BOS Bug, a run on Exmoor and some beautiful sunsets

Thursday 25th October

The Grid Iron was a none starter, my bug seemed to have taken hold and not letting go, aching limbs and no energy, but! The weather was foul, according to feedback, so I guess it’s a good job I didn’t go  after being ill. Ironically, the Monday the day after, I suddenly felt as though it had all lifted and felt fine again!! So commiserated with a run , I even did a 55 mile cycle ride on the Wednesday and felt fine, I was booked in to the ‘Exmoor Stumble ‘ a 10 k run across Exmoor, with 1000 ft of ascent , it was a beautiful day, quite warm, big field, the uphill parts had a few narrow single track bits, and got stuck behind slower runners or walkers! I felt quite good and was looking to regain my over 65 title from two years ago! It was a very fast 3 miles down hill, 7 minute miles over rough forest paths. 1hr 4mins! 61st out of 107, sadly I was 4 minutes behind the fastest over 65, quite pleased really as I hadn’t prepared for it and not run up a hill since April!
Then!! This week, went running with the local running club on Tuesday evening( still Billy no mates think I might have to give it up as a bad job, very unfriendly😕) I met with the local Brent Knoll Velo lads for a ride on the Wednesday morning but after about 18 miles I started to feel unwell, we stopped for coffee at Wookey, I didn’t have cake!! Before deciding to head for home, joined with one of the others who is still recovering from Prostate Cancer, but!! The 15 miles home into the headwind over the levels was the hardest ride I have done 😕 even the bridge over the railway was a struggle, I took to my bed when I got home, and stayed there till this morning, not eating anything since last night, however, it seems to have gone again, it was the same symptoms as before, but it’s lifted( again) all very odd.
So October has/is being a strange month37 Miles Run but only 164 cycled, the two weeks off in the middle affected this. I hope for better next month.The photos are a mish mash, the Flying Scotsman! Swans , Brean Down across the River Axe from the cycle track to Uphill from Berrow, enjoy 😊

September

Sunday 7th October 2018

The year rolls on, autumn has arrived, we have had to have the heating on twice! With temps down to 8.5 degrees! I have also had my yearly flu jab , which is ironic as I sit here typing with a horrendous cold, aching limbs, tired........  so no outdoor activity since last Wednesday.

I managed to run 70 miles in September all very flat usually along the beach, I manage park run most weeks and finally got under 26 mins at Burnham-On-Sea last week!! If only by 8 seconds 😀
I finally got the results from the Portishead coastal race and I came 71st out of 158 who finished, so pleased with that. I have got my entry for the Grizzly next March, so a bit of time to prepare, I am trying to remain positive about being on the start line properly prepared. In a moment of madness I entered the Exmoor stumble which is in two weeks, sadly this weeks illness might mean a DNS!
I am persevering with the local running club, I have now run with them three times, but! In my opinion still not very friendly, very cliquey!! I will miss this week because of my cold and it’s the local half marathon today, I should be helping but! Not in a fit state to hang around on a street corner for hours!

Cycling, 355 miles in September which was down on the previous month, but still good, my feet ascended though is limited as I still haven’t really explored the Mendips and most other riding is on the levels, for example I rode with Brent Knoll Velo on Wednesday last week and we did 55 miles with only 800 ft of climbing, but! We usually have a head wind coming back to Burnham and the average speed is always around 16 mph!! Which is approximately 3 mph faster than rides I did around Chard when it was common for 2000 ft of climbing on a 15 mile ride!


Next Sunday is the Grid Iron, an Audax in the New Forest, a lovely event, well organised 69 miles, I should be ok with that, the people I am riding with are not fast riders! I am hoping to make it a weekend in the van as it’s a few months since I have slept in it!

Still not managed any holiday this year, with the weather deteriorating now it probably won’t be until next spring, unless we get a call to go and look after Grandchildren, speaking of which the twins were brought down by dad for the day  last week , we had a lovely time on the beach followed by ice cream and a roundabout ride! Grand daughter spent the day with her mum.

It will be a couple of days before I get out again, reluctantly as I try to make sure I am recovered .