Getting to Malvern at tea time is not to be recommended as the traffic seemed to have doubled since last year. John was getting a bit stressed out, however we made it with just ten minutes to spare. I always feel very privileged with the Malvern club because they always organise someone to run with me and send me off earlier than the main runners. The weather was very hot but just great. It's a good ten minutes walk to the start in a middle of a field called Castlemorton common. A mile after starting we turned off through the woods to fight with my first stile then across a corn field and after two miles we started to climb where I was still in front. There was plenty of boggy parts before we reach the common and by this time many runners were passing me cheering me on. This time I did mange to hang on to my trainers [ well strapped on] but the language was a bit strong when some of the runners lost their trainers in the bog and had to go back to grab them. We then went out of the bog - as we crossed the common the view was awesome. There was another hill to run up called The Nook then through yet more mud and boggy stuff. Then it was a steep hill to run down and as I got to the bottom I was offered a orange drink. I took a swig at it then realised there was something nasty in it [vodka].I was not amused as after about half a mile I had to stop to be sick. I got plenty of water down me and continued then when I reached five miles I managed to pick up two lads called the Chuckle brothers who continued to run with me making a lot of noise with their trumpets. I get this every year and it was great fun then lastly through a lovely stream back on to the common. I was not last either, this one was quite a challenge with most of it having been very boggy but I loved it and will hopefully do it again. To round the day off we were given curry veg and rice which was very nice and a neck scarf. My time was 1:45:00
De la Liberte` 10k Caen - 16th June
Thanks to Ken Richards we managed to get through the endless traffic jams on our way down to Portsmouth. On the Friday night the crossing was very smooth and after a couple of night caps we settled down for sleep only to be disturbed by a very large man snoring his head off. It got so bad I got up and gave him a little poke but the quietness did not last for long so we had to put up with his continued snoring till we landed. We continued our journey to Caen, found a nice café and enjoyed a lovely pancake.
We booked in at the hotel and had a couple of hours sleep then we were ready for anything.
After we picked up our numbers we watched the ladies race take part through the city of Caen.
Sunday we were up nice and early as we needed to be downtown by 7.30 am for the bus. As usual it dropped us in the middle of nowhere and because the wind was very cold I hid in the middle of the runners and it was nice to have Julie Spriggs accompany me plus the rest of the Wrekin pensioners. Then all of a sudden runners started to move up to the starting line, we were sent off in small droves, the clock had already started so by the time I got to the line five minutes had gone. With one or two bands playing on route it made it a great atmosphere. I managed to pass some runners which was amazing, I felt good and the final mile was just fantastic. John met me with the flag and I finished in a good time of 1:20. I had a nice goodie bag and T Shirt then after waited for the rest of the Wrekin runners to come in. Well done to everyone.
Blakedown Bolt 10k - 20th June
It was a lovely summer's evening and I always look forward to this multi terrain race because it has everything - woods, fields and not forgetting the lovely cool stream to run through. I have done this race for six years and never seem disappointed. Each year John and I have seen the development of the cricket pavilion and other sport equipment which very encouraging and the atmosphere is a family kind with lots of children having a great time. The 300 places always fill up with a waiting list. On time off we went around the field then through a very narrow path, by this time I had caught them up. This race is so well marshalled and very encouraging as we went up through the woods and then a very long narrow path back through the cool stream. When I got back in the cricket field I got such a welcome from the children and when I got over the line I was given a lovely bunch of flowers, on asking why? Well it's your age - 70. John enjoyed the hot dog and a pint. I know its starts at 7.15pm but if some of you could make I know you would love it, I do and would do it again. My time was time 1h.39
Telford parkrun - 21st June
A lovely morning enjoying the company round the park, time 40.19
Gnosall Carnival m/t 10k 21st June
