#Juneathon Day 30 - thank you Cathy and plumbing problems

Once again, thank you Cathy for organising Juneathon.

My plan was to do a run on the last day of Juneathon but a plumbing emergency put an end to that plan, the internal stopcock in our house was leaking and water was seeping through the wall!  That's, sort of, all in hand now. 

However, there was no specific need for me to run as I am just tapering and as I typically ere on the side of doing too much during my taper period, having a reason not to run was probably not a bad thing. I really do need to fully recover from my long runs to be ready for Race to the Stones in a week and a half.  

On the other hand, I had considered running in the heat partly to help my body prepare for a 'possible' hot ultra. I'm hoping it won't be too hot but there is no way of knowing.  I will probably attempt a run on the 'hottest' day instead.

But thank you again Cathy for Juneathon :-)

#Juneathon Day 29 - engineering talks and a 'sleep'

The night before (although I didn't mention it in my previous post after our Cambridge outing) I was updating a career's presentation on engineering for a local grammar school.  Not just any grammar school but the school all three of my sons have been to (my youngest is still there in sixth form). First thing I set off for the school.

Unfortunately I was unable to get into the classroom to setup despite arriving earlier.  This was a little worrying as my PowerPoint presentation included some embedded videos which sometimes present a problem to classroom AV systems. I anticipated correctly! Fortunately I had a plan B and everything was up and running but I lost about 15 minutes.

The sixth former's were very good and it was an interactive session.  Needless to say I didn't manage to finish my presentation but that wasn't a problem.

An hour later and I was prepared for my second presentation and confident I'd get through it this time. Again, another even larger bunch of interactive and engaged sixth former's meant I didn't finish my presentation again! Previous years I have managed to finish it but on reflection the discussion and questions in these last two sessions were quite encouraging.

Returned home and I was so tired! The long running sessions, early mornings and going out the day before had taken their toll. I decided that I would do what my body was telling me so I ... slept! So one Juneathon 'sleep' and my wife had a Zumba session.

#Juneathon Day 28 - Cambridge with family

A great day with my wife's cousins from South Africa and Canada in Cambridge.  We even went on a punting tour on the river Cam in the rain. No running but, of course, I did some walking.  I'm really starting to taper more seriously now so I hadn't planned to run today anyway - sorry Juneathon!

#Juneathon Day 27 - 24 miles, tapering, gay marriage and career's talk presentation prep

A 24 mile run but it was hot ... and I almost tripped but didn't and a lady gave a gasp! So 10 miles on Thursday, 10 miles on Friday and 24 miles today and my legs and knees are fine. Now it really is serious tapering for two weeks before the Race to the Stones ultra, gulp! And I'm a little worried about the terrain too.  And we have a heatwave on the way, I hope it's not too hot! 

Great news about gay marriage in the US.  I can't figure out why anybody would want to stop two people committing to spend their lives together. Why would anybody believe that heterosexual love is somehow different to the love between two people of the same sex? 

Also spent some time updating my engineering career's presentation which I'm giving on Monday.

#Juneathon Day 26 - a humid 10 miles and 2 weeks to the ultra

Did another 10 miles in the evening - it was pretty humid too. Despite the humidity it felt better than the day befor., I've another long run this weekend, just not as long as before but still long and it will be hot too. 2 weeks until the 100k ultra, I'm actually feeling good about it now, I just hope my body concurs on the day!

So all Juneathon commitments met including my wife with another Zumba session.

#Juneathon Day 24 - soreness, stretching and reviewing a book

Soreness in my leg made it difficult to do much exercise but did some minimal stretching.

In other news I've received a pre-release copy of 'The Dark Forest' by Cixin Liu for review ... watch this space :-)

#Juneathon Day 25 - explosions, postbox smashing, 10 miles and a 'ThreeBook Problem' I have

Still had some soreness but decided to go for a run anyway.  Legs felt very tired, I think I need an extended rest! So difficult to get going but felt better after about 6 miles, a bit like an old rusty engine. Ran 10 miles altogether and my wife did Zumba.

In other news we had some excitement when some gas cylinders exploded at a local Scout campsite. Fortunately nobody was hurt, silly neighbour had a fire burning close to the campsite's gas bottle store.

All this excitement! It was only on early Sunday morning that thieves smashed the postbox across the road with a sledge hammer, and no I didn't hear a thing. All these happenings has put our sleepy village in the news.

