9th January 2019
Tried out the ‘relive’ app today
https://www.relive.cc/view/2066818630
It shows today’s run in 3D minus of course the start and finish points! Lovely day for a run, AND saw my first snowdrops this year!! Summer is on the way!!
Cycling seems to have taken a backseat at the moment, too cold, too damp, much easier to get the running shoes on.
Sunday saw my first excursion to the Mendips, a run up and over Crook Peak, which if you drive down the M5 after Bristol, it’s on your left.
I parked up at 8am just as it was light, but there were already cars there, it was straight into the climb, steady at first but getting steeper near the summit, as approached I saw a couple on the top and greeted by a very curious dog, becoming friendly after a few moments talking to her. Owners had come to see the sunrise, but sadly it was a grey misty day, no sun! However, the views out across the channel to Wales, Bristol, and south across the levels, but not as far as Glastonbury Tor. Sadly, not a photographic day to record my first venture on the Mendips . I said goodby, expecting to see them on my return as I headed over to Wavering Down and it’s trig Point before returning back over Crook Peak and a lovely descent down the ridge to the car 5 miles and 900 ft climbed. A great morning out, First of many trips up this hill as it’s only 10 miles from home!
https://www.strava.com/activities/2058985280/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1546769261
Not sure whether this shareable ?
I have signed up for the ‘Trail Running magazine’ 1000 mile challenge, I only managed 700 miles last year, so got to put a few more miles in, I have made a good start with over 20 miles completed already !
Finally ! A PB for my Park Run last Saturday at a Burnham-On-Sea, 25 mins 14 secs! Target is under 25 mins this year 😀😀
I must get a few cycling miles in before the 26th January as it’s the 100 k Cotton Audax from Bristol into Gloucestershire ! Got a lot of work to do!!
Wednesday, 9 January 2019
Wednesday, 2 January 2019
Last year and this year!
2nd January 2019
My blog posts have been erratic this year, sadly down to 1 or less a month!!
Sadly it also reflects my activity as stated in the title ‘cyclingrunningwalkingcampervan.....’
last year I did manage 3821 miles cycling and 700 miles running, the downside on those were, didn’t do any MTBing!! So all miles on the road bike and I didn’t run as much off road or enter so many off road events, especially being thwarted from the Grizzly by the snow! ( I couldn’t get out of the drive)
Moving house has also hampered my cycling and running as I am now trying to learn the area! I still need to discover the Mendips for both activities ! The positive side I have now joined a running club!
Using my Camper has also been neglected, only spending a couple of nights in the van in Gloucester last January for babysitting !! That’s of course not count two nights in the van over Christmas as we were short of beds in the house as family descended !., moving meant we never really got around to arranging to go, taking coffee to Brean 6 miles away seems to be the only outings it gets at the moment!
Fell walking has not happened at all this year! So more efforts needed there!!!
We are now in another Grizzly year ! So early March sees me struggling the 19 miles and 2300 ft climbing on the Devon coast, I have a lot of training to do as my 6 mile runs only climb 14 ft!!
I still real issues with my Plantar Faciitis! Even with insoles, I seem ok up to 6-8 miles then it does kick in despite stretching, rolling etc. But! My weekly Yoga sessions seem to work. All I can do is train best I can and decide nearer the event.
I have now completed 23 Parkrun but still fail to beat my 25:52 time !!
I did the Exmoor Stumble, slower than last year, but inside the hour and the Portishead coastal, where I won my age category!
Lots to look forward to this year, trying to look some events to enter.
So happy new year to anyone who reads my blog, another challenge is to post on this blog more often !!
My blog posts have been erratic this year, sadly down to 1 or less a month!!
Sadly it also reflects my activity as stated in the title ‘cyclingrunningwalkingcampervan.....’
last year I did manage 3821 miles cycling and 700 miles running, the downside on those were, didn’t do any MTBing!! So all miles on the road bike and I didn’t run as much off road or enter so many off road events, especially being thwarted from the Grizzly by the snow! ( I couldn’t get out of the drive)
Moving house has also hampered my cycling and running as I am now trying to learn the area! I still need to discover the Mendips for both activities ! The positive side I have now joined a running club!
Using my Camper has also been neglected, only spending a couple of nights in the van in Gloucester last January for babysitting !! That’s of course not count two nights in the van over Christmas as we were short of beds in the house as family descended !., moving meant we never really got around to arranging to go, taking coffee to Brean 6 miles away seems to be the only outings it gets at the moment!
Fell walking has not happened at all this year! So more efforts needed there!!!
We are now in another Grizzly year ! So early March sees me struggling the 19 miles and 2300 ft climbing on the Devon coast, I have a lot of training to do as my 6 mile runs only climb 14 ft!!
I still real issues with my Plantar Faciitis! Even with insoles, I seem ok up to 6-8 miles then it does kick in despite stretching, rolling etc. But! My weekly Yoga sessions seem to work. All I can do is train best I can and decide nearer the event.
