Famous Men and Women of Suffolk No 8 in a Series

Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett 1847 - 1929 Born Aldeburgh Suffolk

I was rightly criticised for not including enough women on my list of famous people from Suffolk. So here is a cracker who I hadn't realised was from Aldeburgh.

Millicent Garrett Fawcett was famous for being the leader for 50 years of the movement for woman suffrage in England. She struggled against almost unanimous male opposition to political rights for women. When we think of the suffragette movement I guess we immediately think of Emily Pankhurst who is remembered for challenging authority with her very public shows of chaining herself to fences, hunger strikes and damage to property. As leader of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, Millicent is more remembered for having a more peaceful rational approach by lobbying and public education.

Looking back in history it is hard to say who had the most effect the hardline militants in the Suffragettes or the peaceful lobbying of the Suffrage movement but the 1st World War obviously had a lot to do with changing opinions.

In 1919, Parliament finally gave British women over the age of thirty the right to vote. Millicent was made a Dame in 1924 .

Cullum Road/Ramada Hotel and Newmarket Rd Bury St Edmunds

6pm 5.4 miles in 42 minutes 17 seconds .

Year to date mileage 1196

Month to date 107 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.1

Weather:Cold and dry

An easy run up Cullum Rd past the Haberden Rugby Club. One of my first jobs was at the Haberden Service Station. There was no self service in those days all the filling was down by the petrol pump attendant.The most memorable time working there was during a petrol shortage. I can't remember the year but it must have been about 1976/1977. Cars were queued up for a mile just to get served. Petrol prices then were about 4 gallons for a fiver.

I then ran on past the Ramada Hotel and along the footpath/cycleway near the abbey gardens back into Town and home via Newmarket Road.

I expect participation in the sport of running to grow as we get closer to 2012 and the London Olympics. You can register your interest in acting as a volunteer for 2012 at this site.

Hadleigh 10

11am 10 miles in 1 hour 17 minutes 23 seconds .

Year to date mileage 1191

Month to date 102 miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather:Cool, sunshine and showers

Well done Hadleigh Hares for putting on a well organised event. This was a lovely course with plenty of undulations. The first four miles saw a lot of climbs but equally in the last four miles there were plenty of down hill sections near the beautiful village of Shelley.

There seemed to be a very good turn out despite the weather being a touch cold and wet at the start. I parked in the centre of Town and walked down over the medieval three arch bridge over the River Brett see photo above. I am sure several people must have painted this bridge as it is just stunning.

The start was from the Hadleigh United Football Ground not a ground I have ever visited before although I have seen Bury Town play at many venues.

Main decision before the start of the race was what to wear. I decided to keep my thermal long sleeve Steve Ovett top on with the St Edmunds Pacers Vest over the top, shorts and to wear gloves. I always find my hands suffer the most in cold weather. Once into the race I think I could have done with out the thermal top .

The first four miles seemed to contain 2-3 up hill sections.The roads were very wet and in 1 or 2 places the road turned into a puddle to run through. I am not sure if I set of a little to quick but I felt a bit rough between 2-3 miles. This might have been something to do with the toasted foot long sandwich I had from Subway last night after watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the new Cineworld in Bury. My confidence was seeping a little with so many runners passing me and what with the cold and the drizzle I began to think what am I doing here? My first mile was run in 7.25 and the second mile in 7.40.

However I began to settle into a rhythm and by the drinks station at mile 5, I was feeling good and started to push on. My time at half way was 38.28. No one was passing me any more, mind you I don't think I passed very many myself.

At around mile 7 there was a long downhill section which at the time was quite enjoyable. However come the bottom of the hill you turned a corner into a bit of a breeze and suddenly I was feeling a little tired and knowing that there was still 2.5 miles to go. Going downhill is every bit as disruptive to the system as going up hill.

The finish was back at the Hadleigh Football Club. Finishers received a rather nice woolen hat with a hare on the front. Like it and will wear this for running to be sure.

I was pleased with my time which was a pb since I started running again. Mind you I have only one other10 mile race to compare it with which was the Tarpley 10 which I ran in 1 hr 18.25. Today I ran 1 hr 17.23 over I think a tougher course and harder conditions so a slight improvement.

