River Lark Run Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

12.30pm 7.2 miles in 56 mins 27 seconds

Week to date mileage 32

Month to date mileage 61

Average weekly rate 31.7

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 1019

Life time 8797

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 best run over this course as I simply blitzed my best time though I didn't feel particulalry fast or that I had made any extra effort to achieve it.

Plenty of rabbits near the Rugby ground including this one I nearly ran over.

















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


The path besides the River Lark .

Hardwick Common and Horsecroft Suffolk

8.15am 7.5 miles in 59 mins 43 seconds

Week to date mileage 25

Month to date mileage 47

Average weekly rate 31.6

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 1012

Life time 8790

I decided not to follow a particular course and I set out along the road to Whepstead. However this was too busy and I returned to Horsecroft before cutting over to Hardwick Common to run around the Lake.

Icklingham Suffolk

9.30am 11 miles in 1 hr 30 mins 01 seconds

Week to date mileage 17

Month to date mileage 47

Average weekly rate 31.7

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 1005

Life time 8783

I drove out to the West Stow Country Park and parked near the reconstructed Anglo Saxon houses,swings and visitors centre. I set of for my run out past the Wideham Cottages and along the road leading to the Ramparts Fields. Before reaching here I took a right turning leading me on to the Icknield Way.

The Icknield Way always brings an air of excitement to step on to an ancient pathway and to think of the many generations of travelers predating the Roman occupation who would have walked here before me.

The Icknield Way is unique among long distance tracks because it can claim to be "the oldest road in Britain". Extending from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Norfolk. The path runs for a 103 miles and dates back at least as far as the late iron age c100bc but may be older dating to the Neolithic period c4500 bc.

Instead of following the Icknield Way through the Kings Forest I took a left to follow the Icknield Way and Lark Valley path to Icklingham.

At Icklingham you can visit 2 churches and 2 pubs. All Saints Church is being restored and is a little bit out of the centre of the village so St James is the focal point for locals.

The Red Lion is the larger of the 2pubs and sits on the River Lark. It is currently being re thatched. The Plough Inn is a smaller flint building which probably gets by passed by visitors who head for the bigger gardens at the Red Lion.

I ran through the centre of Icklingham and picked up a footpath near Church Farm which took me out into the heart of Breckland said to be the desert of England because of its sandy soils and the unique character of the Breckland. This is the home of both rabbit and flint by the millions. Some people would say there is nothing there but that is to miss the beauty of the place its solitude unbroken for me apart from the occasional USAF plane taking of from Mildenhall and Lakenheath.

River Linnett Bury St Edmunds

5.30pm 6.2 miles in 49 mins 54 seconds

Week to date mileage 6.2

Month to date mileage 36

Average weekly rate 31.6

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 994

Life time 8772

I decided to to do a circular run along by the River Linnett. I went out as far as Westley Bottom and returned into town emerging at the Spread Eagle before continuing on over the Holywater Meadows to Cullum Road. I didn't follow a particularly course but I saw enough to think there is a good circular run that can done here.

Fornham St Martin Circular Run Suffolk

4pm 7.5 miles in 57mins 20 seconds

Week to date mileage 29.3

Month to date mileage 29.3

Average weekly rate 31.7

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 988

Life time 8766

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.

The weather is a lot cooler and it felt a lot easier to run than it has for the last month hence the better than average time over this course


Previous times

26 Jul 06 57.29
9 Jul 06 58.44
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

Ipswich Town v Crystal Palace

Town 1 Palace 2

A disappointing result as Ipswich slipped to defeat in the opening game of the 2006-7 Championship Season. This was Jim Magiltons first competitive match as a manager and for him and Ipswich this is going to be a tough season when I am expecting nothing more than a mid table finishing position.

The Championship is the most competitive league in English football with anyone of about 10 clubs who can potentially win promotion. You cannot say this about the Premier league.

After a first half in which Palace failed to pose any threat and Ipswich had scored an opening goal through Forster who outpaced a slow centre half to convert in the corner the old Town habits of sitting back on a lead emerged.

Palace made a telling substitute bringing on Freedman for Morrison and he seemed to immeadiately link up well with Scowcroft and suddenly Palace looked a threat. Two quick goals from sily defensive mistakes left Town chasing the game. However the attack didn't pose much of a threat apart from at the end of the game when Lee and Haynes arrived as subs and a little more luck would have resulted in a draw which on balance would have been a fair result.

