Tag: rain

Frostbite and a rabbit…..

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

Today it was race 2 in the Frostbite Friendly League hosted by Bushfield Runners. A 5-miler starting and finishing at Bushfield's Leisure Centre near Peterborough. When I left home at around 9.30am all seemed good. When I got to the race is was no longer 'all good'. It was absolutely pissing it down! Walked to race HQ in rain. Warmed up in the rain. Ran the race in the rain. Walked back to the car in the rain. I was wet through and just wanted to get home.

Finished in 145th place in a pretty decent time of 34.06, less than 7 min/mile pace, so couldn't moan too much. But a shower, a lovely bacon and egg baguette and cup of tea and I was sorted.

As for November's Challenge, the traditional art of Japanese paper folding, may I present a rabbit….

Now I understand it may look a tiny bit like a donkey or a dog, but I can assure you it is a rabbit, the app says so….

I can't quite understand how their rabbit is looking slightly more happy and proud than my slightly depressed looking rabbit. I think a visit to the art department tomorrow to steal borrow some coloured paper may be required.

 

A British Summer?

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A nice summer's walk with dog….didn't quite go to plan….

It was late afternoon, the sun was shining, it all seemed set for a nice walk with the dog in the Lincolnshire countryside. All began well, it was reasonably warm, so decided to skirt the edge of the field and head towards the woods so that Billy Boy could chase some squirrels.

The nice gentle walk soon turned into a mad dash for cover as an almighty storm came from nowhere. Finding cover in the woods seemed like the best plan, if the rain had started that quickly surely it wouldn't last that long. However, the rain grew heavier and heavier, it grew darker and darker, and staying dry became harder and harder…

It wasn't long before it became impossible to stay dry and a decision was needed as to whether to head home. I was already drenched so the ten minute walk home surely wouldn't make much difference.

I was by now deep in the woods, it was time to make my way home. It took me some time to negotiate various sodden muddy paths and fallen trees to reach the edge of the woods, which meant by the time I finally reached the fields the rain had subsided. I think the cows in the field were quite surprised to see me emerge from the woods….

By the time I had traversed the field and made it back to the ponds and the path that would take me back into town the sun had come out, although it was still raining….

We finally made it back home after nearly 2 hours, rather wet, but we made it….

Are we ever going to get a summer?

Juneathon Day 5

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 2 Comments

Tuesday night is club training night. So by the time 6.30pm came round, low and behold, it was chucking it down. I did contemplate not going, waiting for the rain to stop, and running later. But after walking around the house and moaning about the weather for 10 mins I bit the bullet and went to join the rest of the club assembling at the local school for some track training.

Tonight’s training was:

  • Warm up.
  • 6 laps at 10k pace.
  • 4 min recovery.
  • 6 laps at 5k pace.
  • Cool down.

It was a poor turn out tonight, which was unsurprising, considering the weather. In fact the ‘coach’ didn’t even bother showing up. He just sent a scrap of paper with the training schedule scribbled on.

Tonight’s mileage was 4.69 miles.

Total mileage after day 5 = 21.57

Juneathon Day 3

~ Phil Lengthorn ~ 1 Comment

Last night we continued with the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations by attending the Bourne Festival – with every other person in Bourne – it was very busy. ‘The League of Mentalmen’ were on form – Madonna, Proclaimers, Steps (just no name a few) – all in a rock style! I was keeping Sam company (Amy’s fella) while she was at work. Yes you’re right – he is an actual real-life giant.

After Day 2 of the Bourne Festival the Sunday run, normally the home of the long run, was never going to break any records. With constant drizzle all morning, coupled with watching the pageant on TV, I decided to hang on until the rain stopped. Although by about 4ish the pageant was wearing a bit thin, once you’ve seen one boat you’ve seen them all. I’m sure the same thought was rattling around in the Queen’s head. So what looked like a slight break in the rain I pounced, got changed, and went for a run. However, as is normal in these circumstances, as soon I was about a mile into the run the rain got steadily heavier. I don’t particularly like running in the rain, today was no different, I decided to cut the run short and head home, by which time I was absolutely soaked and not happy:

Summary
******
Distance: 2.81mi
Time taken: 00:23:32
Average/Max Speed : 7.16/9.35 mph
Average/Min Pace : 00:08:23/00:06:24
Calories: 332

Total mileage after day 3 = 11.49

Music accompaniment = nothing (ipod and rain does not mix)

Number of times I cursed the rain = 15