Thursday, June 29, 2006

Great Waldingfield Suffolk

Share





5pm 6 miles in 48mins 9 seconds

Week to date mileage 17.5

Month to date mileage 136

Average weekly rate 31.8

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 817

Life time 8595

Tonight I went for a run in the village of Great Waldingfield in Suffolk. On the A134 road from Colchester to Sudbury just after the village of Newton there is a right turning along the Valley Road which is old roman road.

Great Waldingfield is a about a mile down the Valley Road. I parked at the very first turning near the White Horse pub. I took the main road through the village towards Lavenham which is something of a "rat run" . As soon as I could I headed of towards a footpath which took me into fields eventually emerging near the church of St Lawrence in the lovely old part of the village. There are some wonderful thatched houses near the rectory.

I soon spotted another path which took me to a dead end at a pleasant smelling sewage works. The map shows a continuous path but it was so overgrown with stinging nettles I had to double back. I carried on past Northfields Farm and turned right along the B1071 road. There is a path along this road which leads to Lavenham. I took a left turning track across fields at Dyers Green farm. This track takes you into Acton but with insufficient time I turned for home and back into Gt Waldingfield.

It had been a warm run. My general conclusion is that this isn't my favourite Suffolk village I have visited. It does seem an overly busy through cut for traffic between Sudbury and Lavenham though if you are fortunate to live near the church this is almost a different world and is peaceful. Though with so many great places in Suffolk I can afford to be a bit more highly critical.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

West Suffolk Athletics Track

Share
6.15pm 6 miles in 45nins 13 seconds

Week to date mileage 11.5

Month to date mileage 130

Average weekly rate 31.7

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 811

Life time 8589

Tonights track session was run in wonderful hot weather. I ran to the track which is just under a mile and then did 4 laps warm up .

The session consisted of 5 intervals of 2 minutes at 5k pace with a minute recovery inbetween followed by a faster 500 metres at 1500 metre pace. After a five minute break we repeated the set.

I was generally covering just under 500 metres in each set so the final 500 metres run at 1500 metre pace I found also took me about 2 minutes the first in 1.58 and 1.59 for the second.
interval.

I ran home after wards to warm down.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Horringer Farm Circular Run

Share
5.30pm 5.5 miles in 43nins 25 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.5

Month to date mileage 124

Average weekly rate 31.6

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 805

Life time 8583

Ran in my new Saucony Stabil MC5 shoes over the fields of Horringer. The first run in new shoes always seems a bit uncomfortable to me and this was no different. They felt a bit bouncy and a bit heavy but hopefully they will be ok.

My time seemed to be fairly quick and I will need to look back to see how this compares. My last run over this exact course was back in March when I ran dead on 44 minutes

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre ,Nowton and Horsecroft

Share
6pm 7.8 miles in 1 Hour 25 seconds

Week to date mileage 35

Month to date mileage 118

Average weekly rate 31.8

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 799

Life time 8577

I suprised myself by running today after the football and a couple of pints watching England beat Ecuador in the World Cup. I needed a couple of drinks to sit through that but I suprisingly I ran fairly normally without any problem.

I haven't run this course very much this year.

Previous runs over this course are a little confused as I have often included variations but the following are times are over the same course

2 Oct 05 1 hr 2 mins 13 secs
30 Aug 05 1 hr 3 mins 32 secs
13 Mar 05 1 hr 4 mins 5 secs

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Fornham St Martin Circular Run

Share
fo8am 7.5 miles in 57 minutes 24 seconds

Week to date mileage 27

Month to date mileage 110

Average weekly rate 31.7

AverageMonthly rate 138

Year to Date 791

Life time 8569

Felt good today as I ran one of my regular courses that some times I need after many runs when I am exploring unknown tracks and paths.

The course - head out of Bury on the Beetons Way past Tollgate and through the village of Fornham St Martin.

Return to Bury through Fornham All Saints along the A11101 Mildenhall Road , back to Tollgate and return up Beetons Way hill and home.