Hawstead Circular Run Suffolk

8am 9.4 miles in 1 hr 17 mins 26 secs

Week to date mileage 22

Month to date mileage 22

Average weekly rate 31.6

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 980

Life time 8758

Felt good as I set of on this circular run which has to be one of the most challenging runs I do. It is to say the least undulating with some good hill climbs. It is probably why it is emerging as one of my favourite regular runs as it presents a challenge whilst providing some wonderful scenery and takes you through the villages of Horsecroft, Pinford End,Hawstead and Nowton.

I am going to try and capture an almost step by step guide to this run over the next few weeks and here is my first attempt:-

Without a GPS device I have estimated the distance as best I can, though I am sure it is slightly out and depends on the starting point which for me isn't far from Westly Road and the Water Tower visible at the top of this picture. So an easy start takes you down West Rd besides the cemetery. I then run along Hospital Rd.


I then take a right turn towards Westgarth Gardens before turning left to run past Westgate School which seems to have been painted in good bright "house form " colours? Nice idea Mr Lee if you are still the Headmaster.



You soon emerge at the Spread Eagle Pub and here I cross over the main road and turn right up Horsecroft Road and it is quite steep to begin with as you climb out of Bury. This house near Stonebridge Farm is really the point when you emerge out of Bury but continue straight along the Horsecroft Road. This short section of road is probably the busiest of the whole run but nothing to make you fearful.



As you run along the Horsecroft Road to the left is the large Hardwick Manor and the grounds surrounding the West Suffolk Hospital. On the road you soon see on your right a sign to Horsecroft Hall. Ignore this and keep going unless you are a VIP as this is private.



Almost immediately to the left is an entrance to Hardwick Game Farm with some large stone dog columns guarding the entrance. This section of the run is wooded providing a canopy to hide from the sun on hot days. You are pretty much still running up a slight gradient and on wet days I have known this part of the road to turn into a river, well it gets wet.

You next run through the small hamlet of Horsecroft which is no more than half a dozen farm houses and some barns. It was once apparently part of the Home farm estate belonging to the Cullum Family. The cottages as seen below are attractive.
You soon pass Horsecroft Farm and on your left are various paths that can be taken across fields which are part of the Bury to Clare Walk.

To your right is the parish of Horringer, but still continue on the same road.








The house below is the on the corner of Park Lane which turns of to the left towards High Green.


You then begin a nice downward section past Hawstead Lodge and at the bottom of the hill arrive in another small hamlet called Pinford End.


In Pinford there is a lovely Suffolk Pink house ignore the turning to the right and keep to the left past Pinford End Farm.


You are now running along Church Road and you soon start to catch glimpses of All Saints Church on your left. Before you reach it on your right you pass Church Farm.


At the end of Church Road you reach a junction and the road to the right takes you into Hawstead and the Green however this run requires you to turn left at the old village school. This is Hawstead village school I note it is currently for sale.


This part of Hawstead is known as Pound Green and on your left you pass the impressive almshouses provided by Philip Metcalfe which were built in 1811 for the deserving poor. I like the big bold sign declaring the importance and generosity of Metcalfe for all to see. I am not sure of his association with Hawstead and whether he is the Metcalfe who was a patron of the arts

, friend of Samual Johnson and an MP for Horsham from 1790 to 1796?

You know begin a fairly steep climb which takes you past Hawstead Hall on the left. There is a minor road to the right which leads to Sicklesmere but ignore the temptation to take a detort and head up hill. You reach the dizzy heights of 79 metres above sea level though this does provide some fantastic views! Over to your left is Nowton and to the right at the bottom of the hill Sicklesmere comes more and more into view.


St Peters Church is about a mile from the vilage of Nowton up this drive.



Take the next left at the Nowton village sign as to carry on would lead you onto the busy A134 .


You are now on a path which takes you around the edge of Nowton Country Park. You soon pass
the Keio University It was used as a private home, but in the 20th century, it became a Preparatory School for boys, then a Ladies College for Japanese students, and then passed to Keio University. Keio University is the oldest western style university in Japan.


There is no pathway along this stretch so you need to look at for traffic as you are running on the road. However it is often fairly quiet I saw this Muntjac Deer out for a stroll near the Fox and Pin Lane Sign.


After Nowton Park you come back into Bury and see the Victory Sports Ground on the right.



Back into Bury I take the Cullum road into town past the wonderful water meadows. The bull rushes are always a great site.


At Out Westgate on the corner is the West End Chip Shop. I can't say I have been in there for many years.


I head along Out Westgate St until I reach the Spread Eagle and then head up Petticoat Lane along Hospital Road and then back up West Road past the cemetery and home.

A satisfying run and a scale of difficulty I would give this a 4 out of 5.

