I trained quite well for this or at least i thought i did up until 2 weeks before the race. I got a bit of a chest infection and couldn’t run that well. I decided to do it anyway. I’m glad i did we had a great day and it’s one of the best races i have been in. 5000+ racers took to the streets and it was great weather with an awesome atmosphere.

At 10 miles i got found out and i was in a lot of pain for the final 3 miles 1 hour 59 minutes. A bit disappointed with the time (pb:1 hour 47 mins)

Still a very enjoyable day. Great T-Shirt to.

Just got back from an epic adventure in the remote parts of the North West Highlands of Scotland. Wild Camping and Canadian Canoeing for 5 days and not seeing any other human beings was a great way to recharge some batteries. The whole thing was just fantastic. We had some bad weather for the first couple of days which made it a bit dodgy on the water but the rest of the time it was blue sky and sunshine.

When i got back my number for the Chester Half Marathon was waiting for me. 9 days to go cant wait!

My wife planned a run for me and my brother in-law to do with her this Sunday. She had the maps out a few weeks ago to sort out a trail run for herself in the hills around the town we live in. It started off OK as would any run that is flat and at a sensible pace but this soon turned into a very vertical run that seemed to go on forever. Then it was flatish for about half a mile which took us onto a very dodgy decent where if i had my skis they would have been a great benefit. 6 miles in total We were all hurting the next day.

Did a quick 4 miler around the quarry this afternoon.

Im off with a couple of mates to go Wild Camping and Canadian Canoeing next week in a remote part of the Highlands of Scotland. Loch Maree and the islands on it are to be explored. I will take running kit and hopefully get some miles in with some spectacular scenery. Cant wait!

Loch Maree

If you look back through this running blog i bet you can find 4 or 5 pictures of this blister. Not this exact one they are all different but always in the same place. It was raining all morning and when i finished work this afternoon the sun came out. So i was desperate to get out for a run but the only trainers i had with me were the ones that do this to my right heel. I had thick walking socks and thought it would be ok. Clearly not the case. It looks worse than what it is.

I went for a circular 4 miler around the quarry. This route is turning into a favourite. I get great views of the Clwydian range to the south. With it being a cross country route i ran into some thorn bushes here and there. In my head i was getting 10 inch deep lacerations to the legs and in all probability would require a top up of blood when i got home.  Wrong again

I was looking out of the window watching the rain come down when a runner came past without a care in the world absolutely soaking and blissfully plodding on. Inspired, i got my kit on and set off with the intention of doing about 6 miles or so. When i got to the 6 mile point i was feeling good and decided to do another 2.

Completed 8 miles in 1h 11mins. So just under 9 minuite / mile. Not to bad but the main thing is i felt good all the way round. A fantastic run in the rain.