Previous times

3 Jun 06 59.17
6 May 06 57.03
25 Apr 06 57.02
18 Mar 06 56.51
11 Feb 06 59.25
14 Jan 06 60.05

2005

17 Dec 59.29
29 Oct 59.52
3 Oct 60.19
11 Sep 60.14
28 Aug 57.42
19 Aug 59.36
22 Jul 58.24
10 Jul 59.48
1 Jul 59.42
23 Jun 64.0
18 Jun 62.18
23 May 59.38
5 Apr 62.41
1 Apr 60.26
19 Mar 59.0
12 Mar 60.43
5 Mar 62.16
26 Feb 62.16
6 Feb 61 .23
28 Jan 61.02
16 Jan 61.14

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Bradfield Woods Suffolk

Share






2.30pm 7.5 miles in 1 hour

Week to date mileage 19

Month to date mileage 103

Average weekly rate 31.7

AverageMonthly rate 138

Year to Date 784

Life time 8562

I travelled out to Bradfield Woods on the A134 about 4 miles from Bury on the Sudbury road. Bradfield Woods is between Bradfield St George and Felsham. It is only 2-3 miles from where I was on Tuesday at Bulls Wood and I had the intention of following an out and back path so as to lead me back to Bulls Wood.

However I took an entirely wrong path which took me on a path around the perimeter of the woods. This is another ancient woodland dating back at least 700 years. It is ideal for disabled visitors and wheelchairs as a lot of hard work has gone on here to create nice flat sandy paths on some of the colour coded pathways.

When I emerged from the woods I expected to quickly find another wood caled Monkspark but instead after running through a field I passed by a smaller Glebe Wood. Continuing on through fields fields I eventually came to the FelshamRoad and headedin the direction of Cockfield. I passed by numerous farms including Rookery,Quakers and Stone Farm.

As I had clearly lost my way I returned by the same path back to Bradfield Woods. I ran around more of the paths and in doing so came across the public footpath which runs through the woods which is the path I should have taken but I will know next time.

West Suffolk Athletics Track

Share
6.30pm 5.8 miles in 46 minutes 21 seconds

Week to date mileage 11.8

Month to date mileage 95

Average weekly rate 31.6

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 776

Life time 8554

Tonights track session was less intensive for the many of us who might enter the Stow 5 on Friday night. So after running to the track and warming up with a couple of laps we ran 2 x 5minutes at our 10k pace with a minute recovery in between followed by a faster 600 metres. After a 5 min recovery we repeated the whole set.

I ran well tonight though there was a strong breeze.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Cockfield Suffolk

Share





5pm 6 miles in 48 minutes 42 seconds

Week to date mileage 6

Month to date mileage 90

Average weekly rate 31.5

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 771

Life time 8549

The village of Cockfield is about 6 miles from Bury St Edmunds. I came of the A134 at Windsor Green which is south east of Bury on the road to Sudbury. After about a mile I parked near Birds Lane and headed of and soon reached the the Plough and Fleece on the large village green called Great Green . Cockfield is a village full of greens and it is rather confusing for a visitor to know when you are actually in the village. It doesn't appear to really have a village centre as such.

At Great Green this almost appears to be a separate village in its own right it has the pub and a cricket pavilion and a good number of houses surround the green.

I headed on to a field pathway which took me over to Church Farm before coming back into Cockfield. I then found a path which took me to Palmers Farm and directions to Bulls wood nature reserve. I must admit never having heard of Bulls Wood and any look at the OS Map Explorer 211 well show why I suspect it is infrequently visited compared to its very popular neighbour at Bradfield Woods. Whereas Bradfield is on a road and has a carpark, Bulls Wood is accessible only by walking from Cockfield or Thorpe Green to reach it and parking seemed a little uncertain. You can park at Palmers farm and then walk to the woods though there was no one there when I visited.

I shall visit again as there is a clear pathway which runs between Bulls wood and Bradfield Woods via a place called Colchester Green. The wood itself was very interesting the pathways are marked but not suitable for any disabled/wheelchair visitors. The place is full of deer apparently though being so dark and lush green in vegetation I didn't see any. It is an ancient wood dating back I believe a 1000 years.

I returned back into Cockfield and decided to do a few interval faster sprints 30 seconds fast 30 seconds recovery for 5 minutes along Birds Lane before finishing and returning to the car

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Lt Whelnetham Line Walk

Share





7.30am 11 miles in 1 hour 30 minutes 43 seconds

Week to date mileage 31

Month to date mileage 84

Average weekly rate 31.7

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 765

Life time 8543

Set out early to avoid the heat and to do a long run. I have had to bin my New Balance 854's after only 241 miles!. The wear on the outer heals had removed all trace of the black rubber/carbon tread and I was running on the mid sole. What a bad buy!