Stoke By Nayland Suffolk

4.30pm 7 miles in 57 mins 23 secs

Week to date mileage 12.4

Month to date mileage 12.4

Average weekly rate 31.6

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 971

Life time 8749

Just after you cross the border from Essex into Suffolk over the River Stour if you take the first right turning off the A134 you enter Nayland. A further 2 miles along the B1087 takes you to Stoke By Nayland and this was my destination for my run today.

I parked the car just outside the village hall.


















I set off and immediately ran through the grounds of St Mary's Church though I soon came to a halt to view the red brick tower on this beautiful church. This is a wonderful village full of interesting buildings and set in rolling hills providing great views .
















Just outside the graveyard stands a former 16th century guildhall. This village is full of timber framed houses but doesn't appear to be so commercialese as Lavenham.
















Besides this building I picked up a sign leading to the Stour Valley Path. I soon saw another path leading to a small wood and I was tempted to pay it a visit. However it was full of stinging nettles making running difficult so I returned to my original path.














The pathway took me along the Stoke by Nayland golf course before the pathway seemed to finish in amongst various farms. This is very much rolling hill country as can be seen from these pictures.




















I returned back into the village and along Scotland Street before returning to the car.

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

8pm 5.4 miles in 41 mins 45 secs

Week to date mileage 5.4

Month to date mileage 5.4

Average weekly rate 31.5

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 964

Life time 8742

Cool and wet quite refreshing and consequently equalled my best time over this route.



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 Ipswich Town Reserves

Bury Town Ram Meadow - St Edmundsbury Cathedral in the distance.


Bury Town 1 Ipswich Town Res 0

I visited the Ram Meadow in Bury St Edmunds to watch Bury Town play Ipswich Town Reserves in a pre season friendly. Just over a 1000 attended this match which is about 5 times the normal gate for a Bury match. The kick off was put back to 8pm as most people like me arrived at the ground just 10 minutes before kick off as you never usually get any que to get in.




These are exciting times at Bury Town as they have been promoted to a higher tier of non league football to play in the Rymans Divison 1 North. They certainly seem to have a decent squad and one that is capable of doing well in this league.




Daniel Cunningham scored the only goal of the game which was a well taken volley after 20 mins. For long periods Bury defended in depth and played counter attack. Barber in goal for Bury was man of the match.



For Ipswich Scott Baron and Danny Haynes were given full games. Jim Magilton was there to view his young players of whom it is hoped 1 or 2 will make the step up and start pushing for the 1st team.

A good fitness work out for both sides

Beetons Way Hill Session Bury St Edmunds

5pm 5 miles in 41 mins 45 secs

Week to date mileage 33

Month to date mileage 142

Average weekly rate 31.8

AverageMonthly rate 138

Year to Date 958

Life time 8736

Left my run late today and I nearly didn't venture out at all. However I set out with the purpose of doing a circular run around Fornham but changed my mind and opted instead for a hill session.
My recent stock take of the year showed that I am avoiding the hills so I thought it was time to hit this head on.

I ran up to County Upper School and returned to Beetons Way and it was only then that I decided to do some hills. Initially feeling tired I didn't record my times for the first 5 intervals so I only have 5 times for my interval climbs which were as follows

55 secs, 56 secs, 54 secs, 53 secs and last one a quick 47 seconds. I picked my feet up on the last one concentrating on shorter steps and this seemed to lead to a quicker time. I ran back down the hill in about the same time giving me a minute recovery each time.

Below - The view along Westley Rd towards the Gibralter Barracks.




Below - This is Beetons Way looking down the hill. Ok it isn't the biggest of hills but it is steep enough to give you about 50 seconds of fun running up it!




Below - The view up Beetons Way Hill Bury St Edmunds.

The Kings Road Bury St Edmunds

On a recent run along Kings Road I had to stop fairly often to take pictures of former shops and pubs as this road is very much changed. A very interesting book by Gerry Nixon on the Old Beer Houses of Bury St Edmunds makes the point that there were 4 pubs in this road but the last one closed back in 1991.

The Cricketers Inn and The Butchers Arms were doing business when this road was then known as Field Lane. The road then became known as Cemetary Road aptly named as it does lead at its western end to the large town cemetary. The Soldiers Home and the Wheatsheaf were the other pubs that formerly graced this road.

One of the corner shops I regulalry used to visit was this ivy clad one . Anyone know the name? I always remembered it as a fairly large shop a bit of an aladdins cave with all the sweets and ice creams you could want especially penny blacks and licarice sherbert dabs. I believe it had a
short life as a shop selling glass at one point.


Another shop was on this corner of Kings Road and Mill Road near Chalk Road. For a while this became a hairdressers. Again any remember the name of this shops?

