Category Archives: Run/Walking

Run Sandringham Half Marathon

Finally a running event, my first since ELY NYE 10K 2019, I was a little nervous and excited at the same time, especially as my friends Gina and Jayne were joining me too.

Gina and I had decided that we would use this event as a training run for the Coastal Marathon we are doing later in the year and as we have been experimenting with Run/Walking this was a perfect opportunity to try another ratio.

We soon settled into a routine of running a mile then walking 60 seconds, with the agreement that we would walk any uphill bits and run down any downhill bits, it’s amazing how adding in a short walk can enable you to cope with the longer distance. We played cat and mouse with a few other runners but then slowly inched ahead and stayed there.

The event itself was very well organized and had a very relaxed happy atmosphere, it was lovely to bump into other runners I had not seen for a while. The marshalls were all friendly and encouraging, definitely needed on a course, that was mainly off-road and so unusual with all the twists and turns.

The goody bag was the best I have ever seen at an event as well as snacks and water it included a T-shirt, Buff, and of course a great Medal, all runners like a bit of bling !!

Gina Jayne and I finished the day off by going for lunch at the Three Horseshoes in Roydon where we enjoyed an amazing roast dinner platter.

Needless to say, we have all entered it again for next year.

Now it’s time to concentrate on the Lap of Anglia but I must also keep the running up as we have the coastal Marathon in September.

Clare to Bury challenge and LDWA Wolsey Waddle

Back in May, Gina Jayne and I did the 18 mile Clare to Bury challenge, We almost missed out on this event, it filled up so quickly we had to go on the waiting list and I suspect it was a case of who you know not what you know that secured us a place !!

We all met at Clare country park and got the transport to Bury ready to start at 10.30 am, we usually do LDWA events where you have to find the way from a route sheet although I always have the route on my Garmin which really helps if we go wrong. This time though the route was going to be marked so we didn’t have to worry about route finding

The route was definitely undulating and it was often hard and rutted underfoot, but the Suffolk countryside was beautiful and the checkpoints and refreshments were always welcome. Towards the end, my feet did start to hurt a little so I was more than happy to see the finish line, once again I was amazed at how enjoyable this run/walking can be and we were soon planning our next goal !!

Which turned out to be the LDWA Wolsey Waddle, at 20 miles this would be our longest run/walk to date, just a shame that Jayne could not join us.

On the week running up to the event, we had many e-mails about route changes which left me feeling apprehensive but on the day it all worked well, the route sheet as always was well written and easy to understand and of course, we have the Garmin just in case !!

The route was lovely although surprisingly boggy along the River Orwell, so we were forced to walk this stretch as we didn’t want to slip on the Algae. The other surprise was finding all the Elephants in Ipswich.

The countryside was truly at its best with many fields of beautiful golden corn which all seemed to have a splattering of poppies and wildflowers thrown in and of course, an LDWA event  would not be the same without the wonderful food and cheerful marshals at the checkpoints, I especially liked the glass house although if it had been a warmer day we may have boiled inside

The other great thing about these events is seeing all the people I know, and this time a real surprise was seeing a dear friend I had not seen for what seems like years !!

The ground was kinder to my feet this time and I had no problems with my feet so I was relieved although I must still sort myself out with some wider trainers.

As always great food at the finish, and I bumped into Justin Smith a runner who I follow on Twitter, his blog makes an interesting read too.

So what’s next with the running, once I get this Audax challenge finished I have the  George Munday 10km, St Neots Half and a 26-mile run/walk.

Daffodil Dawdle (31st March 2019 )

As we put the clocks forward and jumped into summer it was time for the first of my run/walk events with my friend Gina, the LDWA Daffodil Dawdle, a circular scenic route along the Waveney valley, starting from Stradbroke.

Gina and I used to walk these 18-mile challenges, but as we saw more and more people running or run-walking we got the urge to try that ourselves.

The day started well as I bumped into a friend on my way to registration, it’s always a delight to see the amazing Sandie, who will be doing her own challenge for the Air Ambulance in July. Race to the Stones, a 100km walk along the Ridgeway.

By 8.30 after a quick cup of tea, a loo visit and a chat with Jayne who was in the kitchen, as usual, we set off on our way.

The challenging part is usually following the route because it is not marked out, you have to follow a written route sheet so it can be easy to miss your place when chatting too much !!. In the old days, a GPX file was not available but luckily for us, they now include one which certainly helps.

We had no set plan just run when we wanted and walk when we wanted, depending on the terrain, it’s amazing how quickly time passes when you are having fun, we seemed to reach the first checkpoint in no time at all.

The checkpoints and food are amazing on these events, you can easily linger far too long, but after a quick drink and some lovely homemade snacks we set off for checkpoint 2 promising ourselves a longer stop then.

Sandie was sticking to a training plan on this event and we kept playing cat and mouse with her along the route, which was always encouraging.

