Harvel Five Mile Run - 2015 4.18

Hello blog lovers.

Today was the last race in my clubs Grand Prix.  I really love taking part in this event,  and it's good that maybe, after todays race, some of the group 1 will be up for it!  This run is just so relaxed and friendly, and it is not that far to run in the gist of things!  As I said some of my running buddies in group 1 were taking part in this race too, I also know that they have also taken part in a couple of other events that are part of our Grand Prix (all though they probably didn't realise it)! But it is good that some of the others are on board, not that I am being competitive or anything,...no, honest really!  I just love this run!

Hels SingstarJo and me

SingstarJo was driving tthere, she picked up me, Hels and Jan and we headed to Meopham, where the race begins. We parked the car walked up to the village hall to use the loo. J just outside the hall is this wooden seat carved from a tree.  aA great first of my photo shots!  The race head quarters is on the green, Havel green, and there is such a great friendly, party type atmosphere going on.  With ice cream vans, cake stalls, burgers, and of course beer tents! I took a couple of pictures of the PWR's as they chilled before the race. here look

The Gang

More of the Gang

It was soon time to take the short walk to the start, just a very short walk up the road.  I remembered the last time I did this race, although I was started off with my running buddies, for most of the run I was by myself once they found their zone. Of course there was all the other runners, but no-one that I knew that I  ran along with.  However, today J.J. was running with me, she managed to get a last minute entry from one of the other PWR ladies.

Just some of our runners that ran
(others were in the loo queue!)

The Hash Harriers sure do no how to have fun, because of this! This amused me big time!  They decorated the portaloos, they had a competition to see which designer of each loo won a prize!  Fantastic!

From left to right,
The stink hole, the steamer, ?, the Sheik and the Skid Lid

We started our run from the back, just so that we don't get caught up in the rush!  J.J. and I started out over the mats at a nice steady pace.  The weather was just perfect, perfect for those sat back at the green waiting, it really was quite warm!  I was looking forward to getting to the shaded area in the woods.

With every step however, I could feel 'aches' in my shins, my right shin in particular.  I know I do run more heavily on the right side, but my left shin does have a very slight ache too.  I was beginning to think that I should start listening to my own advice that I give to people!  And also to listen to all other people that have said that resting after a marathon is essential!

But I so do love this race, in fact I just so do love running end of!  But I think I really do need to give this old body of mine a break!  Anyway, the first mile and a bit is on the road, the sun was beating down and the breeze that kept us cool on the green seems to have stopped or maybe even stayed on the green when really it is now that we need it!

The marshals were all very enthusiastic and encouraged us along our way.  The woody part of the run was a welcome relief from the sunshine, but I was totally amazed that already we could hear the marshal, just to the left of us, on another path saying "Runners coming!" as he called out for people along the path to make way!  That was just amazing!  They could be finished in 20 odd minutes!

Me and J.J. just took our time, I felt at though that I was holding her back, as I had to take a walking break....again.... But J.J. was quite happy to plod along.  This is her second race, and it was just lovely to be running with her.

There was to be two water stations or beer stations, which ever you fancied having, on this race.  We were half way round before we came to the first water station!  Boy was I looking forward to a nice glass of....water!  I know, it's unusual that I had the water!, If there is beer to be had, then I would normally be in there in front, but I am also aware, that it was blooming warm and I was still only half way round, I thought I would be sensible.

Half way 

We had our drink and then continued on our way, and if I am not mistaken we seemed to pass by a pub! There seemed to be quite a lot of people sitting outside enjoying beer cheering us all on!  J.J. got right into the spirit "Half way, yay!!" she called out as her hands raised in the air in excitement! That bought about another rousing cheer!

A gratuitous selfie

On the way round we were chatting to another runner, he was using us a pacing.  He ran to us, over took us then we over took him, each time chatting.  On the way up to the third mile marker we started to chat to young lady who only had been running for a couple of months, "There's the 3 mile sign" she said.  I encouraged her to run up to it "It's tradition, always run up to the markers"  I said.  It's something that I have done, it's my tradition really.  I always feel like I need to run the last bit of any mile!  Just like running the last bit of a hill! (again a tradition of mine)

And talking of hills!  The cheeky little blighter of a hill was about three quarters of a mile from the third marker!  I hadn't forgotten about that I knew it was coming up, but it is such a steep and short little hill, I just tried to ignore it! But I just couldn't run the last bit of it!

We were soon running the last mile but before that there was another water stop, "Water, beer?" asked the marshal, "No, just water please" said J.J.  "Does anyone actually have the beer?" she asked and then she turned around and looked at me just as I was sipping my beer!  Well, there is only one more mile to go" I said with a smile!

I'm not sure if it was my imagination or not but we did seem to pick up the pace slightly as we hit the road back.  That mile seemed to disappear quite quickly, I was looking forward to getting a nice cool beer at the end!  With the village green in sight J.J. seemed to find 'that extra bit' that is always left over as she stepped up a gear, I kept pace with her, maybe we could have a little bit of a race, just me and her as we head for the finishing mats.  Of course I didn't tell her.......she may have even gone faster!

