mojo

noun [ U ] ​

a quality that attracts people to you and makes you successful and full of energy: He’s definitely lost his mojo. He needs to get his mojo working if he’s going to win the election.

Many runners experience a slump in their training. The enjoyment of your anticipated run diminishes and the desire to go out and attempt a run evaporates. No matter how hard you try nothing puts that ‘spring’ back into your stride, that certain bouncy quick cadence, and more importantly, that desire to get out and run and do it right. This can happen during a heavy work load, before, during and after a period of illness or injury, overtraining or just plain fatigue. Your training is in a rut which seems inescapable. This loss of mojo can be described as a talented, witty and underrated blogger getting writer’s block.

Or boredom!?! Sometimes it can be as dull as John Smith’s beer ambling up and down the same old dusty streets but, especially during the summer months, there is no excuse. The easiest option is to reverse the direction of your running route. This should be done anyway as to equate the camber on both sides of your legs and hips and avoid injuries. This can also give you a different perspective and noticed things you may not have seen before. The opportunity of running off road and onto trails will be a sublime difference to the winter routes of familiar roads and street lamps. If worried about routes source them from ordinance survey maps, online search engines or be guided by a local runner who knows the public foot paths, which is the best option because running is like sex…..better with another. And that also can increase running mojo, not sex (although that may help release endorphins) but having a running buddy or join a group or club.

Every runner nowadays has a hi tech running companion on their wrist. Be it a Polar, Garmin, Tom Tom et al and these devices can provide a wealth of valuable information. The heart rate data does need careful attention. If your easy run records a high rate or constantly in the higher training zones this may equate to overtraining or the onset of an illness and should be carefully monitored and not ignored.

Alternatively and it may sound counter intuitive but these devices can be rested as not to put undue pressure on yourself and allow you to run purely for pleasure and not for targets. Immerse yourself in the mentioned in a previous blog shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, and allow the trails and countryside to enter your conscience. This effect can also be achieved running along the streets by concentrating on your breathing and foot strike.

Fatigue can be a major drawback especially when training for an endurance distance like a marathon or ultra, or even a half marathon. It takes a huge concession to put in the training required for these events after a hard day earning the legal tender and juggling with a partner and family. Rest days are vital as is using your training plan to fit in with YOUR lifestyle as not to disturb the family equilibrium and keep you sane.

It’s vital to have a purpose, a reason to run and train and get out in the rain and heat. Pick a target race of a distance you feel comfortable with and can reduce your time at. Whether it’s a 10km or a half marathon this will give you a focus and a possibility to achieve and that can only encourage you to attain the next level.

Self confidence and self belief maybe at a low ebb so try and connect with people who have a positive outlook and may boast your ego.

Somerset Series and race number 16 so time for a road trip. Another midweek evening affair therefore meaning another stupid mad dash home from work and then out to compete with and against Somerset’s finest. On the short 12 minute cycle home I think I experienced every weather phenomenon except snow. Life on the coast. A quick turnaround and Madame Pompomadour and myself were road tripping with our kind hostess, Tracey Thomas and Kelly Sherriff. Conversation was witty and Tracey and Kelly could easily be the French and Saunders of BoSH. The very mention of barbecue from Tracey had the Pom Pom lady mugging me for my ‘In Case of Emergency’ £10 note.

Race headquarters was at the idyllic setting of North Petherton cricket club, the kind of ground that could tempt me out of my cricket retirement and the outfield presented the perfect opportunity for a warm up. Which again I resisted! The pre race briefing was amusing but I started to have an anxiety attack. Evening races normally present the problem of rushing home and worrying if after a long, demanding work shift I’d have the energy to compete and enjoy the race but this was much worse. I was even irritated by Charriet’s antics which shames me. I would have much preferred to be somewhere, anywhere, other than there and running. I needed to sneak off for a solitary moment.

Georgina Della-Valle captured this moment of insecurity as I scampered off. Incidentally, Georgina took dozens of superb pictures which are available for your perusal on our facebook page.

