Day 243/365

Spent the morning at the Bath and West Showground which was host to Color Me Rad 5k, which is a 5k run where all those taking part come dressed in white running gear and get covered in a rainbow of colours as they run around the course. Color Me Rad had chosen Time is Precious as their nominated charity and it only seemed right to volunteer to be part of the colour bomb squad rather than running myself. All those 4300 entries thoroughly looked like they were enjoying themselves on a beautiful sunny Sundsy morning.
Having not run myself this morning did a little off roader this evening 3.79 miles taking Augusts miles up to 176.15 not bad after my back seizing up half way through the month. Total mileage for the year is 1322. I am now 2/3rds through my challenge and it looks like it could be possible to achieve this challenge. Please dont forget my chosen charities Time is Precious www.justgiving.com/365jimbarron and SANDS Stillbirth and neonatal death charity www.justgiving.com/2014kx365jimbarron

Day 242/365

Uphill to Wells 29 miles is 3 weeks away. Needing to increase the mileage on last weeks 17, I was up and out the door early 6am, heading across the fields towards Pitcot. GPS was playing up and knowing exactly where 1 mile should have recorded, I stopped to check, it wasnt working so I had to reboot. Heading on towards pitcot and then to Chilcompton I ran through a field of cattle who were all stood around the gateway I wanted to go through as the cattle moved there was one left a big brown one with a ring through its nose. Luckily it did not move and I edged towards the gate and climbed over very slowly, keeping my eye on it all the while the bull doing the same with me, not moving a muscle. Ran through Chilcompton and then across the footpsths to Stratton on the Fosse.  Meandered along footpaths to White Post and then ran along the verge to Westfield. Out the back of Westfield Trading Estate I got on the #Jack n'Jill course which I then ran coming across my second massive bull, big black one agsin with a ring in his nose. This chap was not so placid and him and his lsdies were excited by my running. I was in the middle of the field when I spotted them running towards me, luckily this time a small strand of barbed wire held back the marauding herd. From mile seven I stsrted munching on # jellybabies took keep up energy levels, two every mile. After running the six mile course I headed back towards Holcombe this is when I met bull number three, a dexter bull but still a  bull and this one hsd horns. I gingerly ran slong the hedge, his ladies saw me but luckily he did not. Along Snails bottom and through Loocombe woods legs were getting heavy 16 miles, I walked as I ate a banana I had brought with me and then ran on. Through Holcombe Woods and heading now out to Coleford after a mile I felt good again the banana had kicked in and I ran well agsin to mile 18 but now I had ran out of water. Needing another 3 miles I headed  across Ham and through Edford Woods I was starting to struggle now, my shoulders were seizing up and I had to stop a few times and stretch. Each stile I got to was an effort to climb over and I had to force myself to run. I was starting to seize up and I was tired, mile 21 I had to walk up pack horse route but managed to finish with a run. 21 miles in 4:09:25.

Day 241/365

Damp and drizzly today, ran exactly the same route as yesterday. Tried to ignore any niggles my back gave and decided to push the pace out a bit. With injuries lately I feel as if I have I have started plodding a bit, managed to run 3.5 minutes quicker today. A lot wetter underfoot today but much cooler, good conditions. Startled a couple of Roe deer in the field that scuttled into the hedge. The second deer spotting me later than the first and didnt know which way to run deciding to head straight for me till it switched direction again and jumped into the hedge. Have had a week of fairly minimal runs ready for a longer run tomorrow morning, I'm needing to increase the distance on the 17.5 miles I ran last weekend as Uphill to Wells is 29 miles. I hoping a weekly increase of four miles a week will get me through on 20th September. 

Day 240/365

Lovely Sunny afternoon and quite warm too. My legs are feeling tired and my back is annoying, I'm managing to run ok with it but its like a bad tooth ache for the whole of your run with the occasional sharp pains down my leg. Went for an off road run close to home today across the fields and through the woods, underfoot it is just about right a bit of give on the surface but not so heavy its sticking to your trainers or slipping and sliding everywhere. 4.40 miles in 42:42mins

Day 239/365

My back was hurting again

today, poosibly from running on the road yesterday the jarring didnt agree with it so back to the playing fields. 'H' came too, running 3 miles before walk/running. It was drizzling for the whole of our run and quite slippery on the grass. To finish we ran up over the top of the slag heap. 4.70 miles.