Just a few yards left and she stepped it up another gear!  "Where did she find that?" I thought to myself, I stepped up a gear as I tried to keep pace with her.  Her legs seemed like that had all of a sudden grown about a foot as she sprinted to the mats, my little legs just wouldn't stretch out that far as I pushed to try and keep side by side with her!  She just touched the mats just half a second or so before me!  A good race! Although she didn't know!

And the Bling!  Its useful too! It's a bottle open!
Now where's me beer!

My legs were ok, but I can feel that they really need a break!  So I am going to take all the advice I hear and what I give out and I am going to have a break from any exercises!  Maybe I cant start writing a novel!  But whatever I do, I feel it is best I take a break, just for a week or two!

I have just looked back at my last Harvel 5 and I am a lot slower than I was back then!  I deffo need a break!  Get my head together, and start all over again!

Geeky stats, and J.J.'s and my official result in the Harvel 5 is.....  1:04:08, both of us, but my time is under J.J.'s time, as it should be!

Back To The Play Ground!

Hello blog lovers.

Can you believe that I am writing another blog....for today!  I still have to write one more, it was for yesterday, my cycle ride with the Old Boy!  But we got back late and things today was inundated with running, housework kids more running!

Today it was Sherrys session, and she had some games planned for us!  Playground games.  But as usual we had the two lap jog of the ground first!  I only did one lap, as I am taking it easy before the Harvel 5 on Saturday!

Then it was a a case of 'kicking butt' as we all kicked butt to the cricket crease and jogged back.  With a few other drills thrown in we were totally warmed up for our playground session!  The first game was Fruit Salad.  I was thinking "that sounds delicious"  But of course this is a training session, so there was no eating involved just running around.  We were each given a fruit, orange apple or pear.  When Sherry called out the fruit we had to run around the whole circle and get back to our spot, sometimes she called two out at the same time, just after I got back to my spot actually!

When she called fruit salad we all took off at the same time!  A great game and it got our heart rates up.

After that it was a brilliant game of British Bull Dog!  I used to love that game when I was growing up.  I felt good to be playing it again!  You can imagine the chaps in the group were last to get caught!  It took all of us to pick them off!

Of course then it was time to train those core muscles.  With planks, sit ups and side bendy things. Along with some lunges and stuff!  With one more game of British Bull dog to finish off the session of speed running and then into the cool down stretches!

A good session, a fun session, and I did take it easy!  The Old Boy came to the park just as we had finished the last game of Bull Dog, we were just going to ride to the pub for a well earned pint.  But the pub he chose was in Chislehurst, The tigers Head, and then after that he said we were going to go home via Summer Hill!  Oh well, I guess it will work off the pint!

Into The Veil!

Hello blog lovers.

You may want a a bucket standing by, its a bit of a romantic feel this one!

When I turned up at the recreation ground I found that I was the only one going to be running in my group.  Although the members of group 2 encouraged me to go with them, I know my capabilities.  "Maybe next time" I thought, although I didn't really believe I would be ready any time soon.

It was a gloriously sunny morning, and the talk on facebook was all about how perfect it was for a run, we have been too long waiting through the winter and spring months, all eagerly waiting for our warm summer days to start.  It was time for us to start our run and just to clarify, in my own mind, I started to run along with group 2.  DiscoRich's group had grown over the winter, with  some of group 1 fledging to join group 2.  I wondered again if ever I would get fit enough to join them.

Just by the short run up to the entrance of the woods, at Dog Poo Ally, I knew that I was right...this time...! not to continue on the run with them.  I was already out of breath and they were still on their warm up mile!  We parted ways as soon as we got through the other side of the ally.

From that moment on it was like a switched had been turned off from the 'outside world'.  The noise of the streets, the radios in cars and lorries, the children in their nursery at the rec, had all been switched off.  I waited for a few seconds more for the plane overhead to disappear and then just listened.  As the sound of the engines faded so the noises of the woods turned up.  The birds, the rustle from animals in the bushes, all heightened by the silence they were en captured by, that is the only way I can describe it. I knew this was going to be a wonderful run.  A run where I can just free my mind, not think about anything, just enjoy the total experience of solo running, a time where you can just drift off to far flung places, imagine different places, countries, times!.........

Running through the woods I had wondered if I would see the 'Woodman'.  I remembered the first time I saw him as he worked on some signposts at the top of the woods near his house.  I was with some girl friends as we enjoyed our Thursday morning run.  We all noticed him as he busied himself with the signposts that he was making, with the sweat just visible on his brow he  brushed it away as he stood to say good morning to us.  It totally threw me seeing him there, I don't know why and I ended up going the wrong way, but I didn't mind as we turned around and went back again, to use the other path, behind the woodman. Another chance to see him'  The other girls didn't see to mind either.

