Day 363/365

A crisp and cold morning, the road was slippery and wanting to get my run done early opted to jump over a stile and run off road rather than risk slipping on an icy puddle especially with only 3 days left of my challenge. Did my normal minimum miles off road route which took me up past The Holcombe Inn and down through Holcombe woods and past the old church. Even the mud was frozen which made it a lot easier running off road in my road trainers, the fields were white with frost but the sun was rising in the blue clear sky warming up the morning, a beautiful morning.

Just over 4 miles, running total at 1998/2014 miles leaving me with 16 miles in 2 days to hit my total for the challenge. As a Grand Finale to my challenge I have decided to join others on New Years Eve in in attempting to run a full circuit of Bristols Green Man Challenge route 45.5 miles, if you would like more information or to follow this challenge you can on Facebook  2014Kx365 - The Last Day or http://www.kx365thelastday.co.uk This is going to be a huge challenge to end a whole year of activity, if you are able to support along the route or join for all or part of the route everyone is welcome.

Day 359/365 Christmas Day

Christmas Day run just the minimum, Nanny and Grampy are settled with the children looking at what Santa has brought, my dear wife is busy in the kitchen. There is no way I could run after Christmas Dinner and the children were busy unwrapping presents early, 11.30 am it's now or never. Minimum miles 5k up Frog Lane to Stoke St Michael past The Duke of Cumberland through Stoke past The Knatchbull and back home lovely bright sunny morning. 6 days left in my challenge. 1980 running miles of 2014.

Day 362/365 Glastonbury Tor Dash

Well organised by Rogue Runs Glastonbury Tor Dash, a short multi terrain race of roughly 4 miles with a route that ran around the bottom and then up and over the Iconic landmark of Glastonbury Tor. Starting and finishing at Old Oaks campsite the course started along the lane almost immediately heading along bridal ways and muddy pathways. My off road shoes being out of action I competed in this race wearing my road trainers I managed ok due to the sharp frost we had had over night which kept most off road running fairly solid. We were soon running uphill along lanes very steep lanes before getting to the base of the Tor itself. Around the bottom through grassy fields till we came back on ourselves to make the ascent up the Tor. The steps caused a bit of congestion and there was no alternative but to go the same pace as who ever was in front of you. Well supported at the top of the Tor with folks cheering and ringing bells, the descent again down steps I was able to gain momentum and ran past 3 others. Back out on to the lane again climbing before going back along a very muddy bridal way where I struggled for grip. Downwards now across two grassy fields as I reached the stile at the first my legs shot out from under me down onto my buttocks I slid but the momentum brought me back upright. Back into the campsite and to the finish with an official finish time of 00:38:16, 23rd in a field of 75. This was my 19th race of 2014 bringing my running miles up to 1994/2014 with 3 days left to go in the challenge.

Day 361/365

Cold but bright, just me and my shadow running minimum miles around the lanes of Holcombe. Feeling slightly lethargic, legs are heavy and tired. Will have chips for lunch as I racing tomorrow, the last run of the year. Today's effort took mileage total up to1990/2014 with 4 days remaining of the challenge.

Day 360/365 Boxing Day

Having no trail shoes another road run, up through Leigh on Mendip and Stoke St.Michael. Not exactly how I wanted to see the year out as I would much rather run off road and it is much easier on the body but having no spare off road trainers the run must be done. Very wet and very cold managed to squeeze just over 6.5 miles in before it was dark taking my running total for the year  up to 1987 miles since January 1st. 5 days to go in 2014kx365 challenge.

Day 358/365 Christmas Eve

Wearing my Santa outfit today's run took in the villages of Stratton on the Fosse, Holcombe  and Coleford visiting family and friends as I ran to wish them a Merry Christmas. A lovely sunny afternoon I ran down through Stratton on the Fosse to the sounds of bells ringing, outside their gateways were my sister, Dad, neighbours and one of the proudest supporters to my challenge my Mum. I ran through Stratton on the Fosse and headed back towards Holcombe but as I had not seen many people and wearing my Santa outfit took a diversion onto Coleford. The streets and roads were a bit busier now and had a few cheers a card blowing their horns. Visited my sister and my old friend as well as founders to my chosen charity Time is Precious for a promotion photo. Was quite enjoying myself and lost track of time before having to race back to Holcombe to get on with Christmas festivities. Just over 8 miles taking my running total up to 1977 miles for the year 7 days to go.

Day 357/365

The last Somer AC training night of the year. Much more of a social jingle bell jog, a festive run around the housing estates of Westfield taking in the Xmas lights. Followed by award winning fish and chips at Whitstones. A fairly decent turn out for the last run including Jim Plunkett Cole and his dog Alf, Jim being the initiative behind kx365 and still drumming up trade for 2015kx365. If your interested in doing a little bit of excercise with the motivation of others encouraging each other through social media be it run, walk, swim, cycle or whatever you fancy visit facebook page 2015kx365 and sign up before 1st January. Tonights little amble was just over 4 1/2 miles taking my running total up to 1968 running miles of 2014, just 8 days to go in this challenge.