I over pronate when I run so I always have to buy shoes which have strong outer heels but also suit high arches. This doesn't always appear easy and the information I receive in shops and on web suits often seems to contradict. Oh well it means buying a new pair this week.

I ran out along the Sicklesmere Road A 134 and was noticable this morning was the sheer number of motor bikes riding up and down this stretch for some unknown reason but it looked impressive.

Once into Sicklesmere I picked up a track to take me to the Line Walk. This is a stretch of the old dismantled railway line which used to run between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury. It is now a beautiful walk or run in my case! You can still imagine the railway running down here even though no trains have done so for nearly 40 years.

The grass was very long in places but perfectly runnable and was carpeted in ox eye daisys.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Ickworth Park Albana Walk

Share





8am 8.5 miles in 1 hour 9 minutes 07 seconds

Week to date mileage 20

Month to date mileage 73

Average weekly rate 31.4

AverageMonthly rate 136

Year to Date 754

Life time 8532

Course: Set of towards Horringer over fields towards Lord Hervey's wood and Great Horringer Hall. Along Westley Lane and into Horringer Village. At the Church turn right into Ickworth Park, down to Ickworth House and then do a circuit of Albana Wood before returning on the same route.

My first to Albana Walk since March 5th when the woodlands were carpeted in snow drops. Today was warm and sticky to the extent that one dog walker questioned my sanity for running in the heat, I guess he has a point. However I love this warm weather long may it continue.

I took one or two pictures of the various exercise frames which are set up around Albana Walk. I have never seen anyone actually use them, then again you don't actually see that many people walking around here which means you often disturb deer usually muntjac but also roe.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Assington Suffolk

Share





5pm 6.1 miles in 48 minutes 39 seconds

Week to date mileage 12

Month to date mileage 64

Average weekly rate 31.4

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 745

Life time 8523

Tonight I came of the A134 at the village of Assington which is a few miles away Sudbury and a near neighbour of Great Cornard and Leavenheath. I have never been to Assington before but it is a a lovely retreat from the busy main road. I parked near the interestingly named pub the Shoulder of Mutton and set of for a run down the main road. The pub was apparently so named as the publican back in 1844 was also the village butcher.

In the doomsday book Assington is recorded as having a poulation of 79 and more recently the 1981 census showed a there were 383 inhabitants so this is a small village.

In the pub I could see there was a fair crowd watching the England v Trinidad world cup game. I listened trying to sense any mood of confidence or depression but it just seemed to be a few calls of hit it so I was none the wiser what the score was. In retrospect when I finally got home I caught the best part of the game the final 20 minutes!

In Assington I soon picked up a footpath leading over private land with a permitted foot path for locals into woodland. The woods have a curious name Assington Thicks. The wood is now quite small and all tht remains of an apparently ancient wood. I kept to a waymarked path but several times I was tempted to drift of in many different directions as there appeared to be well trodden paths but the ordance survey clearly only marks one straight path as being permitted.The woods were full of wild flowers a purple bell flower, dog wood roses and honey suckle.

At the end of the woods I followed a path along a field edge past big fields of broad beans which were in flower. I emerged on a minor road with the foreground dominanted by a large mast which is marked o the OS map as a television station near Appletree Woods.

I returned by the same route and saw a large Roe Deer grazing in an open area of poppies. It darted back into the woods before I could photograph it. I returned back into Assington and decided to head up towards the church I have often seen from the main road but never stopped to visit. I ran up hill past Hill farm (well named!) until I saw a path which led me along a driveway which was full of sheep. At the end of the drive it appeared that I had arrived in someones private property and there appeared to be the ruins of a house but no access to the church.

So I returned along the road to a path I had seen which appeared to led to a caravan and tent site but turned out to be a direct route to the church. The church is called St Edmund and it stands in the grounds of Assington Park. Apparently Assington Hall was gutted by a major fire back in 1957. Its origins seem to be a little bit of a mystery and the site might have originally have been a monastery in the 14th century.

Assington Hall was owned by the Gurdon family for many years and Oliver Cromwell is said to have stayed as a guest at the hall. Like many villages Assington was centered around the church but it seems the Gurdon family was so powerful that the locals were moved to their present location which is about half a mile away in the 18th century.