I smiled as I thought about that day.  I was running along the wooden path, the evidence that the he had been busy was plain to see.  The broken plank that had been there for what seemed like years had been replaced, along with a few others that needed replacing.  There would be no need to shout "Hole!" when I bring a group through here any more.

By the railway track I saw a couple walking with their dog, I slowed down to a walk.  I am always dubious about running towards dogs and their owners.  Either the dog may think you want to attack them or they will just think you are playing, but in either case the animal could still jump up at you!  "Morning" I said to the couple politely "Morning" they replied.  I think summer bring the best out in people, or maybe 'dog' people are particularly friendly.  I've never known a dog walker not to say good morning to me if I pass them through the woods.

I wanted to take another walking break, the morning sun was doing it's job perfectly, bringing me out in a sweat, but I decided to keep going.  The song birds filled my ears again and I was glad that no trains had come along to take that away from me.  The sky looked so blue and the clouds as white as white could be, just hanging in the sky like cotton wool.  I remember as a child wondering what it would be like to stand on a cloud, not knowing back then that they are just big clumps of.....of......gas?  But to me right at that moment, they were places where you could stand on, sleep on, bounce on, like huge cotton wool balls as you watch the world and the people underneath!

I smiled.  By this time I was at the little river. I stopped for just a few moments and peered into the river to see if I could see any wildlife.  No, nothing.  My hubby, the Old Boy, now he has a fisherman's eye, he could spot a carp or pike twenty foot away in a pond. Just a dark shadow in a dark pond.  He would point it out to me "There, there, just there, going into the Lily pads" I would peer into the pond, trying to make my eyes adjust as I followed the line his eager wagging finger points.  Very few occasions I managed to see what he was pointing at.

I carried on with my solo run, feeling totally free and invigorated, I needed to feel like that at least invigorated,  as I looked up at the hill. "One go, no stopping"  I said to myself you can do this.  I started up the hill, trying to remember everything that anyone has ever told me, and what I tell those in group 0 on Tuesday nights.  My worst thing is always my head, I have got to keep my head up.  As I was running up the hill another lone lady runner was running down, ear phones in.  I couldn't help feel sorry for her for missing the most important part of solo running through the woods.

Why would you want to miss out on the whole experience of our beautiful woods.  Even the sound of the running water is just music to your ears.  In that silence of being away from the bricks and mortar of noisy homes and businesses, and the tarmacked roads full of traffic, to listen to the flow of water running through a meadow is all the music you need and so very relaxing.  I got to the top of the hill and stepped through the gate to be greeted by a most unusual site! A Peacock! It was just a shock to see it wondering about, freely, pecking here, pecking there, looking as if it owned the place.  Of course he owned the place, everyone owns this place! It's just to beautiful to keep to oneself.  I reached into where I normally keep my Iphone, and searched frantically for it!

I stopped suddenly and couldn't help smiling to myself as I realised I had forgotten to bring it with me!  You see, I keep my phone....very close to my heart, and so my hand when into the top of the running shirt, 'feeling' around for my phone!  What if the woodman had been around, or anyone for that matter,  what if they had seen me with my hand inside my.....bra! I laughed out loud, and giggled to my self as I ran up to the top of the road.

I came out on to the road, and already I could feel the mood change from peaceful serenity to hustle and bustle.  The vans and cars sitting along side the kerbs, with their engines running, drivers busy talking with the passenger.  The fumes from the exhausts filled my nostrils, I could feel myself 'making a face' as I tried to turn away from them.

"Just this bit of road to do, and then I can get back to my beloved woods" I thought.  Running along to the main road I passed the entrance to the private estate.  Illustrious leader has taken us down here before.  I am going to do this now.  I turned right and ran through the estate.  The beautiful house towards the end of the road is simply stunning. It reminds me of houses and homes of a bygone era.

I daydreamed of what life would have been like in there during times before cars and planes.  Would the house have been for just one family, one very well off family.  Maybe they would have had staff to work for them.  I could image the children of the house playing hide and seek, the house seemed huge and I could imagine there were quite few rooms to hide in. Maybe it even had a secret room, or a basement, with tunnels!  My mind went into over drive thinking of the lovely huge house.

At the end of the road was where the entrance of the woods is, it was hidden behind two parked lorries.  Two different 'worlds' just a foot apart from each other.  The noise and fumes of the outside world and the peace and tranquillity of  inside world.  I squeezed my way past the park vehicles and entered again into the woods.

Which way should I go.  Should I stick with the same way the Illustrious leader went or shall I venture off somewhere different, albeit in the general direction of where I needed to be.  I opted for 'the adventure' and who knows, maybe the woodman would be repairing paths and fences along here.  I knew that he had already made safe a place near by where the stream was.  Just a little wooden structure that bridges across the stream, it hadn't been there for that long.

