#78 Monday 3rd October 

78th half done after four days since last run.

Always find it hard going after a “long” break.

I didn’t have enough time to fit it in today, so I decided to use a training running session with Rob as part of it and save time 🙂

We ran together for 7 km, started with intervals at Greenfields, around four laps of the field and then we ran a 5k loop up Ellesmere Rd, Mount Pleasant, Ditherington and back to Greenfields. Rob got in his car and I carried on into Town, up Castle Street and through town centre and to the Quarry, along the river to Castlefields and finished with another 5k loop that we did at start of run.

Finished in 1:50′ and got a toot on km 7 from John Biffo and Mandy 

1022 miles ran so far and only 288 miles left, easy peasy 🙂

#79 Thursday 6th October 

79th Half done and dusted, was a beautiful cool morning, perfect for a long run 🙂

Started before 9am on Otley Rd at Wyevale.

On km 3 Hazel caught me taking pics of the lion statue at the base of Lord Hill Column , she was also running and pushing James in the buggy. We ran together into town centre for a km and I went off up Town Walls. 

A few laps of the centre taking pictures, and on km 7 in the Quarry saw Joe and Sallly, they were getting ready for the Thursday morning running club.

I then ran in Kingsland, Longden Rd where I bumped into Clive and stopped for a little chat 🙂

Then onto Roman Rd, down the Mount. Road was closed for cars and was nice to run on the road for a little while instead of pavements 🙂

Was back in the Quarry and saw running group again, and on km 16 Kate and Kim were running along the river and waved.

Ran up Old Potts way and back to Sutton Farm to complete the 13 miles. 

1035 miles done and only 275 left 🙂

£901 raised so far so a bit behind the £1 per 1 mile run ratio, so if you have a few pennies to spare please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Rik-RoadRunner

#80 will be on Monday to complete four fifth of challenge ( they did tell me that fractions will be useful one day !) 😄

Sunday 9th October 

#80 !!!! 😅

A fifth of challenge to go! Only 262 miles left 🙂

Was my third half of the week and I’m starting to get used to the 13 mile distance 😁

Completed it in 1:41′ , much faster than the last few ones. 

The weather helped, started at 11.15am and was sunny and bright, but not too warm, perfect for a long run in the countryside 🙂

Took a few pictures and selfies.

I planned to run on Berwick Rd towards Baschurch and just after Leaton turn left to Montford Bridge ( don’t recommend this road, very dangerous, I was lucky it was quiet today) and then back to Shrewsbury to Coton Hill to complete the 13 mile loop.

For some inexplicable reason at the start of the run I did a mile lap of Herongate estate which meant that I completed it too far from home and ended up running 15 miles instead of 13!!

The extra two miles were a slow jog home and ended up being a decent cool down run 🙂

No toots to mention, just a a few moos from cows along the way 🙂

I’m 13 days ahead of schedule so I will allow myself extra rests in a few weeks time 🙂

Next one is on Thursday and will be running first 10k with Rob T. again 

#81 Thursday 

#81 done this morning and number of the remaining runs is in the teens now.

My fourth half in 11 days!

I arranged to run with Rob T. for 10k and then carry on for the remainder 11 to complete my half.

It was the third time Rob has kept me company during my challenge.

Was sunny and cold, perfect for a long run 🙂

We ran a lap of estate plus one of the “footprint ” course and at halfway Rob got into his car and I carried on up Ellesmere Rd and Mount Pleasant, Ditherington and back to estate and repeated this 5k loop one more time.

On km 6 I saw Kim and Kate running in the Quarry and on km 17 got a toot from Ian R. 

Finished in 1:49′ and took it easy today because on Sunday I’m running the Birmingham Great Run and would like to beat my course best of 1:36′ 🙂

1061 miles done and only 249 miles left ! ( easy peasy) 

#82 Sunday 16th October 

Birmingham Great run done in 1:36′ 17″

Was happy to beat my previous course best by over 40″ 🙂

That record stood since 2012 and even though I ran it 3 more times I never managed to get even close to beat it until today !

Training and practicing hills in Shrewsbury definitely helped 🙂

Got a lift to Wolverhampton train station with Rick Garcia, he picked me up at 7am after picking Francesca and Heather.

At the station saw Marilyn and she boarded the same train to Birmingham and got there with plenty of time. 

Was very relaxed and my plan was to keep the pace of 4.30/km for as long as I could up to the crazy last 2 miles before the finish.

Was raining before we got there and stopped just in time while we were dropping our bags on the Green Buses.

Saw Ian Ford and later Len as I was queuing for the toilets.

During my run I spotted a few Shufflers including Helen and Gary and later Pam too.

I got to the evil hill with plenty of energy in the tank unlike previous years and managed to take a few photos and selfies 🙂

Really enjoyed it today, a very enjoyable run if you are in good shape and properly trained, event is brilliantly organised with support all along the course and plenty of music, drinks stations and sweets and this year just before the big final climb they were giving peeled oranges and satsumas, a very nice touch 🙂

At the finish after collecting my goodie bag I saw Scott and asked a lady to take a photo of us 🙂

Thanks to Scott’s amazing donation the total of money raised so far has passed the £1000 mark 🙂 

I also want to mention that a parkrunner that wants to remain anonymous handed me yesterday an envelope with a massive donation 🙂

I’m very thankful and grateful to everyone who has donated no matter how big the amount, I think you are all amazing people and your generosity is what’s keeps me going.

1075 miles done and only 235 to go 🙂

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 : over £1000 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 and for sponsoring my new pair of running shoes 

RRR (beep beep)

Website: http://www.rikfitness.co.uk
  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100halfmarathons2016/ 
Instagram: @RikRoadRunner
Twitter: @RikRoadRunner
Email: riccardo@rikfitness.co.uk
http://www.justgiving.com/Rik-RoadRunner