Glad I came to Hadleigh it looks a very interesting town and I will definitely be back to take a visit and wander around the streets and the river.

I will be posting many more photos from today's run on my flickr site as soon as I can up load them.

Lackford, Suffolk

10am 4 miles in 33 minutes.

Year to date mileage 1181

Month to date 92 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.0

Weather:Cool, sunshine and showers

Lackford is about 6 miles from Bury St Edmunds out on the Mildenhall Road. I parked up on a side road in a fairly modern housing development. I set of on my run towards the church. The church of St Laurence is really quite impressive the tower dates from 1350 so there is nearly 700 years of history here.

I followed a footpath sign which took me along the back of the modern housing development before this ended back on the main Mildenhall Road. So I crossed over and headed along the road towards Cavenham. I quickly spotted another footpath which was very muddy across farm land owned by Lackford Estates. I was tempted to climb up a small mound to see what was on the over side . It turned out to be a man made lake or reservoirs presumably for water storage for the farm. I returned on the same route back to the car.

I suppose Lackford is now most well known for its Lakes which were established on old gravel workings next to the River Lark. It has been popularised by support from Bill Oddie a well known ornithologist and former member of the Goodies. It is a great place to see all kinds of birds but particularly the kingfisher.

Suffolk's Pride

But come, my county, let me build thy claim Upon a base of more enduring fame, that thou hast earn'd thyself by art and toil. First Honours in the culture of the soil That prime of occupations and the best , Ordain'd divinely and divinely blest, That peaceful life which Patriarchs employ'd, Which Kings have lov'd and more than Kings enjoy'd. Here SUFFOLK, is thy theme for glory - here For honorable pride the lawful sphere. Then rest your fame, friends on your faithful ploughs, For here the staff of life abundant grows, And blesses him that reaps and him that sows.

Robert Hughman, extract from Suffolk.

Famous Men and Women of Suffolk No 7 in a Series

In previous posts I have mentioned some of the famous men and women of Suffolk including

No 6 Henry Crabb Robinson - Diarist- Born in Bury St Edmunds
No 5 Thomas Gainsborough - Landscape and Portrait Artist - Born in Sudbury
No 4 Matthew Hopkins - Witchfinder General - Born in Ipswich
No 3 Louise Rame - Ouida - Author - Born in Bury St Edmunds
No 2 Robert Bloomfield - Poet- Born in Bury St Edmunds
No 1 John Constable - Romantic Landscape Artist - Born in East Bergholt

No 7 - William Alabaster 1567 - 1640 I mention because he was born in Hadleigh which is of course the venue for this Sundays 10 mile race.

His claim to fame was that he wrote Roxana, a Senecan tragedy in Latin. He is known for his theological works, including De bestia Apocalypsis (Delft, 1621) and Ecce sponsus venit (1633) and a Lexicon Pentaglotton (1637).

He was created Doctor of Divinity at Cambridge by royal command of King James the !st in 1614.

His personal sonnets included

"My friends, whose kindness doth their judgments blind"

My friends, whose kindness doth their judgments blind,
Know you, say they, the dangers where you run,
Which zeal hides from you, but compassion
Tells us? You feel the blow, the smart we find.
I know it well, and as I call to mind,
This is the bill: dearness, affection,
Friends, fortune, pleasure, fame, hope, life undone,
Want, prison, torment, death, shame--what behind?
Is then my sense transel'mented to steel,
That neither this, nor that, nor all, can feel,
Nor can it bend my mind, which theirs doth break?
Not so, nor so; for I am not insensate,
But feel a double grief that for Christ's sake
I have no more to spend, nor have spent that

I understand some of the sonnets from Alabaster have been covered by Vaughan Williams though I have never heard them myself. Anyone familiar with his works?

If you are running on Sunday in Hadleigh spare a thought for him.

Ipswich Town v Reading

Ipswich Town 0 Reading 3. I was at Portman Road on Tuesday night for a game I expected we would lose but not in the manner of a comprehensive thrashing. Our formation of 4 - 4 - 1- 1 was a surprise. I really felt this was surrendering our home advantage by not playing both Parkin and Forster up front.

