November already, roll on spring !

 1st November 2023

Trying hard to keep posting as it’s been so interesting reading my old posts from 2014 ! Etc. particularly my exploits around Grizzly which seem to dominate my posts from Xmas to April for a few years! It’s all part of psyching me up to do the Grizzly next March! As a Swan song from long competitive runs, Rachel, my Grizzly partner ( the race not her) managed to get me a place in this years ballot, sadly I am down at her address so will have to move in with her family, unless!! She updates the details 😊 I am hoping that by next March I will be able to run 20 miles and 3500 ft, even with my leg still being numb with a trapped nerve ! I am currently up to 5.2 miles at 12 min mile pace so a lot of work to do, but, it’s a target, and something to aim for motivating me to get out. I must say it seems like running will take over my efforts to keep fit as the weather has been very poor, with heavy rain most days, and today we await storm Cerain ! With the media frightening us all to death with there predictions which are usually, way over the top. 

Last week I only managed one bike ride out round Burtle and back over the moors, on a lively sunny, windless afternoon, the only one of the week, I felt to be going well, the roads were remarkably clear of debri and mud etc, averaging a good 14.2 mph, the roads I felt quieter than usual. 

On Monday I did my first beach run in a year, only a small part but another training first for a while up to the church and back across the golf course to the beach then down to Allandale and Grove, bumped into a harriers member I had not met before, ( Michelle) which meant a slight faster pace to finish and home 4.34 miles, I was pleased with that. 

Thursday was Health Walk day, I and another leader ( Christy) lead a Health Walk from Highbridge every fortnight usually around the Apex park, this is something we have been doing since the start of the year, we have a regular group of about 10- 12 people, some with mobility issues, some come for company and the chat. This weeks walk was up the Huntspill river 

Only about 2.2 miles but a beautiful morning, with beautiful views over the river and over towards Steart from the Clyce at the end, there did seem to be a lot of water in the river today. So a great walk even though we were a small group this week with half term. Friday saw me back on the Berrow path and this time onto the beach and all the way down the beach clocking up 5.2 miles my furthest run in a year, really pleased with that run 😊

Sunday saw us celebrating Mrs Bs 73 rd birthday with visit from our children and grandchildren, requests from the boys saw us heading to the beach with Scrumpy the dog this time, only a short walk but enjoyable. Once they had gone after lunch, I had my trainers on and added another 4.1 miles making it 13 miles in 7 days! All helping me reach my Grizzly goal 😊 

As it was half term week, we managed a trip to Wells with my daughter, lovely morning out round the cathedral moat, coffee etc 

And finally, yesterday Tuesday I managed to get Jayne out for a run after at least a month off with injury, Jayne has been good motivating me to get out as she likes early morning runs before she goes of to her job as a nurse. We did our usual 5 km down to the sailing club along the Esplanade and back, a good steady pace but Jayne did well given her month lay off. I was able to add a further 1.2 miles just to keep building up my mileage. I have done 205 miles since my injury to my back and resulting trapped nerve this time las t year. Cycling I have done 3277 miles so really pleased with that. Running pace is slow but cycling is fine, except for very steep hills where I find difficulty with my numb leg getting the power in to it.

I was also Marshall at the local Park Run last Saturday, over 300 runners took part, lucky with the weather too 😊

So overall a good week, this weeks weather is poor so no cycling, just hoping it improves for the weekend !