Albana Walk Ickworth Park Suffolk

8am 8.5 miles in 1 hr 9mins 59 seconds

Week to date mileage 25

Month to date mileage 108

Average weekly rate 31.8

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 925

Life time 8703

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.

Very warm and although I ran early it was still warm. The ground is so dry that at times along the field edges I was running to avoid the cracks in the ground!

In the village of Horringer they are making really good progress on building new houses where there used to a large garage selling cars.

I always enjoy visiting Ickworth Park. You usually see a few cars in the National Trust car park with visitors to the home and gardens. Sometimes they have a kiosk which is staffed by a national trust member collecting the fees for visiting. If I see him the guy always looks as if he would like me to pay but as he can see I am hardly likely to be carrying any money.

The highlight of this run is going around the Albana Walk where you are always likely to see deer both in an enclosure and in the woods. Being early morning some of the hedges were covered in spider webs.

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.

West Suffolk Athletics Track Bury St Edmunds

6.20pm 6 miles in 47minutes 48 seconds

Week to date mileage 11

Month to date mileage 95

Average weekly rate 31.9

AverageMonthly rate 139

Year to Date 912

Life time 8690

Tonights track session was kept thankfully a little shorter than normal which I think we were grateful for considering another really hot day with records being set and temperatures in the mid 90's c

We ran 2 x 4 minutes at 5k pace followed by a 500 metres and a 600 metres at 150 metre pace. We then repeated the whole session a second time.

The weather was a little too hot for any kind of running but I am glad I did it. I tended to run 2 laps in arround 3.27/8 and I ran the 600 metres in I believe 2.26

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

5.30pm 5.4 miles in 42 minutes 46 seconds

Week to date mileage 5.4

Month to date mileage 89

Average weekly rate 32

AverageMonthly rate 139

Year to Date 906

Life time 8684

Incredibly hot tonight. Although it was 5.30pm it was still around 90c when I set of and I wondered if I would complete. I was tempted to give up after a mile as this felt as hot as when I ran the Norwich half marathon but it was that thought that if I can complete this kind of distance then there should be no problem running 5 miles in this heat.

On the radio today somebody claimed that this kind of temperature will be a cool day in England come the end of the century. I won't be around but you do hear these theories a lot either the coming of the ice age or global warming. The facts are though that average temperatures are increasing each year and these means runners will need to get used to running in heat.




Previous times on this course are as follows

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

Southwold Suffolk

A long over due visit to Southwold today. This has to be one of my favourite places along with the Lake District and of Bury St Edmunds.

Southwold is a wonderful town on the north Suffolk coast. When I think of Southwold I immeadiately think of Adnams, the lighthouse (once stayed here in the lighthousekeepers cottage), the pier (which was rebuilt just about 6 years ago), gunhill where the cannons are based, the many greens scattered around the town, the sailors reading room, River Blyth and the river ferry crossing to Walberswick and crab catching , Buss Creek and the wonderful walks, Marks fish and chips, George Orwell (otherwise known as Eric Blair who lived here for about 50 years , the Dutch wars of the 17th century fought of this coast, amber and the sea.

Southwold is a great place.

River Lark Run Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

7.30am 7.2 miles in 57minutes 33 seconds

Week to date mileage 26

Month to date mileage 83

Average weekly rate 32.1

Average Monthly rate 140

Year to Date 900

Life time 8678

Course:Head out through the water meadows and then turn left at Bury Rugby Club . Follow the path through No Mans Meadow which is at the back of the Abbey Gardens returning to Southgate Bridge and then returning over the meadows for a 2nd lap.Return home up Southgate Street past the Police Station and through the Abbey Gardens graveyard then through town centre, Risbygate street, Westley road and home.

This was my second best run over this course. The weather was already warming up despite it being just 7.30am. Clear blue skies and another warm day.