After Reading scored their first goal and Parkin had limped off we changed formation bringing on Wilnis as centre half and sending Naylor up front to partner Forster in a 4-4-2 . For the only period in the game we matched Reading. However throughout the game the side constantly gave the ball away, never got any width and looked slower to the ball.

3-0 was a flattering score line to Town. Confidence after this game must be at rock bottom. There is a real possibility that this side could drift into a relegation dogfight. This is the worst Town side I have seen for many years.

We lack any kind of goal threat. Midfield is full of ponderous slow coaches. I am afraid Jim Magiliton as great a servant as he has been for Town has stayed on one season to much and his legs are gone. Darren Currie is a bit of a luxury player. He has no pace, he can beat a player with some skill but unless you have several workhorses in midfield then he looks lazy. Horlock again is average and he really is part of the dead wood that needs clearing out. McEveley has no ball control plays like a centre back out of position as a wing back and as a result looks like a donkey. De Vos has no pace and is being caught out time and time again.

What assets do we have in the first team ? Hard to pick many out though I would say Sito Castrohas impressed. Both the goalkeepers Price and Supple will improve. Naylor gives 100% .
Both Westlake and Bowditch will return to form we hope! Owen Garvan is going to be a star.

Its not all doom if we can survive this season then the future is bright. There is some terrific potential in the Reserves and Youth side. Billy Whizz Clarke can't be far away from a first team place even though he is only about 17-18 years old.

Things are desperate at Portman Road it isn't any fun going there this season.

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre

5.30pm 5.5 miles in 42 minutes 35 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1177

Month to date 88 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.1

Weather:Cool, slight breeze

At the moment I am getting into a rut of running the same course on week day evenings. I have repeated the same course for the last few evenings. This is always a mistake and it can only lead to getting into a rut so different courses are definitely on the agenda for my next outings.

I find I tend to do this because on dark nights it always seems much busier with more cars on the roads and it is easier to run a route you know that you won't have to cross many roads. With late night shopping and the weather being cold every one is trying to get from A to B as quickly as possible and it is a little less safe out there. You definitely need to be seen and to wear some bright clothes. I guess I am guilty of not doing this enough and I will look out for some winter clothing that is reflective.

If you believe the weather forecasters this winter could be a bad one. I would welcome anyone's recommendations on good winter clothing. I am still wearing thermal tops that I purchased some years ago which are Ovett wear. I am not sure if Steve Ovett still has a clothing company I wonder when I bought these?

I should have attended the West Suffolk Athletics track on Wednesday but I wasn't able to because of a prior commitment. Also part of me was thinking that in the week of a race I am not sure if it helps to do a hard track session. I like to take it easy before hand and cut down the number of runs so I might have given the track a miss anyway this week.

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre

5.30pm 5.5 miles in 42 minutes 08 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1171

Month to date 82 miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather:Dense fog.

I thought twice about running tonight in the fog as visibility was so poor. I am not sure if running in such conditions is so good for you either. Nevertheless I ran a quick time and feel I have finally recovered from the Scenic Seven.

November is notorious for fog but often at this time of year it is accompanied by mild and wet weather. Often I must admit I interchange the words fog and mist and this is fine, the only difference being the density of the water droplets which are suspended in the air. If the air becomes cooler it can hold less less water vapor and can become super saturated. Some of the water vapor then condenses to form cloud. For the public and the motorist a mist becomes a fog when viability is less than 200 metres.

I would say visibility was down to less than 50 metres tonight and driving wasn't pleasant.

County Upper/ Mere Road Circular Run Bury St Edmunds

10am 7 miles in 54 minutes 09 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1166

Month to date 76 miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.3

Weather:Cold foggy morning .

Course: From County Upper School I ran through the Howard Estate and on to the Golf Course before reaching the B1106 Westley Road. Turn left here and right heading towards Risby past the Crematorium. At Hyde Cottages turn right and then run around Hyde Wood. The Hyde Road takes you back to Fornham All Saints and from here head back into town to the County Upper School.

A very mist morning couldn't really see much and the camera let me down it failed to produce any pictures. Oh well for a digital camera which only cost about £15 I shouldn't expect much and to be honest in the fog there wasn't anything to see.