The book I received to review (see my last post) presents me with a bit of a problem, more of a 'Three Book Problem' rather than a 'Three Body Problem' (the name of the trilogy.  I'm presently reading a book for the book club, which interrupted a Murakami book I was reading (in the background I've been reading 'War and Peace' but find this very easy to return to although I forget the names, it's a bit like a soap really).  Well, now I have to read 'The Dark Forest' for a book review prior to it's launch.  I've suggested to the other book club members that maybe we read 'The Three-Body Problem' (the first in the trilogy which I've read) so that I get some time to read the 'The Dark Forest'. Notice how I cunningly discounted 'War and Peace' to enable me to use the 'Three Book Problem' title ;-) 'I will probably be lynched for suggesting 'War and Peace' is a soap!

#Juneathon Day 23 - busy, interrupted but followed by intervals

A busy day at work where I only managed to start doing what I set out to do in the morning after 4pm, so many distractions and interruptions. Oh well.

I went with my youngest son to the gym and did half an hour of intervals and running up inclines, tiring. My wife did another session of Zumba.

#Juneathon Day 22 - almost then repeat

So almost went for a run and then almost went to the gym but instead did my ITBS rehab strength routine and then a good stretch. My ankles are still a little stiff and my left ankle is still sore, much like yesterday but I can feel it's getting better.  Hopefully it will feel okay tomorrow. I'm also really tired at the moment, sigh! My wife did Zumba again.

#Juneathon Day 21 - Father's Day, ankles stiff so ...

On Father's Day I knew I was going to struggle to fit exercise in.  My middle son was visiting from Birmingham and went back at 5pm.  My youngest son came back from work at about 6.30pm and my eldest son was driving home from York and would be home 8.30ish, so I decided to try go on a run in the time in between.

However, my ankles were not feeling quite right.  They have been a bit stiff and near my left heel it felt a bit tender and swollen.  I did this either on the inclined treadmill running session or the 33 mile trail run on Thursday, not sure which?  Anyway, I didn't think it was worth risking any further injury as I'm now tapering for the 100km ultra in just under 3 weeks.

I ended up doing my ITBS rehab strengthening routine and some core work followed by a good stretching session. My wife was doing a Zumba routine at the same time. So that was my Juneathon.

#Juneathon Day 20 - Bristol Uni and a good day (not for Juneathon though)

Went to Bristol University today with youngest son. It's our first visit to Bristol Uni and I was impressed. Lots of walking there with tired legs! After getting back picked up my middle son from the station, he has come down from Birmingham for Father's Day :-) Managed a little stretching later but that was it really. A good day though. 

#Juneathon Day 19 - when 20 miles became 2

I set off for a 20 mile run and did 2 miles! I just didn't feel well enough so I decided to cancel the run. I normally say if I'm not feeling quite right or am still feeling particularly tired after 10 minutes or so then I'll stop. So that was my Juneathon day. My wife did a Zumba session too.

Sophie's running the 69 mile run The Wall on Saturday (today actually, as I'm late writing this blog). Good luck and keep going Sophie 😊

#Juneathon Day 18 - lots of rowers, a hot and humid day and my longest run ever

I'm at the peak of my training for the Race to the Stones ultra so I thought I'd best get my longest run completed as this weekend is pretty full.  I set off along the Thames path towards Henley with legs that really felt very heavy after yesterday's gym session (see yesterday's post). I really didn't think I would get that far especially in the heat and humidity but decided to carried on anyway.

Loads of rowers practicing at Henley in preparation for the Henley Royal Regatta, consequently I was continually dodging rowing coaches on their bikes keeping up with their crews.  You also have to keep a look out for boats suddenly emerging across your path as they are maneuvered onto the river.  I felt a little self conscious, this middle aged man trudging along amidst all the athletes, some with national insignia on their clothing, not that self conscious though :-)

Ran past Shiplake (and Shiplake college) and was about a mile away from Sonning I think.  I turned around and started running back.  I could tell that I was going to run out of water and so was looking for somewhere to fill up my water bottles.  Eventually spotted a guy I know who was taking launching his rowing boat onto the river.  He suggested I fill up at Hurley lock and described where there was a tap.  

I found the tap! It was so good to have fresh cold water on such a hot day.  Completely refreshed I finished off my run, just over 33 miles which is my longest run ever!  I'm really not sure how I'm going to run another 30 miles though!!! Panic!

So that was my Juneathon day.

#Juneathon Day 17 - the incline, The Wall ultra-marathon and Sophie's blog

I decided to do a session at the gym today. My eldest son's (Trevor) girlfriend (Sophie) suggested gradually increasing the inclination on the treadmill up to 15%. I think she said to level it each time but instead I ran for a period and then recovered walking. I then gradually increased the inclination in 1% steps always running at each inclination.  By the time I was at 15% I was getting really tired! It was pretty humid and warm in the gym so I was sweating quite a bit.  A personal trainer kept glancing over at me, he was either concerned or surprised (or both) at this middle aged man (probably concerned).