The race was a two lap affair featuring a range of trials and tribulations, obstacles and challenges. A couple of sections of road, hurdling tree roots and logs, ducking low branches, fields of long grass, fields of sunburnt straw stubble, stone cobbled paths that hurt the soles of my feet (I’d forgotten to bring my trails!), dodging docile cows and inquisitive bullocks and their ‘deposits’, running facing a glorious sunset and the mother of all hills. Although reasonably short, it made Hill Lane look like Burnham seafront! When I passed Mark with a couple of kilometres to go he called me a ‘dirty rotten scoundrel’. I immediately thought ‘ if he can talk, he’s not working hard enough’ 🤣. Unfortunately Paula Hopley was waved home after the first lap. The marshals clearly mistook our Paula for Paula Radcliffe. She was understandably ‘narked’. Although not a pb course, in fact a very testing course, we produced some great performances. I normally finish quite close to Tracey Thomas and I didn’t see her after the start so must have had a stormer. Phil Hobbs and Matt Powell had terrific runs coming back from injuries. Stuart Anderson and little Timmy Byrne had their usual quality races and a special mention for Billie Jo Hopley who, although tiring, had a great run.

Without Super Sue Nicholls, we were prize less but that didn’t deter us from celebrating with beer/cider and burgers and Kelly’s new invention of the ‘Cheesey Sausage’ 😮. The journey back home was no less adventurous as the motorway was closed and Tracey and Kelly had to pool their collective GPS devices to track a route. I arrived home at 10.30pm and thus being able to sit down and relax after a day of over 17 hours.

On a long , Sunday, social run we had a few weeks ago, Ian ‘Yoda’ Booth mentioned a race that he was going to help with called the Buckland Bolt. It sounded unique and one I’d like to run especially as, similar to the Piddle Wood Plod, they were hoping to raise lots of money for the local primary school rather than funding James Cracknell’s bid for University rowing supremacy.

Road trip: Super Sue Sue Nicholls was our driving hostess with the mostest, everybody’s favourite school teacher Mrs. Thomas, Gobby The Pompomadour and myself. The conversation included trail or road shoes and end of school year gifts for teachers. Tracey prefers homemade gifts and wine, hopefully not homemade wine. I now know teachers are human! It must be tough after a year with kids nowadays with all their dyspraxia. I joke because development disorders can be an excuse for kids who are plain naughty but after talking to a work colleague who has recently left school mental health issues are too real. Something I’ve covered and unfortunately will again.

Again within 5 minutes off the M5 we are in the middle of nowhere and driving along the narrowest of roads. Conveniently with every car approaching us there was a place to pass. And again it’s like going back in time and if we didn’t know there was a race on, we wouldn’t know the villages existed. Once at Buckland St. Mary we caught up with Christy Longley, and her daughter, Jess, Kev Clements, Yoda Booth and Georgina Hainsby and her friend and non Harrier Jo. Once at the school I needed a comfort break and going back into a primary school after 45 years was an education, geddit, but everything was so small and low down and familiar with the, smells, coat pegs and pictures on the wall. The running festival started with a children’s race and the obligatory crying child with a parent hurrying he/she along.

The 10km started with a circuit of the cricket field and then out onto the road and past The Pompomadour who was cheering loudly. We were soon up and down hills, across fields and through copses. The only thing the race didn’t have was a river crossing and I loved every, hot, weary step. Unfortunately the race attracts a small field which is so sad as it tries to benefit the school but also there can be large gaps between runners. At about 3.25 miles I had a Yeovil athlete and Tracey in front of me and nobody behind for as far as I could see. During the off road sections I was glad I opted for trail shoes. The trails weren’t muddy after the recent rain but were very rugged and uneven and with the twisty turns traction was very important. When I had the energy to lift my head, the scenes were incredible.

In the last mile and a half I over took a male runner who congratulated me on my effort and realising I was with the real Team Yellow said “At least you have a cheerleader at the finish”. I never felt more proud of Gobby the Pompomadour (Sue Baker, available for children’s parties. Reasonable rates). We passed the entrance back into the cricket ground and turned right up a reverse helter skelter type stately home drive into the heavens and then swooping down to another circuit of the cricket field and to the finish.

Again, Harriers achieved. Jess Longley was 3rd lady overall in the 5km and Super Sue Nicholls won her age category in the 10km. A truly lovely morning with everybody enjoying their run. The drinks stations were well placed and the marshals exceptional and full of encouragement. The only downside was the beefburger I had was disgusting.