I got my running number this morning for next weeks Hadleigh 10. I will probably take it fairly easy this week prior to the race. I got number 274 so I expect there could be a good turn out just hope it remains dry and cold rather than wet and windy. Now I have said it I have probably cursed it !

The Monkees

5.30pm 5.5 miles in44 minutes 10 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1158


Month to date 69 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather:Cold, dry clear moonlight November night.

An easy run tonight around the centre of town along Cullum Rd , Hospital rd, Horringer School past the fish and chip shop packed full of lucky people, up past the new cinema which has opened today in Bury, Risbygate Street and home.

Tonight I listened to the Monkees. Last Train to Clarksville, I Wanna Be Free , I'm a Believer and Daydream Believer. I kinda remember their tv shows from the late 60,s or was it 70's? I don't remember any particular plots or storey lines or what came first the acting or the band? I do seem to recall it was bit like the early Beatles films with lots of running around and being chased by hordes of fans.

I don't think I have ever seen any repeats of the Monkees tv shows perhaps they really dated or were they just bad? Any way I still think they are good fun and Daydream Believer of course is sung at football grounds up and down the country with the words suitable changed.

My Running Aims Reviewed

Back at the beginning of July I set myself ten running aims

1To keep fit and be able to run.

I have been lucky and been with out injury this year so I have achieved this one so far. In fact I have had no time off work since returning to running.

2. To join a club again.

I recently joined St Edmund Pacers and I would always advise anyone considering running to join a club.

3. To do a race this year.

I hadn't entered a race since February 2004 but I have now done two the Tarpley 10 and the Stowmarket Sriders Scenic 7 . Both were very well organised.

4. To run a 1000 miles this year.

I achieved this on the 9th of October

5.To try and lose half a stone to get to 12.5 stone.

In January I was 13 stone 4lbs. I am currently about 12stone 4lbs I am down a stone so this aim is achieved. It has led me to wearing belts more often!

6. To take my camera with me so I can capture those sights in nature that sometimes runners are lucky to see because only they are daft enough to get up early in the morning whilst most others are still in bed to go for a long run.

Yes I am doing this I am still not that happy with the quality of the camera and would welcome any suggestions for a very light weight digital camera. Now we have the dark nights I could also do with a flash on the camera.

7. To run hills.

No if I am honest ive failed on this one. I merely have it in the back of the mind to do a hill session each week.

8. To continue the track work.

Yes most Wednesdays when I can I am down at the West Suffolk Athletics Track.

9. To aim to get back to under 8 minute miling.

I was a regular 7 minute miler but after such a long lay off getting to 8 minute miling was my target. I have achieved this in the two races I have taken part in the 10 miler was completed in 7.51 average miles and the 7 miler in 7.31 average miles.

10. My tenth and final aim will be to learn more about blogging as I am a total novice and I am not sure what I am doing.

No I still no very little about web sites. Unless it is simple I don't have the time or patience to figure it out.

So all told I think I have achieved eight out of turn. Roll on the new year and another set of targets though I guess the next lot will be a bit harder to achieve.

Anyone else setting targets?

West Suffolk Athletics Track Bury St Edmunds

6.15pm 7 miles in54 minutes 27 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1153

Month to date 64 miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather:Cold, dry clear moonlight November night.

Tonights track session if I can remember it was as follows

2 minutes at race pace 3 times with a minute recovery in between. Then 4 x15 second bursts trying to cover as close as possible 100 metres each time.This was followed by another 2 minutes at race pace 3 times with a minute recovery in between. This was one set and we did 3 in total with a 3 minute gap in between sets.

It was one of the hardest interval sets I have done or perhaps I was just tired after Sundays race. With the two minute runs I regularly ran 400 metres in 1.40 and then slowed for the final 20 seconds which I am sure isn't quite the right thing to do. After two sets I was dead on my feet, I think the 15 second burst of sprinting turned my legs to jelly.

I also ran more than normal in the warm up - 6 laps simply to keep warm.

Hadleigh 10

I have just entered the Hadleigh 10 on 27th November 2005. This is a new race for me in fact if I am honest I don't really know Hadleigh very well and can only recall visiting it once or twice in the past. I regularly journey along the A 134 corridor taking in places such as Long Melford, Clare, Sudbury and over the border into Essex.

