Day 212/365

7 calendar months of challenge 2014kx365, 212 days, 1141 miles & 191 miles in the month of July. Highlights this month were running from St. Benedict's School to the children's centre at Baths Royal United Hospital dressed as Batman on Time is Precious' last ever character Day & Frome Half Marathon.

 Today's run was intending to be an off road  circumnavigate of a Downside Abbey starting out from Holcombe through Stratton on the Fosse to Chilcompton and back to Holcombe. Set off across the fields towards Pitcot  across the Cradle Grounds with Downside Abbey in the distance ran through arable land and meadows to Stratton, the farming here allows for set aside which means a strip is left around the perimeter of arable land for wildlife, which is also useful for running around instead of through any planted crops.  Once in Stratton followed the bridal way through Downside Schools grounds to Chilcompton. Down through Chilcompton turning off by the village hall and back across the footpaths to Stratton coming out by St. Benedict's Church. Had almost made a loop around Downside Abbey but headed out of Stratton towards Radstock turning off  onto Watery Lane. Legs were feeling a bit heavy and lethargic so rather than run across the fields as intended ran around the lanes back to Holcombe the loop  around the Abbey was completed by the Holcombe Inn and I refrained from going in to refuel. Just over 6.5 miles bringing July to a close. 

Day 211/365

Just to update you on my Achilles it's no better nor is it any worse, I would struggle to run on it first thing in the morning as it feels like my foot has been set in concrete when I get out of bed but as the day goes on it loosens up. That is why I tend to go running later in the day, the only trouble is most days tend to run away with you and there is not much time left at the end of it. Having said that managed to get out slightly earlier this evening but not having a clear route planned in my head ran a number of routes I normally take some going in the opposite direction to what I may usually go, which actually makes that route completely different. One of my main routes down through Holcombe Woods the footpath has been closed due to the bridge collapsing.

Ran past what remains of Holcombe Brewery which was converted into residential units about 10 years ago. In 1895 John Scott father of Robert Falcon Scott of the Antarctic was appointed brewery manager after moving from Devon. However he died two years later and was buried in the cemetery of Holcombe Old Church.
Spotted a Yaffle a Green woodpecker swooping across the freshly cut hay by the old mill in the bottom of Coleford no doubt it was hunting for ants.

Still pretty warm out there startled a Roe deer as I skirted around Shoots Wood. I could hear Downside Abbey bell tolling in the distance, nice steady 6.25 miles, I missed my footing at the as I leapt over the brook ended up running 3 miles with a squelching trainer.

Day 210/365

Ran through Edford Meadows which has been freshly cut for hay a buzzard took off and flew up into the trees. Continued on over Ham Hill following the remains of The Dorset and Somerset Canal which was never finished and past Tufa Falls  spotted Fox skulking around behind Ham Farm.  From Ham headed across the fields to Edford Woods then through Harridge Woods and past Keepers Cottage which is home to six species of bats including the rare greater horseshoe.                                                      

S

Down through the lost village of Fernhill and past St. Dunstans Well to Stoke Bottom frightening a Roe dear grazing in the field. Skirting around Edford Woods and again following the remains of the canal and up onto the packhorse bridge which would have traversed the canal if it had been completed. Up the pack horse trail following the footpaths to come out by the Holcombe Inn, across the fields to a Silver Street and across the playing fields. Down Budds Lane across Common Lane following the footpath back to Holcombe Hill. Just over 7 miles much cooler this evening but still very close, I think I even felt a couple of spots of rain.

Day 209/365

It was dusk before I managed to pull my runners on this evening, put my head torch in my bag as I knew it would be dark before I got back. As I set out the sky to the west was crimson and glowing but to the east it was dark blue and looked like a storm may be brewing. Ran across two open fields and then down the pack horse track coming out opposite the Duke of Cumberland, this trail is still closed due to the subsidence during the winters heavy rain storms. Headed across a field of sheep and then through disused quarry to Stoke St Michael, came back through the quarry but by a different route, back through the field of sheep but coming out on Marsh Ln. Ran across the fields to Ham Hill Farm then up Ham Hill to Common Lane.  I could hear owls screeching at each other and took a diversion back

into the fields to see if I could spot them but as I did my GPS tracker started beeping low battery, not knowing how much time I had left picked up the pace so as to not loose any mileage. As I emerged from the fields and ran down Holcombe Hill you could feel the heat rising off the road and cars smelling warm I could still hear the owl off in the distance but didn't get to see him. 5 1/2 miles in 57 minutes

