Half of a Half

Hurrah - we did it!

Today Ali and I ran from Bridgwater Docks to Maunsel Lock. In my mind, completing this canal from Bridgwater to Taunton in one go will mean that I am able to complete a half marathon. Today we completed about half of the canal (give or take a km or two) therefore at this point in time I can complete half of a half marathon (give or take a km or two.) Taunton half marathon look out, we're coming...

Ali's lovely husband Chris picked me up and delivered us to Bridgwater Docks at just gone 10 this morning. Two heavy downpours earlier this morning had us both in our jackets but determined to complete this half of the Taunton to Bridgwater canal and we set off in beautiful sunshine with a gentle breeze pushing us onwards.

Once we had sorted our clothing issues we settled down to the job in hand. Heavy rain the previous day and night meant the path was quite muddy in places and the canal was very high but the water was crystal clear. Today we met several walkers both with and without four legged furry friends, cyclists - one even with a working bell - and workmen. Just past The Boat & Anchor pub the men were laying a new hardcore path, a short stretch of red carpet gravel both pleasing to the eye and gentle to the foot.

The second third seemed interminably long with me declaring on numerous occasions that we were getting near to North Newton, eventually we did get to North Newton and we were both very glad we had decided against tackling the whole route in one go. This really is a most beautiful part of the country and if you have never had the chance to walk/run/cycle the path I sincerely suggest you do. There are car parks at various points along the way and if you time your exploration well you can find tea & cake or a pint and a sandwich or more at several hostelries along the way.

Both Ali and myself are keen photographers and at several spots we both declared a good view or doe eyed creature just waiting to be captured. We are now both keen to retrace our steps laden down with walking boots, cameras and lenses various. At last Ali spied the Union Flag fluttering in the now strong headwind signaling our almost arrival at Maunsel Lock. Steely determination and the fear that Chris may be stationed on the bridge with his camera led us to complete our morning's exercise with a final burst of running up and over the final bridge into the cafe.

A very nice young man gladly gave us a glass of water each whilst we decided which toasted sandwiches we were going to eat to celebrate our success, it was lunchtime after all! He congratulated us on our achievement and he did seem very sincere in his admiration for what we had done. He then told us that later today he was taking part in a fifty mile cycle ride! Our deflation only lasted momentarily before we returned the admiration for his forthcoming endeavour.

According to the markers along the way we had completed 10.2 km, Ali's Nike chip said about 12 km and mine said 14 km. Sadly, I suspect the former distance is the correct one, but we are taking Ali's reading as the truer reading, being the middle one, but I have logged my distance into my stats as it is relevant to all the other distances I have logged.

This is the furthest I have ever run and is the longest time I have been running for.

Today is a good day 8)

Running All The Way

It probably wasn't real running but I didn't walk and only had to pause once to cross a road so I'm really pleased.

A fairly flat almost figure of 8 route has got my motivation back. Just like on the last run I set out nice and slowly but my legs were really stiff and not really in the mood for moving. I passed a neighbour walking her dogs and commented on the glorious weather. I had dressed for what looked to be a chilly morning but was pleasantly warm. Our 70+ paper delivery boy received my next greeting but I didn't catch his reply, see I was running!

A little ahead of me along the lane out of the village I spied two lady residents out on their morning ramble. Seeing people ahead of me is always a great incentive and I was soon passing them and of course keeping at my pace until I was sure I had disappeared from their sight.

Soon I was turning back towards home and now had the sun on my face. After crossing the M5 I enjoyed a downhill broad sweep which is always followed by a difficult long slow slightly uphill climb and with the full force of the sun beating down on my face I gritted my teeth, today I was determined to get the whole way out and back without walking.  

Back into the village and I'm nearing the end of my 8K trek. Can I manage a sprint finish? One minute I'm thinking yes and the next no. I convince myself to give it a try and I'm soon reaching for my ipod as I turn into our steep drive and await to here my stats for the past 53 and a half minutes.

I ran all the way - I'm happy.

Another Year Older...

And it's not getting any easier.