I have now completed 23 Parkrun but still fail to beat my 25:52 time !!
I did the Exmoor Stumble, slower than last year, but inside the hour and the Portishead coastal, where I won my age category!
Lots to look forward to this year, trying to look some events to enter.
So happy new year to anyone who reads my blog, another challenge is to post on this blog more often !!
Wednesday, 5 December 2018
Brean Down Santa challenge
Wednesday 5th December
Last Sunday saw myself, daughter and her boyfriend driving the few miles to Brean Down, the lump of rock that is the extension of the Mendips. It was the Brean Down Santa challenge, I had only entered the 5 k but daughters boyfriend was down for the 10k. I decided that from sea level one circuit up and down would be enough, rather than the two required for the 10 k. There was a cold damp wind blowing off the sea as we collected numbers and Santa suits ! There were soon nearly two hundred other souls lining up for the run dressed as Santa!! We were soon off and I was surprised how near the front of the field I was! As we hit the first hill probably about 25% I managed to run about three quarters of the climb, amazing thinking about my lack of hill preparation, although I did run up the down a couple of weeks ago. We came out to work our way up to the summit trig point, running into a head wind which contained some very chilly rain, but!! We were protected from the elements by our Santa suits, we then descended down a step muddy track to the old fort at the end of the down, I was still feeling good, my off road shoes giving good grip compared with those with road shoes,sliding their way down!! We then headed back along the service road climbing and descending steadily throughout, before the final 25% tarmac road descent on green slime surface, I felt I had a bit left so put in some effort to the line, worth it as I came 10 th out of 88 and 1st in the over sixties( there was 5 of us) there was no over 65 category.! Just over 32 minutes, very pleased with my efforts,nice medal and hot coffee and cake from the NT cafe whilst we waited for daughter boyfriend, he came in 2 nd place in the 10 k in 50 minutes, fantastic achievement, we were well pleased to wait for the presentation to see him get his trophy! Great event lovely run, cold and damp, but! Who cares.managed to download a few photos
Last Sunday saw myself, daughter and her boyfriend driving the few miles to Brean Down, the lump of rock that is the extension of the Mendips. It was the Brean Down Santa challenge, I had only entered the 5 k but daughters boyfriend was down for the 10k. I decided that from sea level one circuit up and down would be enough, rather than the two required for the 10 k. There was a cold damp wind blowing off the sea as we collected numbers and Santa suits ! There were soon nearly two hundred other souls lining up for the run dressed as Santa!! We were soon off and I was surprised how near the front of the field I was! As we hit the first hill probably about 25% I managed to run about three quarters of the climb, amazing thinking about my lack of hill preparation, although I did run up the down a couple of weeks ago. We came out to work our way up to the summit trig point, running into a head wind which contained some very chilly rain, but!! We were protected from the elements by our Santa suits, we then descended down a step muddy track to the old fort at the end of the down, I was still feeling good, my off road shoes giving good grip compared with those with road shoes,sliding their way down!! We then headed back along the service road climbing and descending steadily throughout, before the final 25% tarmac road descent on green slime surface, I felt I had a bit left so put in some effort to the line, worth it as I came 10 th out of 88 and 1st in the over sixties( there was 5 of us) there was no over 65 category.! Just over 32 minutes, very pleased with my efforts,nice medal and hot coffee and cake from the NT cafe whilst we waited for daughter boyfriend, he came in 2 nd place in the 10 k in 50 minutes, fantastic achievement, we were well pleased to wait for the presentation to see him get his trophy! Great event lovely run, cold and damp, but! Who cares.managed to download a few photos
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
November
Wednesday 21st November
Virtually a month since my last post, the speed of days passing seems to increase, I can’t believe it’s nearly 6 months since we moved to a new house in a new town in a different part of the county!
The weather has been up and down since the last post, freezing cold easterly winds followed by spells of warmish weather? So sorting clothing for running or cycling has become a challenge, usually making the wrong choice! And being too hot and sweaty, particularly cycling, but also running along the beach with a chilly breeze off the sea.
My exercise regime seems to have settled into a routine, though very much governed by the weather, I don’t do cycling in the wet!!
I have finally managed to join a yoga class, which I really enjoy, and surprise myself each week, the tutor is very good, and helpful as she is a cyclist and runner, it will be interesting to see how much it impacts on my running and cycling, I think it does help my Plantar Faciitis which is good.
I have also joined the local running club and run with them on Tuesday evenings and circuit train with them on Thursday evenings, which is usually a hard session, so the ‘billy no mates’ when running with them is improving! So currently I try to run three times a week, but! I seem to be stuck at a maximum 10 k distance?? Which is not good for training for the Grizzly next March! But will try to pick up the distance after Christmas.
I am entered in a 5 k Christmas run over Brean Down next week, dressed in a Santa costume! Which will be interesting!!
