Thursday 1st September #69

This morning I completed #69.

Was a lovely bright morning, a slight breeze was blowing to start with but got hotter later on.

Started at around 9.20 at Radbrook Centre, ran round the Radbrook Green Park pond, took some photos and selfies, waved at a couple of ducks and off I went towards Bicton.

Just before Montford Bridge I turned left and ended up at Onslow, ran back and down The Mount, across the Welsh Bridge, into the Quarry, crossed Kingsland Bridge, up Kennedy Rd, left into Roman Rd and back to Radbrook where I parked the car. 

A quick stop at Lifestyle Fitness to say hi to Kim and Dina and drove home after a few stretches in the car park.

Showered and took my Beagles for a long walk, I always find that a walk after a long run helps reduce DOMS.

1456 km (904 miles) done and 654 km (496 miles) left .

At £809 I’m a bit behind with fundraising target of £1 per mile completed so if anyone has a few quid to spare please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Rik-RoadRunner and donate to Cancer Research UK 

Next one (#70) will be on Monday and not Sunday because of work commitments.

Monday 5th September #70

#70 done this afternoon, it’s a good number to reach 🙂 

A slow one at 1: 53′, was a 2.45 pm start and was very warm and got hotter and hotter!

Legs were sore after Saturday’s parkrun, was a pacer event and stayed with 19′ pacer for most of the run and sprinted past him on the last km to finish at 18′ 53″ for a PB that stood since March ! 

I took it easy from the start, ran into town centre, Smithfield Rd, up Mardol, into the Square, down Town Walls, English Bridge, Coleham, Greyfriar Bridge to the Quarry, past The Swimming Baths, up Claremont Bank and down Town Walls again and repeated this two mile loop four times and then carried on along the river towards Castlefields.

But on km 18 the river path was shut to pedestrians by the railway bridge so I hard to turn back and take a detour up St. Mary’s Water Lane, a short but very very steep climb!

Got to Castlefields via The Dana and Victoria St and to Greenfields and then home, where I downed a litre of cold water!

Two toots to mention, both on km 6 on Town Walls, Les and Paul Williams 🙂

917 miles done and only 393 miles left 🙂

Thursday 8th September #71

#71 done early this morning just after the rain stopped and the sun came out 🙂

Looked and felt hot at the start and later on it got very windy.

I started from home, up Ellesmere Rd, down Mount Pleasant and up Whitchurch Rd all the way and past Hadnall and back.

On Mile 3 I got a long toot from Jason Jacko Wright and a few more along the way but have no idea who it was.

I ran at a steady slow-ish pace, and on way back at race pace for just one km to remind me of how it will feel like on sunday at Lake Vyrnwy Half.

Really enjoyed today’s run, I think early morning runs are the best ones 🙂

and unfortunately the race on sunday is a 1pm start.

I have to finish under 1:30′ for a PB ,but more importantly because I was promised a good donation if I finish sub 1.30, no pressure there 😀

Took a few photos and selfies and saw lots of roadkill including a dead fox on Battlefield Link Rd.

1498 km done (930 miles) and 612 km left (380 miles)

Number of remaining runs is now in the twenties 🙂

Sunday 11 September #72

Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon done this afternoon.

 It was #72 and only have 366 miles to go to finish my challenge.

Was very warm and sunny, luckily most of the course round the lake is in the shade 🙂

I was hoping to finish in a sub 1:30′ time and get a PB, and even though my mind kept pushing me my body failed me with a couple of miles to go.

I paid the price for running a fast parkrun ( PB at 18′ 52″ !!) yesterday on top of three 13 milers in seven days! 

Still I had a great time running with lots of familiar faces, and completing the course four minutes faster than last time 🙂

Scenery was amazing, felt very privileged to be running in such a beautiful part of the world 🙂

I was exhausted at the finish line, grabbed a handful of jelly babies from a lady who was kindly standing there holding a plate full of them, then downed three cups of orange squash.

Got my medal and t-shirt, and then sat on grass verge sharing the day’s experience with friends and other runners.

Race is well organised, marshalled and supported, and I was surprised by the good quality of this year’s medal 🙂

Unfortunately because I didn’t get under 1:30′ I didn’t get that donation I was promised, but the good news is that it has only been postponed to the end of the challenge and not lost.

943 miles done and next one should be midweek.

Time to say my thankyous : 
1. to all who encourage me and wish me good luck, like and share my social media posts
2. to all who sponsored me so far : £833 plus gift aid raised so far 
3. to Gareth Connell from Purity Lifestyle Studio in Wellington for free massage on my calves
4. Joe Williams from UKRunChat for free entry at Shrewsbury Half Marathon and for posting my blog on UkSportsChat website 
5. Up& Running shop in Shrewsbury for big discount on new Running Shoes
6. Susan Bowes for selling her extra M.Drayton 10k and Derby Half entry and donating the money to Cancer Research uk
7. My Family for patience and support and for listening all day to my numbers and stats
8. My brother at La Lanterna restaurant for putting a poster up to raise a bit more 
9. To Joe Brocklehurst for looking after my legs for a discounted rate and also a complimentary treatment 
10. To Sandra ( my mother in law) for helping me raise from family and friends 
11. To Gareth Mapp at Lifestyle Fitness for letting me put up a sponsor form on notice board to raise cash from members and staff

RRR (beep beep)

Website: http://www.rikfitness.co.uk
  
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Instagram: @RikRoadRunner
Twitter: @RikRoadRunner
Email: riccardo@rikfitness.co.uk
http://www.justgiving.com/Rik-RoadRunner