Poppy Half Marathon

Bexhill-on-Sea Remembrance Race 8 November 2014

Becci and I set off on Friday evening for Hastings and we were fortunate enough to have a really smooth quick journey and arrived at our Travel Lodge in time to enjoy a drink in the bar with some of our running friends from The Commando Runners.

The next morning I was careful to choose a breakfast that would keep me sustained for as long as possible as our race was not going to start until 12.30. I had not run a race this late before and I have quite horrible sugar lows, feeling sick and light headed, if I miss my mid-day meal so I wondered how it would affect my running.

I had prepared by bringing jelly babies and two caffeinated sports gels and Becci and I had a coffee and small muffin from breakfast about 11.30.

The organisers had warned us that there would be very strong winds and the 'white horses' out at sea were spectacular. It was still quite mild and the rain was holding off as we joined everyone at the start line. The last post had been sounded and a little later we had the two minute silence but, sadly, it was not called in a way that everyone was aware and so it was not silent which was a shame.

The start

I just could not find the energy for anything other than a really slow start and hoped that I would get into my stride and speed up. I felt quite happy running on my own as Becci had got a terrific start and I never want to hold her up with my brand of start. 

The view along the seafront was amazing and it was all I could do to pull my eyes from the sea to concentrate on the route.

Mile one to four and a half

The first time round the route was fine and my splits show that I did this at quite a reasonable speed.

The conditions on the ground were quite difficult as there was a lot of foam and slippery areas to contend with and at a few points there were large deposits of stoney gravel washed up from the beach. This had been cleared before the start of the race but like Canute we cannot hold back the power of the sea and it soon covered the path quite deeply in places.

At a few points you pass some of the front runners and this is quite fun on the first lap.

I took my first caffeine gel at mile four and a half and was glad of it.

Mile four and a half to nine

The second lap was much like the first in terms of how I managed it. I felt happy and energised and coping quite well. I was a little dispirited by the arrival of a cyclist asking for us to make way for the front runner who then sailed past us. That is a bitter sweet moment when you feel happy and in awe of the strength of these young runners but then you realise he is on his last lap and you have almost two left. This then makes you feel sluggish. Hunger and thirst are robbing you of your strength and you are able to see the miles ahead of you along the sea front and that is hard.

Just before mile nine we had the completers peeling off for the finish line and I found myself momentarily disorientated as I struggled with tiredness to work out where I was supposed to run as the field had stretched so much I was the only runner going on for the third lap at that moment. Oh that was a horrible moment. People running next to you over the finish line while you have to continue - not a nice feeling.

By mile nine I had to have another gel and Mark, one of The Commando Runners, came and kept me company for a short section.

Mile nine to thirteen

Oh dear things started to go very wrong by mile nine when I realised I had completely run out of steam. I urged Mark to run on ahead and he quickly disappeared from sight - he had a very good run.

I slugged it out for miles along the sea front knowing exactly what lay ahead and that knowledge was the hardest part of all - nothing new coming along. Then I noticed that a runner had collapsed and was receiving medical treatment and she looked so young and fit. I began to panic about overdoing it and pushing myself too hard. I was dragging one foot in front of the other by this stage but people were encouraging us along and especially so by the collapsed runner, reminding us we only had a short way to go.

I dug as deep as I could to keep myself going and it would have been so pleasant to stop and walk. Where that strength came from to keep up the slowest jog ever I will never know but soon I saw the finish line and even though I knew I would not be able to 'sprint' finish I did at least try to look joyous.

The finish and summing up

Having got to the finish I was greeted by some of the Commando Runners and caught up with Becci who had had a very good run given the weather conditions. She pointed me in the direction of the tent where I could get a printout of my time and a cup of tea and several pieces of home-made cake.

Everyone was very friendly and excited and the cake was delicious and so welcome.

We popped over to the hotel where we had left our coats and bags in the storage room and had a glass of lime and soda before setting off to find the car and drive back to the hotel. Francis, another Commando Runner, had given us a lift there and he had also made some rocky road chocolate for us all which I tucked into despite having already demolished lots of cake but with no lunch it was not surprising.