Day 208/365

Just shy of 5 miles off road this evening. Legs were feeling tired and lethargic for the first mile but as they warmed up daylight was fading. Ran out of the village westwards towards the setting sun which was going down behind Downside Abbey in the distance. Ran past the Holcombe Inn, it's much cooler this evening with a breeze that was blowing the flag of St .George on the flag pole next to the Holcombe Inn sign. Headed across the fields and down to Holcombe Old Church, as a rule I normally run around the church yard but tonight I ran through looking up at the angel above the porch door, I wondered how many over the years have also looked up at that angel. I ran to the corner of the churchyard to hop over the wall as I was about to jump I stopped momentarily and put my hand up to my Uncle

Ken laid to rest in the churchyard, what would he of thought of me running everyday? Into the Woods I startled a Roe deer which launched itself into the pond to stop our paths crossing, down into the woods and up out the other side. Skirting around shoots wood said Roe deer was out the pond and climbing up over the hill as I came round the corner it then jumped through the hedge and disappeared. I ran back up the track to Moores Farm and followed the footpaths to come out on Brewery Lane, down Budds Lane and across the freshly cut hay fields to Kilmersdon Common Farm, down Ham Hill and back across Edford Meadows. Daylight was fading now so just a dash up Holcombe hill to home.

Day 207/365

Left going out till later for my run this evening till 8.45pm. I had decided to go go off road but I think I left it half an hour late as it was too dark to safely run through Harridge woods without a head torch so ended up running along the road from Stoke a Bottom Farm to the Duke of Cumberland and up Holcombe Hill to home.
Much cooler when I went out to how it had been today ran through Edford Meadows, heaps of butterfly's still busy at work then to Ham and followed the footpaths to bottom of Coleford. Going is very firm under foot now after the dry weather, good for running but caution needs to be taken in case of rolling an ankle. Coming back towards Holcombe loud music was blasting out of the woods sounded like there was possibly a rave going on, not dressed for house music I ran on.  Back in Holcombe everyone seemed to be taking advantage of the weather out door parties and BBQ 's all around. Ran across the playing fields and up Silver Street and across

the fields to the Holcombe Inn. I then took off across the fields to Pitcot up Pitcot Ln and back into the fields then down the track to Stoke Bottom, it was getting dark now so not wanting to risk tripping on a root and falling head first into a tree  I ran around the road home. Just short of 7 miles in 1 hr 7 minutes.

Day 206/365

Feeling quite honoured this evening as I had company to run with again for the third night on the trot. Mark Mclaughin crawling out of retirement managed a nice steady pace over 5 1/4 miles. Starting  from Westfield Trading Estate after another super hot afternoon we ran up Lynton Rd along past Norton Hill School down Silver Street through the High Street of Midsomer Norton and up Church Lane. Dropping down into Thicket Mead we got on the Greenway cycle path. Being a former triathlete I expected Mark to pick up the pace on the slight decline but he didn't, the air was very thin and masses of bugs perished as we inhaled deeply. Continued along to The Five Arches where we crossed the road and got on the cycle path back to Silver Street, slightly inclined now the effort was greater but it was cooler under the trees with a slight breeze. Big push up Silver Street then maximum effort to bring us back to the Trading Estate.

Then home for a post training run snack. 

Day 205/365

Ran around the Jack n'Jill route this evening with Roger Devereux who had accompanied me on my Batman run to RUH. Starting from Westfield Trading Estate we ran steadily around the whole route which takes you up on to Haydon Batch and along the footpaths down into Radstock. In Radstock we pick up the cycle path before dropping back down into the fields running alongside the cycle path to Kilmersdon. Once in Kilmersdon a bit of a diversion takes the route under the railway bridge and up through the woods before dropping back down into the village then up Jack n'Jill hill before heading back to Haydon along footpaths past Waterside Farm. It is much more overgrown now than it was back in May and a lot less slippery, we decided not to run through the river as you do on race day although it may have been refreshing if we had.  Lots of brambles and stinging nettles overhanging the footpaths, my legs were almost numb by the end of the run. Roger managed to run up the whole of Jack n'Jill hill, good work and there was a cracking sunset on another very warm evening. Just over 6 miles after running out of the trading estate.