I set out at a gentle pace having already decided to take things easy and to not push too hard. My aim was to run all the way. The first incline and I slowed to a walk. This was not looking good. I managed the second incline, steely determination getting me to the top. The third was a long and slow incline, I managed about a third before giving in and giving myself a really hard time about it. But then whilst taking in the beautiful view on a glorious sunny Sunday morning I gave myself a stern talking to. I was out and about enjoying the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze on my face, finding views I need to revisit with my birthday present camera and burning calories and being kind to my heart and body.

Then, it got easier, I relaxed and settled into a steady pace and enjoyed the music. I walked the final incline without a care in the world and the final stretch of my run was probably the best bit of the whole 5.5 miles.

It would be so nice to have a good run, I haven't had that for quite some time. I don't know where I'm going wrong but I must be due one sometime soon, please!

Brrrrrrrrr...

I went out at 7.30 this morning and there was a chill in the air reminding me that autumn is just around the corner and my feet got soaking wet. My trainers are still out in the sunshine drying off. I'm glad I didn't go out an hour earlier which is what I had planned. I did find the temperature very pleasing although the run was still very hard.

My route today took in a section of the very busy A358 and I knew the earlier I set out the better it would be with regards to the traffic on that stretch. I was able to cut across a field on a footpath as it had recently been harvested, my last attempt at this route left me with shredded legs (for which I still bear the scars) as it was neck high in crop and the path overgrown with goose grass and nettles.

I don't seem to have managed a proper 'run all the way' run for a few weeks. Today I was disappointed as yet again I needed to slow right down on several stretches. I'm not setting out too quickly, chance would be a fine thing, I'm trying to push myself, my trainers are comfy, I'm not too hot, so I just can't work out where I'm going wrong.

I have the best motivation, my son marries his gorgeous fiancee a month today and I love my outfit and want to look my very best. I can do the distances I set out to do and although I can't beat my times for these routes I have run them without walking in the past so why can't I now?

Oh well, I'll try again on Friday.

Watch this space.

Going Long

An 11k run was on the cards today and I was up for it.

Warming up gently down our lane my legs were very stiff and both knees painful, the legs I understood but the knees a bit of  a mystery, I've been in flats for at least the last 3 weeks, not a wedge or a heel to be seen.

Track two on the ipod, time to push a bit harder, up past the church and out through the village onto a busy cut through. Fortunately I'm out early and traffic is not a problem. First the sun was on my face and now it's on my back and it's gaining in temperature. This is a long stretch, it's part of the Taunton 10k route and try as I might I don't like it.

Soon I'm through the tricky bend and heading down a gentle slope and all too soon this becomes an incline as we rise up and over a very busy M5 I'm reduced to a walk, it's really warm and I have to pace myself as I have a long way to go.

I have a problem, I can feel  a toe nail is cutting into its neighbouring toe and it hurts. I promise myself as soon as I come to a bench I will sit down and sort it out except there are no benches, not one, in 11k not a single bench.

Another long stretch out past the Blackbrook Pavilion, through the bus cut through lane and under the motorway. Traffic is heavy here and I have to concentrate to cross 9 lanes of traffic to safety. The sun is beating down as I pass the park and ride and more confusion crossing another 8 road entrances and exits.

Traffic through Henlade is slow and I try to keep overtaking the slowly moving queue, it starts to move and I almost slow to a walk but decide I must keep going until all the traffic I have passed re passes me otherwise the drivers and passengers will have beaten me and will make fun of my poor attempt at running.

At last I turn off this busy road back into the quieter lanes and walk to the top of an incline. I gently jog down the other side and keep going all the way through Lower Henlade until I turn towards home. Another incline, another walk. I meet a fellow runner and smile admitting that today I have been beaten. Heading into the village I can see horses ahead. I decide that if I walk quickly for a couple of minutes I should catch them just on the bend by the last downhill part of the road. If I catch them there I can run on and get past them before I'm too tired to run anymore.

My plan worked and now I'm contemplating the sprint finish. I try to convince myself that I can do a sprint finish. I carry on through the last lane and decide there is no way I will ever manage a sprint finish and as I approach our drive I know the sprint finish will have to wait until next time!

Navigators

NAVIGATORS

HARD GRAFT

SINEW AND BONE

JOLT OF THE PICK

CRACK OF THE HAMMER

IRON ON STONE

RED QUANTOCK

WE CAME AND WENT

OUR LEGACY

A BOAT

COMING CLEAN

THROUGH THE HILL

Tony Charles with local people

Peter Milner

Running Up That Hill

Out the door and down the drive.