The challenge for me had almost been too much. I think the timing of the race did not work in my favour as I could not get the fuel side of running bigger distances right despite using gels. I found this and having spent a night in a strange bed and running in difficult weather conditions all contributed to a poor run but most of all I did not cope very well with a three lap route. That being said my time was not a disaster and I was not last and managed to be 13th in my age group - that might just sound good as it is perfectly possible that there were only 13 in that age group anyway!

My Garmin gave up the ghost too after mile ten and no data was saved - this watch is definitely in need of a service (a bit like it's owner).

An evening in Hastings

Well after that I suppose I couldn't really expect the evening to be any better and indeed it was a bit of a disappointment too. 

We rushed back to the hotel, got washed and changed and met everyone else in the hotel bar. Then we went off to another hotel chain's restaurant where the greeting on the door said they could only take cash and the cash machine in the bar did not work so we had to go to the nearby supermarket before we could eat. 

The food was not great and I was longing for some home comforts after the run. Then we found ourselves in a supermarket and getting taxis back to our hotel where we were going to drink in someone's room. This was the point at which I politely said good night and went to bed. 

Ideally I would have liked to get back after the race and have a rest for a couple of hours and then gone to a comfortable pub for a meal and some socialising with a nightcap in the bar at the hotel afterwards. Ah such is the difficulty when others have different expectations for an evening relaxing after a race. One runner's meat is another's poison - you live and learn!

Overall thoughts about the weekend

I was very proud to have run the race in remembrance of those who had fought in various wars so that we can enjoy the freedom we have. I would not do this race again though as it was a bit too much for me but I am glad to have had the opportunity to take part.

I would also take more control over what I choose to do in terms of how to spend an evening after a race. Perhaps it is just me but going to a supermarket is not exactly my idea of a fun thing to do on a Saturday night in Hastings!!

I was very pleased with the medal and tee shirt and I had even managed to save up about twenty pounds since my last long race some of which I used when I was in Anthropologie in Regent Street. I bought a beautiful red cup with a poppy detail to remember the race and a Jane Austen novel "Northanger Abbey" (having visited Stoneleigh Abbey which was the inspiration for Northanger Abbey). It is lovely some time later to sit with a cup of coffee and a good book both of which remind you of somewhere you have been or something you have done.

October Run Through

All quiet on the running front...

Saturday 4 October Mersea Island Hash House Harriers - Rover's Tye

Getting set for the Hash

One of the nice things about a hash is the stops so that
we all stay together as much as possible

Nothing, it seems, puts off the determined Hasher!

Ooo now that is a really cute look - might have to steal that
some time!

I was surprised at how much elevation there
was in this, new to me, area

Despite the extreme humidity no-one was tempted to jump
in this little pool

It wouldn't be a proper hash without some time for play

Down by the water David has time to contemplate

And there is always an opportunity to savour a sweetie

All too soon though we were heading for 'home' and another
enjoyable Saturday Hash was completed

Monday Night Social Runners and Walkers

My usual running routine was severely disrupted in October because I had a bad cold and then lots of non-running commitments got in the way.  

Becci recently set up a Monday night walking and running social group which I have really been enjoying. We finish the evening with a drink in a pub and it is a good way of getting to know everyone.

I had a brilliant run on Monday 6 October when we met at the Dog & Pheasant in Mile End, Colchester. It was the first dark and rainy evening this Autumn and I had to drag myself out of the warm and cozy house. I don't know what it was but I suddenly had a rush of energy and took full advantage to run at a much faster pace than I have been capable of lately.

Here is the new look Garmin page recording the route and pace. 