Back in Assington I had just time to head down another pathway across a meadow which leads to a large water tower before returning for home.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Bury St Edmunds Horringer School /Hospital /Cullum rd Newmarket rd

Share
5.30pm 5.4 miles in 42 minutes 08 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.4

Month to date mileage 58

Average weekly rate 31.5

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 739

Life time 8517

After Sundays race I was a little worried about tonights run as to whether my right foot would cope with any running. My worst fear was that I had suffered another bout of plantar fasciitis. It certainly felt a little similar as the pain ran along the base of my right foot but on reflection it didn't feel as if I had a stone in my shoe like before.

Tonights run was ok and I my worst fears were but a dream and although I was still tired I am not injured phwehhh!! Hurrahh.

Previous times on this course are as follows

11 May 06 43.21
27 Mar 06 42.41
8 Mar 06 42.13
24 Feb 06 42.33
16 Feb 06 44.0
10 Feb 06 41.50
2 Feb 06 42.38
17 Jan 06 42.50
10 Jan 06 42.52
1 jan 06 41.45
14 Dec 05 42.47


As it turned out my relief at not being injured meant I ran a little quicker than I expected. The weather was partly to do with it as there was a complete contrast in weather conditions compared to Sundays hot conditions. Tonight there was heavy rain and a constant rumble of thunder though no lightning. Strangely I actually like running in the rain.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

City of Norwich Half Marathon

Share





10am 13.1 miles in 1 hour 49 minutes 03 seconds

Week to date mileage 30

Month to date mileage 53

Average weekly rate 31.7

AverageMonthly rate 138

Year to Date 734

Life time 8512

On a whim last week I entered the Norwich Half Marathon partly so we could go shopping in the city afterwards. I had entered before the warm spell of weather had arrived but this is the lottery you always face when entering any race, unknown weather conditions!.

It was warm extremely warm as the guy on the pa before the start mentioned on several occasions it was 30c. To be honest this was too warm for me and as it turned out for most of the runners as there was little shade out on the course.

The race start was from the Norfolk showground and this is an excellent venue with all the facilities you would like layed on ( apart from showers just 3 for a field of over a 1000 runners and they only dribbled!) some stalls selling running gear,water food and drink for spectators. Here there were a few trees and before the race the order of the day was to rest up in the shade.

Just before 10am almost reluctantly I had to emerge from the shade and line up for the start of the race. It took some time to get to the start line hence my official time of 1 .49.20 differs from the chip time of 1.49.03. For the first time I ran with a bottle of water and this was sensible and kept me going though it was rather cumbersome.

My splits were as follows

Mile 1 7.36
Mile 2 7.32
Mile 3 7.59
Mile 4 7.48
Mile 5 7.58
Mile 6 8.23
Mile 7 8.36
Mile 8 8.14
Mile 9 8.30
Mile 10 8.43
Mile 11 8.32
Mile 12 9.12
Mile 13 9.06
.1 of a mile 0.47

My initial plan which I felt I would be able to keep to was to run miles under 8 minutes. As long as they were under 8 I was happy. I achieved this until mile 6 which included the only off road up hill section which takes you back into Norfolk Showground.

At this point a lot of people decided to drop out. Whilst 2 lap courses are great for spectators they do provide a temptation to drop out if you are not running well. On such a warm day it was sensible to drop out and this went through my mind but I was feeling well hydrated from the regular water stations and sponge stops even though I was baking hot.

The marshals and officials were very well organised and they were supplemented by the public several of whom (don't tell anyone from the water board!) had hoses and were spraying runners who were very grateful for a shower. I used every water station to tip a whole cup over my head and drink a whole cup and I stopped to do this. I was actually running soaked through and it wasn't until I finished that I realised that my feet were sodden wet and this was obviously the cause of my getting blisters. During the race this was my worst discomfort, my feet felt as if they were burning as my socks were stinging.

From mile 6 my times became progressively worse as the race became just a case of survival and keeping moving. I was no where near my pre race target of achieving a 1.45 time though with the heat I am pleased to have completed this race and would consider again.

I did see one other runner from St Edmundsbury Pacers in the adult race and there were a couple in the junior race. The winner of the race was Simon Tonui in 1 hour 10 mins 26 seconds.