I can rember buying ice creams here. The entrance was directly through the grey coloured bricks where there is a window know. My next stop was here. At the top of Chalk Road is this cream coloured building which is now a hairdressers but was once the Wheatsheaf. I do remember going in here when I first felt I wouldn't be challenged about my age when going into pubs.

It closed in 1981 but I do remember one Christmas venturing in here and there as an accordion player and some folk singing. I think as a young lad we generally took the mick but looking back there was obviously a great tradition which time has killed.

Just beyond this was the entrance to Bury Town Football Ground. I was a regular at the Kings Road ground for many years watching and playing football and selling programmes here. I wish I had had a camera then and now had photographs of this ground.

The next pub to close along Kings Road was this one below. I am not sure now if this was the Cricketers Inn or the Butchers Arms ?






Many people who visit Bury will travel along Kings Road and then via Prospect Row to the car park behind Woolworths. The pub I remember in Prospect Row was the Duke of Welington which is this flint stone building below which is now a day centre. The Duke closed its doors in 1986.


Even know in taking these pictures of Kings Road I know I haven't photographed the newsagent Saunders. It just shows what a lot can change in one road.

Hawstead Circular Run Suffolk

9am 9.5 miles in 1 hour 19 mins 16 secs

Week to date mileage 28

Month to date mileage 137

Average weekly rate 31.8

AverageMonthly rate 138

Year to Date 953

Life time 8731

The course: Setting out from the near the water tower in Bury St Edmunds I ventured down to the Spread Eagle and then out on the Horsecroft Road. At the Hardwick Hall I surprised some one taking a video of some diary cows. The road is fairly quiet apart from farm traffic this morning there was a farm trailer carrying 3-4 farm workers driven by a tractor along the road. They seemed to be workers possibly from Poland.

Keep running straight past Horsecroft Farm and Hawstead Lodge until you arrive in Pinford End. Here there is a fork in the road the road up hill towards Whepstead but instead keep left along the Church Road. You soon pass the church and farm and instead of venturing down hill to Hawstead Green turn left to Pound Green.

Past Hawstead Hall you do venture up hill and you are on the course of the Bury Nearly 10 race. There are some wonderful views from up here of Nowton Church and Sicklesmere down the hill. When you reach the Pound/Low Green turn left to run the road past Nowton Country Park. Past the Victoria Sports Green along Cullum Road and back to the Water Tower.

Distance is roughly 9 to 9.5 miles though without a GPS a piece of string on a map is fairly inaccurate!.

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

6pm 5.4 miles in 42 minutes 25 seconds

Week to date mileage 18

Month to date mileage 127

Average weekly rate 31.6

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 944

Life time 8722

Previous times on this course are as follows. Not a bad run tonight but a little tired as it is my 3rd run on the trot. Weather warm but a little more resonable than of late.

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

,running5.40pm 5.4 miles in 40 minutes 47 seconds

Week to date mileage 13

Month to date mileage 122

Average weekly rate 31.6

AverageMonthly rate 137

Year to Date 938

Life time 8716

As I set out the recent heatwave appeared ready to break and I was in two minds as to whether to run. For the first half of the course the wind picked up and leaves and dust were picked and blown up. It was very squally I got dust in my eyes and down my fruit but there was no sign of rain. It was feeling very humid and in need of rain.

However as I turned for home near Sainsburys I started to see lightning forking through the sky and an impressive sight it was. Rumbles of thunder suddenly became much loader and I appeared to be running into a storm . I still half belived I might get all the way around with out any rain but this suddenly changed when I reached Eastgate and the Fox Inn.

The rain simply belted down and in seconds I was soaked through. I could hardly see, as the rain beated down and the roads became rivers and my feet simply squelched through puddles. The pavements were clear and all mine as I ran home soaked through but feeling good after my free shower.

I guess with the thought of lightning in my mind I ran fairly quickly and registered a good time


My recent times over this course have been :

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

Fornham St Martin Circular Run Suffolk

8am 7.5 miles in 57mins 29 seconds

Week to date mileage 8

Month to date mileage 116

Average weekly rate 31.6

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 933

Life time 8711

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.

A fairly easy morning run. I have struggled to get any running in this week because of work commitments so I was glad to register a run fo r the week. I am without camera this week so no pictures unfortunately.


Previous times

9 Jul 06 58.44
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

Half Year Review January to June 2006

Its about time I reviewed my running for the first half of the year compared to the objectives I set myself for the year

2006 Targets

1. To keep fit and enjoy my running.

That will always be my number one aim. People some times ask why do you run? Quite often they look upon you as weird when you mention that you run. Often they will say they have tried and found it boring. Quite simply I run because I can and I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it. I get to see the changing seasons, experience all weathers and enjoy the beautiful Suffolk countryside. I meet similar folks who enjoy running. I gave up a long time ago trying to persuade others to run you either enjoy it or you don't.