Day 238/365

One of those cant be bothered days, struggled to pull my trainers on. When I did managed a 5k road run up to Stoke St. Michael through the village and back to Holcombe. Legs were a bit stiff and achey and struggled to find my groove. Nights are drawing in now just starting to get dark as I ran back up Holcombe Hill, a pair of Tawny Owls were calling to each other and a roe deer was peeping through the hedge as I passed by.

Day 237/365

Minimum distance 5k on a dismal Bank Holiday Monday around the playing fields with the company of 'H' and 'E'. 'H' managed to run 2.5 miles before walk/run and 'E' walked/ran in the opposite direction, everybody was drenched but the girls seemed to enjoy it. I managed to get my average pace back down to just below 9 min miles, still some work to do but heading in the right direction. My legs being slightly stiff from the weekends long runs but my back is still holding out. Gave debut run to my brand new replacement Innov-8 #Roclite 315 trail shoes after my previous pair broke after just 4 months. The eyelets on the original

pair were just loops which started to fray and then a couple of them gave out completely. Luckily the replacement pair is a different design and have proper eyelet holes so I am hoping this pair will do the business.

Day 236/365

Out early this morning to back up yesterdays run with just over 10 miles off road at a nice steady pace in 1:47:39. Legs felt a bit stiff and had had enough by the end. A few twinges in my back but achilles feeling good, I think last weeks regime may have done my heel some good too. I'm hoping now to build on this weekend as in four weeks I hope to run 29 miles from Uphill to Wells along the West Mendip Way without it being totally hell.
This morning there was quite a chill in the air and my fingers felt quite cold but it was dry and bright a beautiful Sunday morning as the Sun was rising. The grass was damp underfoot from the morning dew and quite slippery in places with a few muddy patches in the woods. I retraced some of the footpaths I had ran yesterday heading through Edford Meadows to Coleford and back to Holcombe on to Pitcot and back to Holcombe again, running through Harridge Woods, Holcombe Woods and Edford Woods. Suprisingly not muvh eildlife about a few rsbbits, squirrel and roe deer. On my return I had to run around the garden five times with my 3 year old and 5 year old before breakfast. They have all gone mad for the running bug.

the running bug.

Day 235/365

 4 weeks exactly to 29 mile Uphill to Wells following the West Mendip Way. I thought as I hadnt trained for this with my back and school holidays etc I had best see how far I could run and use this as a base to try and build up to race day.......make or break. I managed to run, off road 17.43 miles in 3:11:59. My back was uncomfortable for the first few miles but eased up the further I ran. From mile 7 I fuelled myself every mile with fruit pastilles stolen from the childrens sweet jar before I left. It was a glorious morning the sun was warm and bright but the grass was wet with dew which made my feet wet within the first mile. Trying to work a route in my head as I ran with the distance but also not going too far from home in case my back was to cause problems. When I got to about 12 miles my Gps tracker was beeping low battery I msnaged to make it back to home to collect a spare GPS before it ran out as well as collecting  the girls who ran the last couple of miles with me. Plenty of wildlife about this morning rabbits, squirrels, roe deer and buzzard, loads of young pheasant running about ready for the shooting season and i stsrtled a grey heron fishinv on the bsnks of the river flowing through Edford Woods. Big bowl of porridge when i got home and a ice bath to heal the legs as I will need to run about 10 miles tomorrow, this will be the intresting bit.

Day 234/365

Should have liked to have got todays run done a bit earlier as I plan on going out tomorrow morning early but as ever the day just disappeared. 3 laps around the playing fields in s figure 8, 3.5 miles.Legs felt tired and struggled a bit with pace, back still twinging but ok. With Uphill to Wells 29 miles along the West Mendip Way exactly 4 weeks away and doing no training for this starting to wonder if it is such a good idea, after holidays and then hurting my back my planned training dud not get off the ground. So tomorrow morning hopefully i will try and do a fairly long steady run and see how my back holds out and build from there every day at a time.