Of the 729 finishers I was 165th according to chip time and 18th in my age group.So although I was disappointed with my time on a flat course considering the conditions and nearly a 3rd of the runners dropping out I was just pleased to complete the course. After the race my right foot badly cramped and I think I have a reemergence of a previous injury a tight plantar fascia so no running for me for a day or two to see if rest is the cure.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Horringer Farm Suffolk

Share



8am 5 miles in 41 minutes 06 seconds

Week to date mileage 17

Month to date mileage 39

Average weekly rate 31.3

AverageMonthly rate 136

Year to Date 721

Life time 8499

An easy run in the warm morning sunshine as tomorrow I am running the Norwich Half Marathon. Looks like being hot weather.

Friday, June 09, 2006

Shimpling and Shimpling Street Suffolk

Share





5pm 6.5 miles in 52 minutes 04 seconds

Week to date mileage 12

Month to date mileage 34

Average weekly rate 31.5

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 716

Life time 8494

For tonights run I parked the car not far from St George's Church at Shimpling in Suffolk. I came off the A134 at Bridge Street between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury. The Aveley Lane is a lovely windy narrow road. Beyond Hall Farm and Shimpling Hall I found a place to park on the side of the road pn another pathway leading to Mount Farm.

However I decided to run back into Shimpling which really only consists of a couple of farms, Shimplingthorne St George's church and not many houses. The church is reached down an avenue of trees which provided welcome shade on a warm afternoon. You cross the Chad Brook over a small bridge to reach the church. The church is famous in recent times as this is where Claudia Schiffer was married back in 2002.

Near the Clockhouse Farm and opposite the church is a pathway initial concrete but soon giving way to field pathway. There are some lovely views of Suffolk mostly agricultural fields of wheat.

I ran into Shimpling Street near the Slough Hill and ran along the high street before turning off on a pathway to the right . This turned out to be a circular run through fields which emerged near the Bush Public House. A beautiful village with some lovely houses was extremely quiet. I saw one guy sat outside the Bush doing some slow weeding but that was it. It was so quiet and peaceful.

After a wonder around the village I returned by the same pathways before a quick run up the hill to Mount Farm at Shimpling.

In conclusion definitely a place to return to it makes a lovely alternative drive from Bury St Edmunds instead of driving down the A 134 you can go past Nowton park and head out through Hawstead and Lawshall to Shimpling. Lovely windy roads and Suffolk at its very best.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Bury St Edmunds Cullum Rd/Ramada Hotel/Newmarket Rd Circular Run

Share
5.40pm 5.4 miles in 41 minutes 33 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.4

Month to date mileage 28.4

Average weekly rate 31.6

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 709

Life time 8487

A fairly easy run tonight over a regular course.Very consious that I have perhaps foolishly entered the half marathon on Sunday so I am taking it easy. Problem is I haven't really done any proper build up to run this distance. Oh well as long as it isn't hot I think I will be ok.

My recent times over this course have been :

18 May 41.18
7 Apr 40.30
7 Mar 41.31
3 Mar 41.34
21 Feb 41.35
27 Jan 41.56
13 Jan 41.30
2 Jan 42.42
23 Dec 43.34
9 Dec 42.0
6 Dec 42.04
29 Nov 42.17

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Saxongate Water Meadows Bury St Edmunds

Share



4.20pm 10 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes 2 seconds

Week to date mileage 34

Month to date mileage 23

Average weekly rate 31.8

AverageMonthly rate 138

Year to Date 704

Life time 8482

I was still feeling tired as I set out on this run and a little unsure where I was going to go. The weather changed and turned to showers but it was very pleasant and personally I don't mind rain whilst running.

I set of towards Horringer Farm and did a complete circuit of the fields. I would have gone on to Ickworth Park but the road looked busy in the rain so I decided to head back into town. I took the path opposite the Spread Eagle Pub which leads through to the new housing in Cathedral Meadows.

I spent the rest of my run visiting the various footpaths around the water meadows. Some of them are on latched gates and there are mown grassy paths surrounded by dense foilage of wild flowers and trees. Elsewhere you can often run with the water lapping around your ankles as the paths are prone to flood . It is an absolutley beautiful site and a great credit to the many volunteers who have and continue to work on this important restoration project.