My previous times over this course are as follows

11. 28th April 06 58 minutes 8 seconds
10.15th April 06 58 minutes 50 seconds
9. 13th Feb 06 59 minutes 52 seconds
8.27th Dec 05 1 hour 3 mins and 23 seconds
7.19th 05Sep 56 minutes 42 seconds
6.29th 05 August 58 minutes and 7 seconds
5.2 july 05 1 hourand 53 seconds
4.26th june 05 1 hour and 9 seconds
3.28th May 05 58 minutes and 51 seconds
2.13th April 05 59 minutes and 25 seconds
1.11th March 05 1 hour and 31 seconds

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

5.40pm 5.4 miles in 41 minutes 11 seconds

Week to date mileage 18

Month to date mileage 76

Average weekly rate 32.2

AverageMonthly rate 140

Year to Date 893

Life time 8671

I ran well tonight over one of my regular courses. I was feeling a little tired after putting in good mileage last week but I had plenty of bounce in my step and I could tell it would be a good time. It was my 2nd best time over this course in the last year

My recent times over this course have been :

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 Athletics Track Bury St Edmunds

6.20pm 7 miles in 55 minutes 34 seconds

Week to date mileage 13

Month to date mileage 64

Average weekly rate 32.2

AverageMonthly rate 140

Year to Date 888

Life time 8666

Tonights track session was a good'un! A tough combination of intervals made it difficult to judge an even distribution of pace throughout the session. We ran 3 x 3.5 minutes at 5k pace interspersed with a 200 metres , a 300 metres and a 400 metres at a far quicker 1500 metre pace. We then repeated the whole session a second time.

The weather was great for track work although hot and plenty of water was needed in between. I tended to run the 3.5 min intervals by covering 800 metres either just over and just under on the last one or two.

Leavenheath Suffolk

4.40pm 6 miles in 49 minutes 3 seconds

Week to date mileage 6

Month to date mileage 64

Average weekly rate 32.1

AverageMonthly rate 139

Year to Date 881

Life time 8659

Leavenheath is a fairly large village that was once part of the Stoke by Nayland Parish. There is a concentrated population based around the Green where this is a cricket pavillion. Coming along the A134 soon after you cross into Suffolk from Essex you pass the lovely village of Nayland and small setlement called Honey Tye before arriving at Leavenheath.

If you take the first left along the High Road you can park up near the village green. I then followed a lovely shady path called the Kingsland Lane. The path is very uneven and most be suspetible to flooding but being under trees it was pleasant although there were plenty of bugs and flies so I had to be careful not to swallow to many when running. I sometimes do and they tend to get a little stuck in the throat.

After emerging from the woodland track I turned right along the road past Farthing Hall. I then saw a track to take me back over farmland which ran past Hulbacks farm and eventually to a nature reserve called Arger Fen which I must return to as it looked absolutely beautiful. Wild flowers dominate I took one or two pictures but only ventured into the outskirts of this site.

After a big loop I eventually returned to Leavenheath and ran out along the High Road past some impressive farms. There is certainly some money in farming if Green's Farm and Gedding Hall are any thing to go by. I returned to the village green and ran round the field a couple of times before venturing into the housing estate. This is a quite densely packed area of housing low level bungalows mostly very open access to all the properties with little defencable space.

I never spotted a church or pub but if you look at the map a further mile up the road is another settlement which is part of Leavenheath which I entirely missed so I may return. The secondary development although called leavenheath is also seemingly known as Harrow Street!

Fornham St Martin Circular Run

4.45pm 7.5 miles in 58 minutes 44 seconds

Week to date mileage 40

Month to date mileage 58

Average weekly rate 32.2

AverageMonthly rate 140

Year to Date 975

Life time 8653

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.

I ran slowly today but this was to be expected as I have just completed 5 consecutive days of running and 40 miles of running. This is my longest total distance I have covered in one week since I returned to running about 18 months ago. Very pleased with this and how my running is going at the moment I am feeling very motivated and have little problem in running . My main problem is time as a resource which is often scarce.


Previous times

24 Jun 06 57.24
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

Well done Italy on winning the world cup. This was a well deserved win as they were the best team over the course of the tournament.