I ran past the backs of the house, the spiders had been very busy as I felt the soft almost invisible threads of the webs across my face.  I looked up through the trees and saw the sun light just reaching through and lighting up the thin strands as the spiders floated from tree to tree. Like a very fine lacy veil for a waiting bridge to be, ready to worn, it seemed as if the woods themselves lacing a the veil.  I felt more threads across my face as I ran along a narrowing pathway.  I was beginning to wonder if I had made a mistake, Maybe this path will just suddenly stop and go no further.

It  didn't get much narrower and I came to the end of the path, which then tuned left or right.  Going left wasn't an option as that looked as if it lead out into the private housing estate.  I could hear the main road, I knew my time in the woods would soon be over.  I turned right running along a wider path, keeping the noise of the traffic on my left I stayed as close as I could to the left hand side of the woods.

I saw the same couple I had seen earlier, down by the railway, walking along.  I greeted them with a smile again as I ran past them.  I was still on a path I hadn't ran along before, just taking pot luck with which way to go as the options of left or right came before me.  I hadn't seen the 'woodman' as yet, just the tyre tracks he had left behind at some point.

I saw a path that went to the left of me and I darted into there, again my face felt the fine gossamer threads of webs as I passed under the trees. I looked ahead of me and I saw another clearing, a clearing I knew well.  In the middle of this clearing is the sundial.  I turned left along the path and followed it through.  I would be passing by the Woodmans cottage soon, the  place me and the girls first saw him.  I smiled again to my self, there seemed to be a lot of smiling on this run.

Just then I had a mills and boon moment. I could see it all unfolding in my minds eye, of young love.  The well to do family in the big house at the top.  Her parents wanting her to marry the son the rich landowner in a neighbouring borough.  But on her daily walks through the woods she had met up secretly with her handsome woodman who lived and worked on the estate her father owned.

She would met him a midday by his cottage, and then one day they promised themselves to each other.  One day he will be able to marry her.  The woods seemed to come alive for them at just that moment, the birds sang sweetly as she made her way through the trees, which some formed an arch over her.  The spiders floated back and forth covering her with a beautiful lacy veil that shone like silver as the rays of sunlight breached through the trees drenched her in golden sunlight.  The animals scurried around in front of her dropping flowers at her feet as she walked towards her handsome woodman.

And back in the room!  I got to dog poo ally, the smell of the 'doggie bin' filled my nostrils and the moment was gone!

How I have really enjoyed my solo run today, it was amazing. As I started to run back to the rec  I thought  of why I was here, not in any universal  or spiritual way, this day was not about deep heavy thinking like that.  But why I was here, running through the woods.

It was seven years ago that the female section of my family all got together and walked our very first Race for Life, some of them that is the only time that have run or walked a race.  Yet here I am now, running, on my own for fun.  What if mum had never got cancer, what if mum was still here!  Would I have been running, would I have been cycling? Seven years and seven months ago she was cruelly taken from us, and yet here I am, running through these beautiful woods.

It is excruciatingly hard to say this, but I am fitter because 'the wind came and took' my mum , but that is a fact.  I would never have thought it was possible for me to run.  I always thought I was too fat, too unfit, weak ankles!   Yet, here I am seven years and seven months later, two marathons under my belt, quite a few finishers  medal's and even a couple of trophies for coming first place in club competitions (although not first in races, just in points accumulated!)  I can't say "If it wasn't for mum leaving us" but what I can say is "every cloud has a silver lining" but the cloud that has my mum sitting on is has diamonds around it!

Back at the rec I stretched and bent, and twisted my muscles back and forth,  I felt really good.  Is it because it is summer, has the great vibes of the woods done is magic, or was it because I left my 'brain' in the car while I took a solo run through the woods.  Who knows!

Geeky stats.

Club Tuesday! A Windy Day

Hello blog lovers.

Batton down the hatches, lash yourself to the wheel and splice the mainbrace!  It's a windy one! My goodness, what a very windy day!  And the bloomin rain!

Group 0

I wasn't sure what route to take for group 0, this risk assessment malarkey! Do I go through the woods and risk twigs and leaves falling on us from the winds, or shall I stick to the roads, with the possibility of dustbin lids flying at us, or other debris!  

You see, a bit of wind don't stop us runners, very occasionally we have cancelled when its been just to icy out side, but wind? No that wasn't going to stop us.  I sent out the email saying that we would stick to the road.  It took one text message back to bring me to my senses and realise what a silly idea that is when the woods are a much safer, nicer and in fact probably a less windier in the woods, as the (an this is a Wendimoo saying) "The trees break wind"......we we all though it was amusing.

Oh sorry forgot to tell you who was with me today, we had Kim and Wendimoo running today.  Wendimoo is coming back from injury.  She also though that going through the woods would be tons better.  We went in through the usual ally and turned left.  I was taking them up Botany Bay Lane.  Of course there is no getting away from hills.  Even if we do loops around the park, there is a slight incline, make it bigger and the are hills.  The woods are not different!  We just have to learn to love those hills!  I still haven't!

