Fornham All Saints Circular Run

8am 10 miles in 1 hour 21 mins 06 secs

Week to date mileage 28

Month to date mileage 121

Average weekly rate 30.4

Average Monthly rate 132

Year to Date 1185

Life time 9205

Wet this morning as I set out for a long run. I am hoping a few longer runs may help improve my running and give me a little more confidence which I am lacking after recent runs. I set out along the Newmarket Road and went as far as the roundabout before the A14.

I went under the flyover and took the Westley Road before immeadiately turning left and along past the crematorium. This used to be part of the old Bury 20 many years ago. Just past the Hyde Cottage I turned right and along by Hyde Wood. This road is infrequently used as you can see by the grass growing in the middle.














Eventually this lovely road emerges at Fornham All Saints. At the cross roads I took a left to cross over the River Lark and turned right to run through Fornham St Martin. Back into Bury past the Tollgate and along Beetons Way and home.

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

5.30pm 5.4 miles in 42 mins 10 seconds

Week to date mileage 18

Month to date mileage 111

Average weekly rate 30.2

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1175

Life time 9195

Ran very poorly tonight my recent times over this course have been :

29 - Aug 40.40
27 Jul 40. 47
13 Jul 41.11
6 Jun 41.33
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

West Suffolk Athletic Track

6.15pm 6.5 miles in 53 mins 35 secs

Week to date mileage 13

Month to date mileage 105

Average weekly rate 30.3

Average Monthly rate 132

Year to Date 1170

Life time 9190

Tonights track session consisted of a warm up including a run to the track, 3 laps followed by 4 x 3mins with a minute recovery. A 5 minute break and then we repeated the set again 4 x 3 mins and concluded with a 1500 metre run which I think I ran in 6.38. I was disapointed with this.

At least I completed the session , I had doubts during the intervals whether I would.

Leavenheath Suffolk

5pm 6 miles in 49mins 07 secs

Week to date mileage 6

Month to date mileage 99

Average weekly rate 30.3

Average Monthly rate 132

Year to Date 1163

Life time 9183

After my last visit to Leavenheath on the 11th of July this year, I have always planned to return to visit the other half of the village which is concentrated around the village pub. I parked up near the Hare and Hounds and decided to run back along the pathway besides the A134 towards Honey Tye.

I turned off along the very straight Plough Lane. The weather was good, September having been an above average month for temperatures. I picked up on a a track leading me through some apple orchards on the left hand side. This was enjoyable even though the ground which was heavily rutted from farm machinery had turned to little lakes with recent overnight rain. The air smelt strongly of apples. Underneath the trees apples were littered in their hundreds giving a lovely warm autumnal pungence scent of cider. I saw nobody in the orchard and I emerged on to the Stoke by Nayland Golf Course near the 16th hole known as the Gainsborough.

I came to a series of lakes where the path seemed to cease and without any clear signs I had no option but to retrace my steps. It was only on looking at the ordanance survey map that it becomes clear that the pathway continues once you reach the other side of the lake and this would have enabled me to have a run a circular run.

However back in Leavenheath I took the Harrow Street path before again picking up a farm track towards Stewards Farm. Having completed my 6 miles I returned to the car.

Tarpley 10 at Beyton Suffolk 2006

10am 10 miles in 1 hour 19 mins

Week to date mileage 31

Month to date mileage 93

Average weekly rate 30.3

Average Monthly rate 133

Year to Date 1157

Life time 9177

I found this race a struggle. I wasn't confidant going into the race following my patchy training. The weather was good at the start of the race as it was slightly overcast though half way through the sun emerged and it was quite warm.

The car park had changed for this 2nd running of the Tarpley 10 to the Beyton School instead of the pumpkin field. There were a good number of late entries to bolster the total entry. There were 115 finishers today compared to 124 so the overall entry was slightly down.

My mile splits were as follows

1 7.18
2 7.45
3. 7.56
4. 7.54
5. 7.48
6. 7.43
7. 8.06
8. 7.59
9. 8.36
10. 7.51

I failed to beat my time from last year which was 1 .18. 25 in the main to some slow miles from 7 miles onwards. It is time to get some more consistent training in!

Ipswich Town v Sunderland

A comfortable win against Sunderland by 3-1. The victory represented the first managerial defeat for Roy Keane as manager so will always be remembered by him.

Two goals for Alan Lee changed the game around in the second half after Darren Currie had scored an equaliser after Sunderland had taken the lead from an own goal.

Newmarket Road Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

8 am 4.5 miles in 37 mins

Week to date mileage 21

Month to date mileage 83

Average weekly rate 30.2

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1147

Life time 9167

A gentle pre race jog. Quite a misty morning. I didn't follow any particular course just decided to take it easy.

I have entered the Felistowe Half Marathon on the 8th of October.This will be a new race for me having never run at Felixstowe before. If anyway has done this race before let me know what you think of the 2 lap course.