Little Welnethum Suffolk

8am 11.4 miles in I hr 32 mins 43 seconds

Week to date mileage 33

Month to date mileage 50

Average weekly rate 32.1

Average Monthly rate 140

Year to Date 867

Life time 8645

I ran out on the A134 road from Bury St Edmunds to Sicklesmere then just beyond the Rushbrooke Arms I turned left into Little Welnethum village.

The odd thing about the Rushbrooke Arms is that of course this pub is clearly in the village of Sicklesmere and Rushbrooke is about a mile away over the Hawkers Lane. I once was going to meet family and friends and was told to meet them at the Sicklesmere Wagon. I think we spent half an hour looking for the pub that no longer exists because the Sicklemere Wagon is now the Rushbrooke Arms. Strangely the village of Sicklesmere isn't listed in the publication called 'A survey of Suffolk Parish History' or Arthur Mee's 'The Kings England' -Why what is the history of Sicklesmere. As you run through it what is always odd is that the villages of Great and Little Welnethum have their welcome to their village signs actually in Sicklesmere?!

I ran up hill through a wooded plantation to St Mary of Magdalene and then picked up a path called parsonage lane which I presumed would take me to the road to Rushbrooke. Trouble was I went right instead of left along a very straight roman road and I ended up coming back into Lt Welnethum. From here I retraced my steps back to Sicklesmere and Bury.

A good run but ultimately getting lost spoilt my plans for a circular run but another time I think I will be ok with this route.

Timworth, Ampton and Ingham in Suffolk

2pm 8.2 miles in I hr 6 mins

Week to date mileage 21

Month to date mileage 39

Average weekly rate 31.9

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 856

Life time 8634

If you travel North out of Bury on the A134 by passing Fornham St Martin after a mile or so you see a right turn to Timworth. This road out of Bury runs parallel to the old dismantled Great Eastern Railway line. I parked in Timworth next to a post box on a bend. This village seems to amount to not much more than a few farms a few houses and a large place called Pineworld which makes and sells pine and pots 7 days a week.

Only 3 miles out of Bury but the place was incredibly quiet and peaceful with some lovely views across a gentle undulating landscape featuring fields, the churches at Timworth and Ingham and a race course at Ampton.

The population of Timworth is small from the Suffolk Parish History records it shows a total of 45 recorded in 1086 and in 1981 just 56. I ran up an unmade road to St Andrews church at Timworth. How this church continues to run a service in such a sparsely populated village and with surrounding churches at both Ingham and Ampton I just don't know.

It was raining a fair bit and I couldn't find a path which was supposed to run behind the church so rather than hang around I returned back to the road. I headed left through Ampton Wood not seeing any cars or people but I did see a roe deer in the woods. After a mile or so of running in a quiet wood to the point that it was alsmost sinister I emerged in the village of Ampton.

You are immeadiatley drawn to the sight of some very large iron gates which are the entrance to Ampton Hall. There is a very fine house which dominates the village in extensive grounds which presumably stretch as far as Ampton Water and Great Livermere. Outside of the house almost directly opposite is the church of St Peter. and several houses with seemingly roman connections. There is certainly a nearby roman road and one or two houses seemingly have roman inscriptions and roman archways whether original or a victorian folly of some sort I wouldn't know.

There is a lovely pathway leading into Livermere Park but today it was guarded by a huge dog so I retreated and headed across fields near St Peters church into woodland. After emerging out of New Dalmer wood you cross the sight of the dismantled great eastern railway.

Almost immeadiately you are into the village of Ingham. Here the church and the pub are being refurbished, St Bartholmews had the workmen so I couldn't get close and the pub is also closed until December. This is a busy village the road through the centre travels to Thetford and Norwich and is busy and noisy.

I returned back to have a look at Ampton Race track. This is an interesting circut used for amateur jockeys and point to point races. The run crosses the track which runs down a hill but must be a great venue for racing. I ran back into Timworth over a lovely bouncy bridge and back to the peaceful village.

