! But it was 2 ladies that I took last week and also 2 from another group, who wanted to go a bit faster than the group they was in last week.  One of those 2 ladies was my sister-in-law, Jackie!  I had told her about the beginners and she has been coming along ever since with her friend!  Our plan for the evening was to do the same route as last week, with a 10 minute run and then a 2 minute walk

We were going to be running along through the streets again.  They did enjoy it last week, being out of the park, so I thought I would introduce them to a bit of trail running too.  It was still virtually running along the same route as the planned route that PhysioMike said, but wit the added beauty of trees, and peace and quite, (until a train ran along the railway lines of course!) But as I was telling Peter of my slight diversion, I had missed the entrance, 'Dog Poo Ally'!  I was running along looking for it, until I realised my mistake! "Oh, sorry ladies, I have missed the tunnel" I explained to them! So we stuck to the planned route, but I had a cunning plan! 

As they were covering a bit of ground, I will take them through the woods on the way back! Simples! We have to run up the little hills, but I felt sure they would be able to cope with that! Then we shall nip into Little Thrift again and then pop out of 'Dog Poo Ally' instead! 

Peter's group was still with us, just a bit at the back, I told him of my plans, I seemed to have a couple of his group with me anyway, and he followed us into the woods.  Of course there were the two railway bridges we had to walk/run over, I can't remember if I told them about those!  And there we were, on the paths and trails of the woods.  I had been on this path only the day before, and I knew that it wasn't too muddy.  And I knew there were ways around the particular sticky patches, so there is not going to be anybody, getting stuck in the mud, are even slowing down to negotiate the muddy patches.

Just before we turned right to go through the ally to get to the rec I just took stock of everybody, made sure that all was ok, no one tripping up tree roots, hurting ankles or indeed left behind.  Then it was the last 5 minutes for running to the rec.  As we came out of the tunnel I saw PhysioMile and his group coming along the road.  I later found out that evening, he though I had actually go lost (again!) Ok I got lost once, in Scadbury Park, during a mob match, but I find it almost impossible to get lost in the woods around here!  I say almost, just in case one day I do lose my bearings!

We carried along to the rec, and with still a couple of minutes left of our 10 min jog session I told them to go around the green!  I lost a couple of them to comfort of leaning up against the wall, waiting for the cool down stretches, but some of the others kept going.


The third 10 minutes completed we walked back over to the pavilion to begin our stretches.  As we were all gathering up, we noticed some club members turn up to do the usual group runs!  They had not read the emails about the group runs starting at 7:30 today, because of the AGM.  PhysioMike said that he would take them out for a run, so I offered to do the stretches with the beginners.  Well, I may as well get some practise in, I have put my name 'out there' to do the next local LiRF course!  After all, being a leader isn't just all about leading from the front, there is all sorts of positions that a lead can lead from!

Aft this session, I went straight home, a quick shower and then walk up to the AGM, which, as the Jogging Hippo said, finished in record time!, we all adjourned to the pub, to discuss all things runny, including wife carrying, apparently!

Here is the beginners route.

Monkeys And Elephants!

Hello blog lovers.

I'm out running again this evening! And the Old Boy is joining me.  I do love my running, but I really needed to be concentrating on my cycling for the London To Brighton in the next couple of weeks, but due to some sort of squishing or trapped nerves or something, in my hands the cycling has had to take a rest, probably until the 16th!  So the Old Boy said he would join me in a run this evening.

This can only mean one thing, and that is a run through the woods!  We are just so fortunate to have these woods just on our doorstep. Just perfect. For an old townie like me, I still have the 'home comforts' of concrete and tarmac, and I do believe there is a tower block or two in my vicinity to completely stop the agoraphobia taking hold, but just go through a small gate and we are in the most beautiful parks and woods!

The Old Boy hasn't run since, well, I think since late last year, and so we chose a well used, well loved route of ours (well apart from Goss Hill it is not particularly loved), the Old Boy loves it though!  I told him to take it nice and gentle at first, neither of us had warmed up, we were just going to take it easy for the first mile.  Then get into a nice steady pace after that.  In other words.....I am doing it my way, as usual!  Just plodding through the woods deserves to be done at a leisurely pace! Just to look around, take in the fresh air, (excluding doggie doo odours) and also to concentrate on the ground!  It is a bit....lumpy!  And rooty.

We ran from Tent Peg Lane, all the way to Goss hill. Yes, I really ran all that way, I think I even managed to get up a bit of the hill before I stopped! And of course when I say stopped I mean I only stopped jogging, not moving along altogether! I like this Mr. Galloway chap, he says the whole run/walk it A O K! 

