Topsy turvy month

29^th December 2017

Since my last post of the lovely run down on the coast, we have had to spend a night at Briarsfields campsite in Cheltenham to look after the grandchildren once again, sadly this coincided with William having an horrendous cold with sneeze and snot going everywhere, the result of which both me and Mrs IanB have spent the last week with the cold from hell, both now suffering from an endless cough!!! We were able to visit my eldest son in Wimborne on a pre - Christmas visit to deliver pressies etc . before welcoming our daughter home for Christmas day, we sniffed and coughed our way through the day, it was very pleasant and very quiet, the weather was horrible so no after lunch amble outside!

Boxing day was a day in Gloucester with Grandchildren, so an early drive up the M5 to deliver presents and spend the day eating and playing with them, it was really nice made extra niice with a wonderful walk down to Barnwood Park to feed the ducks, G and W both walking there and back, G accompanied by his teddy!!! The drive home was grim with heavy rain; however, we missed the snowfall which appeared to come later in the night.

The weather seems to have settled into a pattern of one reasonable day and one wet and windy day, same with temperatures one minute freezing, next day back to ten degrees again.

This month the cycling and running mileages have taken a hit, with nasty weather and horrible colds [ my second in a month despite the flu jab] only 34 run and 154 cycled compared to 45 run and 427 cycled last month. I did manage 4.5 mile run round town yesterday [28/12/17] but finished with a very sore throat and lots of coughing, it was hard work and to make matters worse my Plantar Faciitis seems to have returned with my foot feeling quite painful last night so disappointing, I had hoped to see the back of that. I did roll it and wore the splint for a short time, hope this helps!

The year cycling and running has been interesting with 574 miles run in the last twelve months and 4602 miles cycled compared to 862 miles run and 3019 miles cycled last year, I think this reflects the emphasis of my French Manche to Med ride, the preparation mileage and the actual mileage. Running wise I have lost a lot of miles due to the PF I didn’t run for two months !!

The Grizzly is fast approaching and only 12 weeks away, which seems a long way but I know it will soon go, so I need to start building my mileage, I think I will see how I go in January and how the PF goes , if PF persists I may pull out of Grizzly early, to save the pain of training and perhaps try once again to get rid of it, seeing a specialist, exercise, etc, and try to get more miles on the bike, I must say the winter cycling is made extra difficult with the filthy roads, I seem constantly to be washing my bike down, which is a pain in the backside!

My plan will be to build up to 10 -12 miles by the end of January, then up to 16-18 by the end of February, leaving the last couple of weeks to maybe do 19-20 in preparation for the event, I still believe the miles and time on your feet is crucial, to success. My running partner up the lane I have no doubt will run twice round the block before the event and then have a fantastic race!!! [ well done Rachel if you read this!! I don’t know how you do it!]

The other issue is our house is up for sale, so this may cause distractions should we actually sell it and have to look for other property to buy.

even more running and cycling, but a bit of tree cutting

19th December

Brilliant run over Beer Head yesterday, glorious sunshine 6.8 miles
And some cutting down of the dreaded leylandii by my son, great job he did too, hard work feeding his shredder though, my arms, shoulders and hamstrings felt it the next day!

                                             after run coffee

                                              parked at Beer Head

                              top of stairway to heaven

                                          looking down on Fountains Inn

                                 woods to Fountains

Woods to Fountains

                              Beer Head

                              Beer Head looking to Seaton

                                 Looking down on Branscombe Beach

Woods to Founains

couple of days in Bournemouth

11th December 2017

Sunday [3rd] I managed to get out for a ride, after a pleasant coffee in the van on Seaton sea front, the cold northerly wind blowing from the land rather than the sea. only 29 miles covered but it would be my last miles till the following weekend as we had planned to spend a couple of days in Bournemouth.

We had booked a couple of nights in the cliff top Travel Lodge. The journey down was very busy for a monday morning, heavy traffic all the way, we managed to get to the hotel by lunch time, so a quick walk down to the town to pick up a panini and take away tea to eat in the park.

There was a small christmas market on the town square along with an ice rink in the park, after visiting these we spent the afternoon doing a little christmas shopping picking up some small items. After checking into the hotel in the late afternoon, tea and a piece of MrsBs flapjack we walked down the front and onto the pier, a lovely afternoon, a typical grey December day, where the darkness was descending by 4pm. A pleasant evening meal in Weatherspoons before revisiting the park to see the lights, very nice they were too, the ice rink was also quite busy now.

Our second day was spent walking along the front, the pier, cliffs and the town and according to my Garmin watch we walked about 8 miles, the weather was very grey and cold.

