Another Run Bites The Dust

Good Friday! Good day for a good run. Today I chose to relax during the day and do a run in the evening. I have to say, it is probably the best run I have done ever! I loved it from when I left my front door to when I got back. 21kms later I have now chalked off 128kms since starting this challenge on April 1st. That means I am 25% of the way to my personal target of 500kms, and I have quite a lot of time left!

It was also good to see the footbridge at The Barbican open again. Been a while since I have been able to run across it.

Run and Walk

Today was a strange one. I set out with a planned route in mind. Problem was that when I got to a point I was looking forward to, the footpath was blocked off. So, I had a detour to take into account. Said detour took me way off course so I abandoned the plan and kept running around an area I had never even walked around before, let alone run. I ended up in Estover close to Asda Supermarket and eventually wound my way around the back of Plymouth Airport. I use the word Airport loosely as it is not in use anymore. How it stayed in busy as long as it did amazed me. I often flew from there in the past and I have to say, a few of those flights I could count the other passengers on one hand!

Anyway I eventually found myself in another place I had never visited before in the time I have lived in Plymouth. I came across Whitleigh Woods. I managed to complete 14kms before I needed a breather. Problem is though that this left me 3kms short of completing my first 100kms!

Yes, you read right, I was close to completing my first 100kms. So I decided to top up on some energy and bought myself a Mars bar from a local shop.

A short while later I made up my mind to get myself through that 100kms barrier. Just over 4kms later, I was back home with my feet up and enjoying a nice hot coffee. As I was finishing off today's run it decided to pee down. I actually don't remember running in the rain before, at least not in this country.

I do remember running a couple of kms whilst in the Dominican Republic a couple of years ago and I got caught in a thunder storm! Cut my run short when I bolt of lightning flashed right in front of my face vertically!

So that means 101kms completed and 399kms left to run. Not bad considering it has not been a month yet since I started this year's challenge!

Walking and Running

Today is the start of the outdoor bowls season. Bit more relaxing than my running I can tell you. Decided to take a brisk walk up to watch some of the local clubs at their open day.

At least it's another 8kms off my total and gets me closer to that first 100kms mark. 

After my visit to see the bowls clubs start, I got home and prepared for a proper run. 

Back to my favourite spot and chalking off another 12kms to add to my tally. 

Run Three

After my last run and feeling a strain I was quite relived when I woke up today and didn't feel anything remotely painful. Still couldn't get out of my head though what the GPS was doing during my run last time so, decided I would just go and do another one in case it didn't record properly.

This time I just kept to my tried and trusted route and the scenery I like to run around. Amazingly I completed 20kms today and felt nothing in either leg after, Not sure if yesterday was just a bad day or maybe I am just realising that I am now a bit of a runner.

Run Two

Sunday April 7th and another on my 500kms Running Down Dementia Challenge.

Not sure what it was today but it didn't feel right. I was dropped off at the start of the run and I think I just went straight into it instead of doing my usual warm up and easing into the running. Anyway, I started slowly and never really got into my stride. Perhaps it didn't help that my first km took me up some steps at the Royal William Yard and then up to Devil's Point. In essence I was running backwards as usually when in this area I am running down the steps and not up them. Lesson for next time! My GPS kept telling me in my ear that signal was lost and at one point it paused my workout. Not the best run. Eventually I felt aching in my calf and eased up before stopping completely. I thought I had run about 10kms but again my GPS was telling me I had only run 5kms so I was pretty deflated. When I got home and checked everything through I noticed I had actually recorded 15kms so it was pretty good in the end. The fact though it felt uncomfortable had me a bit concerned.

Run One! April Fools Day.

So this is it then. April Fools Day and this fool is about to start his 500kms challenge for 2019. Starting from home in Peverell, the route I plan is designed to take me around Saltram Park, which is one of my favourite places. Not only for running, but for walking, cycling and visiting the House and gardens with my family.

So I started out at 13:30 and completed my first 10kms of the campaign. I kind of know that I have not run since September! Aching a bit. Although I have to say, it is good to be out again after the winter. It can only get better after this.

Running Down Dementia 500kms Challenge

April 1st 2019. Yes the day of fools. This fool decides to start a marathon of runs. Well, when I say a marathon. I don't actually mean "MARATHON!" as in 26 miles. I mean a series of runs between April 1st and the last day of August.

WHY?

Good question. Well, back in 2017 my father, James Oliver, was living with dementia and had been for some years. Now some of you may know Russell Grant. As well as being a TV celebrity and bit of a dancer thanks to Strictly Come Dancing. Anyway, Russell contacted me and asked me if I would consider running for Alzheimer'r Research UK.

Like many of you reading this who know me....I too fell on the floor laughing! Running? Me? Mate I don't even run for a bus! Not that any of that mattered. Eventually I considered my dad and said "Yes!" Couldn't be that hard really could it? 100kms target and raise £100 in the process.

Made easier by the fact that the 100kms did not have to be run in one go. Now it sounded easier than I had thought. OK, let's do it. Not being a runner how hard could running actually be. I did a lot of walking. In previous years I had completed a number of sponsored walks. Can't be that hard surely.

I bought a pair of running shoes and gave it a go. 1km later on my first attempt and I was DYING! Not giving up though so next time I ran 2kms and....still DYING! Eventually though, I made it to 5kms without any lasting ill effects. So....I went for it. I managed to complete the first year's campaign fairly well in fairness. Not being a seasoned runner I felt quite proud.

2017 = 100kms completed - £100 raised. Felt good to be honest. Although right after my very last run which took me to the 100kms target, I ceremonially set fire to my running shoes!

2018 came and I thought, why not? Let's do it again. Only this time I needed to up the stakes. So I promised all those who sponsored me that for every £1 I got, I would run 1km. This time I would warm up for a few weeks and go for it...no more 1km, 2km or 5km runs. NOPE! This time I was going to complete a minimum of 10kms each time. I figured 10 of them would be over quick enough!

Hahahaha we all know what thought does.

Yep £300 later I am running 300kms! I have to really acknowledge now that I am starting to enjoy running! A LOT!

Now to 2019.....

Well I could say I am now older so need to slow down. I could say I like running so I could manage the same as last year. OR, I could prove that I am insane and go for 500kms! YES you read that correctly, it is not a printing error! This year I am running 500kms. I aim to run either 20kms in one day or 2 x 10kms over a weekend, each week between April 1st and August 31st.

How can you help? Simple. Click this link and make a donation!

Running Down Dementia 500kms Challenge

I hope to keep updates here and maybe a few photos as I run along so that A) you can follow my progress. B) I can look back on this blog later and see the places I ran past as I may not remember the views at the time. C) If I drop dead you may have clues as to where to find me.