I have noticed that I can run to the top of them now!  I think I will try Goss hill again on Thursday!  Anyway I digress.  Both Wendimoo and Kim attacked the hill, they did well!  We took a break at the house before starting the other half of the hill!  From there it was just along the top of the woods and then back down, but after I took them just a little further along so that we can run past the sundial.

I think Kim is getting used to all these paths and routes as she said to Wendimoo "I think there is a bit of a hill just along here" as we turned right to run along the bridal path after reaching the top of  the hill!

We walked some, we ran some, and then we got to the flat bit by the sign in the woods.  I took them just a little further along till we got to the sundial and then ran past there to rejoin the middle path.

A much needed and welcomed run down all the way to Dog Poo Ally and back to the rec.  Fantastic run, and I'm glad I was persuaded to abandon my risk assessment and head for the woods.!  Wind! What wind?

Geeky stats

Group 1

SingstarJo was leading group 1 today!  This lady is totally on fire lately, Every time I switch on the computer she has smashed a PB, she has done this run, she has done that run!  Totally having having fun with races!  It's just brill to see!  Her next race is Saturday, The Harvel 5, which I will be joining her as well as a huge group of other PWR's.

Again I digress! So SingstarJo had this lovely route planned, Southborough, Blackbrook and finish off by going through Jubilee Park, over the bridge and then out of Little Thrift and back to the rec.  It will soon be time to keep all our running in the woods, but for now we just have to have little bits of the lighter parts of the woods and parks.  

I remember doing this route before.  On a Thursday when I didn't have any other group 1 runners, so I went along with DiscoRich and his crew (group 2's and 3s).  DiscoRich said they would do loop backs so that I wouldn't be running by myself! That time the route was in the opposite direction, and when we got to Blackbrook Lane I said to DiscoRich that his group was just way to fast, and I couldn't keep up, so I would continue on my own back to the rec.  That's how I know it was about 4 miles!  

Still, I know we can do it, we have done 4 miles with in the allocated time before in group 1.  We were running along Hazlemere, Great Thrift and on to Woodside, me and Illustrious Leader were sweeping,  Tendai was struggling a little, and we fell a little behind the main group.  Illustrious Leader was just up ahead encouraging DottieKat along who was also behind the main group.  It's the hills that does us!  Hills try and stop us in our tracks, but we plodded along and kept going.

Tendai hadn't been running for a a few weeks, so I suggested that if she wants I could take her via Jubilee park first and then run on to meet the main group along Blackbrook lane and then we can turn around and run along with them.  It seemed a great alternative, and we will actually get to run through the park twice!

I suggested this SingstarJo and I said that we will see her on route!  DottieKat also wanted to do the slightly shorter route too, so the three of us turned right on to Crestview Drive while the main group ran down Southborough Lane.  We ran along at our own pace, I think I was feeling fortunate that I was getting to run through the park twice instead of inhaling car fumes along the main road!

We ran all the way down to Blackbrook Lane and saw group 2 running up Thornet Wood lane.  They must have come up from Summer Hill! We turned left to start our run towards our group 1.  I said that as soon as we see them, we take a quick break and then do a U turn and start our run back to the rec.  We didn't get to far up the lane when we saw them, we took a short break and then I said "Run away, run away!" and we started running back to where we come.  

We got to Thornet Wood Lane again and carried on running, we then heard a call from the main group, we noticed that they were taking a catchup stop, so we took a break too.  Just then group 3 came from around the corner, also they also must have come up Summer Hill!  I think I am so glad that I am in Group 1.

As soon as our main group started running we ran as well.  They caught us up just as we got passed the Hotel and along the main path to Jubilee Park.  Tendai had, by now got into her zone and kept up with the main group as they ran through the park and back to the rec.  DottieKat was struggling with some niggling aches!  It's such a nuisance when your body starts to complain, because usually that is all it is!  It's just like my old body, my legs and shins and feet!  My feet! Well one in particular, cramping up!  Why is that tut.  I just stretched it out and carried on!

Anyway, we all got back to the rec, and I think everyone had a great run!  Group 1, those who ran with SingstarJo ran 3.95 miles and us in the breakaway group did 3.65 miles! So only just a little shorter!  

Geeky stats.

I'm Not Feeling It!

Hello blog lovers!

"I'm not feeling it" said my lad to me, this afternoon! "I'm not feeling it" he said, while the Old Boy was out in the garden busy taking out old rotten fence posts, old stuck fast fence posts, so that he could replace them with the new fence posts and fences.  "I'm not feeling it" was his reply to me when I asked him to go help his dad!

I don't suppose the Old Boy was 'Feeling it' when he was doing the fences on his day off, I don't suppose there were a lot of people who were 'Feeling it' when they had to get up and do chores, go for a run, ride a bike, work.  But they did it! I wasn't 'feeling it' this morning when I woke up for ParkRun this morning, I was all too tempted to get back into bed and get cosy! But I didn't Not Feeling IT!! You can imagine what I said to him after he said that!  Needless to say, the men of the household had a great day bonding over fences!