After my gradually increasing inclination session I dropped the inclination to zero.  I then did a short run at 10 mph which felt so much easier when the treadmill was level, after which I warmed down. Finished off with another good stretching session.

My wife did another Zumba workout so we were properly Juneathoned.

You really need to visit Sophie's blog at sophiedidwhat.blogspot.co.uk which is a mix of beauty product reviews and fitness events. She's running 'The Wall' (Hadrian's Wall) on Saturday which is an ultra-marathon of 69 miles - I think she might be the youngest competitor!

#Juneathon Day 16 - very tired ...

Very tired today and altogether a very busy day. Considered going for a run but ITBS playing up and physically tired so did a good stretching routine instead. Not very Juneathon I know but felt right considering how I'm feeling.

#Juneathon Day 15 - the Ankerwycke Yew, signing of the Magna Carta and then the pub

Went with a walking group around Wraysbury this evening and visited the Ankerwycke Yew on the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. The ancient yew is believed to have watched over the signing of the Magna Carta. It is also believed that Henry VIII met Anne Boleyn there. The yew is thought to be 1500 to 2500 years old. Met some of the ECO-villagers there too.

The area has always had special significance and across the Thames are the meadows of Runnymede, "Runnymede, said to be called the meadow of the Runes, or magical charms, the field of mystery, and the field of council" (Gordon Gyll, History of Wraysbury, 1861).  What I had not realised is that the Thames has changed course several times since the signing of the Magna Carta and you can see a previous route on the walk that we did.

Of course the Queen had earlier been unveiling the statue of herself at Runnymede (i.e. across the river) but the real action is said to have happened on this side of the river.  Some historians dispute the significance but regardless of this, it is what it represents to us today.  Last night was a calm, still, beautiful summer's evening and hardly any people were around this ancient yew (despite all the celebrations earlier) and if we choose to mark the signing of the Magna Carta as a step towards democracy in the world then let's hope that the future yields more of the calmness that was about yesterday evening.

That was my Juneathon exercise for the day, not that bad really as it acted as a recovery walk after my long run on Saturday. We did end up in the pub afterwards and that was really good for recovery!

#Juneathon Day 14 - last minute strength and stretch session

Had a meeting today (I know it's a Sunday), came back and had a BBQ. Afterwards I relaxed and then did my IBTS rehab strength session followed by a stretching session just before midnight. Still not got rid of the ITBS, sigh! My wife went to a Zumba class. That's all folks!

#Juneathon Day 13 - regattas, a royal barge and a trail run of 30 miles with a new pack

Today (13th) I did a long run from home to just past Henley along the Thames Path. 15 miles out and 15 miles back. Started and ended with a steep hill. Almost all the route was trail and a bit slippery which is definitely quite a bit slower going than prepared path or road. The ultra I'm doing in July will be  trail so this was more representative.

On the way I went through Marlow Regatta so lots of dodging teams carrying boats, people dressed up for th enclosure, kids running around - but it was fun and interesting. Went past the royal barge, Gloriana, which was taking part in local Magna Carta celebrations.

As you can see it was not sunny weather but good for running I guess, it's not my photo by the way. Eventually arrived in Henley where preparations are under way for the Henley Royal Regatta which is the weekend before the Race to the Stones ultra. We are attending it for the first time so that should be fun.

For the first time I ran with the Salomon S-Lab 12 litre pack.  It was very comfortable and allowed me to carry 2.5 litres of water which used up over 30 miles.

Arrived home and then helped my eldest son to unpack a very full Espace with all the stuff from his university room.  Finished and then 10 minutes later we had friends over for dinner, so it was altogether a very busy day.

Juneathon commitment upheld, another 30 miler and my wife did another Zumba class :-)

#Juneathon Day 12 - a humid 10 miles and ultra concerns

Last minute 10 mile run this evening with Fleet. It was humid so had to stop a few times for Fleet to have a drink. After getting home we had a quick takeaway, really tired so off to bed. 

In other news, a family with two children has offered to look after Fleet when we are away in the summer. He and they will have loads of fun :-)

Approaching the peak of my training for the ultra, need to do a long run on Saturday. I'm not sure if I've done enough? Using a new pack on my long run too.

#Juneathon Day 11 - trying to start a book and #Zumba again

We've a new member in our book club and I'm pretty sure that we will soon be five in total :-) The problem is that I'm really into another book and now have a second book to read this month.  I keep telling myself that I will start the new book once I've finished the chapter I'm reading ... then the next chapter, and the next etc etc. What do I do?

I decided not to run today and joined my wife doing Zumba in the privacy of our lounge. It's actually quite hard work! And difficult! And I'm really not very good at it! But so what :-) That was my Juneathon today (and my wife's).