The end of the road

This is a quick post. While I’m happy to be running again now, I just don’t feel I’m committed to this blog anymore. As you probably know, I debated carrying it on after the marathon. In retrospect, I think it was best left as an archive of that event as opposed to an ongoing thing.

Thanks for your support.

David

Running up that hill

Took my running gear on holiday last week, but it didn’t really go so well.

We were staying near Bilsdale on the North Yorkshire Moors. A key aspect of the cottage we were in was that it was by a river. All very pleasant.

The first time I went out, early one morning, I felt great as I ran over the bridge, past the field full of horses. But this soon ended when I rounded the bend and remembered that the beautiful river was, of course, in the bottom of a valley. Every road out took you up a pretty horrendous hill. Not great when you are just getting going again.

I slogged to the top if the hill thinking “at least it’ll be easy coming down!”. Not so. Have you ever run down a steep hill when you are recovering from a back injury? Every step hammers up your spine. Not fun.

I went out once more, but a storm the night before had resulted in a couple of freaked-out horses getting out. They didn’t react well to me running towards them, so I called it a day.

With my back aching a little, I decided it was better to wait till next week’s physio appointment before I go out again. Hopefully that will see me clear.

David

Make me an Olympian

Good news from the doctors last week where it was confirmed I had a prolapsed disc, but that I’m recovering well and rapidly. I’ll see a physio now, and I’m going to try a gentle jog tonight.

I’m feeling incredibly inspired by the olympics, and the tremendous diversity of successful athletes. Which got me thinking. I’m 34 now, is it at all feasible that I could be at Rio in four years?

There are certainly events like the equestrian stuff where age is no barrier, but I don’t really have the facilities for horses. Then there are things like shooting and archery, but my coordination isn’t brilliant.

I’m 5’10” so the events for the big men are out, as are things like sprinting, swimming, that are dominated by young men.

It genuinely occurred to me that distance running would be my best chance. But maybe I’ve missed some other options?

This is all a bit of fun, but if you want to suggest sports I could target for Rio, then “make me an Olympian”!

David

DEFRAs planned buzzard ‘control’

Sorry to go off-topic after so long without posting, but this matters:

Can I encourage anyone with a passion for wildlife to email Caroline Spelman MP, Richard Benyon MP, and Richard Brand-Hardy at DEFRA regarding the planned buzzard “control” action?
richard.brand-hardy@defra.gsi.gov.uk
caroline@carolinespelman.com
richard.benyon.mp@parliament.uk
richard@richardbenyon.com

Feel free to adapt this text I have sent:

From the supporting document, it is clear that this is based on anecdotal feedback from gamekeepers, in particular a single site where there is a claim of 25-30% damage to the poult numbers. This is an inadequate basis on which to proceed, for a number of reasons:

1. You cannot extrapolate data from one site to draw conclusions nationally. Even if such anecdotal evidence is correct, other factors may be having an impact. This would need to be clear before any other action is taken.

2. You cannot use anecdotal data as basis for any scientific action

3. Without thoroughly researched baseline data, you have no way of knowing if the action you take has been successful.

4. In assessing the validity of action against buzzard populations, you must compare the effect of other factors on the pheasant populations. Road deaths would be an obvious one to assess.

5. The DEFRA document cites increased buzzard population data as evidence of an issue. However, it is using data on a species that has recovered from near-extinction as a result of past persecution. Therefore the numbers could equally represent a normalisation of the naturally managed population. This is what we would expect. Again, you need data before you proceed to control measures.

I hope you can see you have a woefully inadequate basis on which to proceed with any trial. Even if you are minded to proceed with a trial, you *must* first gather proper data on the impact of buzzards on pheasants first, to give yourselves a baseline.

Quick update

Apologies for ongoing lack of posts, my computer problems are proving persistent. Should finally be back next week, at which point this drought will see a flood!

David

Time flies when you’re not running

Wow. How is it March? How have I failed to write an update since the new year? How have I let it get to a fortnight before my first race of the year, with barely a single training run under my belt?

All great questions, none of which have answers to them. Well, not unless distraction/weather/laziness are answers. Which they are, just not good answers. Closest ‘good’ answer is that my PC has been knackered, and it’s only now back up and running.

I’m going to resurrect this blog now, probably far too late to have held on to any readers. Got my first run on March 18th, a 10k at Harewood House. Looking forward to it as it’s a lovely place, and I should be watching glorious Red Kites as I go around. I took loads of photos of Red Kites last time I was there, like this one:

 

I’ve a new toy to try out when running too, having bought myself a Garmin Forerunner 210. I was inspired to this by several people who had Nike+ devices, but preferred the Garmin. I’ll let you all know how it works out, and hopefully be able to post some stats from runs too.

My aim for this year is to get my 10k time down first, looking for <60mins at Harewood, then 55 in Bolton, 50 in Leeds, and finally a 45 in York. After that, it’ll be back into building distance up, with the aim of doing the Lancaster Half-Marathon in November.

If any readers feel like sharing their running plans, feel free.

David

Running off christmas dinner

Popped out for another 3 miles on Boxing Day, which felt good. Just kept it steady all the way round.

Heading back to Bolton tomorrow, have enjoyed touring the families but it’ll be nice to be home and spend some time in peace!

I got some wonderful presents (non running related I’m afraid), and was delighted by the reaction of others to theirs. Hope you all had similar.

All the best,

David

And some running too…

Quick update. Having shuttled between Bolton, Leeds, York, and Derby over the last 4 days, I finally got out for a quick run this morning.

With a beautiful sunrise on the horizon, I did a gentle mile-and-a-half out along Morley Road (here in Derby), then alternated a minute flat out and a minute jogging on the return. So 3 miles and 25 minutes.

Still taking it gentle on the ankle, but not a hint of trouble today. Hopefully I can add a couple of longer runs soon.

Probably head out again Boxing Day morning.

Merry Christmas to all,

David

Websites and Blogs

If anyone has a relevant website, a site they find useful, a running blog, etc, let me know and I’ll add a link.

David

I wanna be a part of it…

Just a quickie.

In York, saw a good 2-1 win for York over the “Monkey Hangers”.

Just did my last pre-race run, doing 3.2 miles in 27 minutes, pouring it on for the final mile to the strains of “Sweet Child o’ Mine”. Looking forward to the Run For All 10k tomorrow at 9, should be good. Look out for a post-race post around 10.30ish tomorrow morning.

David