Juneathon Day 10 - 2011

Already one third of the way through Juneathon and another milestone reached today on day 10. I ran at lunch time after gardening in the morning. There was an odd spot of rain but nothing to wet the garden.

My run today was off road around Little Horringer Hall Farm.  I did two laps of an undulating course around a very green wheat field. There was a need to constantly watch my footing to avoid twisting an ankle. One side of the field was ploughed early in the spring removing the footpath created by the action of walkers over time. Where the path has gone walkers have created a new pathway through the wheat crop.

The ground was very dry and again their was a need to watch your footing to avoid stepping into some of the larger cracks in the ground. Ironically today the Environment Agency has announced that much of East Anglia has been declared a drought area but not Suffolk.

My run today was a good one and enjoyable as I was off road and felt good and strong at the end of a 5 mile run.

My Juneathon total at day 10 stands at 41.25 miles. If I am to beat my Janathon total of 134 miles then I will need to do another 94 miles  in the last 20 days at an average of 4.7 miles a day. I can achieve it if I avoid injury and have enough stamina to complete it

High Green near Nowton Suffolk

The saying that March comes in like a lamb and out like a lion has been very true this year. The last week has been unsettled with heavy rain and even some sleet. The gritting lorries even came round on Wednesday based on the predicted icy roads.

This morning however it was pleasant enough and inbetween April showers I got in a steady training run of 7.3 miles in 1hr 2 mins and 44 seconds for an 8.38 average pace. I felt strong throughout but never really needed or felt the urge to push it.

I am hoping to follow up my half marathon with a shorter race and will start to look for a 10k or 10 mile race on the calendar and start a fresh training plan. Kenley over on his blog recently asked me this question and the answer is that I would certainly use the Runners World SMART Coach again to provide me with a training schedule. The fact that the schedule  is designed around a recent race time seems to me to provide a slightly more personalised plan.

My run yesterday took me to an area of farm land that I often run between Bury St Edmunds and the village of Horringer. This is a footpath around farmland and provides a fairly good climb up a hill but is intersting all year round to see how the seasons change and what is going to be planted in the fields.

Horringer Hall Farm Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

One of my favorite runs at this time of the year is around the field edge at Little Horringer Hall Farm. This year they are growing barley but in previous years this has rotated from oil seed rape.

The ground despite recent heavy rain is hard as a rock and you have to be careful to avoid turning an ankle in some of the cracks. The barley is a shade of green but turning yellow.

There is a pathway leading right around this field climbing from around 40 metres to 65 metres above sea level. The pathway is mostly clear but in some sections you need to wade through dense grass which has overgrown the route.

Horringer Farm Suffolk

5.30pm 5.4 miles in 43.55 mins
Week to date mileage 11.4 miles
Month to date mileage 103
Average weekly rate 30.0 miles
Average monthly rate 130
Year to date 1008
Lifetime 10601

I haven't run this course since May when the oilseed rape was bright yellow over these fields and the hedgerows were full of spring promise with hawthorn blossom in full force.

Now the fields have been harvested and there is a bare earthy field which has been ploughed. My run here is up and down hill. With the recent rains the ground was sticky and slippery and I lost my footing once or twice.

Adkins Wood Ickworth Park Suffolk

8am 7.3 miles in 1hr 0 mins 20 secs
Week to date mileage 25 miles
Month to date mileage 46
Average weekly rate 29.9 miles
Average monthly rate 130
Year to date 952
Lifetime 10545

A circular run around Adkins Wood at Ickworth Park. This run takes me from Gainsborough field up via a pathway through Great Horringer Hall farm besides Westley Lane. Eventually you have to run on the road and this is ok although you have to watch for traffic on the bends.

Once you are in Horringer head into Ickworth park and immediately turn left over a stile and into Adkins Wood. This is a long strip of woodland which runs alongside the Chevington Road. There are good pathways with loads of options for detours to shorten or lengthen a run here. The pathways are good but wet and muddy in places.

If you run as far as the fairy lake then you know you are then in Lady Herveys Wood. However for this run I run a circular route around Adkins Wood and return by the same route home.