However Hadleigh falling between Sudbury and Ipswich isn't an area which I have had cause to visit. For this reason a visit to the Brett Vale sounds even more exciting.

I entered on line on the Runners World web site and this was very easy to do. Anyone else out there doing it or has run it before? In fact anyone from Hadleigh out there ? What can you tell us about Hadleigh?

Suffolk Races over the Winter

5.30pm 5.5 miles in43 minutes 47 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1146

Month to date 57 miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather: Dry and cool.

An easy training run after yesterdays race. It has been the first cold day of the Autumn with temperatures at freezing point during the morning. Tonight it was a little milder but still cooler than we have recently experienced.

Felt very good all the way round. At the moment I am very positive about running in the Autumn and Winter. I know many runners put there feet up now until the Spring but every run now is mileage in the bank which will be of great benefit come the new year.

Forthcoming races in Suffolk are as follows

Hadleigh 10 on the 27th November 2005 - seriously considering entering this. Its a bit soon after yesterdays race but what the heck I would be training this distance otherwise.

St Peters Brewery 20k on 19th February 2006 at Bungay great race usually with a great gift of a free bottle of St Peters beer at the finish along with hot soup - A must enter race. I note the usual 10k race has been dropped this year in favour of the 20k race.

Bury 10 or 20 mile race on 26 Feb 2006 this is a must for all runners preparing for the London Marathon.

Joe Cox 10 on 26 March 2006 back to Stowmarket for a 10 mile race.

Stowmarket Scenic Seven

11.02am 7 miles in52 minutes 37 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1141

Month to date 51 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather: Sunny, mild and bright no wind.

Course: Start is from the Stowmarket Leisure Centre. This is a circular run which takes you through the villages of Onehouse, Harleston and Shelland. The course is as described and there is some beautiful scenery and some wonderful Suffolk pink farmhouses to admire.

There are two fair sized hills that you encounter. The first is just after the 4 mile sign and the hill is a fairly long drag of somewhere between a half mile and three quarters of a mile I would estimate. The second hill is somewhat shorter at around 6 miles. There are also some good down hill sections as well though.

Stowmarket is mid way between Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and the Leisure Centre is easy to find. I believe there was a race entry of well over 300 which I can see from the Stowmarket Striders web site that this would mean there was a significant increase in entries compared to last year.

I arrived early least I thought I had at 10am but by then the car park was virtually full and I only just managed to find a space.

This was only my second race of the year and my first wearing the St Edmund Pacers Club Vest. As this was remembrance Sunday before the start we had a 2 minute silence for all those who have died in wars. This was well observed and I must have totally switched off as I didn't realise the race had started as I didn't hear any starting signal.

I set of well and was surprised by my first mile time of 7.07 which was too quick and not sustainable. At 2 miles my time was a more reasonable 14.28. At this point I think I had settled into the pace of the race which was run in bright sunshine and those who had decided to race in running gloves and bottoms must have regretted it.

I settled in behind a couple of Brandon Hern Hoppers who sheltered me from any wind and pulled me along. At 4 miles my time was 29.29 so I was still on a 7.22 pace. The hill at 4 miles is a long drag but consciously at this point you are over half way and thinking get up the hill and the worst is over. At 6 miles my time was dead on 45 minutes which is 7 .30 pace so I must have ran 8 minute miles between the 4 and 6 mile point. My final mile was run in 7.37.

So my splits were approx

Mile 1- 7.07 Mile 2- 7.21 Mile 3- 7.21 Mile 4- 7.09 Mile 5- 8.10 Mile 6- 7.52 and Mile 7- 7.37

Finish time 52.37 which overall is 7.31 pace.

There were 2 drinks stations on this course, not many spectators and a few cars as the course is open to traffic. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who fancies a well organised event in the heart of Suffolk.

As to the distance being 7 miles not sure why apart from obvious that it enables you to finish at the Sports Centre. I guess there can't be many races at this distance? I would prefer it to be a 10k f there was some way of shaving of the 0.8 of a mile then you have an even better race but I guess you would lose the uniqueness of the event.

More photos of the race are on my Flickr site.

