Our Last Week in England

We returned home late Saturday afternoon after what was almost three weeks of an extremely enjoyable vacation. Upon reflecting not only am I markedly more relaxed but I’ve also gained two overstuffed Cornish Pasties where my pectorals were once housed and my torso more closely resembles an inverted pint glass than ever before. I have my work cut out before me.

The last few mornings I’ve been trying to educate a five month old infant on the effects of jetlag and not necessarily having to rouse at 3:00 a.m. just because your internal clock suggests it’s morning. This is a losing battle. Still, coupled with me starting a new job, the week ahead looks like a perfect opportunity to ease back into running without too much structure.

I’ll leave you with some photos from my last run in England along one of my favourite routes.

Training:
Monday: day off (scheduled)
Tuesday: day off (unscheduled)
Wednesday: day off (unscheduled)
Thursday: 41:08 with 10x30” hills (2’)
Friday: easy 1:07:35
Saturday: day off (unscheduled)
Sunday: sluggish 1:08:54

England in Macro

Ickenham

Ally was looking through some emails this morning as I was sitting quietly in the kitchen enjoying a nice cup of coffee. It was drizzling lightly outside and Isla was still asleep; the day was peaceful.

The silence was broken though as Ally ran into the room yelling at me that I'd missed my opportunity to register for Boston. Admittedly I had forgotten that registration had opened but I wasn't that worried about getting in. It wasn't as if I was registering months later. Regardless, after 5' of forms and web searches I was registered and apparently all they have to do is confirm my qualifying time and the rest is history. As for now, I wait. Now all I have to do is convince Carter to join Hicham and I.

After taking it easy for the last few days I managed to get in a few good runs. Yesterday I headed out through the farmlands towards Denham and feeling good on the way home I decided to run an impromptu workout. I should've stopped while I was ahead.

As for today, I relaxed in the house this morning until the rain eased up and then managed to squeeze in a long(er) run without getting that wet. The fact that I didn't get was a small miracle as England has been inundated with rain all summer and apparently it isn't letting up.

Training:
Saturday: 54:34 with 4x3' (1')
Sunday: leisurely 1:23:22

Cornwall

I haven't got near as much running in as I would've liked but then I didn't come here to run. That said, the times I have got out have been absolutely spectacular (photos when I get home, sorry).

Monday was my first test here as we borrowed a friends car and proceeded to drive to Cornwall. You might think that the fact that the car was overheating would be the tale of the day but it wasn't. Rather it was me driving from Wales over the new Severn (sp) Bridge, this this is massive and very high up. I was frightened shitless and I'm not even scared of heights. Imagine, driving a standard, on the left, hundreds of feet above the sea on a six lane bridge with a blond women talking on her mobile only feet behind you in her little sports car... I was white knuckled the entire way! Feck me!

After finally reaching Cornwall it wasn't long that Ally and I agreed that the roads there were worse than Ireland. Thomas consider yourself lucky, really. Hedges hundreds of years old made of rock and vegetation, 12 ft. tall, and only wide enough for one small car let alone two vehicles screaming along at 60 miles/hours! Crikey.

Still, we met up with an old mate of mine that I went to school with here and followed him down to Gorran Haven where he owns some gorgeous cottages. It was from there that I was lucky enough to enjoy two runs along the famous Cornish Coastal Path (again, photos later). For those back home, imagine Mt. Tolmie, Doug and Finlayson one after another in quick secession for hundreds of miles. Now remove all the trees and imagine a sharp sea cliff to your left. Lastly, place a twisting runnable path that traces the coastline. Breathtaking. Thanks for everything Chris!

On Thursday, after enjoying far too many pasties and clotted cream (not together) it was time to attempt the drive to London. The car had another episode in Dartmoor but after allowing it to cool down and using some Bar Seal (sp) we were on our way. It was from there onto the M5, to the M4 and finally the dreaded M25. Again, feck me! We were only on it for two exits but it was then, after being an angel the entire trip, that Isla decided she'd had enough and wanted out. All Ally and I could do was laugh as 1,000's of HGVs zoomed passed us as we desperately searched out the M40 and finally Ickenham. I should get an award for that drive.

Yesterday was into London and showing the girls around. Carter, we retraced our footsteps... the Coal Hole and the Lamb & Flag. Jim, we passed Campers and thought of you. And from there it was off to see the Rosetta (sp) Stone.

Training:
Monday: day off (scheduled, driving)
Tuesday: hilly 1:02:27
Wednesday: 1:10:55
Thursday: day off (driving to London)
Friday: day off (London, I love this place)

Herefordshire

Our vacation in Great Britain continues to be enjoyable, sadly, and should I look at the big picture perhaps for the best, my running has taken a back seat. Still, I've managed to sneak out for a couple more runs.

Yesterday I went for what has been my most enjoyable run yet in the UK. I started in Shobdon and headed north through field after field of wheat or black currants (Ribena) before passing an ancient curch known as the Court and north still up through a set of arches built in 1158 +/- a year or two. From there it was along a short roadway to Easthampton after which it was back onto the fields before turning up a redicoulously steep trail that peaked in Shobdon Hill Wood and finally conecting with the Mortimer Trail. From here it was valley after valley of what looked liked the Shire which left me breathless. Only two things would've made this run better, good company (Rumon) or a pint at the finish.

As enjoyable as yesterday was, today was desperate and almost dreadful. After a large Ploughman's lunch that included a block of Stilton that would've cost > $10 back home, I decided to go out for a jaunt. Stupid. Needless to say my stomach was far from settled. My workout degraded into a long run which quickly tuned into survival and lastly just fresh air. The highlight though was catching sight of two gorgeous foxes playing in the corner of a field.

Tomorrow, Cornwall, as long as the car holds together... and I figure out the driving.

Training:
Saturday: hilly 58:45
Sunday: easy 29:26

Running in the UK

We arrived safe and sound after an uneventful flight where Isla was a star. After taking the red-eye and arriving bleary eyed and bushed, our friend met us at the airport and drove us to their place only four miles from the Welsh boarder. The last time I drove on the left was in rural Ireland two years ago and I think driving over here is going to take a bit of adjustment. Everyone seems to be in a rush and the number of lorries on the road is ridiculous, I've never seen anything like it.

I've managed to squeeze in a few runs which has been great fun! Yesterday I discovered some ancient arches at the top of an epic climb. Today I'm going to see if i can find the Mortimer Trail, a 30-mile regional trail that takes in all ridges and forests in the area. It's not that I haven't been able to find any trails, the nearest only 5 ft from the house, but making sense of them while avoiding fields of bullocks has been difficult. Our time here has been very enjoyable and the scenery absolutely breathtaking. We're here for a few more days and then we're off down to the Cornish coastal.

Yesterday we managed to enjoy a few sneaky pints and discovered a great local brew called Butty (?); Carter, Seamus, I was thinking of you two. More later, typing on this laptop is killing me.

Training:
Wednesday: day off (unscheduled)
Thursday: easy 45:11
Friday: 39:34 with 10' tempo