Month: June 2012

Juneathon Day 23

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 4 Comments

I do a lot of running around the woods so trail running is not unusual for me. But, after reading Ian’s blog post about his experiences of trail running I thought a different plan was in order. So today I headed off, with the dog, into the Lincolnshire unknown (slight exaggeration – I knew roughly where I was going but had never run there before). This proven to be quite an adventure…

Firstly, whilst running across a wheat field (on the public footpath that split the field) I surprised a young couple that were canoodling on a blanket, apparently  ‘hidden’ from view. Let me just say, I’ve got nothing against romantic rendezvous, but next time move away further than ten feet from a ‘public’ footpath. I could divert my eyes, the dog on the other hand wanted a closer look. Enough said.

Secondly, as we got further into the ‘run’ and began to circumvent various fields, the trails began to disappear. We found ourselves battling through 4ft high crops/weeds. I was hoping the farmer wasn’t near because I’m sure if he spotted us we would have heard, “Get off my land!” before the shotgun pellets whizzed by. We had to clamber over various obstacles and at one stage we had to ‘jump’ a ditch because I couldn’t work out how to get to civilization. In fact, we had to ignore a ‘KEEP OUT – PRIVATE WOOD’ sign to finally reach somewhere I actually knew.

As you can imagine, the run lasted slightly longer and slower than planned and feet were far from clean and dry when we finally got home. But I actually really enjoyed it! Not quite sure about Billy Boy….he’ll be aching in the morning….

Summary
******
Distance: 11.07mi
Time taken: 01:51:21
Average/Max Speed : 5.96/8.87 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:10:04/00:06:45
Calories: 1271

Total Juneathon mileage after day 23 = 86.37

Juneathon Day 22

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 3 Comments

When I got in from work today’s run looked very doubtful. It was chucking it down and didn’t look like stopping. But…

‘Good things come to those who wait’

It did eventually stop raining and brighten up and I managed to fit in a 5 mile run round the woods before the dark clouds gathered and I decided to head home.

Total Juneathon mileage after day 22 = 75.30

As we head into the last week or so of Juneathon the time has come to decide on the next monthly project. After running, making, listening and playing the options of what to do are getting decidedly small. But after much deliberation we have a project for July: a Bakeathon.

The plan is to bake something every couple of days, we even have a list:

  • Pork pies
  • Bakewell tarts
  • Doughnuts
  • Profiteroles
  • Chocolate brownies
  • Scotch eggs
  • Muffins
  • Choc chip cookies
  • Swiss roll
  • Chocolate Danish pastry

Lovely jubbly!

 

Juneathon Day 19

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 3 Comments

I’ve got into a bad habit……I seem to be only running every other day….

I can hear the big intake of breathe from all Juneathoners!! Please refrain from sending hate mail.

Today was club training night so I worked hard in an attempt to make up for missing a couple of days. Our ‘coach’ Tim had us complete some tempo running:

  • Warm up
  • 10 min fast
  • 4 min recovery
  • 10 min fast
  • 4 min recovery
  • 5 min fast
  • Cool down (and rush home to watch the footy)

Today’s mileage = 5.94

Total Juneathon mileage after day 19 = 67.13

 

Juneathon Day 17

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

Sunday, the home of the long run, and today I completed the longest run of Juneathon so far: a 7.07 mile run around the woods.

Didn’t want to have soggy feet today so had to do a couple of ‘about turns’ and kept mainly to the path. It was quite warm this morning, so also made it to the ponds on a couple of occasions so that Billy Boy take a dip to cool off.

Summary
******
Distance: 7.07mi
Time taken: 01:02:45
Average/Max Speed : 6.75/9.23 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:08:53/00:06:30
Calories: 823

Total Juneathon mileage after day 17 = 61.19

Time spent writing blog = 3mins

Subject matter/ideas skimpily presented, limited depth and detail = Band 1

Juneathon Day 16

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 3 Comments

You may be feeling a bit of deja vu going on….

WOT! NO DAY 15?

Yes, once again, I have managed to fail in my attempt at running everyday. Although, given that I now have a new lazy relaxed approach to the whole Juneathon challenge, I’m not beating myself up about it. The excuse I offer to the Gods of Juneathon, to quote many a teenager: “I couldn’t be bothered!”.

Anyway….onwards and upwards….Day 16….

After a lovely lay in, some blog reading and some bacon sarnies, I was ready for a run. A nice relaxing dog jog around the woods – not heard that phrase before!!? (Not to self: must make the runs sound more dynamic).

Headed off for the woods and some trail running. Weather forecast said: “Very windy and possible scattered showers”. It was very windy but once in the shelter of the woods it was pretty pleasant, until the said showers appeared! But as true to their wood as the weather people are, they were ‘scattered’ and didn’t last for long. A pretty uneventful run, I took in most of the trails, as you can see by the route. I don’t want to start the #runart off again, but does it look like a man sat on a rock contemplating the future?

One mildly interesting thing happened, I passed the same hiker three times. On the first time he said, “Good afternoon,” on the second time he gave me a knowing smile, and on the third time he completely ignored me! I’m sure this means something….but I can’t think what!!??

iPod was on shuffle and it came up with some great tunes. I also heard some great lyrics that I hadn’t heard for a while and feel the need to share them with the world:

It’s hard to see the light when the fridge door is closed.
Tip-Toe down the hall, open the door, found out that God is a small sausage roll.

‘Full Fat’ by Newton Faulkner

I think Newton Faulkner is great. He is a genius with the guitar and a fantastic songwriter. Saw him at Cambridge Folk Festival last year and he comes across as a really nice bloke. Definitely on the list of gigs to see.

Who’s that gut lord marching, you should cut down on your porklife mate, get some exercise.

‘Parklife’ by Blur

I was never a great Blur fan, I preferred Oasis, but I love that line, and rather relevant with Juneathon in progress.

Total Juneathon mileage after day 16 = 54.12