The Old Boy managed to get to the top, without stopping, but he was overtaken by some tall young dude! His strides must have matched 10 of my steps!  I got to the top and the Old Boy was no where to be seen. I just presumed that he wasn't having to take a rest at the top and he must have just gone straight along the path.  I started jogging down the path, and then I turned around and he was creeping up behind me!  It was a pee stop for him! 

We carried on running along the top until we came to Botony Bay, we turned left and then right, to run along the Bridle path. It was mainly dry along this path, but you can tell where there had been sticky muddy puddles.  There was also, still, some very sticky patches too.  I was negotiating a particular sticky piece of path on a downhill section, I could hear someone running along behind me and getting closer.  If I had thought about the sound of those feet, instead of concentrating on where my own feet were landing I could have guessed who it was that was catching up to us, it was the sound of' pat pat pat', sounds, like flat feet slapping.....it was Mr. Monkey Feet S. himself! "I am just seeing if my legs still work" he says to us.  Mr. S had done a little run at the weekend, quite a well known one actually, he didn't quite get to the end, but.... you can forgive him for that, for what he had actually ran was the GUCR! He had covered 112 miles!  His legs, by the way, looked like there were working fine!  Even the fact that he had his VFF was totally amazing to me!  I would want my feet wrapped in cotton wool, feather pillows secured with bubble wrap, and have huge helium balloons attached to my shoulders helping me to keep the weight off them!

Mr. S. joined us for the next mile or so.  This means that I have to run!  I could get away with the odd walk with the Old Boy, because I can moan at him and he will still love me.  I can chuck my dummy out of the pram and he will laugh it off!  But now I have to look like a PWR.... Nah!!! This is Mr.S he reads my blogs and knows what a cry baby I can be.  So I will still stick to my running.  The thing is, just after the little up hill section just a little further on, its all down hill!  I can do that sort of running all day long....well...for quite a while anyway.  So I was keeping up with the boys!  On this particular bit of path, the Old boy pointed out a crow or something eating its dinner!  As we got nearer to it, the 'dinner' was even more fresher than steak Tartare, it was a little baby pigeon! Still alive!  But just too late to save it!  Nature does have it's ugly side!

Just before 'Dog Poo Ally' we turned right to run along the side of the railway.  Well, the light is still with us, the paths are relatively dry, and its bloomin good fun to run in the woods.  There were a few sticky patches on the path and I was concentrating on not ending up face down in them and the boys were a little way in front of me.  Up a little hill and then down a little hill, the boys were waiting just at the bottom, (and here is where the elephant comes into it!).  "Here you go, so you can be like Dumbo"  said Mr. S., as he held out a feather for me! "Ooo, no, I mean.. you know, it's a magic feather...to help you fly" he said, as the Old Boy chuckled, watching him trying to dig his self out of the mire!  It's a good job that I have seen that particular Disney film!  I took the feather. It will be my mascot for the rest of the run.

Mr. S. took his leave just as we were about to go over the first of the three bridges, it looks as if he will be heading back up to Botony Bay, while me and the Old Boy make our way over the bridges and back to our car!  Oh, I think that the feather worked! Because usually I don't run up any of the stairs, but this evening I did! Of course I walked down then, health and safety and all that!

A great run, a lovely perfect evening run! And....I don't think the mozzies were out, I have not been bitten this time round!

Geeky stats.

Harvel Hash House Harriers Harvel5!

Hello h'all!

Hi how h'are hue!...... Ok! I cant keep the 'H' theme going! I probably need a couple of extra pints to do that! But what a great run this was! fan-bloomin-tastic! What can I say about this race? Well, lets just let my fingers do the talking!

The day wasn't what was forecasted. The sun wasn't blazing away in the sky, and just as well! I am sure I would have melted!  I got out of bed at a fairly descent hour for a Saturday, even though the old boy was up at least an hour before me, he has his own agenda today, fixing the car!  I had breakfast, which was cooked by the Old Boy, egg and dippy soldiers, and a nice cup of splosh to wash it down.  I relaxed for the whole morning, making the Old Boy coffee when he needed it.

The H.H.H.H.H5 started at a very civilised hour of 2pm. Not only that but at the half way water stop, they had, well, water of course but if you were tempted...... there was beer!! Yes! Beer! It's like the perfect run, I wonder if its sponsored by that lager people, Carlseburg? But all I know is, that just along from the village green is a pub called the Amazon and Tigers, where we all will be ending up after the run! But I am jumping the gun.  There were quite a few PWR's at this run, here is just some of them.