Burnham-on-Sea Harriers organise 3 races and all are in the Somerset Series. Wednesday, 17th July was the date of the first, The Pawlett Plod. Kev Clements was race director and he arranged a cracking display of vintage cars to compliment the race which was a fabulous addition.

Road trip: no Gobby PomPompadour due to work commitments, our genial driving host was the smiling Georgina Hainsby accompanied with guests Sarah Smith, Tanya Boobyer, Harold Petheram and myself. The chat was witty as you would expect from such a diverse group during the short journey to Pawlett. We were too late for the car park so had to park in an opposite field. The grass was so long it took us 15 minutes to find Sarah once she stepped out of the car. Oodles of Harriers were taking part, in fact too many to assemble for the obligatory team snapshot due to warm ups and thetoilet queue. Lively ‘youngster’ type music was being played over the p.a and Lauren Summers and myself enjoyed a pre race warm up by virtue of dancing.

The race started after some 10 minutes stroll from the Pawlett Pavilion H.Q. Ready, steady, go and off we plodded. The first half kilometre was severely downhill and we were happy now but we had to climb back up after 9.5 k ish. We then turned off onto the fields that would guide us around the River Perrott and back to the road and finish. The path is flat, as it’s flood plain, and the grazing cows looked bemused at sporting prowess. I was desperately trying to keep up with young superstar, Billie Jo Hopley. Fat chance. I could see Dave Darling further ahead, even fatter chance. That was the major problem/anxiety, back markers can see well in front of themselves along the riverside.

Kelly Sherriff caught up with me and we chatted but after about 2 miles I felt a sharp pain in the left side of my chest (don’t tell Sue). I didn’t want to slow Hells Kells down so I insisted she speed along while I die a lonely death and roll into the river. She said no and would gallantly nurse me through my final moments on this mortal coil. Gradually I started to feel better but with no real pace but Nurse Kelly stayed with me. We started the climb back to H.Q and caught up with fellow Harrier but in disguise, Lewis Perry. He was WALKING. I offered encouragement and he took off like a gazelle being chased by two hungry Harrier cheetahs, one with possible heart attack or stitch. How dare he after our support? Kelly and myself crossed the line together and were glad to receive reviving Rich’s cider as a finishing memento.

The Harriers put in some great performances especially Harold, Billie Jo, Phil Strang and Dave Darling but everyone achieved. Georgie Hainsby was still smiling and my efforts of impersonating Gobby failed miserably. Well done to everyone for organising a great event and I’m assured every participant appreciated it as I did.

Another Sunday and another race this time the final Brean Down Challenge 5 and 10km. Brean Down is now deemed to be a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the National Trust have forbidden all mass events like this one. Such a shame as how much damage can a running trainer do compared to a walking boot and Aspire do organise great events at great venues. I hope the Mighty Harriers will continue to have the occasional run up there.

The race was part of a weekend festival of running as there was 5 and 10km race along the beach the previous day. I tried to enter but was too late as the places had been filled but it leads me to an article that I read on the Runner’s World website last month (June 2019). Apparently running is in decline. Well numbers in races are diminishing according to a world wide survey. I was quite stunned with the article. Surely this can’t be true in the United Kingdom but it is and in the United States. Applications for the London Marathon are going through the roof and getting higher year on year. In fact it is bloody difficult, near impossible, for the club runner to get a ticket for the show! Bath Half sells out early ever year, Bristol Half and 10km is very popular as well as Cardiff races. Local Somerset races, although with smaller numbers, are sold out or certainly very busy. Our own Pawlett Plod on 17th July is sold out. There seems to be in my opinion greater numbers racing than when I first started racing in the mid 90s. One area that has definitely increased and that is women participation. Back last century in the 90s and early 2000s, races had 10-15% women entrants but now it seems at least 50-50 and producing some awesome results. I think things can only get better. The huge popularity of park run, couch to 5km apps and the medias persistence in healthy lifestyle will only encourage more women and men to lace up and race. The bling is a wonderful thing.