Horringer Farm Suffolk

5.30 pm 5.5 miles in 46 mins 45 seconds

Week to date mileage 16

Month to date mileage 78

Average weekly rate 30.2

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1143

Life time 9163

Friday Night before the Tarpley 10 race on Sunday and I was a little unsure what to do. So I chose a regular route so I could switch of and have a gentle untaxing run. I ran very slowly but my running is struggling at the moment anyway through lack of consistency and the need for new shoes.

West Suffolk Athletic Track

6.15 pm 5.4 miles in 41 mins 39 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.4

Month to date mileage 68

Average weekly rate 30.2

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1132

Life time 9152

I ran down to the track and then warmed up with 4 laps. I then realised that it was the Tarpley 10 on Sunday so I decided to only do half the set as I don't like doing a track session in the same week as a race.

As it was for some reason I struggled tonight and I felt sluggish doing the 4 minute intervals. We did 3 followed by a 600 metre run at 10k pace. Tonight we also did various exercies including sit ups,press ups, star jumps and a couple of laps of strides with jogs around the bends.

Ran home feeling a bit jaded and not confident about Sundays Tarpley 10.

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

5.30pm 5.4 miles in 41 mins 39 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.4

Month to date mileage 68

Average weekly rate 30.2

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1132

Life time 9152

8 Sep 06 41.01
1 Aug 06 41.45
28 July 06 42.25
17 July 06 42.46
13 June 06 42.08
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

Felt really good tonight and I ran well over this course.

Thurston Suffolk

4pm 11 miles in 1hr 30 mins 7 seconds

Week to date mileage 33

Month to date mileage 62

Average weekly rate 30.3

Average Monthly rate 133

Year to Date 1127

Life time 9147

This afternoon I followed the National Cycle Network route 51 which runs from Bury St Edmunds to Stowmarket. I followed it to the village of Thurston. It makes an excellent route to run and there were plenty of cyclists following the route.

Near Thurston the route does cross roads and the railway line. I ran out and turned back after 45 mins reaching the outskirts of Thurston.

Adkins Wood Ickworth Park Circular Run

8am 10.2 miles in 1hr 24 mins 21 seconds

Week to date mileage 22

Month to date mileage 51

Average weekly rate 30.2

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1116

Life time 9136

I ran through Adkins Wood but took a turning through the middle of the woods at firepoint 115 which lead me over to Lady Herveys Wood and the lake. I don't know the name of this lake but it appears very shallow and is joined to the the main canal lake near the summer house by a tiny stream.

This morning there was a number of ducks who came up close to me as I photographed the lake for food or just to to enquire what I was doing there at their lake.

After the lake through the woods there is a pontoon or duck board slate bridge over a wet section. Since I last visited on May 21st the boards have been broken in a few places and the threat of putting my foot through was greater than last time.

When you emerge from the woods into open fields and rolling countryside there are excellent views of the Rotunda House and St Marys church. Eventually you arrive at the red brick walls that surround The Bothy. On a rise over the canal lake there is a well tended national trust vineyard , a summer house and the brick house called a bothy.

I ran around this lake and then returned past St Marys Church and out of the Ickworth Grounds before returning home.

Westley Rd & Newmarket Road Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

5.30pm 5.6 miles in 44 mins 46 seconds

Week to date mileage 12

Month to date mileage 41

Average weekly rate 30.1

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1105

Life time 9125

I ran two laps of a circular route along Westley Rd through Westley Estate past the school and along Newmarket Rd to the Costcutter garage and back around Westley Rd. I reckong this is roughly a 2 mile circuit which will be good for the winter as a regular run.

My first lap was run in 16.38 and the 2nd in 16.35. I did a warm up and a mile or so warm down

Acton - Sudbury Airfield USAF 486th Bomb Group Suffolk

5pm 6 miles in 48 mins 17 seconds

Week to date mileage 6

Month to date mileage 35

Average weekly rate 30.3

Average Monthly rate 132

Year to Date 1100

Life time 9120

For tonights run I decided to return to the village of Acton in Suffolk. Acton is close to the Waldingfields and Sudbury. I parked close to Babergh Hall and soon picked up on an off road pathway.

I soon realised that I was running on a disused airfield which seemed very popular with dog walkers. If you look at the ordanance survey map 196 you will see a large airfield with a very straight pathway through the centre of the airfield.

The Sudbury airfield was a second world airfield for Class A heavy bombers which had 3 runways. It only opened in 1944 towards the very end of the 2nd world war and is now largely covered in vegetation or been dug up in sections so as to plant crops. Piles of concrete sit in dumps. At this airfield the 486th bomb group USAF was based. There are still some hangers to be seen. A link with some history of this airfield is to be found here.

According to this site "46 missions were flown in the B24. In July 1944 the Group converted to the B-17G Flying Fortresses and flew another 142 missions. Overall, thirty three B24's and B17's were lost in action."


