Month: June 2016

We got a Facebook message from Jason (who is our friend, the man behind Christian Runners UK, fun to be with and all-round good egg), saying that there was to be a 5K and 10K race today at the Caring for Life open day.  Now Caring for Life is a great local Christan charity supported by members of our church which does all sorts of good work for vulnerable people, so going to support them at the open day wasn’t a bad idea in any event.

There was nothing about a running race on the website or flyers (sheep racing yes, but people racing, no) so I must confess to be somewhat sceptical that there was a race at all.  Surely there at least would be a clue on the web site!  So, we went with running gear ready and daughter and grandson in toe for a grand day out.  And grand it was with lots to do including (watching) sheep shearing, sheep racing, bouncy castles, lots of animals to get near, admire & pet and things to buy and eat.

Surprisingly, there was also a 5K and 10K running race.

Given the blanket publicity, there was probably about a dozen of us runners, but wow, how about a race that doesn’t have hundreds or thousands, it was so cool.  The predominantly off-road 10K route took you to a place called Peter’s Pond which was stunning and then into Goldenacre Park for a couple of laps of the lake before returning to the farm.  It was a lovely route with a bit of gently challenging uphillyness at the end.  After doing Pontefract parkrun in the morning I was pleased with 55 minutes and Helen was even more pleased to WIN the 5K race (Jason won the 10K which he would, wouldn’t he!).

Overall it was a brilliant day and brilliant run, great people and a great atmosphere. Caring for Life is a wonderful charity; if anyone is interested, they have a farm shop and restaurant which you can visit and you don’t have to wait for the next open day.

Caring for Life’s motto is “Sharing the love of Jesus”.  “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew‬ ‭9:36‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬

http://bible.com/113/mat.9.36.nivuk

So after a couple of days of rest I went to see my physio for a pre-arranged checkup.  The good news is that everything is in order and I got a nice and painful massage to loosen up my hamstrings!  With physiotherapy, prevention is better than cure any day.

Then, feeling a bit more perkey, I decided to go out for a run.  With the temprature pushing 21 and me not taking water (bad move) or gels, after about 8 miles I simply ran out of steam.  It wasn’t that I couldn’t take another step or anything like that, I just lost the will to carry on.  I suppose what added to my lack of enthusiasm to carry on was the fact that I had run through some wet undergrowth and something had irritated my legs and I  had come up in a nasty red rash.  The last time I phoned for rescue was in the days when I was suffering for arythmia but this time it was more a case of listening to my body’s need for more rest. (I’m so glad I’ve got Helen who’s so kind and understanding, who came and rescued me).

I’m not complaining though because I’ve just run 8 miles and a total of 58 in June and if I look back on my life and put it in the context of where I have come from and what I’ve been through, that’s amazing.

I think if I had been running with someone else I might have carried on but there is a lesson there about taking account of the weather!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬
http://bible.com/113/isa.41.10.nivuk

 

What are you supposed to do if you don’t go running?  It might sound like a stupid question but when your established Wednesday evening routine is to go out and run say, 10 miles and you’re not at home, it’s surprising how much time there actually is!  Going to the gym is a bad idea because that doesn’t really count as resting and I’m not only shattered but quite achey.

In the hotel room there’s a painting of some bloke on a horse in front of Bolsover Castle, it’s the same in every room.  What I want to know is what’s that got to do with Newcastle? It’s these sort of questions you start asking when you’re “resting”.

Eat, well there’s a good idea, I am entitled to eat on expenses so evening part one sorted!

Then there’s Game of Thrones, with a bit of luck, my Sky subscription won’t have stopped working yet and I’ll be able to access it on my iPad – fingers crossed.

Then call Helen, she’s doing some 10K somewhere and I ought to be jealous but I’m so shattered I’m quite glad I don’t have to do it.  I hope she has a nice time!

200 miles in June! Who’s stupid idea was that?

“Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.” Proverbs‬ ‭19:15‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬ http://bible.com/113/pro.19.15.nivuk