Alpheton Suffolk

5pm 6 miles in 48.30

Week to date mileage 13

Month to date mileage 31

Average weekly rate 31.7

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 847

Life time 8625

On the A134 road between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury is the village of Alpheton. It is about
7 miles from Bury and stands on a bendy section of the road after a fairly straight drive from Bradfield Combust which is mainly roman road. Back in the 1960's apparently they diverted the original road to Bury and as a result much of the passing trade to the village was lost and as a result services such as the post office and the Red Lion closed. This pub was known locally as the alf eaton Lion.

Hence when I parked the car next to the large garage services this now seems to be the only business apart from farming I could see in the village. The population of the village is approx 250 and this compares with 370 in 1851.

I ran down Church Lane and headed toward the church of St Peter and St Paul. Here there is a lovely view across undulating, yes undulating Suffolk fields and hedgerows full of wild flowers. A beautiful site of the church and Alpheton Hall stands out in the distance. From the position of the church which is behind Alpheton Hall you would be forgiven as a stranger to assume that this is a private chapel. As I approached the road ends at the Alpheton Hall and there are plenty of keep out signs. However a concrete path runs round the farm and hall and you can then enter the graveyard. The date of the church is unknown but according to the interesting Aplheton Website it may date to the 10th century and have been a private chapel to the residents of Alpheton Hall.

I ran back past the hall and took the first farm track heading over fields which took slightll up hill to Shimplingthorne Woods. I could then have turned left and followed a path which would have taken over to Shimpling Street a recent visit of mine took me to the Bush pub there. However I turned right and got a surprise as I ran past 2 farm labourers lying flat out on the ground in a field. They couldn't be more at rest and I can only guess at what they made of me as I ran past using a lot of energy!

After running through a number of wheat fields I was back in the village of Alpheton. I headed up what was the Old Bury Road until I picked up another farm track through a field of beetroot. The footpath was becoming increasingly difficult and I waded through grass and wild flowers up to my waist to reach Clapstile Farm. I returned back to the car and had a look at the village sign which looks a little lost. Normally these are found at the heart of a village but this one is really set in a layby near next to the car garage. However it is a very interesting village sign as it tells the storey of how Alpheton was founded.

Aefflead, whose husband Byrthnoth, Earl of Essex, was killed at the battle of Maldon, on the Blackwater River in Essex, in 991. The battle was one of many against the invading Vikings from Scandanavia and might not have been of note if Byrhtnoth had not decided to make a stand and fight, rather than paying the Danegeld which was, as usual, demanded by the invaders.

West Suffolk Athletics Track, Bury St Edmunds

6.15pm 7 miles in 54.31

Week to date mileage 7

Month to date mileage 25

Average weekly rate 31.7

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 841

Life time 8619

Tonights track session was run in humid conditions. I ran down t the track and though there was no need for a further warm up I ran my usual 4 laps before the session. The session was to run 4 intervals of 3 minutes with a minute recovery in between. I ran in a small group that ran approx 700 metres for each 3 minute interval.

After this we ran a faster 400 metres then had a 5 minute recovery before repeating the whole set again but we always reverse the second set to run antclockwise on the second set. I ran the 400 metres in 1.32 both times.

After a couple of laps warm down I then ran home.

Ipswich Music Festival 2006

The 15th Ipswich Music Festival in Christchurch Park was held on the hottest day of the year. This is the largest free music festival in the region the only cost being £3 for a car if you drive to the event which is terrific value considering there are 7 stages in a lovely park.

All types of music can be heard from punk, rock,blues,country,folk and classical. We arrived at a bout midday and because of the heat it was a case of heading for shade under trees. Sitting out in the open was just to much.

We started of at the SGR stage and listened to a band called Storm. It is always difficult to play firstespeciallyy when the crowds have yet to arrive and under the mid day sun. However they played an enjoyable set of covers songs such as Ready to Go, Smells like Teen Spirit, Highway to Hell being typical of their set. After this we watched a band called Opus Jinks who seemed to have a lot of local support and backing though not really my cup of tea.