I think this layout is very clear and easy to access any
information you might need quickly

A Longer Training Run

The Mersea route

Becci and I wanted to put in a longer run in preparation for our Half Marathon at the beginning of November. We set off from East Mersea and worked our way to West where we had a circular route. Our plan was to stop for a coffee en route. It began to rain just when the stop was planned and we were a bit disappointed to find there were no seats left at the Art Cafe and we went to The MICA but they only have a coffee machine which we didn't fancy. We spent a short time chatting to the receptionist whilst we sheltered from the rain before setting off again. I was grateful for Becci keeping us on top of our training especially since I only ran once again in October.

LWFitness4All Hallowe'en Fun Run

Spooky antics at the War Memorial, Colchester Castle Park

It was yet another mild evening and running in costume must have been challenging. We had trick or treats all the way round which included wall squats and standing push ups (I ached the next two days). We had a great time and there was some delicious soup for us back at the gym afterwards. They are a very friendly group and I am enjoying running with them.

I ran about 40 miles this month before I came to an abrupt halt! I would have wanted to taper a bit before my Poppy Half Marathon in November so perhaps things work out for the best sometimes. Here is my Garmin monthly activities view.

The Garmin Monthly Calendar view which is a
great way of seeing if you are sticking to your exercise regime

Doh! Doughnuts!

Ever been sorry you've signed up for a race?

Well this would be the one! Yep it was the Doughnut Dash at Colchester Castle Park on Sunday 14 September in aid of Kidney Research UK. What does that involve? Well, let me see - you have to eat a full-sized, iced and sometimes filled, or sprinkled or sometimes both, doughnut at each of five stops round the five kilometre course. 

When my race number arrived it came with the advice that if I were to be sick could I please not do so on the race track and that there would be bags provided. Also there would be a St John's Ambulance team available. 

After having run this last year I was fully aware of how much of a challenge it would be. Some people looked shocked when they saw the trays of doughnuts as if they had not given it enough thought. My trouble was that I had given it too much thought and was fully prepared with a bottle of water and a strong constitution.

This year there were two races for younger runners and Becci's daughter Violet was all set with her sparkly shoes to show us how it was done. She ran an amazing race eating her (younger sized) doughnuts and earning a well-deserved medal.

You can see her older, cheeky, brother looking bemused in the background but he would soon be discovering just how much doughnut love a runner can summon up in the next half hour.

Before we got started there was a warm up led by the runner who had found herself with race number 118 and was dressed as the television ad character. She just had to really!

Then we were off and, as last year, the first doughnut doesn't seem too bad but we were soon forcing them down. I was impressed by a Dad running with pushchair and tiny baby although I suspected he might have wanted feed the doughnuts to the little one!

Becci, Callum and I were heartily sick of the doughnuts but we soldiered on and managed to keep running and eating.

They don't look like enthusiastic doughnut dashers!

Thankfully, it was soon over and we got our medals which were ... doughnuts.

Still it was all in a good cause. You can see some video and another race report here on Mudstacle.

Saturday Hashing and a visit to The Chamber of Secrets

The Old Queen's Head, Ford Street, Aldham

Having arrived earlier than expected Becci, Helen and I were keen to take advantage of meeting at a pub. The Landlord was a bit flustered by our asking for a drink at 10.30 in the morning until he realised we meant coffee.

Becci and Helen decided this was a really nice way to start a Saturday morning

There were a good number of us including some who would be walking and it wasn't long before the Hares gave us the call to get started.

The village is very attractive with lots of timbered buildings and a bridge over the river Colne but it is marred by the number of cars passing through Ford Street. We got off the main road by another pretty pub and then found ourselves in some lovely countryside.

No shortage of pubs in this part of the world

Always a comfort to know!

Fordham Hall Estates are part of the Woodland Trust
you can read a little bit about them here

A perfectly placed seat for taking in the beauty of this area

A loving Hash House Harrier Husband (in blue) encourages his
wife to keep running ahead to look for the route (you can just about see her in the distance!)

It seemed every time we stopped more Hashers appeared

There were still some Farmers working on their harvest and at this farm they were busy cleaning lots of tractors.

Safely past the pressure washer

This hash gave us some wonderful views and we found ourselves at All Saints Church, Fordham.