Arriving at checkpoint 2 feeling slightly hungry we were not disappointed with the food, after a picnic lunch, loo visit and a chat with Paul from Cambridge Rambling club we set off feeling happy knowing we only had approx 5 miles to do.

We had a good strong finish and arrived back in Stradbroke with nice big smiles,4 hours and 46 mins after leaving (moving time was 4 hours 14 mins.)

As usual, the finish food did not disappoint, homemade soup followed by crumble and custard, I was delighted to see Cathryn from Cambridge too so we had a quick catch up before we all departed for home.

Maybe Gina and I will attempt the 26 miles next year !!!!

Girlie weekend in Sheringham

Finally, my injury seems to be better and the weather is cooling down making it the perfect time of year to start my running again.

8 months ago I booked the first weekend in November at the YHA in Sheringham, for Gina Jayne and myself, the plan was to do some longer run/walks. The week leading up to our weekend away was very wet and we did wonder if the ground would be too muddy but we didn’t have to worry as by the weekend it was perfect weather and perfect underfoot too.

We spent the Saturday run/walking the 18-mile LDWA poppy line route, I use my Garmin 1000 to follow the route, we chat so much along the way that we never really know where we are !! but it works well and soon tells us if we wander off the route.

After a beer in the pub, we spent a few hours planning more adventures for next year and had a mad 30 mins entering the Ely New Years Eve 10km, luckily we all got a place.

Sunday we woke to another fine day and caught the coastal bus to Blakeney, such a beautiful place. We then ran/walked back along the coast to Sheringham, the shingle beach was a bit of a challenge but much fun was had along the way with many walkers and birders taking time to talk to us,one guy was looking for a rare bird,Jayne soon told him we were the only rare birds to be found here which he quickly agreed too !!  The 12 miles were soon covered and after enjoying a delicious Sunday lunch we all made our way home happy after a weekend full of running, walking, eating, drinking and chatting.

I am sure we shall be returning to the YHA again next year to do the 26-mile LDWA poppy line route.

It’s been a while

It’s been a while since I last posted here, 4 months in fact which is far too long.

I have had lots to say but with things going on with my white blood cells, a sore shoulder and back mixed together with menopausal stuff well truthfully I often didn’t want to talk to anyone let alone write my blog

Things are looking up now, my white blood cells are behaving, my shoulder and back improving by the week and the hot flushes that I thought might kill me, seem to be under control with a magic pill from the Doctor!

During all this time I have done some wonderful things with Geoff and my friends ……

I managed to Run the Cambridge half with hardly any training and was very happy with my time

After the long cold winter months I finally got out to do my first Audax of the year with Geoff, it was, in fact, my longest ride to date 142 miles, a permanent route called the Pork Pie and very hilly might I add.

This year we did the Daffodil Dawdle as a run/walk which was amazing we covered the 18 miles in 6 hours about 2 hours quicker than when we just walk

Then I had an awesome week in Mallorca with Geoff and friends from SWNC, I had been worried I would not be able to do the planned rides which included Pug Major, due to my back, but with a few painkillers I achieved all I set out to do

Straight back from Mallorca to run the GEAR 10k an amazing event with all the ladybirds and my Norwich running friends, I was a little slower due to my back but I did it.

Then to celebrate Linda’s birthday we had Chase the Train 10km my back was quite sore for this and if I am honest I hated the first 3/4 miles on a narrow single track but when we switched over to the opposite side of the track the path widened and I enjoyed the final 5 miles but what really made this run special was the ride back to Aylsham on the tiny steam train

Another 200 km Audax enjoyed with Geoff from Long Melford, I really enjoy these longer rides.

And then just for fun, I met up with my lovely Norwich running friends at Debden winery for the wine run, 6 wine tasting stops around a 10 km mainly off road run. I would estimate we drank 30 shots of wine, after crossing the finish line you received a huge glass of wine with your medal, we then enjoyed a really fun happy afternoon with a BBQ and yes you guessed wine !!

I am still having problems with my back when I run but it is much improved, I can only hope it keeps improving so I can start training for Wissey half soon as I miss my running so much …….

Run/Walking along the Fen Rivers Way

After all the rain yesterday the weather today was just perfect for the run/walk I had planned with Gina

Untitled We caught the train to Downham market then came back along the Fen Rivers way, walking a mile, running a mile.

It was an excellent route, the grass only too long for running in one small part, and thankfully not as wet as expected after a days rain.

After about 8 miles we stopped at the Crown and Anchor for a pint before continuing on our way to the quay side in Kings Lynn.where we enjoyed fish and chips at Marriott’s warehouse.

A total of 12 miles covered in 3 hours 3 mins at an avg pace of 14.42.

An excellent day, we both found it much easier than just walking 12 miles, and I can see us doing some more run/walking in the future.

Happy to say my Deuter Speedlite 5 pack was perfect for the job !!