Our final day, after a walk down to the pier and breakfast in Weatherspoons we drove over to Christchurch through very busy traffic. We parked on the edge of the town and walked around the Priory and waterfront, a very grey cold day with spots of rain, not a day for sitting around.

All to soon we were fighting our way back through traffic back home, the weather now decidedly wet! what made it worse was following a large lorry for quite a long way and the resulting muddy water thrown up plastered the car and the windscreen!! making visibility poor.

It was a nice couple of days away, the Travel Lodge on the cliffs being recommended.

Thursday I managed to get a 5 mile run round the town,  and friday I joined the local cycling club for their afternoon ride, usually a fast 40 mile ride with a cafe stop,but, the weather was cold, with a strong wind so the four of  us decided to do a shorther faster ride through Muchelney and Kingsbury Episcopi 32 miles covered at a good pace, I admit, that I didnt really do my bit on the front as the others were much stronger than me, a good ride and we were back in good time before dusk.

The weekend was poor for outside activity, Sunday was a very wet and very windy day with snow over most of the counry, but not here. I hope to get out on my usual run and rides this week.

November was good for rides and runs 427 miles cycled and 47 miles run.

An Audax and a Park Run

3rd December 2017

November was a good month for getting out, despite the weather at times, I cycled 427 miles and ran 46 miles, so pleased with that, especially running as I started running again at the start of November after my battles with Plantar Faciitis, although this is still there in the back ground, so taking care to roll my foot after a run.

November gave me some good cycling days out, a lovely ride with a friend over to Washing Pool farm near Bridport from Kilmington, through the Wootten Fitzpaine valley and the South Dorset hills, double egg and chips went down well. The weather was splendid with bright winter sunshine all day. I have managed to get out on a couple of Friday afternoons with the local cycling club, these rides are usually a fast pace for the first 25 miles to the cafe! then a little easier for the remainder of the 38 miles!

Late November I rode the 'Breakfast in Bampton Audax' with friends Susie and Rosie. this was a 68 mile event starting from the new village of Cranbrook near Exeter. It was a cold and frosty morning as I parked up in the car park of this, new village and I have to say I was very underwhelmed !!! a horrible 'housing estate' with dubious characters hanging around! I met up with the girls and the first part of the ride took us through the centre of Exeter, difficult on the first real christmas shopping Saturday of the year.

We successfully negotiated the city, even though my Garmin decided to play up. We were soon on the road to Bampton past Stoke Cannon, unfortunately the road was a main road and very heavy with traffic, moving at a fast speed, the large numbers of cyclists on the route was not helping with drivers becoming impatient.
The cake and coffee stop at Bampton was a welcome site, a lovely cafe and lovely food, but! far too busy, perhaps another visit in the summer in more relaxed mode!

The route over to Wiveliscombe was much quieter and as we turned to cycle over to Wellington we were now on B roads, the weather was good with lots of sunshine, and although this was nice and warm, in the shade was another story, very chilly! the roads now were very dirty and greasy meaning we had to take care on descents and bends. the roads from Wellington over to the finish at Whimple were back unclassified roads, narrow and muddy in places, but providing stunning views over the Devon/Somerset countryside. We were glad to reach our final checkpoint at the pub in the village, but we then had to cycle back to the cars in Cranbrook, back to the busy main roads, the afternoon was now getting late with dusk fast approaching and the chilly wind seemed to increase, by the time I got back to the car I was quite cold and glad to get the heater on full for the drive home.

A lovely day out with two friends and after the first 28 miles and the very busy roads the route was lovely with great weather and great views. 68 miles covered .

I have been managing to get out running twice a week, once round town 5 miles and off road round Neroche for my 6 mile route, I was lucky with the off road runs as the weather was really good, despite the chilly northerly wind.
I decided to give the Park Run at Seaton a go, so Yesterday I drove to Seaton for their Park Run, fine weather, chilly but little wind, 108 runners lined up. I was surprised at the speed of the group as they set off and found myself being overtaken by many runners, I held my position for the rest of the run, keeping a good pace, the final beach run of 100 metres however took their toll! 26mins and 39 secs, 49th out of 108 and second in my age group, so a good day out given I have only returned to running recently.

As the weather deteriorates over the winter I expect my cycling to get less and running to increase which hopefully will prepare me for the Grizzly next March.

Great week cycling AND running!!