Next Sunday really at a whim I have decided to enter the City of Norwich Half Marathon.

This is really a bit too far for me based on my level of training but it presents an opportunity to go shopping in Norwich with the family. It is a run over the border in Norfolk and a chance for me to promote Suffolk and Ipswich Town! I will be as popular as bird flu to Bernard Matthews turkies.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Fornham St Martin Circular Run

Share
8am 7.5 miles in 59 minutes 17 seconds

Week to date mileage 24

Month to date mileage 13

Average weekly rate 31.5

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 694

Life time 8472

After yesterdays race I decided on a bit of a recovery run in the beautiful summer sunshine. The first really warm day of the year.

The course - head out of Bury on the Beetons Way past Tollgate and through the village of Fornham St Martin.

Return to Bury through Fornham All Saints along the A11101 Mildenhall Road , back to Tollgate and return up Beetons Way hill and home.

Previous times

6 May 06 57.03
25 Apr 06 57.02
18 Mar 06 56.51
11 Feb 06 59.25
14 Jan 06 60.05

2005

17 Dec 59.29
29 Oct 59.52
3 Oct 60.19
11 Sep 60.14
28 Aug 57.42
19 Aug 59.36
22 Jul 58.24
10 Jul 59.48
1 Jul 59.42
23 Jun 64.0
18 Jun 62.18
23 May 59.38
5 Apr 62.41
1 Apr 60.26
19 Mar 59.0
12 Mar 60.43
5 Mar 62.16
26 Feb 62.16
6 Feb 61 .23
28 Jan 61.02
16 Jan 61.14

My time was fairly slow but that was to be expected.


After the run I headed off to Strawberry Fair in Cambridge. I took some pictures which are now on my flickr site. The fair was packed there was less music stages than I thought there would be but an awful lots of arts and crafts stalls. Over its 30 year history, Strawberry Fair has evolved into one of the largest, free, open-air festivals of its kind in the country.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Bury St Edmunds Friday 5 Nowton Park

Share





7.30pm 5 miles in 37 minutes 23 seconds

Week to date mileage 16.4

Month to date mileage 5

Average weekly rate 31.4

Average Monthly rate 136

Year to Date 686

Life time 8464

Tonight I took part in the Bury Friday 5 organised by the Saint Edmunds Pacers at Nowton Park. The weather was good, dry and a little warmer than earlier in the week.

There seemed to be a very good turn out for both the juniors and adult race. Approximately 500 took part in the adult race. The race is the 2nd in the Suffolk Friday 5 mile series of races.

The course tonight was apparently one of the harder ones in the series. It certainly wasn't flat. With the big numbers it took a few seconds to reach the start and I started my watch from the orange line on the grass.

The first mile and a bit was within Nowton Park over grass with some fairly tight turns and narrow sections. It was impossible to avoid constantly running in and out between people so it made it difficult to relax into any kind of easy rhythm at the start of the race. The first marker reached showed I had run 7.32 which I was happy with but it felt as if I had put in extra effort to achieve this over the grass.

The second mile took as out of the park and along Fox Pin Mill Lane before turning left on a flat section which steadily started to climb up to High Greene. I thought the 2nd mile was the toughest on the course and it was my slowest mile which I ran in 8.05.

The 3rd mile continued up hill before running through a farm which was fairly muddy but by now the course had begun to level out and we started to descend. My time was still slow for the 3rd mile which I ran in 7.53. The 4th mile had a lot of good downhill and flat stretches and it was a chance to catch up on lost time and I ran a 7.09 mile.

My final mile again carried on down hill and has a final stretch in Nowton park which has a downhill gradient amongst the Elm trees. I finished with a 6.42 mile.

My overall time of 37.23 was 23 seconds slower than my last 5 mile race at the Sudbury 5 in April but this course was constantly variable meaning you never really could get in to any steady pace. I think this is reflected in my mile splits which were all over the place

Mile 1 7.32
Mile 2 8.05
Mile 3 7.53
Mile 4 7.09
Mile 5 6.42

At the end of the race the juniors received a nice boxed memento and the adults a teeshirt. The drinks station was well handled by Sarah, Sam and Abigail.

I will post more pictures on the flickr site as per normal.
Related Posts with Thumbnails

Running in Suffolk

Share/Bookmark