Road trip: Harold Petheram was our genial host and driver, Gobby the Pompadour and myself. A short journey so not much chat especially has Sue has kept a job for a week but was still chuffed after her first park run for eleven months and quite right to and many more to come hopefully. We rocked up at Brean Down and greeted everybody. David Browne had to warm up for 5km as he needed a 15km run today and Mark Benton personified café culture chic with a pre race coffee. As the obligatory team photo was taken, Gobby was climbing the steps to the top of the Down(!) and must have felt it in her legs after her efforts of the previous day.

Race start was 10.00am meaning missing some of the Cricket World Cup final but these days I’m a runner first after over 40 years of cricketing disappointment. Conditions were very warm with a light unnoticeable breeze, well whilst running, and that first ascent to the Down burns everybody’s lungs. The course followed the road on the northern face to the fort and back again and if you were unfortunate to sign up for the 10km you can do it again! The views of the Brean bay and Weston bay were fabulous on such a clear morning. Running up the slope to get to the top had me gasping and wishing I had stayed at home with Sky Sports and a beer. The dry weather had made the track dusty and along with the fauna started to affect my breathing. I was trying to take it easy to save something for the second 5km but I felt an underneath torrent.

I’m sure most of you know of my past illness but it makes running over 5 miles difficult without Imodium and even after taking all appropriate precautions I felt a certain grumble of intent after about a mile and a half. I figured out a game plan (get me; running AND thinking!), some how get to the turn and then have a comfort break. Stopping and DNF (Did Not Finish) at the mid way point was never an option. Fortunately coming down the slope towards the turn I felt a whole lot better and decided to risk it and hope the photographer would miss any indiscretion and had a puff on my inhaler. I normally judge my run with how close I get to Tracey Thomas. We normally finish quite close to each other but she was way in front of me. She was having a great run. My concern was lessened and I began to enjoy myself. I managed to overtake Tracey as he succumbed to the heat and return climb and finished quite strongly even beating Gobby to the finish as she navigated the downward steps.

The Harriers had terrific results from this race. The blokes won nothing, zilch but the ladies…… Billie Jo Hopley finished second in the 5km and Kelly Sherriff third both having terrific runs. Andrea Tarczali was first over …. in the 5km and Super Sue Nicholls first over 60 in the 10km. A successful morning for BoSH and I hope Aspire get the go ahead to continue to hold races on Brean Down even if we’re having to run on the road rather than the challenging footpaths.

The Quantock Beast race is referring to the course rather than the possibility of coming across an monster yearning for human flesh and blood, but I could be wrong. Sixteen Harriers had signed up for this the 13th race of the Somerset Series. Don’t finish last as the Beast takes the weakest!

The road trip team consisted of our driving host Mr. Mark Benton, our education correspondent Mrs. Tracey Thomas, our cheerleading leader Mrs. Susan ‘Gobby’ Baker and myself. The chat was the usual, The Bentons house move, Mrs. Thomas’s heavy end of school year work load, Sue’s new and 200th job in the Burnham/Weston area and my unfortunate morning toilet habits. Romance was also in the air as Mark and Tracey Benton share the same wedding anniversary day as The Gobby and myself and this would be the following Tuesday.

First decision was safety pins or number clips. I opted for number clips because Ian ‘Yoda’ Booth told me Grizzly trolls would be on the route and pins would make me ineligible for next year’s Grizzly race. Superstitions, tut! It was great to to have Phil Hobbs back racing after his injury and his interminably talented daughter, Harriet.

This is one of my favourite races. It’s held at Fyne Court, a National Trust estate, and has a beautiful lawn where runners can mingle and drink coffee at the cafe. I started near the back determined just to enjoy the occasion but within seconds I heard the chants of “Burnham” and “Benton” from Gobby and we were away. The course is undulating with steep inclines and steep declines and a fast downward finish, if you still have the wind in your legs and breath in your lungs, of about a metric mile (for all you Remainers out there!). Kelly was nearly a victim of a Beast bite but survived to tell the tale and with marks. Clearly a case of ‘The Sherriff don’t like it’. Sorry, Kelly.

All Harriers ran well and posted great times. Shout outs go to Tracey T who was 7th Lady overall and Adrian who had a strong run and surprised many, most notably Tim and Mark. Gobby did disgrace herself by agreeing at the park run the previous day to cheer for two Weston AC (fake team yellow) athletes, and one is a direct rival to our own Mrs. Thomas!?!