Day 233/365

Much cooler today and drizzling making the grass wet and slightly slippery. Same run again around the playing fields doing figure 8 loop beteewn the top and bottom fields. Between the two fields is a copse which  I was running through. Only slight discomfort in my back so sfter I had reached my minimum 5k took a diversion along a footpath which led me up over the top of New Rock Colliery slag heap. The coal mine long since being closed but from the top of the heap some very nice views of Chilcompton, very steep descent down over the other side. Total mileage 5.42 miles in 51:40 minutes.

Dsy 232/365

Somer AC time trails this evening but when I got home from work my oldest super keen daughter was waiting with her running kit on asking where were we going running. Sorry Somer but you have to encourage it, off to the playing fields we went. As I ran clockwise 'H' ran anti clockwise around the field, she msnaged 2.05 miles before walking and then walk/ ran till I had done the distance. I think she will be looking for s 5k race real soon. Running opposite direction to 'H' managed to run slightly quicker and slightly further, twinges in my back but nothing too bad.  Just over 4.3 miles avg pace 9.13. After tea I was bullied into running around the garden with my two youngest, they've gone running crazy, 6 times we ran around and they wanted to do more.

Day 231/365

Much easier today, still slight discomfort with my back so still taking it nice and steady doing my minimum distance. Again around the playing fields of Downside School.Temperature was quite cool and very fine drizzle managed to push the pace back up without overdoing it average pace 9:15 min/mile much better to the painful slow pace at the weekend.

Day 230/365

Back not so painful this morning, topped up with ibuprofen & finding it easier than running on the road, nice & flat with less impact did the same run as yesterday, around the playing fields. Had company todsay my two oldest again wanted to put on their running shoes.In the 32 minutes it took me to run 3.40 miles, 8 times around 'H' ran 1.89 miles straight off then finished with walk/run and 'E' walk/ran covering just over 2 miles. I think they might be ready for an Autumn 5k race If they keep it up. Managed to push my pace up slightly without causing to much distress, fingers crossed my back is on the mend, will continue to take it easy for a few more days. Just goes to show how easy it could be for this challenge to fail and there is still a third of the year to go.

Day 229/365

This morning when I got up I thought I would be throwing the towel in today, but as the day progressed and rattling with ibuprofen my back eased. I could just go out and walk the minimum 1 mile which would keep me in the challenge but I set myself the target to run a minimum 5k and if I dont fo that it would feel like defeat and after all the hours and effort thst has gone into this challenge thus far I dont want to be defeated. So my back had eased enough to try some easy running, I drove to Downside School where Stratton were busy playing cricket on a Sunday afternoon and ran 7 1/2 times around the adjacent playing field. The grass is cut perfectly short and the field nice and flat much less impact on my back. Minimum 5k done, still hanging in there.

Day 228/365

My back is still very painful when running and pace slow. Time to bring on the new blood. Ran 1 mile loop from home three times whilst my oldest girls did a relay. 'H' doing first mile 'E' doing second mile and 'H' going again to run the third mile.

The mile loop took us part way up Holcombe Hill then diverting across fields following footpaths to Brewery Lane, at the top of Holcombe Hill we now ran back down to home.

'H' ran the first mile steady making the first lap without walking. 'E' took over for lap two running off fairly quickly, and running out of energy going up Budds Lane also having stitch she took on the walk/run approach. She did however manage a very fast sprint finish. 'H's second lap and the third loop, she went off again steady but also faded going up Budds lane but kept going. Well done to both of them, brilliant effort. The company took my mind off my back which was still painful but challenge is still on minimum 5k done. Cant give in wont give in.

Day 227/365

 Struggled this evening. My back has seized up, very nearly stopped during the 1st mile but things stared to ease as I got to the top of Frog Lane. Managed a very slow and painful minimum 5k. Ran up to Stoke St Michael through the village and back to Holcombe, each mile getting slightly quicker and easier. Possibly a bit of siatica or a trapped nerve as my right leg kept feeling numb. Anyway minimum done so still in the challenge 3.5 miles in 37.24 minutes approx 6 minutes slower than normal.