Mildenhall Fen Tigers

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Run

5.40pm 5.4 miles in43 minutes 20 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1134

Month to date 44 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather: Windy and dry.

I have taken this week easy prior to the race I am doing on Sunday at Stowmarket the Scenic Seven.

I was pleased to hear that Mildenhall Fen Tigers have decided to move into the Speedway Premier League next season. For far too long the Fen Tigers have been stuck in the Conference league which is effectively Speedways 3rd Divison. This is generally made up of Elite league and Premier League Reserve sides. In recent years Mildenhall have tended to win most of the trophies going.

Speedway is a fantastic sport which gives you a real contrast from going to football. Speedway bikes are powered by 500cc single cylinder engines, use fixed gears, have acceleration to match Formula 1 race cars but have no brakes and virtually no suspension! The riders are either brave or lunatic or perhaps both. At Mildenhall you can meet and talk to the riders, you can sit anywhere you like, get in for less than a tenner and have a drink and a meal for less than the cost of going to football. Speedway has generally seen better times when there were big crowds but generally now there is just a small loyal band of fans.

I think I first went to Mildenhall in about 1976. There were decent crowds for a brand new stadium which is situated in the middle of fen land - basically surrounded by carrot fields and the nearby Mildenhall US Air force base.

Rivals in the Premier League will be Kings Lynn and Rye House.

My Favourite CD's - 8th in a Series- Jimmy Eat World

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Run

5.40pm 5.4 miles in43 minutes 13 seconds.

Year to date mileage 1128

Month to date 39 miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.3

Weather: Mild and dry

Easy run tonight I had to remind myself once or twice to take it slowly as I am in in the Scenic Seven on Sunday at Stowmarket.

I listened to the Jimmy Eat World album Clarity on my mp3. I have to say this is one of my favourite cd's but I have only picked up on this group this year following the Green Day gig at Milton Keynes in the summer. Jimmy Eat World were one of the support bands who I happened to meet and chat to.

This was one of the most memorable days of the year. I will remember the day for the baking heat, arriving really early and sitting around for 6 hours before the start totally exposed to the hot mid day sun drinking pint after pint of water which was readily available from security guards. As I had arrived early I got in the front mosh pit and it was here at the back of this enclosure that I met and chatted to Jimmy Eat World who were watching Green Day play. At the time I didn't really know who they were until my son said you know that is Jim Adkins you just been talking to.

The only other time I have spoken to a band was when I arrived early and helped unload pa equipment for the group 999 at Colchester University and most memorable of all was when I saw the Ramones at Cambridge. I remember seeing the Ramones do a sound check and I don't think Dee Dee was necesarily speaking to me but it felt like it when his amp packed in for some reason and he bawled in my direction 'hey give us a break will ya' in a wonderful New York accent enough to cut anyone down to size.

I know these memories are prettty meaningless but they are the sort of things you never forget. Like the time I met Trevor Brooking before an FAC Semi Final at Villa park and he politely took time out to sign an autograph. I believe this was the day of the Hillsbrough tragedy and I was at the other semi final between Everton and Norwich. Driving home from that midlands that day I thought football was finished and interest in attending games for a while waned.

Any way the Clarity album includes

01. Table For Glasses02. Lucky Denver Mint 03. Your New Aesthetic 04. Believe In What You Want 05. A Sunday 06. Crush 07. 12.23.95
08. Ten 09. Just Watch The Fireworks 10. For Me This Is Heaven 11. Blister 12. Clarity 13. Goodbye Sky Harbor

The Jimmy Eat World website is rather good and worth a visit

Ickworth Park

9am 8.4 miles in 1 hour 11 minutes 38 seconds

Year to date mileage 1123

Month to date 33 miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.4

Weather: Dull, overcast mild and windy.

Course: Repeated yesterdays run in the hope that this time my digital camera would work better when I downloaded to the pc. It did and the photos above are some of the shots. The weather wasn't as good so the pictures are not as bright as yesterdays.

The camera quality being less than a mega pixel is a little frustrating as anything close up or at a distance really is just a blur. However the camera is so lightweight I don't even notice I am carrying it so if I can find anything as thin and lightweight with more mega pixels that would be the ideal camera for me.