On the journey home we followed Adrian and narrowly avoided a trip to Shepton Mallet but fortunately turned off got behind Kelly and negotiated some tight lanes with local four wheeled drive vehicles coming the other way. Once on the M5 Mark sped us home accompanied to the dulcet tones of David Lee Roth.

I’m afraid after the race Gobby and myself went out for lunch and visited a couple of local hostelries when I may have became very, very drunk so to say my recollections are hazy is like describing The Shard as tallish.

Evening races are a pain. If I can make them I either have to finish work early or rush around like an idiot especially as I’m not the most organised person. These races though tend to be the best in my opinion. A lovely Summer’s evening, a great route, good company winding down after the trials and tribulations of the day and sometimes followed by a tasty barbecue. Forde Abbey 10km cross country had no barbeque but Mr. Whippy ice cream and falafels for a fiver. I always thought a falafel was a character from The Name of the Rose or a Gregorian chant!

Road trip consisted of marathon training rookie Adrian Smith, marathon veteran Super Sue Nicholls, Marathon/Snickers eating Sue B the gobby cheerleader and myself. Sue N had just got back from a marathon journey in Norway where she ran the Tromso Midnight Sun Marathon, where she first over 70 lady. She did say about the effect running at night does to your metabolism and I’ll leave you with that!

Race start was 7.00pm and the race instructions were more inaudible than usual and we set off over beautifully manicured terraced lawns and up towards our first field. The climbing was relentless through woods and copses. After seeing our river crossings, I was amused to see how other runners were ‘tippy toeing’ around puddles. I inwardly chuckled to myself as worse, much worse, was to come. We had to endure foul smelling slurry before I lost a shoe to the mud at around 2 miles, I was to lose it again at about 4.3 miles. Crikey, I thought, I’m never going to dig this out and I lost what seemed like ages, and places, trying to retrieve it. I nearly gave it up for dead and I was pretty well naffed off especially as I triple knotted tightly!

The conditions were very warm and muggy, and the woods dark and claustrophobic and after being warned of the flies I wore sunnies which blinded me running through these sections, but the views of rural Somerset countryside were truly breath taking once out. I’ve been very lucky so far this year to have ran so many races in the most inspiring of natural terrain. Running through the last couple of miles there were many signs stating to keep off the crops which was quite tricky on weary legs after over 4 miles of climbing. My quads were screaming from the incessant upward nature of the course.

But where there’s an uphill there has to be a down hill and this was relatively short and steep. We swept down a field, across the road we entered the estate and past the entrance and to the first stream crossing. The water was just over knee deep and I had a runner to my right which forced me to run through a heavily water lilied area. I was overtaken to my left by a sprinting, well quicker, runner. ‘Oi’, I shouted ‘You’re splashing me’. Retribution was mine as once out of the stream and through another field I breezed past him, well as much as I could in the last kilometre of a tough cross country. The second stream crossing had a deep gully of about waist deep on exit. Marshals had to get in and help runners out and faster runners ordered to slow down as it was quite dangerous. Christly Longley’s husband recorded a video of Little Timmy Byrne nearly going ass over tit! By the way, happy anniversary Christy and Jason. When Sue Nicholls passed through all you could see were bubbles! Climb out of the stream, past the Gobby Gnome Cheerleader, through a private garden and a sprint after negotiating some steps to the finish.

The journey home was much quieter even with the detour around a housing estate in Chard. Boy, was I hungry. Incidentally I did check and no ticks!

With apologies to Mark Benton

Tanya: Has anybody got a spare seat in their car for me?

Me: Myself and Gobby would also love a lift, please. Good blog mention!

Mark B: Me and Mrs.B are going so we can take Clive, Gobby and Tanya if you promise to be good boys and girls.

Tanya: I will try!!! Thanks

Sue (Gobby): I have no idea who this “Gobby” person is!

Tracey T: Mark Benton I had already promised Kelly Sheriff a lift and told you the other night!!!

Kelly: Tracey It’s ok, don’t worry. I can get there x

Mark B: No, It’s ok Kelly you were promised a lift. I’ll have to get Tanya and Clive (Me! sic) to fight it out. Hopefully someone else can come to the rescue!!