Cycling my weekly mileage seems to be around 100 miles over three days, I get out with a couple of local lads on Wednesday each week, the mileage around 40 but the average speed usually high around 15.5 to 16 mph! Across the levels, there is usually a head wind home, living on the west coast! The roads across the levels are really nice, quiet roads, with stunning views across the rivers, streams( Rhynes) and moors, wild life is abundant, herons, swans, egrets, etc. So I am now getting used to where places are and the distances between them, I have several routes I call ‘bread and butter’ routes I know I can cycle in a certain time, helpful for shorter days.
Sunsets on this coast are beautiful I will try and post pictures if I can!
Thursday, 25 October 2018
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 😊
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 😊
Saturday, 6 October 2018
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 .
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 .
Friday, 21 September 2018
Moving on!
21st September 2018
It seems to get longer between posts! I note my last one was early August! When!! We still had summer, days were long, dry and sunny, that’s now changed and we are on our second storm of the autumn, today being particularly windy, not conducive to cycling or even running, especially as we now live on the coast. I have gone from over 100 miles a week cycling to 18 this week, quite depressing, even running I am down to short 5 km runs, but!! I did run with the local running club on Tuesday, even though my welcome was less than warm, I will give it another go again this week. On top of all this , the good old Plantar Faciitis is still there, nagging away when I think it’s gone😕
Since the last post I have managed to cycle ‘Sandra’s 100’ a ride in aid of Macmillan, I actually did 102 miles, I have been out regularly 40-60 miles 3 or 4 times a week, however not many hills as it’s so flat on the levels, I am finding my way round now in the triangle of Brent Knoll, Glastonbury tor and Crook Peak. The wind is always an issue as it’s always west on the return ride, making it hard work. My next cycle event is the ‘Grid Iron ‘ Audax in the New Forest in October.
Running wise, I did a personal best on the Burnham Parkrun of 26 mins 3 secs, not my fastest yet though. Only managing short runs of around 3-4 miles and no hill work, which made my entry for the ‘Portishead Coastal 10 k’ worrying! I did three 10 k runs in the week leading up to the event and I have to say the hills on the course were manageable, I still don’t know my position but did manage 59 mins 33sec so pleased with that. I have entered the Grizzly again, as I am assured a place, but at this moment I don’t think I will be anywhere near hill fit for it, even though it’s next March! I am trying to decide whether to go for the Exmoor Stumble in a few weeks!
I have had tests for Prostate Cancer and pleased to say I am clear, only an enlarged prostate to worry about!
I think I have about caught up with my activities, vanwise we haven’t been away yet!! Not sure now we will manage it before winter, a new kitten in the house and daughter starting a new job, along with living at the seaside, seems to be getting in the way, but! A trip to the lakes would be nice😀
Sunsets round here have been spectacular see the following photos
Burnham on Sea
Classic low lighthouse again
It seems to get longer between posts! I note my last one was early August! When!! We still had summer, days were long, dry and sunny, that’s now changed and we are on our second storm of the autumn, today being particularly windy, not conducive to cycling or even running, especially as we now live on the coast. I have gone from over 100 miles a week cycling to 18 this week, quite depressing, even running I am down to short 5 km runs, but!! I did run with the local running club on Tuesday, even though my welcome was less than warm, I will give it another go again this week. On top of all this , the good old Plantar Faciitis is still there, nagging away when I think it’s gone😕
Since the last post I have managed to cycle ‘Sandra’s 100’ a ride in aid of Macmillan, I actually did 102 miles, I have been out regularly 40-60 miles 3 or 4 times a week, however not many hills as it’s so flat on the levels, I am finding my way round now in the triangle of Brent Knoll, Glastonbury tor and Crook Peak. The wind is always an issue as it’s always west on the return ride, making it hard work. My next cycle event is the ‘Grid Iron ‘ Audax in the New Forest in October.
Running wise, I did a personal best on the Burnham Parkrun of 26 mins 3 secs, not my fastest yet though. Only managing short runs of around 3-4 miles and no hill work, which made my entry for the ‘Portishead Coastal 10 k’ worrying! I did three 10 k runs in the week leading up to the event and I have to say the hills on the course were manageable, I still don’t know my position but did manage 59 mins 33sec so pleased with that. I have entered the Grizzly again, as I am assured a place, but at this moment I don’t think I will be anywhere near hill fit for it, even though it’s next March! I am trying to decide whether to go for the Exmoor Stumble in a few weeks!
I have had tests for Prostate Cancer and pleased to say I am clear, only an enlarged prostate to worry about!
I think I have about caught up with my activities, vanwise we haven’t been away yet!! Not sure now we will manage it before winter, a new kitten in the house and daughter starting a new job, along with living at the seaside, seems to be getting in the way, but! A trip to the lakes would be nice😀
Sunsets round here have been spectacular see the following photos
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