15th November 2017

Since my walk on Dartmoor the week just got better, My Plantar Faciitis was only faint after a long day on Dartmoor!
Wednesday was a fantastic day, the sun shone and there was no wind so the Wobble headed down to Lyme Regis for coffee on the front, we were celebrating Susies birthday so we chose a lovely cafe on the sea front and sat outside in the warm November sunshine, drinks only as we planned a Pub lunch in Kilmington so an hour after leaving Lyme and over a big Hill, we arrived at the Pub and had a wonderful lunch washed down with a nice pint of Beer!! a nice celebratory lunch, but! then we had to cycle to 12 miles home over Membury Hill which is several miles of climbing. A brilliant day out for all.
Thursday, I decided it was time to  a short 3 mile run around town as my Plantar Faciitis seemed to be receding, and as the weather deteriorates over the winter, cycling becomes less attractive and  I get fed up cleaning my bike. I took it steady, very steady making sure I stretched at the finish, and rolled my foot over my ball in the evening, all seemed well!!!
Friday I missed the club ride so managed 16 miles on my own .
Saturday was another short 2.8 mile run, seemed to go OK so it looks as though I am back running, YEH!
Sunday was damp, cold and windy, but I did manage to cycle 36 miles over the Somerset Levels, getting home, tired and chilled!!
Monday was a cold.frosty but bright sunny morning so I didn't fancy a cycle but! an off road run, so I headed over Neroche woods on the Blackdown hills, the ground was frosty in places and it was wonderful to be out in the woods with the autumn colours of the beech trees being stunning. I felt ok and managed 4.5 miles, I could have gone further but decided not to push it. I do have a faint pain in my foot .but generally it seems OK.
Tuesday was another bright day so 45miles over the levels and the same route was done on Wednesday with the Wobblies but this time we stopped at the Lemon Tree cafe at the Willow and wetlands centre at Stoke St Gregory, a great ride and bringing my cycling since Sunday to 126 miles, so pleased with that, AND I have run 5 miles last week and 4.5 this week so far, My plan is to run again on Thursday or Friday.

So overall a great week and lovely to be back running.

Dartmoor

7th November 2017

After a couple of bike rides over the weekend, Monday was a day out walking on Dartmoor, and outing postponed from a couple of weeks previous. The weather forecast was looking fair, might/might not rain but generally good.
I was walking with an 86 year old friend from my college days, but had no concerns as Martin is very fit, very active and could walk the socks off me!!!! we used to run the college expedition group many years ago as well as being climbing partners.

We had selected the South moor which meant a 70 mile drive down to Ivybridge and then Cornwood and finally parking at Cadover Bridge,on the upstream section of the River Plym, not a million miles from Plymouth.
We were the only car in the car park as we booted up in the early morning sunshine, a winter chill to the air meant a jacket on to start off. We set off in the direction of Trowlsworthy  Tors, the open moor stretching out ahead of us. we first followed a farm track before progressing onto the open moor and the rough grass. There was a fair few livestock around, sheep, horses and cattle, completely ignoring us. 

We decided first lunch would be on Trowlsworthy  and found a nice niche in the rocks out of the wind. Open views over the South Moor opened up as well as views over Plymouth Sound. Next objective was Hens Tor which was just over the horizon, so careful walking over tufty grass and crossing boggy areas where the streams were running off down to the Plym, sometimes it was tuft to tuft to keep feet dry! Hens Tor is an insignificant Tor I suspect rarely visited, very few foot prints around the Tor or paths leading to or from the tor, never the less a lovely spot to stand and stare at the beauty of the moor.

The next stretch was a navigation exercise as we had to find the top of Shavercombe  so a compass bearing kept us on target.
The top of Shavercombe is quite spectacular with a hidden waterfall which provided a nice sheltered place for lunch. We then followed downstream to the Plym and a river crossing, which provided a challenge and we had to walk a way up stream to find a reasonable crossing place, but even with walking poles to assist our balance it was a delicate operation on the very slippery boulders, some slightly submerged, but what we also found was there was not one river to cross but several tributaries that fed it, so we were pleased to gain a slightly higher ground away from the river. We had intended to follow the Ply back down to Cadover Bridge , but as it was quite damp we decided to take a longer route passing Ditsworthy Warren house, now a outdoor base for the navy recruits, a very remote rebuilt cottage in the middle of the moor. There is also in the area some fantastic prehistoric settlements, stone rows, field boundaries  and 'warrens' used by the tinners in the last century. The sun came out for a short time as we climbed up over Ringmoor Down, quickly followed by a short sharp shower of rain, our only one of the day.We had to use a compass once again to ensure we were on target for Ringmoor Cottage as the moor was quite featureless at this point. underfoot was hard work with very tufty grass. it was wonderful to be out on the open moor, views all around, and above all we hadn't seen anyone all day!
There were some ponies as we neared the road , minding their own business chomping the grass. As we hit the final road half a mile from Cadover it was clear it was school going home time as even though it was a back,narrow, minor road it was quite busy, so taking our lives in our hands with traffic passing closely, but! not enough to spoil the day as we got back to the car, well satisfied with the day out. the day was getting quite dusky now with cars with lights on, and after changing out of our boots and driving back to through Cornwood, needing lights ourselves down the narrow lanes. only about 10 miles covered but a lovely day out, we made a promise to meet up again in  January when the beauty of the moor will have its winter coat on, be it snow, frost or wind and rain, still a beautiful place to go and many memories of our time training Ten Tors teams on the moor some 25 years ago!! time flies but Dartmoor doesn't change. 