Great Horringer Hall Farm Suffolk

5.30pm 6 miles in 48 mins 59 mins

Week to date mileage 14 miles

Month to date mileage 102

Average weekly rate 30 miles

Average monthly rate 130

Year to date 733

Lifetime 10326

Keeping off road another return to Horringer Farm rather than the track until I get new shoes. This time I decided on 2 clockwise laps of the farm. very unusually I saw someone else running a section of the farm track which I think is the first time I have ever seen this.

Ickworth Park Suffolk

9.30am 7.5 miles in 1 hr 1 mins 15 mins
Week to date mileage 7.5 miles
Month to date mileage 96
Average weekly rate 30.1 miles
Average monthly rate 131
Year to date 727
Lifetime 10320

Until I get some new running shoes I am keeping off the road as much as possible. So today it was a return to Ickworth park. This means only 10-15 minutes on the road, with the rest of the run being on grassy parkland or fields using my Inov 8 shoes.

The weather looked decidedly dicey as I set off as if it was about to tip down, however it never did rain until I was home when lightning and thunder struck. For my fourth run in 4 days I was feeling a little tired but generally ok though Westley Lane was a little busy with Monday morning traffic. Thankfully I only run a small part of this as I keep to the fields.

Another video this time of Horringer Hall Farm, this one of the poppies which are quite a sight to see

Into Ickworth Park I turned right and followed the path which has been fenced off half way along until recently. The sheep I think were sheared last week and moved into a different area of the park to graze and consequently the fence removed which enables a run all the way to the busted canal bank and Ickworth Lodge.

Albana Walk Ickworth Park Suffolk

8am 8.6 miles in 1 hr 13 mins 54 mins
Week to date mileage 27 miles
Month to date mileage 47
Average weekly rate 29.7 miles
Average monthly rate 129
Year to date 678
Lifetime 10271

The Albana Walk was the purpose of my run today. This is a wonderful woodland footpath laid out with small gravel chippings. It was originally laid out in the 1770's by Capability Brown and was lined with box hedges. The name of the walk is a tribute to the 1st Marquis of Bristols wife Elizabeth Albana Upton.

There are now signs referring to the Ickworth Park Trim Trail. Along the walk there are stopping points to stop and do various exercises such as press ups, step ups etc. there are also wonderful views over rolling fields towards Chevington and Chedburgh.

I took a detour on the way back to visit Ickworth House. The house was begun in 1795 but not occupied until 1829 by the 1st Marquess of Bristol. He considered demolishing the building in the early 1820's because of the impractical design and size but continued with works to become the first of a line of Herveys to occupy Ickworth House.

A video with accompanied inadvertent heavy breathing at Ickworth House can be seen here.

Great Horringer Hall Farm Suffolk

5.30pm 6 miles in 50 mins 01 mins

Week to date mileage 6 miles

Month to date mileage 26

Average weekly rate 29.5 miles

Average monthly rate 128

Year to date 657

Lifetime 10250

I wanted to make use of my Inov 8 Roclite shoes today as I haven't used them that much since I bought them. They are studded and suited to off road but a lot of my runs combined the 2 surfaces of road and field and I am not so sure of doing to much running with the Inov 8's over harder surfaces. So I almost have to plan an off road run to make more use of them

My run today was 40 mins off road and 5 minutes getting to the fields at Great Horringer Hall. I decided on 2 laps of the outskirts of this farmland following I believe permitted pathways, at least no one has ever said any different. I ran the first anti clockwise and the 2nd lap clockwise.
The path takes you in front of the Great Horringer Hall farm and runs parallel to the Westley Lane. Noticeable today was the amount of plant and weed growth which meant many of the pathways had to be waded through. Wearing shorts I had no protection from the amount of thistles which were a little scratchy and itchy but at least I avoided the stinging nettles.

Poppies were abundant in the field of oilseed rape where the bright yellow flowers have long gone to be replace by millions of oilseed pods.

A low flying helicopter of a military type buzzed low over the field which was unusual and caused me to try and take a picture.

A good run.