Most visitors to Ickworth Park which is run by the National Trust don't go far from house and gardens so they miss out on the lovely summer house by the lake and St Marys Church. Sadly I have never been inside the church which appears to be locked and the grave yard is marked with signs warning that it is unsafe to venture in.

Ickworth Park Suffolk

10am 8.4 miles in 1 hour 10 minutes 14 seconds

Year to date mileage 1115

Month to date 25miles

Average miles per month 110

Average weekly rate 25.2





Course: Ran over to Ickworth Park and turned immediately right inside the main gates to follow a path which takes you over fields next to Pestle Wood. I went down to the lake where I used to go fishing. I don't believe there is any fishing permitted here anymore. I noticed the water levels were particularly low. Someone has been busy on the lake as it used to be full of weed and now it is totally clear.

October was a successful month it has to be one of the best times of the year for running. My statistics for the year show :

Jan 127 No of Runs 19
Feb 45 No of Runs 7
Mar 94 No of Runs 14
Apr 97 No of Runs 15
May 84 No of Runs 12
Jun 89 No of Runs 13
Jul 145 No of Runs 21
Aug 130 No of Runs 18
Sep 141 No of Runs 20
Oct 139 No of Runs 20

Total Runs for the year 159 out of 304 days.

My average distance that I run is 6.85 miles.

Beetons Way/Town Centre Circular Run Bury St Edmunds

Beetons Way/Town Centre Circular Run

5.45pm 5.2 miles in 42 minutes 5 seconds

Year to date mileage 1106

Month to date 16 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.1

Weather: Dry
This route runs along Risbygate Street and along Beetons Way. I am old enough to remember a lot of this land being part of the Suffolk Regiment Army Barracks. I seem to remember where the current West Suffolk Athletics track is now is where there used to be fields and allotments.

Now there is quite a busy road which runs out to Tollgate past the Upper Schools. From here I run into the Town Centre past the Railway Station and along Northgate Street. Eventually you pass the Town Hall (see photo) and continue on through Town Centre and back along Risbygate Street .

I received my number today for the Scenic Seven at Stowmarket on the 13th of November. As their web site says it is probably the best seven mile race in Suffolk! This will be my second race of the year and the first since I have joined St Edmunds Pacers. Stowmarket Striders have an excellent website and is well worth a visit.

West Suffolk Athletics Track Bury St Edmunds

6.30pm 6 miles in 46 minutes 24 seconds

Year to date mileage 1101

Month to date 11 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather: Wet and windy

Warmed up with a mile of the track before tonight's session which was three 5 minute runs at slightly slower than 10k pace then three 4 minute runs at 10k pace and three 3 minute runs at slightly faster than 10k pace. Finally we did a 400 metre sprint of the track.

In between each run we had a minute recovery. I ran the first 5 minute runs quicker than my race pace. I find you get tempted to run slightly quicker because you are on the track, still I was consistent with my times on all the laps. It was a fairly blustery evening and the wind picked up on the bends.

The final 400 metres I have never managed better than 1 minute 30 and I didn't do any better tonight.

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Run

5.40pm 5.4 miles in44 minutes.

Year to date mileage 1095

Month to date 5 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.1

Weather: Mild and dry

A short town centre run made more enjoyable as I have finally got myself an MP 3 Player. In the end I purchased an of the shelf Packard Bell Audio Key from PC World. It is a I GB player which is extremely lightweight comes with a clip and a plastic pouch to keep it in. It will probably only store about 300 WMA tracks but it is ideal for running as it is a flash drive MP3.

PC World couldn't really offer much help as they didn't seem to know the difference hard disc and flash drive players. The assistant said they were all the same and all suitable for running and I suppose you can get away with using a hard drive player many of them have locks on the hard drive to prevent movement during exercise but I didn't want to risk it.

Before going for the Audio Key I had bought a very nice looking Phillips Hard Drive MP3 with 6GB brand new from E Bay. However my computer just wouldn't recognise the player so I had to return.

I then made an order for an MP 3 player from E Buyer which was called a Guru. However despite them taking my money and saying they had lots in stock the day before it was delivered they suddenly canceled the order and returned my money.

So in the end I felt it much easier just to pop in to PC World and buy off the shelf.