Day 280/365

Steady jaunt around Midsomer Norton and Radstock taking in the cycle paths and footpaths. Bit of off road from the Somer Centre to Five Arches followed the cycle path down into Radstock back round the road to Five Arches again then back on the cycle path up pit path through housing estate's and back along the Fosseway. Sun was shining, just missed a heavy rain storm, feeling pretty good. 6.26 miles in 52:46 mins.

Day 279/365

An hour to spare between finishing work and school pick up luckily the rain had stopped. It had been raining most of the morning very heavy at times which had knocked a lot of branches leaves and twigs down especially along the cycle path. Ran out through the lorry park up Charlton Lane along the Fosseway past The White Post dodging numerous puddles, back down towards Midsomer Norton past the Rugby Club. Along a slippery and wet cycle path up the pit path and back though the housing estates to Westfield, straight up the Fosseway and back in the trading estate. 4.36 miles in 37.03 minutes just enough time to cool off and stretch before school pick up. Every mile I ran, I ran slightly quicker 8.47, 8.45, 8.31 and 8.09.

Day 278/365

Ran out of time and daylight hours so decided to run up and down Holcombe Hill. Up from the Duke of Cumberland pub to Holcombe cross roads along Stratton Rd  round Longleat Lane through Kingsmead and back down the hill 3 times, 4 1/2 miles. Its almost as hard running downhill as it is to run uphill. At least this evening it wasnt raining and completely dry underfoot.

Day 277/365 Bath Skyline Parkrun

Parkrun organise free weekly 5km timed runs around the world. Taking place in pleasant parkland and surroundings. People of all abilities are encouraged to take part. On a very damp and cold morning Parkrun celebrated its 10th anniversary at the same time as the launch of Bath Skyline Parkrun. After the trial run last week this was the 1st for 200 runners around the newly restored footpaths and trails on National Trust land on the city of Baths skyline. Months of hard work and determination have been put into the organisation of bringing parkrun to Bath, it was referred to as a off road run with all the obstacles that came with it hills to climb, marsh land to struggle through and brambles that try to pull you back but the organisers got there in the end and full praise to them. Apart from the weather dampening the morning the inaugural event went well, well marshalled with a great turnout of young and old experienced and the less experienced runners enjoying a morning of excercise.
Quite congested at the start the field soon spread out along the figure 8 route but almost came to a walk on the flight of about 30 steps near the begining, took it steady for the first mile and then settled in to a nice pace which I managed to keep up pushing it out a little on the home straight. Managed a first park run time of 24:30 coming 66th and 9th in my age group, looking forward to knocking sometime off this over the coming weeks.
If your interested in finding a Parkrun near you visit www.parkrun.org.uk or come along to Bath Skyline Parkrun every Saturday at 9am www.parkrun.org.uk/bathskyline

Day 276/365

Another glorious day, felt slightly colder but once I started to run it was quite warm. 10k off road this morning nice and steady enjoying the weather and the countryside. Muddy areas that were wet in the summer are dried up now as we head into October after a very dry September which makes off road running easy underfoot. Headed out across the fields, some of which have been cut for silage and others ploughed ready for new crops. I jumped a stile and ran along the edge of some bracken as I did maybe a metre in front of me like a tornado a fox pirouetted vertically out of the bracken and fled in front of me sending pheasants fluttering in different directions. I think maybe he was creeping up on the pheasants and then I nearly ran over the top of him, whatever I think I spoiled his breakfast.  I ran on down through Holcombe woods passing the Old Church and through a field of sheep kept secure by electric fencing which I had to jump over. The leaves are starting to fall along the paths and trails, care must be taken where you put your footing at the same time looking around at what is going on around you as the trees change colour and the seasons start to change a fantastic time of year. 6.12 miles in 1:02:21.

Day 275/365

Still warm & dry and making the most of it. Straight after work & before school pick up ran up the Fosseway to the White Post back to Midsomer Norton past the rugby club. Down Silver Street & along  the cycle paths to Radstock. Straight back up to the trading estste through Westfield. 6.33 miles in 56 minutes. Almost twisted my ankle on a stray conker and caution is also required running on the fallen beech mast which also rolls under foot.

Day 274/365

Today is 3/4's through 2014kx365, 91 days left to go of my challenge. Quick run before work minimum 5k. I ran up Holcombe Hill a figure 8 around the lanes and then back down the hill. Fairly quick pace as I had to go to work. Alas today the postman brought the news thst I had not been successful in gaining a ballot place in the 2015 Virgin London Marathon.