Sue (Gobby): I can drop out, I don’t want to take the place of a runner (unless someone else is happy to take the Gobby one!)

Kelly: Mark please don’t worry honestly. You pick them up and I will sort something out.

Harry (Harold): I’m happy to drive

Tracey B: Harry are you able to take Tanya?

Jon Jacobs: I’m just signing up so we’ll have enough cars going.

Harry: yeah that’s not a problem

Mark B: Phew! Last time I go it alone on lift arrangement offers! Thanks Harry

Sue (Gobby): Mark B always listen to your wife!

This reads like a 1970s situation comedy but is an actual Facebook interaction. What have we learned. Mark Benton would rather see Tanya and myself fight to the death for a lift but is still a real man who doesn’t listen to his wife, Kelly would rather travel with Tracey B than with Tracey and Mark, Sue(Gobby) is more popular and valuable to Team Yellow than any runner, Jon Boy Jacobs and Harold Petheram are heroes without capes, and more Harriers attend races now than a few years ago when you could fit them all into the boot of a Nissan Micra.

The Happy Road Trip Harriers were in celebratory mood as they travelled to Nailsea for the Beer and Banger 10km. Tracey Benton Benton Benton was running on the occasion of her birthday, Kelly ‘I Shot The’ Sheriff had the previous day celebrated her 11th (Steel) wedding anniversary and Sue ‘The Gobby Gnome’ Baker new pom poms. The conversation was witty and varied ranging from cats to changing the lyrics of popular school yard songs, from Glastonbury Festival to politically incorrect pensioners.

Number collection turned out to be a big thrill as I had the number 2, my lowest ever number, and then quickly realised that they were in alphabetical order and had no way anything to do with my athletic ability. I did something I rarely do, a warm up. This was mostly to carry on chatting with Jonny Jacobs, a witty man and worth listening to.

Race started and my ‘race plan’ was to treat it fairly easily. I would normally run between 6-7 miles today so substituting this for a training run seemed appropriate. I’ve been worrying about racing too much recently but love the thrill and the nervous energy, and I’ve seen some wonderful countryside so far this year that makes it worth all the effort. The race is an out, two lap and back ‘saucepan’ route with undulations, the biggest and longest climb at 3.5 and 7 kilometres. I easily slipped into a decent rhythm which I was comfortable running in. The hedges alongside the narrow roads were often too high to fully appreciate the North Somerset countryside but on the day of the Summer Solstice the setting sun made fine scenery. As the race grew on my competitive nature increased as I caught up and passed runners in front of me but the up and down nature of the route coupled with the twists and turns made a personal best impossible.

I was finishing quite quickly until I reached the treacle like rugby field which seemed to sap all the energy from my legs but confidence was high. I finished third Harrier behind Little Timmy Byrne and Harold Petheram. Jon Boy Jacobs was next looking exhausted, as usual. Next in was a terrific tussle between Kelly and Mark Benton but Kelly broke Mark in the last 150 metres. Girl power! Birthday babe Tracey followed just before another battle of the sexes but this time boys win as Jonathan Williams beats Becki Green narrowly. An ashen faced Adrian Smith and a smiling spritely Tanya Boobyer brought up the rear. We then relaxed with our beer and banger followed by another banger.

Permission to reproduce all photographs was granted although the owners might not have been able to breathe and talk after running or suffering the side effects of beer or cider on a hot summer evening on an empty stomach.

Clevedon has featured a couple of times in my past. Firstly a holiday. A religious affair held at a girl’s school. I was quite young, probably about 6 or 7 years old, and my sister said something that was misinterpreted as blasphemous and we were pretty much ostracised for the week and left to our own devices. This meant alone at amusement arcades and swimming late in the evening, with nobody around not even a lifeguard, in a freezing cold pool. Probably the worst holiday I’ve ever had but I do remember posing for a photograph, sitting crossed legged with my fingers in the peace sign and next to a sign reading ‘Keep Off The Grass’. I was young but VERY cool and it was the 70s and had no idea what it meant ! Secondly playing cricket there and again not a pleasurable experience. Fielding first and chasing 240+, a good total off 45 overs back in the day, and then having to open the batting against Kevin Jarvis who had played for Kent and Gloucestershire and was close to England Test selection in the late 80s/early 90s and only recently retired. That dozen or so runs were some of the best I ever made.