Anyway, like I said, I wasn't feeling it, I was suffering tummy ache, it could be the curry I had, but I wasn't so sure!  But I wanted to get out, I want to try and stick to my routine of getting up and going for a run on Saturday mornings.  Now that the beginners group has finished that does mean getting to ParkRun.  Maybe I can start chasing after my 50th tee-shirt!  It's only about 22 away!

I got there with plenty of time and started walking over to the start.  I saw Hels on the way over and we started running along together, but that didn't last long as she seemed to sprint off towards the start.  I went back to a walking, looking into the crowd to see if I can seen any more running buddies.

I did see more, Normans park is our home territory, so there were quite a few!  I also saw Brian Page, editor/Founder member of So Lets Go running, he is on a mission.  He wants to get a PB, sub 30 minutes!  With just one other SLGR member at Normans Park he was under no pressure for anyone watching him!

SingstarJo was Race Director today and she gave out all the safety notices and rules, and thanks for the marshals, and then we were off!  I kept at the back, seeing as I wasn't 'feeling it' I was under no illusions about getting a PB today.  I just wanted to get round today, just to keep my legs running, just keep my routine of running on a Saturday.

I did find it a bit of a struggle today, and I could definitely tell that I was not on form at all, not that I usually am on a Saturday morning!  I kept plodding away though, running as much of the 5k course as I could, with the occasional walking section, and there will be some walking sections!

I was on the last long straight and I was catching up a couple of ladies.  One was encouraging the other one to keep going.  You know, it makes you feel so good watching people achieve something, whether it's finishing a 5k course, running it the whole way, or even just walking 5k, if they have never done that before!  I chipped in with a "go on, you can do it, we're nearly there!"  I ran just a little way with them and then I over took them.

Then I just had just a short way to go, from the starting point to the end! Not much left to do.  I ran along on the grass until I got to the tarmac path and then started running along there. There were so many people who had finished now and was walking towards me, I made sure I was way over on the left hand side of the path as that is where the funnel is!  There was no sprint finish from me today, but I did keep the pace going.  It wasn't going to be a fast time!

No, I wasn't feeling it today, I had a tummy ache, and I don't believe it was from my curry, I think I am just a bit under the weather, but it's amazing what we can do even though we are not feeling it! But we can do it, and we do do it, and sometimes we just have to do it!  By the way, my son and hubby worked hard all day on the fences and it looks amazing!  I feel sure it's a lot better than just playing on the computer all day long!

There done it! according to my geeky stats I was deffo slower than last week, check out below!  But my official time was showing a little slower!  It's just as well as this was just a 'get out and run' Parkrun today!

Stay In The Sack!

Hello blog lovers.

It's been a busy week with the kids off, fun, but busy.  I had been too tired really to right up my blog on Tuesday evening.  I had only done group 0, because of the 10k I did the day before!  It was just me and Kim for group 0.  I took the easier, shorter route through the woods, just to help my legs recover.

Once we ran through Dog Poo ally, I took the right hand path to follow the rail lines up to the road.  It's a nice gentle slope going up.  Both me and Kim ran all the way to top.  It's always an achievement when you run all the way to the first rest stop, whether it's up hill or on the flat!  We rested for just a few minutes before we started running again.

We completed the circuit of the woods at Kims pace, and we did it in plenty of time!  It felt good being out in the woods and I was tempted to run in group 1, but I am taking on board what PhysioMike says about resting, and recupperating.  As I am still suffering with these funny shin pains and little knee niggles, I will be tough on myself and take it easy....until Thursday evening that is!

Thursday Core Training

And so to today!  Core training time among other things!  Because of the school holidays I couldn't get out to run during the morning, but I think that is probably a good thing, rest these legs of mine.  I had taken the children for a short walk through the woods yesterday, so I've not been totally lazy!  

My friend and neighbour was coming along as well, you know her as OrangeKarin (formally NaggyNeighbour) and not only that but she was going to be bringing her pooch Chocolate! so now I really can say Chocolate OrangeKarin!

We arrived just a tad late, they were already on the first warm up lap of the rec, we joined in for the second one, with OrangeKarin and Chocolate playing catchup, (she had to do her shoes up!)  With the usual drills to really get our muscles warmed up and ready for the short busts of speed!

The pyramid running to the cones set out in front, stretching out in five lots of five cones, we were placed in teams.  I was in a team of four, so we had extra runs to do so that we were all equal!  When I say equal, it does mean that in our team we were going to be doing extra runs than the other teams, but we can do that!