I decided to go over to the Suffolk Radio Stage to watch Just Blues who were entertaining and I watched all of their set in the strongest heat of the day. We then returned to the SGR stage for Hobo Chang and the very popular Rosalita .
As yet they are an unsigned band but they are certainly a band who are energetic the keyboard player reminded me of some one from Freddy and the Dreamers but I don't think he would thank me for the comparison. The drummer in particularly stood out for me as some one with real talent. I think they were refreshing different from a lot of the stuff we had heard before and playing their own music.

We then caught a bit of Fuzzface not my sort of thing at all before the main act of the day the legendary Dr Feelgood at about 6.30pm. A great set including all the usual favourites this is one of the hardest working bands in the world. Robert Kane is a great lead singer for this band and Steve Walwyn never fails to impress particulalry with his solo on Down by the Jetty Blues. Kevin Watson on the drums and Phil Mitchell are the ever present mainstays of the band.

Great songs were included in the set Down at the Doctors,Going Back Home, Back in the Night, Milk andalcoholl, Gimme One More Shot and Bony Moronie to name a few.

I have now seen the band play at Norwich, Lowestoft and Ipswich and they are always fantastic entertainment.

Stephen Foster from Suffolk Radio introduced Dr Feelgood on to the Suffolk Radio Stage and for me they were the highlight of another great music day at Christchurch Park Ipswich. If you haven't been before do so there are also a number of stalls plenty of food and drink and your are within walking distance of town.

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre

8am 6.2 miles in 49.33

Week to date mileage 35

Month to date mileage 18

Average weekly rate 31.9

Average Monthly rate 139

Year to Date 834

Life time 8612

An early morning town centre run. I ran along Kings Road and possibly with Englands defeat in my mind was reflecting on what might have been and the past. Kings Road has lots of memories for me and I will post a number of pictures of buildings which had former past glories now often long forgotten on my flickr site in due course.

The Hanchet Monumental Stone and Marble Works is one example of a building in Kings Road of fine craftsmenship and it certainly always impresses me.

At the Abbeygate the army were out in full force with some serious miltary hardware on display. I took a picture or two of these before continuing on around the town centre taking pictures of very familar sights such as the Corn Exchange which of course is no longer acting as corn exchange, the Boer War Statue and the bunting on display down St Johns Street. I ran up Springfield Road where there are some lovely poppies growing against the postbox.

Today I could only manage a short run as I was setting out for Ipswich Music Fair.

Horsecroft and Nowton Park nr Bury St Edmunds

8am 11.5 miles in 1 hour 32mins 10 seconds

Week to date mileage 29

Month to date mileage 11.5

Average weekly rate 31.9

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 828

Life time 8606

Another beautiful warm morning. I decided to set of along the Horsecroft Roadwith the intention of running out to Hawstead, however I changed my mind when I reached Horsecroft Farm and instead took a farm track to the right.

I ran along this track as far as a place called the Hopleys and I was going to continue on to Horringer through a gate but it was so overgrown with stinging nettles that I decided against it and retraced my steps back to the Horsecroft Road.

I decided to take when of my field paths over Horsecroft Farm as you can see from the photo the path is somwehat overgrown with wheat but it was fine to run through. You soon pick up the Bury to Clare footpath and then arrive out on a minor road near Nowtoncourt farm.

I then decided to have a short run in Nowton Park and a trip to the maze. Its years since I have last attempted it. There is a high gate to unlock and I ran in boldly thinking this would be a simple maze and I would easily find my way out. Well after a while the heat was rising and I was running into many deadends and beginning to get a little uncomfortable. In the end I have to admit I cheated. I could see the main gate through a section of hedge which is opposite but has obviously been weakened by many others who like me have taken a short cut.

After this panic over I returned home.

I watched a very disappointing quarter final of the world cup between England and Portugal. It was only a matter of time before the poor squad selection caught up with Sven. The failure to take any fit strikers was absoloutely crazy and must never be forgiven. Defoe and Bent should both have been in the squad and we would still tbe there now.

Anyway I soon got over the disappointment and I instantly erased it from the memory as I went to watch the Taming of the Shrew in the Abbey Gardens. This was really good and the weather was just perfect for an outdoor performance.