Day 204/365

Joined by Nick, Vince & Desmond to run around the housing estates after a very very warm afternoon shift. Still very warm at 10 pm should really have been going out for a steady run after running Frome Half Marathon last Sunday  but as ever the pace creeps up when everyone is together. Ran out the back of the Trading Estate and up through Charlton Park down Lynton Rd and into the Janes Estate. Then through Waterford Park and straight back up through Westfield with a full lap around the Trading Estate, 5 miles in just over 40 minutes. Legs felt very heavy for the first 3 miles and just sat in behind the boys as they jostled for position, coming up through Waterford Park is slightly inclined and the pace started to slow, as we came out onto the main road I pushed up through maintaining the pace and dragging the boys back to the trading estate. Vince I think had a bit more in the burner, but a good pace all round after an energy sapping day.

Day 203/365

Frome Half marathon in action

                                                                                                                                       Not knowing if there was a bull en route yesterday decided to run a different way home, a route I was vaguely familiar with. Lesson learnt vaguely familiar does not work whilst running in the dark with a head torch on. I ran up to the White Post roundabout and then got on to the footpath which takes you to Manor Farm this was easy. Once at Manor Farm I couldn't find my way through, I was worried a dog my be out on the loose so headed in the direction I thought best, however instead of dogs I ended up in a field with a herd of marauding steers who did not like my head torch and I could not see without it. I managed to climb through the hedge into  a wheat field, I knew where I wanted to be but couldn't find an exit from the field.                                                                                                                                                     Ended up running

all around the field then climbing out onto the road at Killings Knap. Getting fed up now I ran around the road and down Watery Lane then getting on the Bridal path now I was back on track. Down into Loocombe woods following familiar footpaths and trails to Holcombe Cross Rds. Had had enough now so just ran down over Holcombe Hill home. Running for just over an hour, GPS tracker stopped working again approx 5.5 miles.

Day 202/365

Running home from work across the fields and through the woods, what was I to do when I came across a "CAUTION BULL IN FIELD" sign? With my head torch and a hi- viz shirt on the bull was likely to see me before I saw him. I pulled a stick from the hedge and clutching the stick and  clenching my buttocks I entered the field, I ran very slowly along the hedge scanning the field with my torch as I went, knowing I would have to run across the field as the exit was in the opposite corner. I ran as far as I could before I had to run into open ground I couldn't see any eyes lighting up from my torch so I legged it, which isn't easy after running a half marathon the day before, working an 8 hour shift in a hot factory and carrying a backpack. Heart beating and gasping for breath I made it to the stile, not knowing if the bull was in there or not I ran on, not looking back. Through Charlton and along Snails Bottom to Loocombe Woods, I trip on a tree root but manage not to fall over. As I run I'm unsettling roosting birds and I can hear an owl hooting in the distance. Out the wood and across open ground skirting Shoots Wood I then run down through Holcombe Wood coming out beside Holcombe Old Church, the hairs rise on my neck as I run past the graveyard quickening my pace, the owl hoots again this time very close which startles me. I carry on along the footpaths skirting the village of a Holcombe past the Holcombe Inn and eventually down the pack horse trail to The Duke of Cumberland then up Holcombe Hill to home, 5 3/4 miles.

Day 201/365 Frome Half Marathon

 Frome Half Marathon 20th July 2014. Great turnout from Somer AC for a Club a Championship Race and a strong contingent of 365'ers racing today to including Stu Ferris from Knowle West Running Club.
On a very warm morning myself and Stu Ferris decided to run together, which we did, running a very evenly paced 13.1 miles over a hilly course in the heat. We pulled each other on when the need arose and supported each other grabbing drinks and jelly babies for each other, our pace was well matched and we ran well together. The last mile I found tough, I struggled running back through Frome Town and up the last hill, I had pins and needles in my left shoulder and down my arm. I told Stuart to run on but he wouldn't. He said "We'll cross the line together", he could have ran on but I dug deep and we crossed together holding our hands aloft. Official finish time 1:53:01.
This was a very well organised race with road closures which also included a 5k and 10k option. The support around the course was fantastic cheering, music, jelly babies and garden hoses and sprinklers being sprayed over the runners as they ran by.