Horringer Farm Circular Run Suffolk

5.30pm 5.5 miles in 45mins 36 seconds

Week to date mileage 17

Month to date mileage 100

Average weekly rate 31.8

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 917

Life time 8695

Very hot I found it a struggle to run in the warm conditions as a result I ran slowly . Horringer Farm has just started to cut the wheat and barley fields and the combine harvester was out sending a great cloud of field chaff and dust into the air.

Horringer Farm Circular Run

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

Horringer Farm Suffolk

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.

Saxongate Water Meadows Bury St Edmunds

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.

Horringer Farm and Newmarket Road

5.10pm 6 miles in 48 minutes 53 seconds

Week to date mileage 6

Month to date mileage 136

Average weekly rate 31.5

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 676

Life time 8454

I set of for a run this evening with no real plan or direction. I initially set of along Newmarket Road and then decided to head of road. Sometimes the River Linnett is down to a trickle and is easily hopped over in places near Horringer Farm. Today after much rain the river was a bit more tricky. Although still easily hopped over with just the minor inconvience of two wet feet, climbing the wet river banks was much more hazardous so as to avoid slipping back in the river and avoid the massed stinging nettles.

However crossing the river was accomplished despite the nearby dog walker's encouragement ' You don't want to do that' he said. I said don't worry I do this all the time. I don't know why I said this as I have never done this before.

After this the weather turned to heavy showers and I got a good soaking and the wind picked up so that I felt I had been inside a washing and drying machine backwards.

Enjoyable run I must remember to cross the river more often!

New Bras in Horringer!

9.30am 9.4 miles in 1 hour 18 minutes

Week to Date mileage 38

Month to date mileage 44

Average Monthly rate 166

Weather: Cold damp and grey



















I was feeling a little tired as I set out for this run up to Ickworth Park via Horringer. I have had a good week as far as the mileage goes and including today's run 38 miles represents my best total since September 2005.

I didn't really expect to see anymore bras in the trees at Horringer. My last run this way on the 26th December saw an additional few plus a chair in the trees. Today the folks of Horringer if it is them didn't disappoint (if it is them?) and there was a new white and red one plus half a pink one. There was also a grey sock just one no sign of the other.

It does remind me a bit of that Stephen King book I can't think of the title but the one where all the telegraph lines are draped in trainers. Anyway it is all good fun and I am not sure when it will end but I will continue to report it as I see it as vital bra news from Horringer.

My run actually went very well and I felt very comfortable. I ran past Ickworth House down to the lake and then continued on the path past what I think are the White Houses. It certainly is a lovely thatched house and I had to take a picture.

Ickworth Park Suffolk

8.30am 12 miles in 1 hour 37 minutes.

Year to date mileage 1313

Month to date 117 miles

Average miles per month 111

Average weekly rate 25.5

Week to date 12

Weather: cool but not cold slight drizzle a little fog.

For Boxing day I thought I would do a long run and try a regular course, which anyone who views this blog, will know from previous entries that strange things can happen in the village of Horringer.

I wasn't to be disappointed sure enough there was a further bra in a tree this time a bright blue one. The bright purple flowery one was still there but no sign of the red one which has either been taken down or blown away? Curious, perhaps it is the time of year or may be some kind of fertility ritual performed in the village of Horringer and only there? Unless of course anyone else has seen this elsewhere. Maybe there is a network around the country or all over the world of bra tree hangers.

Seeing a bra in a tree in Horringer doesn't surprise me anymore, I have come to expect it. Imagine my surprise though when I spotted a new addition a folding chair in a tree! Totally broken of course and very high up this tree . Well that's different! I wonder if it is the same people who are responsible? Is there a connection between the broken folding chair and the 3 different bras? What kind of message are they trying to send out? To be honest this spot is fairly isolated and only frequented in the main by farmers and dog walkers.

Oh well, I will continue to look at for further developments on things in trees in Horringer next year.

I continued on in to Ickworth Park , past the house , gardens and lake. Near the lake there seems to be several paths that I am not familiar with but will explore next year. I chose a path running slightly uphill over a cattle grid which took me through Downters Wood and on to Chevington Field Plantation. There were a handful of houses here in the middle of the wood and virtually no sound it was so quiet. I wasn't so sure if I was on private land so I returned home by the same course for a good 12 miles.