Our PWR's

And some more PWR's

We made our way to the start.  I stood in the 50 mins and under section, well, I didn't want to be the only PWR standing in the 60 mins and under section. Here is a picture of Sue (Sue by the way, very kindly picked me up and drove to the race, just as well as the Old Boy had my car to do the running around to pick up car parts for his car!)

Sue at the beginning

I kept her in my sight for only a short while, after all, Sue does run in group 2 at our club! Ok, I'm making excuses! But I was determined to try as hard as I can to get this race done within the hour! After that, they open the roads to traffic!  I don't want to be chasing cars! Is there a song about that?  The support on the road part of the race was brilliant.  I was wearing my club running shirt, of course that has my name on it from when I did the MARATHON (yes, I got it in again!) So, for my second race of the year, I had people calling after me, "Go on, Old Girl, you can do it"

The road section was not too bad, a slight incline, and then we entered the wood!  Oh what a delight that was! Yes, it was muddy, England is wet!, which is why we have such lush woodlands, but who cares when they are as lovely as this.  The peace and quite, the birds tweeting in the trees (no, not on the mobiles!) and the flowers! Pure delight! I was moved to stop! Yes, I stopped, but I just had to take this picture.

Pretty bluebells.

This is perfecting running! An absolute delight, that's all I can say!  I carried on running through the woods and I could see the runners in front of me getting slightly further! I took a picture, here,

My race ahead!

 that's how far they was, but I also, took a picture of the runners behind! As long as there is people behind then I will be happy! I don't like to be the last in!

And my nemesis behind!

I also noticed some posts, in the wood.  And for a while, whilst running I thought about what they might be for.  I came to the conclusion that they are for martial arts! you know, for the crane kick, what the karate kid saw Mr. Miyagi doing!

I didn't get a picture though, from this point on I was concentrating on getting back to the village green within the hour!  I had really warmed up! I was sweating.....glowing quite a lot now! It was just as well I had left my running jacket at the PWR's tent, but it also had my hankie in the pocket I will just have to 'cuff' the glow.  The woods were stunning though, the people walking through the woods giving encouragement through out! 

Before long it was half way through and the water station was just ahead.  Of course being a Hash run, there was a choice of hydration source, beer or water.  I chose, being as I am a first time hash runner, water to refill my water bottle.  I also grabbed some jelly babies, not because I needed the energy but just because I love jelly babies!

Now the race for me really started. The first half was a total pleasure, just enjoying being out in these gorgeous woods, being part of yet another great race fun race, but now I must get my racing head on.  the people who I took a picture of were still in front of me, I over took them then they found some energy to over take me.  I could hear the the two chaps that I captured with my lens behind me, talking about the beer they had consumed at the water stop!  I cannot let them over take me!  This is a race now! I have to take it seriously.

Around about mile 4 there is this cheeky little hill, shall we say! It all of a sudden just springs upon you.  I wasn't quite ready for it. Of course I walked up it, it was a tad slippery as well!  I was pleased that the hill was at the end of the run. We soon popped out of the woods and back on to the road we were first on.

My race couple was till ahead of me, and now the two 'drinking buddies' were also in front of me!  they had overtaken me on the hill.  They must have a bigger stride then me!  I overtook them again, when we got out on to the road, though with a very polite "Ladies first, because we are gentlemen" .  Running along I developed a stitch, "Why or why now" I thought to myself, "just short of a mile to go" I grabbed my side and kept going as fast as I could"  The two drinking buddies did eventually overtook me, maybe I should have the beer at the half way stop!

The 800 metres board, just nestled at the side of the road, not a big bragging sign, but just sitting there.  I smiled, I heard the two chaps up head mention it.  I knuckled down and tried to catch them up, but the stitch was just awful! I will have to learn to run through a stitch.  I couldn't believe it when I saw the 200 metre board! It came up so quick, I could hear the crowd cheering the other runners in, I am not that far now!

Just there, just a little further, I turned right to enter the village green, I didn't look at the clock, I just didn't want to see the time, I head the compare call my name out!  The PWR's cheered from the tent (I didn't hear that, I was just concentrating on crossing over the mats)  Then I was there, crossed all three mats before I turned off my Garmin. 

My Garmin read.....well, have a look at the geeky stats!  But as soon as I had finished the race, after collecting my medal and water, I hunted down the beer tent!  Now that's running!

This is me after I had finished my can of Fosters, at the pub, another beer polished off!

Me with my medal