It certainly gets you thinking when you are out on a run about the many lives lost and to my mind there is a special atmosphere here at the Sudbury Airfield.

I ran an out and back course which took me to the edge of Sudbury though looking at the map another time I see it is possible to do a circular route.

The Flying Fortress Moreton Hall

5pm 7.5 miles in 1 hr 12 mins 55 seconds

Week to date mileage 22

Month to date mileage 29

Average weekly rate 30.3

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1094

Life time 9114

A warm afternoon still feeling as if I am aboard a boat I set of for a run. I took the route up to Moreton Hall via Cullum Rd and past Sainsbury's. Moreton Hall is good for running and cycling and I picked up the national cycle route 51 towards Thurston . I ran a little further than the Flying Fortress before returning to Bury via Eastgate Street and home.

Ipswich Town v Southampton

A win for Ipswich Town by 2 goals to win. Was it a fair reflection of the game well no but in our situation we will take the points. What came out of the game was another goal for the super sub Billy Clarke. Harding was my man of the match though Williams and Walton were also in top form.

Southampton should have scored 5 and you can see them going close this year under George Burley.

Horsecroft/Nowton/Bury St Edmunds Circular Run

8am 7.5 miles in 1 hr 1 mins 49 seconds

Week to date mileage 7.5

Month to date mileage 13

Average weekly rate 30.1

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1085

Life time 9105

I felt a little beter this morning as I set out on a sunny morning but my feeling of vertigo returned during my run. However I ran I felt a little better though I am feeling a little stiff probably from my recent lack of running.

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

5.30pm 5.4 miles in 41 mins 1 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.4

Month to date mileage 13

Average weekly rate 30.0

Average Monthly rate 131

Year to Date 1077

Life time 9097

I am finding it a struggle to run at present. I have had a combination of a heavy cold and some sort of vertigo problem/ The vertigo problem came on during my holiday in Italy when on board a boat. Aparently vertigo can be brought on by motion sickness and leads to a feeling that the world is slightly swaying as if you are on board a boat all the time. It leaves you feeling rather nauseous and looking at a book or computer is difficult when it apppears to be moving.

I found this run very difficult and I wasn't sure once I had set out whether I should continue as the vertigo meant I felt as if I was running on board a ship in a storm.

So it was with great surprise that I ended up running a time of 41.01 which is by far my best time for this course. I didn't feel good or apreciate it in any way. It left me feeling that I perhaps need a longer rest but I will see what tomorrow brings.

1 Aug 06 41.45
28 July 06 42.25
17 July 06 42.46
13 June 06 42.08
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

Bury Town v Brook House FAC

Bury Town v Brook House at the Ram Meadow
FAC Preliminary Round.

Bury Town hosted Brook House a team I have never heard of before and gave them a thrashing by 6-1. Brook House in non league pyramid terms are an equivalent side to Bury Town as far as I can see as they compete in a step 4 league The Southern and South West league.

Step 4 means there are 4 divisions for a side like Bury to climb should they ever wish to be able to play in the Coca Coca League Division 2. I still think of this league as being Division 4 if you imagine the Premier League is Division 1 the Championhip is Division 2 and so on ... confusing yes!So both Bury and Brook House play in Division 8 leagues.

Before the game their was a minute silence for Colin Hurley the Bury President who died this week. A familiar figure to anyone who has attended Bury games

After a fairly even start to the match the Brook House defense proved to be decidely weak as Bury carved open their defense time and time again with Cunningham hitting a hatrick and 2 goals from Bugg in the 1st half The pick of the goals for me was the free kick from Cunningham which was curled into the back of the net with the goalie left standing.The stuffing was knocked out of Brook House who had been a bit feisty in the tackle and willing to stick the boot in at times.



Just before half time a penalty was conceded which Bugg converted.















Buggs headed goal from a corner followed shortly after and before half time.




In the 2nd half a combination of Bury resting Cunningham and Bugg and a more competitive approach from Brook House resulted in a more even contest. Paynter was given a chance as sub and he looks a decent forward with some ability and he scored a nice volley.

Ironically when Brook House were down to 10 men having used all their subs and one of their players limped off they then scored a consolation goal.

Horsecroft/ Nowton Town Circular Run Suffolk

8am 7.5 miles in 1 hr 2 mins 2 seconds

Week to date mileage 28

Month to date mileage 7.5

Average weekly rate 30.7

Average Monthly rate 134

Year to Date 1072

Life time 9092

I have had to alter my life time mileage after finding a diary showing 2-300 miles of running at the tail end of 2004. I suspect there are other missing diaries which I will never find. However this does indicate that in fact I returned to running about 2 years ago.

Todays run was a a little wet under foot and quite breezy. My Saucony MC5's haven't really stood up well to off road running and after just 243 miles are already wearing down on the heels. In fact they show as much wear as my other pair of New Balance 1060's which have done 429 miles and are really do for replacement soon.