Horringer & The Abbey Gardens

9.30am10.5 miles in 1 hour 25 minutes 38 seconds .

Year to date mileage 1231

Month to date 34 miles

Average miles per month 109

Average weekly rate 25.2

Weather: Dry weak sunshine.

I decided to run out to Ickworth Park but changed my mind as the section I have to run on road beyond Horringer Farm was too busy with cars.

Instead I double backed on myself and got another surprise. Another bra has appeared in the trees at Horringer Farm this time a bright red one. There was no sign of the previous one which I photographed on Sunday. Very curious obviously bras grow on trees!

I ran up to Hardwick Heath and then down to Bury Rugby Club at the Haberden. Went along by the River Lark and into the Abbey Gardens. If you visit Bury St Edmunds you can walk among the ruins of a once great Benedictine Abbey. One of my photos shows the ruins and beyond St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Bury's cathedral was originally the parish church of St James. Building works were completed this year on the tower. The cathedral dates from 1503 so it has only taken 502 years to complete.

The Abbey Gate with the portcullis dates from the middle of the 14th century. The original gate was destroyed by poor Bury folks in 1327 on an attack on the rich inhabitants of the abbey which resulted in the Abbot being kidnapped.

Horringer Farm Suffolk

3.pm 5.5 miles in 42min 44 secs.

Year to date mileage 1039

Month to date 89 miles

Average miles per month 108

Average weekly rate 24.7

Weather: A warm autumn day with a nice breeze.

Course : Takes me along fields near by Horringer Court/School near to great Horringer Hall and then over to Lord Herveys Wood up and down Westley lane and return home through Horringer Court.

I have had a head cold this week so haven't run since Sunday . So with some trepidation I ran this thinking it might be too soon to venture out. As it turned out I felt fine and I ran a pb for this course. I suppose it was a bit like tapering for a race though I certainly didn't run at race pace today.

As a regular course for me it is great to see the change of seasons and the work the farmers are doing at Horringer. You can see from the photo that half a field has been ploughed before presumably the recent wet weather prevented any further work.

The ground was slippery running up hill and my New Balance 1060 failed really to get any grip on the ploughed fields.

Horringer Farm Suffolk

6pm 5.5 miles in 45 minutes.

Year to date mileage 980

Month to date 29 miles

Average miles per month 107

Average weekly rate 24.7

Weather: Dry & mild.

As the sunset and the light began to fade around 6.40pm it won't be long before country runs over fields will be off limit in the evenings simply because it will be pitch dark! However the on the on coming winter is not all bad and I began to think of positives for running in the winter.

Good Reasons for Running in Winter

1. Cross country running on soft ground is fun! Yes I think so in fact the more I can get away from roads and pavements the better.
2. There are less obstacles to get in the way - most sane people are shut away in doors. In fact that goes for dogs too!
3. That warm glow and sense of smug satisfaction that runners have when they return home from a run in the freezing cold when it is blowing a gale and lashing down with rain.
4. It gets you away from the tv after all who wants to keep watching the repeats from the 1970's on the BBC. You know 'Only Fools and Horses' will be on tv again and again over the next few months.
5. Over winter you will pile on the pounds with all the Christmas food so you now you gotta keep on running.

I am sure there are lots of other good reasons add to the list please.

Horringer Farm Circular Run Suffolk

5.30pm 5.5 miles in 44 .30 mins

Year to date mileage 937

Month to date 128 miles



Average miles per month 106

Average weekly rate 24.3

Weather: Sunshine and showers and a rainbow

Course: One of my regular favourite short distance routes over Horringer Farm. It won't be long before this run isn't possible during the evenings as it is now getting dark by about 7pm.

This was a bit of a recovery run after the race on Sunday and I ran fairly slowly although I felt ok and I have no injuries at present. I am now thinking of the next race to enter which might well be the Scenic 7 at Stowmarket on the 13th of November.