Achieved -I don't think I have ever been more enthusiastic about my running than I am now. Numbers of people running seems to be up if attendances at running clubs are any kind of measure.

2. I am a signed up member of St Edmunds Pacers and look forward to continuing doing so for next year.

Achieved - I continue to be a member and recommend anyone who rus who doesn't belong to a club to join up.

3. I am setting myself an overall target to run 1500 miles next year. That's challenging for me but hopefully a realistic target that is achievable barring injuries ! I managed 1328 this year so it is an additional 200 miles at an average of 29 miles a week.

I am on target at the end of June. I had run a total of 817 miles. Last years performance in blue

January 146 miles 20 runs 2005 127 miles 19 runs
February 111 miles 16 runs 2005 45 miles 7 runs
March 144 miles 21 runs 2005 94 miles 14 runs
April 139 miles 20 runs 2005 97 miles 15 runs
May 142 miles 19 runs 2005 84 miles 12 runs
June 136 miles 19 runs 2005 89 miles 13 runs

Total miles run 817 Total runs 115 runs. 2005 Total miles run 535 Total runs 80 runs.

4. Long Runs - I want to up my long runs so that next year I run some 2 hour or 15 mile runs .

Partially achieved - I think I needed to redefine what constitues a long run for me. Up to know when I record my times using the free Dead Runners Society Excel Spreadsheet I have labelled any run over an hour as a long run. On this basis I have run 31 long runs between january and June. Perhaps next year I will redfine a long run as being a certain mileage - perhaps over 10 miles - any views on this ? My longest run was the half marathon at Norwich on 11th of June 2006. My target was to do some 15 mile runs so really I haven't yet achieved this target.

5. Hills - these are great sessions to include in your training. I know it but I just didn't do it this year. Can I do it next year? Probably not on my own. I remember that we used to run these as a cub session when I belonged to Stopsley Striders back in 1994. I am not going to set my target for hills anything greater than to do 1 hill session a month.

Failed - I started well and I did run a specific hill session for the first 3 months of the year then I let slip and haven't done one since. I was right it is difficult to do on your own. Will set my sights on doing some more but not until the weather cools.

6. Races - for me racing isn't the be and end all of why I run but I would still like to run more races than I did this year which was only 3 . My target for 2006 is to do 6 races. At the moment I still think my limit for a race is around the half marathon distance. So I would like to include a half marathon as a race next year.

Achieved - Races to date this year

5th Feb Lakenheath 5 miles Cross Country 41.11
26th Feb Bury Nearly 10 - 9.4 miles 1hr 13 mins 27 secs
26th Mar Joe Cox 10 10 miles 1hr 17 mins 27 secs
14th Apr Sudbury Fun Run 5 miles 37 mins
2nd June Bury 5 5 miles 37 mins 23 secs
11th June Norwich Half Marathon 1 hr 49 mins 3 secs


7. Track and Interval Work - If I miss the Wednesday track session at West Suffolk Athletics Track then I want to commit to doing the Monday session. To my mind track work is so beneficial.

Failed - Out of 26 weeks I have missed a lot of Wednesday sessions and I have attended just 13 times. I just struggle to always get away from work to attend this but will see if I can improve in the 2nd half of the year.

8. To get my weight down to 12 stone - I could still do with losing a few pounds . My BMI still shows I am overweight for my height. This means losing about 4-6 pounds. This should be possible if I keep to my new mileage targets.

Failed my weight has stayed static really at about 12 stone 4lbs?!

9. To replace my watch - I don't have a very good running watch- sometime this year I would like to get one of those Garmin 201 devices

Failed still can't afford one

10. Lastly this one is a bit crazy but when the weather brightens up in the spring I am seriouslyconsidering an occasional run when I take with me a rucksack to pick up rubbish I spot in the hedgerows. I hate to see rubbish which has been dropped from car windows left on the side of roads. It can remain for years in some rural spots. Ok I could say it is not my rubbish but in a way we are all responsible for the upkeep of the countryside and I am willing to give it a go. I expect I will need to wear gloves and an old rucksack. My other though then is what to do with the rubbish as I don't particularly want to fill my own dustbin with what I collect. Maybe my run will need to by pass a recycling centre.

Not yet but still planned

Most memorable run of the year has to be the Norwich Half Marathon simply because it was my longest run for at least 2 years and on the day it was 30c with little shade. My time was slow but simply completing the course was a big achievement.