Day 226/365

First mile this afternoon was a 1 mile loop back to home as I had the company of my oldest daughter who is keen to start running after her efforts in 'Race for Life'. Dropped 'H' back home and ran on for a further 5.45 miles off road. I struggled a bit today as I've strained my back somehow and was very sore running. Ran very steady being careful of my footing. Everywhere smelt fresh after all the rain and some very big muddy puddles to run through but nice to have some sunshine back.

Day 225/365

 The first part of this evenings run was to work out a route from home for Heidi my oldest to run with me who is keen to start running, after her success in the Run for Life. Worked out a mile loop from home which we can extend as she gets better and I can continue on with my run. Headed to the woods through Edford and Harridge woods, startled a group of three roe deer and a solitary one a bit later on. Running through Harridge Woods with my headtorch on you tend to concentrate on the ground just in front of you watching for roots and any other obstacles, when what did I almost trip over the biggest badger ever. I dont know who was most shocked but badger shot off through the undergrowth with immense speed,  I didn't reslise they could run so fast. Trying to increase the mileage as its only 5 weeks to my planned 29 mile run from Uphill to Wells, managed 7 miles in 1hour 15 minutes.

Day 224/365

 4.09 miles off road, plenty of muddy puddles about the going underfoot slightly softer than it has been lately and slightly slippery in places.
The brown fields have turned green again as if by magic. The sun made an appearance this evening which made for quite pleasant running. Startled a couple of roe deer, rabbit, pheasant and two buzzards.

Day 223/365

Struggled to pull my trainers on this evening after first day back at work. Work boots and the hard concrete floor certainly plays havoc with my legs especially my achilles, which has felt much better the last two weeks but was aching terrible within the first two hours of the start of my shift. Had some very heavy showers this afternoon but managed to get round my run without getting wet even with some very black clouds in the sky. Road run this evening around the lanes, 6.31 miles up to Leigh on Mendip through Stoke St Michael and back to Holcombe in 54.41 minutes.

Day 222/365

Dodging the showers and ran 4.95 miles in 42:47 minutes passed The Holcombe Inn at the top of the village and The Duke of Cumberland at the bottom. Tried to up the pace slightly this evening after having ran a few steady scenic runs last week felt like I needed to push it out a bit but also there was a massive black cloud rising up across the back of Downside Abbey and pushing its way across the skies towards Holcombe. Managed to make my run around without getting soaked, which was lucky after the persistent showers we've had today along with some blustery winds.

Day 221/365

Leaving Devon this morning and heading back to Somerset so just time to run the minimum. I was going to head down to the harbour and along the breakwater but instead went out the back of the caravan park and onto the headland, following the coastal path for just over 3.5 miles. The sun was bright and warm this morning reflecting off the sea. There was a few people  wandering around the headland but nobody taking in the stunning views that can be found along the coastal path. Had my road trainers on as I was heading to the harbour but found them much more comfortable running along this terrain than in my off road trainers, if the weather was bad it may be a different story needing extra grip underfoot instead.

Day 220/365

A short run this morning 3.70 miles. Ran along the South West Coastal Path from Sharkham Point for a couple of miles, then took a diversion down a very steep flight of concrete steps to St. Mary's Bay. As the tide was retreating I ran the length of the beach up and down, the beach is made up of coarse sand and pebbles. The sand was still wet and it was easier to run along this than the pebbles higher up the beach. A few people were already on the beach as well as another runner, running up and down. Struggled to run to the top of the steps, lost count at over 100 steps. At the top is a wooden carved figure overlooking the bay at an angle, I assume it is St. Mary and fixed at an angle to resemble the figurehead on the front of a sailing ship.
The whole length of the South West Coastal Path is 630 miles running from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Many walkers take about 8 weeks to complete the path in contrast in 2012 a runner ran the entire path in 16 days, 9 hours and 57 minutes. I won't be attempting that this year!!! Much cooler this morning and overcast but still dry which made running on the steep inclines and declines easier.