Now why you would need to 'book your space'
for a Psychic Night at The Three Horseshoes
surely they already know you are coming. 

Sweetie break

Some of us used our newly thought about psychic powers to deduce that the trail led straight across the field rather than the edges.

Once we called 'on on' the other runners converged towards
us from both sides 

David encouraged by the other hashers sets off to find the trail

Our lovely younger Hashers looking as
fresh as daisies whilst the rest of us follow them
panting and glowing!!

We weren't the only ones out enjoying the lovely Autumn day

Deep in discussion

And here is someone who looks deep in thought

These are precious days of Autumn - warm and dry and perfect for Hashing.

We look a bright and colourful lot today

Running off into the wild blue yonder but is it the right way?

Just what we Hashers love - a long steep hill at the end of a run!

We were out for about an hour and had run about five miles and were now ready for 'Home' (aka the pub).

David admiring "Goliath's" very cool motor bike
(I'm sorry but there just isn't another nickname so appropriate)

The pub has recently been refurbished and the Publican and his family were very friendly and the sandwiches were delicious and very welcome after our exertions.

Now I know you must all be thinking: but where is our favourite Hasher!

Well he joined us at the Pub after the run for a well-earned pint of beer - yes it was 'Whowears'. He and his friend had been cycling all the way from Mersea visiting Churches raising money for their upkeep (the Churches that is). Then he was setting off again with some of the Hashers for a twenty mile circular ride from the pub before he cycled back to Mersea (taking in more Churches along the way) - what an inspiration for keeping yourself fit!

Mmm...those shorts are a bit long!!

No distances in the usual stats as I didn't set my watch properly but here is part of the route and the weather:

Overheard:

• Keep going - you'll find the sawdust in a moment (heard several times on this hash and the poor so and so disappears into the distance)
• They get a massage in Bond films when they get sweaty (yes, 'James', I'm sure they do;-))
• Hello girls - do you want to sponsor me? (well how could we refuse...)

On On

Edie and I visit The Barrow on Mersea Island

When I got home from the Hash I could not resist getting my own bike out and cycling down to the Barrow, which is a Roman burial mound, on the Island.

Edie and I set off for an adventure

Keith, the very important Romano Britain, greets us
with the Barrow behind him to the right

Not a bad photo for a Romano Britain who has never seen
technology before, thanks Keith (a retired clergyman in real life)

They had made the entrance very festive

The corridor leading to the area where the
burial was found

We were escorted through the corridor

Should have got Keith to take this one
the replica glass jar in which the cremated remains
were buried lit by a candle for today

The Barrow was excavated by a chap called Hazzledean Warren in 1912 and had not previously been tampered with which only leads me to believe that as per usual things were being undertaken in 'Mersea Time'. Nevertheless, it was amazing to think that meant an in-tact burial from AD 100 - 120 was recovered. It consisted a lead box inside which there was a Roman green glass jar in perfect condition. The box was topped with two wooden planks and the whole thing encased in Roman bricks capped with septaria (clay nodules) over which the earth of various sorts including sand had been piled. Some of the soil came from Kent and there was also evidence in several places of fires and food which had been left by the people working on the mound. There were no grave goods or anything indicating who the person was.

The Museum Trust had been able to raise some funds which they used to have the bones analysed by an expert Osteoarchaeologist (ancient bone specialist) Jaqueline McKinley who they had seen on the programme Time Team. She was able to tell them that it seemed to the remains of a man aged between 35 and 45 who had been physically active but had developed a disease of the joints giving him some stiffness and spinal pain but would not have caused his death.

One of the most important discoveries about this particular burial was that there was a sticky black resinous material on the bones which on further analysis turned out to contain frankincense which has never before been found on any British burial of the Roman time. 

I was really glad I had taken the time to visit the Barrow and discover so much about the burial. Best of all is that as there is so little known about the man we can create our own story for him. I think he might have been a 'big shot' in Colchester's Roman Circus and that he brought wealth to the local people here on Mersea at the time and so they gave him a hero's burial - well that's my idea for him anyway!