Day 200/365

 200 days in of the challenge. Over 1100 miles, 3 worn out pairs of trainers and most of the footpaths & trails around Holcombe are well worn now.
Went out eary this morning so as to give my legs a full 24hrs rest before Frome Half Marathon tomorrow. Just the minimum 3.2 miles, down Holcombe Hill & up Frog Lane to Stoke St Michael. The sky was rumbling all the while a few big drops of rain but nothing like what we had had in the night. Through the village of Stoke and past the Knatchbull Arms where this telephone box is situated outside still in working order. Around Church Street & back to Holcombe. I think somebody is trying to get Edford reinstated in its own right. According to the maps The Duke of Cumberland is in Edford & Holcombe Hill actually starts halfway up, the first half being Edford Hill. Whatever its called its still a beast to run up!

 &

Day 199/365

 Wanting to pull my running back to mornings as Frome Half Marathon on Sunday starts at 10am, I didnt want to leave this till Saturday morning. My achilles is still quite tender & after running 7 miles off road last night going out again on it this morning was going to be a bit painful.
Saving my legs for Sunday decided on a gentle road run around the village.It didnt feel that warm this morning with cloud cover and a slight breeze but it was very humid after the thunder & lightening storm in the night, when I stopped I was just dripping wet.
GPS tracker turned itself off again after just 14 secs which was possibly due to poor signal because of low clouds. I ran 2 laps of up Holcombe Hill, down Common Lane around Ham to Marsh Lane and along to The Duke of Cumberland back up Holcombe Hill and around again. Once round is 2.1 miles so twice around was 4.2, nice and steady.
Only 3 years ago I was struggling to run/walk one lap.

Day198/365

 Not to sure of where to run or how far I put on a pair of old road runners and followed my nose. Ended up running u7 miles almost all of which was off road. Ran through Edford Meadows to Ham, came back on myself skirting  bottom of Holcombe Hill then running through the disused quarry toStoke St Michael. Cut across a field which was like a scene from Watership Down , cottontails everywhere. Followed footpaths to StokeBottom Farm and through Harridge Woods, coming out of the woods tripped on a root but managed to fall with style and guide my self down uninjured. Ran around Edford Wood as light was fading now and back up the pack horse route wstching my step as the surfsce is very uneven with loose stones. At the top couple of flat fields back home, even though it was late in the day it was still very warm out there.

Day 197/365

Firstly a very proud Dad day, my 13 year old daughter Heidi took part in the race for life this morning at school. She ran 5k the furthest she has ever ran, coming 12th out of her year  group in 32 minutes, winning her first ever running medal the first of many!

Running out of time this evening as the sun was going down managed 5.5miles off road. Ran through the meadows & woodland surrounding Holcombe. Most fields have been cut for hay now which makes running easier but it was a bit tricky in the woods where light was fading watching out for tree roots. Nice steady pace just under 55 minutes.

Day 196/365

Saying a prayer for Ben on what would have been his 9th birthday. Ran across the fields and through the woods alongside the Mells Stream to Old Coleford. Up Church Street and past Holy Trinity Church to Highbury then along Anchor Road to Lipyeate Cross and back to Holcombe. Not racing, just running and enjoying what was around me, listening to the birds, feeling the breeze blowing watching the sky growing darker as the day was coming to an end, feeling thankful that I could.

Day 195/365

Got myself bit on the  my left buttock. I decided to go off road this evening and about a mile in, the other side of Ham Hill, I emerged from a copse to have two dogs come bounding down upon me barking, I stood still as I always do until the owners get their dogs under control but one had already bit my butt. The owner threw himself in between us which bowled me over. It all happened very quickly and the owner was very apologetic saying it was a rescue dog and that was why it was on a long line but this didn't help me. Feeling embarrassed I got up and ran on this was when I realised I had actually been bit. I ran on enjoying my run but the further I went my bum got more sore, I have bathed it with TCP now. The rest of my run was fairly uneventful, frightened two fine looking Roe deer and a buzzard took off from a tree as I ran beneath it. Ground is very firm underfoot old road trainers are fine in these conditions, dry under foot but very cool with a breeze, nice conditions. Shame my bum hurt so I cut my run short and came home. Just under 5 miles, just under 50 mins.....