It was all good fun.  But then Instead of going straight into the core training, because sometimes we have kids come along, DiscoRich thought it would be great fun for the kids to be included.  So, new for this year we included a kids friendly and fun race.  But today we only had 2 children with us this evening, but that didn't stop the kids race.  The kids race for this evening was going to be the sack race, DiscoRich had asked for some volunteers! There were four of us who volunteered He did say some little ones!  Well I thought 'little' meant short, you know, so that you could reach the top of the sack when you're standing up in it!  All the little people got in, and had plenty of room to manoeuvre, wheres as mine, well, mine was more like your sexy tight fitting type of sack!

Still, it worked! The little girl, I think, won the race, we had a faller at the top of the course and me and Jane we virtually at a standstill!  We got about half way down the course by the time the others were coming back!  I decided that the race was over, and just go back with just one foot in the sack! Here, this is a photo of me just before the race!  The girls took a video of me as well, but I don't know how to upload it to here!

Just before the race

Me finishing 

Anyway, after the fun race it was back to the core training, with the planks, and push ups and things to strengthen our core.  I am sure there are some abs in here somewhere, screaming to come up!  SingstarJo also did the Sun Salutation Pilate's type of training, which was good!  I must try and do this at least once a day if not twice!  OrangeKarin let the dog off the leash while we were doing the core session, and she was just hilarious, trying to give O.K. kisses while she was doing the exercises.

But I think what was amusing me more is when O.K. yelled out "Chocolate!" while we were planking, I could imagine everyone thinking "Oh yes please!" Or was that just me!

And then back to the speed training with the batons, relay running! 

All in all a great session. I do like Thursdays, whether at the track or in the rec!  My shins seemed to stop hurting by the end of the session, strangely.  But I know that when I start running again it will be back for a short while!  

Bupa 10,000

Any chance of tea?

Hello blog lovers!

What can I say!  absolutely brilliant day!  And don't you think that 10,000m sounds better than 10k! Yeah me too!

I was looking forward to this race, mainly because I was there to support a good friend of mine.  This will be her first race, her first 10k and her first medal for running! What a great privilege it is to be here watching it all unfold!

It all started a year ago, J.J. put her name down for the Bupa 10k, she has never ran that far before, or even entered a 'race' before, but I said I would come along and run along beside her and keep her company.  Knowing how everybody else in the club seem to progress to the next group I would have thought that I would probably be trying to keep up with her!

As I was training for my marathon J.J. was training for this 10k.  She even came out with me for one of my training runs, she met me at my house and we ran for 5 miles, with the run a mile, walk a minute method.  This is how she wanted to run this race this morning!  This run is all about J.J., supporting her (with me just hoping I could keep up!)  And I couldn't wait!

AT 6:30 the alarm went off but I was up before that.  I showered and got ready, had breakfast and waited!  The Old Boy was taking me to the station, he was still thinking whether he may meet us up in London later, the weather for the big smoke was cloudy! I met up with all the other PWR's who were running today!

Just some of the PWR's at Pettswood Station

To say we were excited was an understatement, the talk of how many times we had been to the loo before we even got to the station was on every body's lips!  This is exactly what J.J. needed to hear, she needed to know that we were all 'normal' and get a little 'anxious' before races, even those that have been on tons of races before!  Here is J.J. looking relaxed on the train to London, I think she pulled the look off perfectly! We met up with other PWR's on route!

J.J. Looking relaxed

It' was only a short walk walk to the starting point.  We made 'camp' and while others went to the loo (again) others looked after the bags!  I didn't need to go, nor did J.J., she must be well relaxed now!  It was soon time to go and hand in our bags at the baggage drop!  Some great photos of us all, including this one, the group 1 girls!

Group 1 ladies

What a club we are!

We all emerged again to walk to the starting pens.  We had a mixture of starts, Blacks, Reds, Greens  and Yellows!  Black starts being the faster ones.  Then there were sections in each colour start, A, B or C! But before we entered our starting wave we queued for the loo's again!  You can never have too many 'wee's!'  We took some pictures, as you do a a loo queue.

Me, J.J. Hannah and Paula

Lets all do the Mara!

We all split into our various start waves but I stayed with J.J. Today, this is the only reason I am here, and besides, we run at the same pace anyway!  I wanted to keep her run as much fun as possible, which means photo opportunities, and plenty of them, something for her to remember each section, each part of London we run through. Photos are always a great source of inspiration and smile makers!

In our pens and we waited, it seemed we waited ages before we finally heard "So Yellow Wave, are you ready?"  The cheer from all the 'Yellow' starters went up! "Yes!"  We even had our own theme tune, "Is This The Way to Amarillo"  We were off!  All the excitement, all the anticipation, all the worry forgotten as we start our race, J.J.'s first race and my first Bupa 10k!

J.J. with her 'bum bag' hiding
under her top!

Funnelling through!

We ran towards Admiralty Arch "What's your thoughts?" asked J.J.  Well I was thinking that's for sure, and I was thinking  "The last time I was here I had just finished the 2015 London Marathon"  and now, I am just starting another race!   Once we run through the arch and headed up towards the Strand, the crowds cheering us!