Leaving Cadover bridge

                                       walking up to Trowelsworthy Tor

                                First lunch at Trowelsworthy

                          view back over Plymouth Sound

                                 Shavercombes secret waterfall

                          Leather Tor in the distance 

                                     Towards Princetown

Ditsworthy Warren trees in the foreground 

cycling and more cycling

Wednesday 1st November 2017

Well my planned walk on Dartmoor didn't happen, a heavy cold took hold and on the Sunday evening before I felt dreadful! and worse on Monday morning, so postponed till this coming Monday [I hope].

However, I have tried to keep up the cycling three times a week, so Wednesday and Friday last week saw me out with the local club, a nice ride in warm weather over Lamberts Castle and Musbury before coffee at Millers Farm Shop at Kilmington, nice very large piece of chocolate cake before the uphill ride home over Membury! only 38 miles covered. Friday was the usual fast friday ride, where I hang on the back only taking a turn at the front if I have too! by the time we reached the cafe at Yandles in Martock we were averaging 17 mph, the weather was very mild so eight of us in shorts today! another 38 miles !!

Sunday we went to Gloucester to see the grandchildren and celebrate Mrs IanBs birthday with a birthday tea, iced biscuits, chocolate fingers, hula hoops and jelly and ices cream followed by the customary birthday cake with candles, we had a lovely time the children particularly enjoying the balloons.

Monday was official birthday, so it was off to Sidmouth [in the car] coffee on the beach[nice and warm in the sunshine]  and lunch in the white horse cafe, what else but egg, chips, mushy peas, bread and butter and a mug of tea!!!!

My cold was still hanging on but I decided to get out on Tuesday, even though I wasn't feeling great, I went over the levels on my own and by the time I got back I was very tired and had no energy!! not a great ride I felt quite ill by the time I got home and was ready for my lunch, so only 38 miles covered again at a 12 mph average![ a lot of my rides at present seem to be around the 35 - 40 miles!!!] I was hoping that the Wednesday Wobble would be better. i was also trying out my new 'Raceblade longs' mudguards checking for rattles etc, all seemed well, now to wait for the dirty roads once more as today it was dry, hopefully they will give a little more coverage.

I decided that I would get out with the Wobblers, a couple of Anadins before leaving teh house made me feel better. five of us went over the Blackdown Hills to Dunkeswell via Hemyock on a lovely Autumn morning, temperatures not bad with no wind. we stopped at the Aerodrome cafe for coffee and cake! before heading home and practising our team time trialing skills on the Luppit straight down to Smeatharpe with a tail wind. We had a great ride and strangely I felt ok today, which is all very odd, given I had no energy the day before! averaging 14.5mph and over 3500ft of climbing. The Blackdowns were wonderful with their Autumn colours, there are lots of Beech trees which are just turning, but they also make it very sketchy on descents with lots of leaves on the road, my gears were playing up and seemed to be jumping about meaning I couldn't rely on my lowest gears on the hills, so struggled in a much higher gear, I hope I have now sorted them out for next time.

On the running front, still no running, in fact none for a month. I am trying a 'night time splint' as some websites seem to recommend them 



they look medieval, and you are supposed to wear it overnight, I wear mine for a couple of hours each evening whilst sat in front of the TV. I am thinking that it is getting better, not sure if its the splint, I am itching to get out and run, especially as the dark evenings and bad weather are round the corner, but, also worried about starting again too early.

https://www.firstaid4sport.co.uk/footcare-c29/plantar-fasciitis-c93/plantar-fasciitis-adjustable-night-splint-p670/s3213?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=plantar-fasciitis-adjustable-night-splint-size-large-r2fns03&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4eXPBRCtARIsADvOjY1XOOO4Qza_T-I2p5Lt5c8WhpRe6av-IxCR_IFrU-fGuyCQ-0HqXk8aAkI-EALw_wcB

So a busy week, and month with 410 miles cycled and zero miles run! 

4000 miles cycled this year so far and only 490 miles run, I hope I will manage to top up the running to 500 by the end of the year, particularly as I entered the 1000 mile challenge, I was going well until the dreaded PF caught me out! I seem to be cycling just over 100 miles a week at present which is good, not too much, not too little.