Sports Day - Victory Park

It was great to see all the kids at Holymead Junior School enjoying their sports day in Victory Park last week. The rain held off and the sun shone. Jessie came home complaining that her legs were aching so that's a good sign that she did lots of activities. Shame they didn't include a race for the mums and dads!

Running & Volunteers

I was out running in my local park the other day and couldn’t help thinking about the importance of volunteers and the difference they make to running. For someone that prefers to run off-road through local parks and open spaces, it doesn’t seem like that many years ago that I didn’t feel comfortable running on my own around the local parks and always made a point of teaming up with someone. A number of the local parks had suffered from anti-social behaviour, the playgrounds were vandalised and falling apart and people generally were not using the parks that much.

Thankfully this has all changed due to local volunteers setting up park groups and getting things sorted especially in Victory Park, Nightingale Valley, Eastwood Farm, Arnos Court Park and Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Check out the rest of my post on Bristol Running Resource.

A great South Bristol Running Route

Had the best run this Sunday. The sun was shining, everyone we ran past was smiling, and motivation was high. My running buddy has been feeling a little low recently about her running, but after Sunday's run she can give herself a well-earned pat on the back. We ran 13.5k and it felt good. Could probably have gone further if we had more time. I'm sure the good weather helps. Seeing as I've entered the Bristol 10k, Tyntesfield 10k and the Race for Life I need the training.

We ran a circuit that takes in Victory Park, open fields via public footpaths off Ironmould Lane to Hicks Gate, the River Avon Trail, Nightingale Valley and St Annes Woods. It's a great route, mostly flat apart from a couple of steep hills running out of Nightingale valley. It makes you really appreciate there are some great places in BS4 in which to run, walk and jog. We passed numerous horse riders on the river path and several teams of rowers. We initially took the high path through the woods and then descended down to the river. The last time I did this route the river path was incredibly muddy and hard going. Not this time.

We ran past this rather worrying sign on the way and then on past Beeses Bar & Tea Rooms and Eastwood Farm Local Nature Reserve on the opposite bank. We started craving cold drinks and wholesome cake. Can't wait until Beeses opens at Easter. We crossed the river by the Co-op in St Annes and then trotted through Nightingale Valley all the way back to Allison Rd. What a great route. It's just a matter of linking up green spaces with public footpaths. Easy.

Who says campaigning is a waste of time?

Bristol City Council's Area Green Space Plan is being looked at again after 6,900 signatures signed the "Big Save Our Parks Petition". This is great news for Bristol's parks and green spaces and great news for runners out there who want to continue exploring their local green spaces.Check out the report in the Bristol Evening Post.

Councillors now have the chance to throw out the much criticised sell-off plan thanks to people standing up for what they believe.  It just goes to show that a little campaigning can make so much diffrernce. We saved our  forests, so why can't we save our local green spaces?

Why go for run in the dark, cold and snow?

So while some of you were wrapped up warm in a cosy bed, muggings here had planned to go for an early morning run with two running pals. So when the text came through saying "look outside - still up for a run?" I had a moment of hesitation. A thin layer of snow was covering everything. Oh well, I could have a lie-in instead. I was up late last night writing copy for a deadline and a lie-in of half an hour would be good.

Who was I trying to fool? The kids were already up. Then my other running pal texted saying we could use our running crampons… Of course, I'd completely forgotten. We'd ordered a pair of Yaktrax Pro ice grippers. They were only £20 and are great for running and walking on ice. Could have done with them back in December. But was there enough snow to warrant wearing them? I was beginning to question myself. Why was I going for a run? What was driving me?

I asked Dave if he thought I was mad going running this morning. His reply was "no, going ice climbing in Scotland for a weekend is crazy." Dave's last trip up there was something of an epic. Maybe that's it! In comparison to his long drive, long walk-in carrying a huge backpack and then ice climbing up some sheer cliff, going for a short run in the snow in Bristol is kind of tame really. I've tried ice climbing - along time ago now - and believe me it is the most knackering, exhausting, frightening thing I have ever done! And that was without the long drive. No. Running out of my front door is just right for me.

So with a sense of adventure we strapped on the crampons and ventured out into the dark, cold and snow. Just round Victory Park and through the top fields and back. I wasn't really convinced that there was enough snow to wear the crampons but they did give that little bit of extra confidence. Walking to school was far more slippery when I decided not to wear them. That would be typical. Go for a run and then end of twisting my ankle walking to school!!

Anyway the run was lots of fun and a real stress buster. I overheard someone say that there was no snow in Bishopston. So sounds like it was just us South Bristol lot that got the snow. The kids were very happy. Anyway enough rambling on. Must get on with some work.

The Big Thaw

It's the day after  Boxing Day and I've finally got out for a proper run without the fear of falling over. There's still a bit of snow around but most of the ice has gone. It was good to get out running my usual morning 7.5km route. This involves running through Victory Park, up through the top fields to Broomhill, across to Eastwood Farm Nature Reserve, along by the River Avon and then down through to Nightingale Valley before returning home. I struggled on the hills - I blame the lack of running over the last couple of weeks due to the three i's - illness, ice and indulgence. Too many  chocolates  and mince pies. However knowing I had eaten too much made me try harder particularly up those steep hills.

The ponds in Eastwood Farm were still frozen - a solitary heron carefully walked across the surface of the ice. But the River Avon - half frozen on Christmas Day had thawed. The pavements were pretty much OK for most of the run and where it did look slippery I diverted to the roads.

The shady Nightingale Valley was still covered in a blanket of snow but if the thaw continues, it will no doubt disappear  soon.

I've ordered some running crampons in preparation for the next cold spell. Not being able to run due to the ice is sooo frustrating. Still despite the ice I did manage a short run on Christmas Day around Arnos Court Park and Arnos Vale Cemetery while Dave and the girls went sledging. It was a beautiful day, with clear blue skies and warm sunshine. Check out my blog post on www.bristolrunningresource.org.uk. What else could you ask for on Christmas Day in Bristol?

Winter Wonderland

Ahhh the joys of winter.  I haven't managed to get out running much this week due to various sickness bugs but the beautiful fields linked to Victory Park have had yet more coverage on the TV. Check out the footage.

Many thanks to Richard Payne from ITV Westcountry. Fingers-crossed we may have saved at least some of the land threatened with development. Long live green open spaces for us to run, explore and have fun.

Running Free

Having been stuck indoors for days nursing my poorly daughter it was great to get out for a run around Victory Park. All my usual running buddies were busy so I charged up my ipod and set off alone for a great run around the park a few times.

There were lots of dog walkers enjoying the sunshine wrapped up in various hats, gloves and scarves. I put on my Lowe Alpine power stretch leggings (very cosy) and an extra thermal top. Considering the freezing temperatures I was pretty warm. I don't know what I'll do when it gets too icy to run. Or is there such a thing as too icy. I guess I'll have to stick to off-road routes with crunchy grass and mud. Does anyone have any tips on running in icy cold conditions without breaking a leg?