Once we got on the strand I was totally amazed to see that the faster runners, the Black Wave, were already coming back down!  I was totally amazed!  I know we took our time to get through the starting gate but I didn't realise it was that long!  We were totally amazed to see SingstarJo and then Sue running back down the strand (a bit further up the strand though), around about the 7k mark.  I also saw Julia running along too, she has come up from Devon to be here with her family.

There were bands scattered all along the route, the first one was just after Admiralty Arch, drummers, with huge drums!  They sounded fantastic.  We were running along just enjoying the sights and sounds and the atmosphere of London.  We had decided to the run/walk method of getting around.  I was pleased about that, the sun had came out and it was quite warm, it was going to be tough!

The first mile done and we took our first walk.  We were by no means at the back of the pack, we had passed quite a few people, and J.J. hasn't been exactly hanging about!  We were perfectly on time, 11:30 min for the first mile!  But it was warm!  The bands were a great motivator as we ran along each street!

I took these pictures, I can't remember what the street was called, but as you can see from my selfie, we were not the last!  Running up towards the sound of some more drums, I think we will be seeing these guys again on the way back!

Selfie! but not last!

J.J. looking good!

One of the great bands!

Going through the 'business' section of London, all though on this Bank Holiday the only business that is happening is the business of running!  J.J. pointed out where she used to work before they moved to the current position, I'm sure she said that is now in Mayfair!

When we came running along this road, seeing the Shard at the end of the street, rising high over the buildings, well that called for another photo call!

The Shard!

By now though, the run a mile walk for a minute (which was our run/walk method) was out of the window, it was way too hot, it was a good job we had the water station around about two miles (ish)! But we were not worried about getting a good time, J.J. just wanted to finish!  The way she is going, that is a done thing!  She was doing brilliantly.  I was flagging!  My knees were niggling me, and my shins!  What's that all about.  But when I think about it, this Old Girl had done a marathon a few weeks back, plus a PB on Parkrun, followed by the Members 10k, only last weekend!  Well that's my excuse anyway!

Seeing this particular London land mark was good, St Pauls.  My first ever 'Race for Life' the run that set me on my 'running for running sake' was going past St Pauls.  And now 7 years later I am running along side here again!

Do The Mara

I feel I am being watched!

We were on the way back, each step getting us nearer and nearer. The crowds were encouraging us all the way, the charities, the ordinary folk, the bands, it was brilliant.  We still had a mile to do!  I checked my Garmin, mainly because I was curious at just how fast we were running,  I was taken aback as saw the pace!  It was 9:36 m/mi!  "J.J.!" I said "Lets just bring it back a bit"  Although there was only a mile to go, the heat of the morning was doing it's best to knock me out!

 Back on the strand and J.J. was looking at Admiralty Arch, "Oh, we are not going back through there?"  Nope, we were going to be running down Whitehall, past Downing street and towards the Houses of Parliament!  I had to get some photos!

Nelsons Column

Are they in!

Whitehall!

With of course the Houses of Parliament selfie!

Big Ben!

Running back now, towards Buck House, again, the last time I was here I was hobbling along, finishing the London Marathon, and now me and J.J. were finishing the BUPA 10,000! Running all the way!  With just 400 meters to go, J.J. just wanted a bit of a walk.  Good idea, then we can look totally on fire when we run over those mats at the end.  It was only just a very short walk, but once we started running again we were not stopping. When we were running again I heard my name being called out over from the left hand side.  There standing and waving was DiscoRich and Illustrious leader!  A big smile on their faces waving enthusiastically at us.  J.J. was totally in the zone and I had to point them out!

We stayed in the zone and passed 'Minnie Mouse' who apparently had lost 'Mickey' and just kept going.  I looked over at J.J. she was looking confident, happy and I think totally thrilled that she was finishing her first ever race.  The end of the race was looming, I was getting just so excited for J.J. To be here supporting her (and her supporting me) was just brilliant.  It's all nearly done now, as we put a bit of a spurt on towards the end.

I took this picture of her running towards the clocks, which was showing about 18 or so minutes difference to my Garmin, so you can see how long it took us to get through the starting gate!

Go J.J.......Go!!

After collecting our goodie bags we made our way to baggage reclaim, and I saw Brian Page from So Lets go Running who was volunteering at Yellow Baggage today!  We made our way through to 'Meet and Greet' section P and found all the other PWR's. And what better way to celebrate than with a Pimms!  My Official time from the Bupa web site is 1 hour 16 minutes and 26 seconds!

Helen and Moy

Well deserved!

Hannah

Some more Pictures

Me JJ and Paula

Chris and David

Emily and David!

With matching Tee-shirts and medals

SingstarJo, Moy and
Sue, with J.J.

What was J.J. Looking at!

A fabulous time, thoroughly enjoyed it! And I know J.J. did too!  Geeky stats!