Ten hour shift finished, mad dash home, wash, changed into running kit and ready for the Clevedon Midsummer 10km road trip. Birthday boy Harold Petheram was our driving host and we were joined by Tim and Gobby. After parking we bumped into Matt Powell. I thought it was strange for him to attend as he prefers the trails but it was his yearly attempt at a 10km personal best. ‘Fast and flat’ he said. ‘What the bloody hell am I doing here!’ I thought. It was cold and rainy and the worst weather in the 30 years of the race according to the lady that took my entry. ‘What the bloody hell am I doing here!’ I repeatedly thought. It was great to see the racing return of Tracey B and Jonny Williams running with Team Yellow for the first time.

We had a ten minute slow, reluctant wander to the start and at the anointed time we ‘kicked’ off. Of course, with the race being quick it attracted all the racing snakes from North Somerset and Bristol. and they all disappeared into the distance. After pushing hard for the first couple of miles I slipped into a ‘hanging on’ mid section which I always suffered from. I seem to lose concentration and drift so I decided to try and enjoy the experience and soak up the environment, which wasn’t too shabby. I managed a positive finish and passed Tracey T who was always in front of me and running strongly without the distraction of nasty hills. As we all congregated at the finish, we all felt pleased to have made the effort on a quite un-midsummer like evening. Personal bests were recorded by Matt ‘Canvas’ Powell, Harry ‘Harold’ Petheram, Tracey ‘Tracey’ Thomas, Jonathan ‘Jonny’ Williams and second life pb for me. Terrific efforts by everyone and plenty to encourage progress. I celebrated with a donner kebab at 10.00pm and a beer. True athletes nutrition! Maybe I now have a good memory of Clevedon. Onwards and upwards.

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Harriers were divided. Some went to Chew Valley, one went to Charleroi in Belgium and some went to Thurlbear for the Piddle Wood Plod 10km. Our road trip team consisted of Tim, our gracious driver, Tracey T., Sue, the cheerleader and myself. I was quite pensive about the race as my suspect, or lack of bowel, had been playing up for a couple of days. I therefore breakfasted heartily on Imodium and the power of prayer.

Thurlbear is a small village about 80 years away from Taunton and has hosted a race for 5 years which raises money for the local school and Musgrove Park Hospital. Coffee and homemade cakes and a post race barbeque were on offer to runners and their supporters. At the venue we met up with Stuart and Christy, and her husband. It’s great to see Christy running after her accident and looking so well.

The course is basically run out about a mile and a half, two laps of the wood and then retrace your steps back to the school, which acted as the race headquarters. The race briefing was well delivered with the biggest cheer saved for the sponsor who brewed the beer as part of the finisher’s package. After all this excitement the race began. It started on a narrow road so experienced quicksters Tim and Stuart were at the front of the field. Sue took her usual stance up the road and offered her usual gentle encouragement. A bloke running next to me said ‘She started drinking early!’.

It was quite a warm, muggy morning and once into the woods and under it’s canopy I felt quite refreshed. I then realised I hadn’t started my watch and was angry with myself. Expensive technology is only as good as the idiot runner using it! Somerset had had two days of persistent rain so the woodland paths had become quite slippery and, in parts, muddy and that coupled with the undulations, caution was required. At times the path was very narrow in the dense wood and overtaking was difficult but by the second lap the field was spread. Once out of the woods and into the sunshine we were treated to a splendid view of the Quantocks before heading back onto the road towards Gobby and the finish. On finishing we received a bottle of cider, a commentative ‘buff’, a drinks bottle filled with water and a bespoke wooden medal decorated by one of the local school children Ecologically sound.

I love running races like these. Very intimate and friendly, small field, organised by a running club and raising funds for local concerns. This is a race I’d definitely like to do again.

RED June is going well but it’s too early to see any benefits, next race is an evening, flat, road, pb course and assuming my boss lets me go early or at least on time and no* but it was weird using the school toilets as everything was so small and low down.