Up the lane, slight incline.

First hill slowly building, steep, plateau, steeper, relief at the top.

Turn off to the left, still gently climbing and a final push to the top.

Down, down, glorious down.

Another turn, nice and level, up over the bridge and out onto the dual carriage way.

Noisy and fast, refuge in the central reservation, a hop, skip and a jump and turn off back into a peaceful lane.

Strong headwind, head down, keep to the beat of the music.

Up again, up again, up again.

I can do it, I can do it, I can do it.

I did it!

Downhill all the way home.

Sprint finish?

Oh yes 8)

Nearly There

First of all I must congratulate my running buddy Ali, whilst on my holiday she ran the furthest she has ever run without stopping, a massive 6+ K, very well done to you, you clever girl. Such an achievement and proof that to keep trying does bring results.

Today we completed our penultimate leg of the Taunton to Bridgwater canal and we celebrated with an ice cold diet coke at the Boat and Anchor Inn. On Saturday we shall hopefully complete the final stretch, taking us into Bridgwater and the docks and then we shall plan when we are going to do our whole half in one hit. I'm really looking forward to this.

I received an email yesterday from the organizers of the annual Taunton 10K. To my delight (I think) it is taking place on Sunday 30th September. I incorrectly presumed it would be the day after my eldest son's wedding and therefore thought I would not be able to take part, on account of the champagne I plan to be drinking at said wedding! I didn't reply to the email straight away but after my run with Ali I came home and filled inthe application form, paid my dues and hit the send button before second thoughts had chance to set in.

Best get training then, which neatly coincides with a need to loose about a stone before the wedding, after all I have an absolutely gorgeous bespoke hat in the making and I have to do it justice!

Breast stroke, back stroke, butterfly and crawl...

Running, walking, swimming, buggy riding, jet skiing, paraflying yes I did them all!

I've just returned from two weeks in gloriously hot sunshine in Cyprus. Apart from the traveling time, 4.5 hrs out and 5 back, plus the hour to and from the airports it was a blissfully relaxing fortnight.

We treated ourselves to an adult only hotel, with a premium room and extra large balcony with sun beds overlooking a fabulous horse shoe bay of sand and clear blue warm sea, perfect. Half board meant too much food of course but I did pack my trainers and was determined to run. I did. Twice.

The first attempt was at 7 a.m. one morning, the temperature was already 26 degrees. I completed the almost 3K on the coast path into Agia Napa fairly quickly and was very happy with my efforts, the return journey though became very hard work, the sun was on my back and it was very slightly uphill and I did not run the whole way. For my second attempt I set out much nearer to 6 a.m. It was slightly cooler, again I ran the whole way into the harbour but at a slower pace which allowed me to run more on the way back, only slowing to drink a few times.

Two runs in a fortnight isn't very good going at all so I'm trying to justify the amount of food I consumed with the other activities I took part in!

We walked, a lot, in searing temperatures, into Agia Napa several times, to beaches on either side of ours and only got lost once. We swam every day of course, usually twice in the sea and in the pool. Steve took part in the water polo and volley ball in the pool most days, I would have loved to join in but getting water in my ear is not an option so I watched from the sidelines. We hired a buggy and drove to the border of the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus. We both sunburnt our legs on that trip.

Very daringly, we plucked up courage to take a paraflying trip. Those of you that know me will also know that I cannot do boats. We planned to be the first customers and kept our fingers crossed that we wouldn't have to share the speedboat with others. We were strapped in and away we went, up, up, up. The view was amazing, it was quiet and peaceful and all was well until Steve mentioned the creaking of the straps holding us to the parachute! A gentle dunking preceded a perfect and graceful landing back onto the speedboat.

Next, jet skiing. I knew Steve was quite desperate to have a go. I wasn't. I do not like being in deep water and the thought of being out there on something so small not to mention the whole water moving part of the experience, you'll forgive me for feeling just a little apprehensive! Our first trip, yes first, was awesome. We got soaked and I don't know why but I wasn't upset by the movement. It was exhilarating, energizing  and something I was more than happy to do again the following day. This activity will not taking part in English waters you understand and I doubt I'll ever go out again if I come off!