After taking it steady at the town park run in preparation for the Gnosall 10k I was ready to have a go. The weather was very warm while we all waited around trying to hear what the director said then we eventually started. The fields were very rough which threw me a bit and it took time to get going. The first shock was the deep steps for my little legs to climb then along the old railway road while the weather was getting hotter. At last we came to some woods with more deep steps, nice little stiles for me to climb over and then we ran through more woods and very uneven fields to cross and at last towards the finishing field. I had a great welcome and won the spot prize [bottle of red] I know I was slow but I was not going to give up with the weather being so hot I took my time in order for me to finish. Thanks to all the marshals who kept an eye on me. I loved it and would love to do it again, time 1:41
Event | Event Name | Date | Distance |
1 | StraLugano 5K | 28/09/2013 | 3.1 |
2 | StraLugano 10K | 29/09/2013 | 6.2 |
3 | Bournemouth parkrun | 05/10/2013 | 3.1 |
4 | Supersonic 10k (Bournemouth) | 05/10/2013 | 6.2 |
5 | Speed of light 5k (Bournemouth) | 05/10/2013 | 3.1 |
6 | Telford parkrun | 12/10/2013 | 3.1 |
7 | The Bells of Pattingham, Seven Miles | 13/10/2013 | 7 |
8 | Shrewsbury parkrun | 19/10/2013 | 3.1 |
9 | Birmingham Half Marathon | 20/10/2013 | 13.1 |
10 | Bupa Great South Run (Portsmouth) | 27/10/2012 | 10 |
11 | Telford Town parkrun | 09/11/2013 | 3.1 |
12 | Shrewsbury parkrun | 02/11/2013 | 3.1 |
13 | Cannock Rotary 10K | 03/11/2013 | 6.2 |
14 | Mad Jack Five Mile Attingham) | 09/11/2013 | 5 |
15 | Kingsbury Water Park 10k | 10/11/2013 | 6.2 |
16 | Telford Town parkrun | 16/11/2013 | 3.1 |
17 | Coventry War Memorial Park 10K | 17/11/2013 | 6.2 |
18 | Telford Town parkrun | 23/11/2013 | 3.1 |
19 | City of Salford Womens 5.5 mile race | 24/11/2013 | 5.5 |
20 | Telford Town parkrun | 30/11/2013 | 3.1 |
21 | Cheddleton Pudding Race | 30/11/2013 | 6.2 |
22 | Turkey Trot (Aldersley) | 01/12/2013 | 5 |
23 | Telford Town parkrun | 07/12/2013 | 3.1 |
24 | Telford Santa Run | 08/12/2013 | 3.1 |
25 | Telford Town parkrun | 14/12/2013 | 3.1 |
26 | Telford 10K | 15/12/2013 | 6.2 |
27 | Telford Town parkrun | 21/12/2003 | 3.1 |
28 | Rudolph Red Nose 5 Mile, Blackpool | 22/12/2013 | 5 |
29 | Moreton Escapade | 24/12/2013 | 6.2 |
30 | Essar Chester Round the Walls Race | 26/12/2013 | 5 |
31 | Wheaton Aston 10K | 27/12/2013 | 6.2 |
32 | Telford Town parkrun | 28/12/2013 | 3.1 |
33 | Coventry Godiva 5 mile | 29/12/2013 | 5 |
34 | Vernon's Limp Wrist 5 mile | 01/01/2014 | 5 |
35 | Telford parkrun | 04/01/2014 | 3.1 |
36 | Shropshire Cross Country Championships | 04/01/2014 | 3.78 |
37 | MacMillan January Jog | 05/01/2014 | 3.1 |
38 | Llandudno Twin Piers 10K | 11/01/2014 | 6.2 |
39 | Telford parkrun | 18/01/2014 | 3.1 |
40 | Not the Roman IX | 19/01/2014 | 7.46 |
41 | Telford parkrun | 25/01/2014 | 3.1 |
42 | Shifnal Gallop | 26/01/2014 | 6.2 |
43 | Alsager 5 miler | 02/02/2014 | 5 |
44 | Telford parkrun | 08/02/2014 | 3.1 |
45 | Nick Beer 10K (Llandudno) | 09/02/2014 | 6.2 |
46 | Telford parkrun | 15/02/2014 | 3.1 |
47 | Tempo Winter 10K | 16/02/2014 | 6.2 |
48 | Telford parkrun | 22/02/2014 | 3.1 |
49 | Knype Pool 5 mile | 01/03/2014 | 5 |
50 | Telford parkrun | 01/03/2014 | 3.1 |
51 | The March Hair Raiser 10k | 02/03/2014 | 6.2 |
52 | Telford parkrun | 08/03/2014 | 3.1 |
53 | Fradley 10K | 09/03/2014 | 6.2 |
54 | Telford parkrun | 15/03/2014 | 3.1 |
55 | Heart Foundation 10K | 16/03/2014 | 6.2 |
56 | Telford parkrun | 22/03/2014 | 3.1 |
57 | Seven Pools 10K | 23/03/2014 | 6.2 |
58 | Lilleshall Monumental 10K | 30/03/2014 | 6.2 |
59 | Shrewsbury parkrun | 05/04/2014 | 3.1 |
60 | Derby 10K | 06/04/2014 | 6.2 |
61 | Lilleshall Five Mile | 09/04/2014 | 5 |
62 | Hanchurch 4.85 mile | 10/04/2014 | 4.85 |
63 | Telford parkrun | 12/04/2014 | 3.1 |
64 | Pelsall 10 K | 13/04/2014 | 6.2 |
65 | Milford Murder 5 mile | 17/04/2014 | 5 |
66 | Newtown Chocolate 5K | 18/04/2014 | 3.1 |
67 | Air Products 10K | 20/04/2014 | 6.2 |
68 | Barlaston Up and Down | 23/04/2014 | 5 |
69 | Fordhouses 5K | 24/04/2014 | 3.1 |
70 | Telford parkrun | 26/04/2014 | 3.1 |
71 | Shobdon 6 | 27/04/2014 | 6 |
72 | Beat the Bells of Hereford | 03/05/2014 | 5 |
73 | Sherrifhales Shuffle | 04/05/2014 | 7 |
74 | Sheinton Steeple Chase | 07/05/2014 | 3.29 |
75 | Strawberry Five Mile | 10/05/2014 | 6.2 |
76 | Market Drayton 10K | 11/05/2014 | 6.2 |
77 | Kigsbury Water Park 10 | 13/05/2014 | 6.2 |
78 | Telford Town parkrun | 17/05/2014 | 3.1 |
79 | Hill West 10K Suton Coldfield | 18/05/2014 | 6.2 |
80 | Phoexnix Flyer | 21/05/2014 | 3.1 |
81 | Shropshire Four | 04/06/2014 | 4 |
82 | Severn Valley 5K | 08/06/2014 | 3.1 |
83 | Malvern 10 | 11/06/2014 | 6.2 |
84 | de' la liberte 10K, Cean France | 16/06/2014 | 6.2 |
85
| Blakedown Bolt | 20/06/2014 | 6.2 |
86 | Telford parkrun | 21/06/2014 | 3.1 |
87 | Gnosall Carnival 10K | 21/06/2014 | 6.2 |
Total Distance | 420.28 |