Local run before the holidays

Did a local early morning run the other morning with my two regular running buddies. Great to get this done before everyone sets off on their various hols. We did a shortened version of our usual 7k run. We  ran down and up Allison Road (a good hill), down into Eastwood Farm, along by the river, back up through Eastwood Farm, through the cut-through into the top fields behind Broomhill Junior school, down into Victory Park, exiting the park by the cemetry, through St Lukes Church and home.

Apart from nervously running past a gang of doberman dogs all went well. No shin-splint or leg pain. I finally feel like I have recovered from my injury and have a spring in my step when running. Now looking at booking some more events, possibly the Wye Valley half marathon in September and Ashton Court 10k in November.

Planning to do lots of running on holiday. Well I'm saying this now. I may well get there and just think blow this, it's far too hot.

Happy holidays everyone!

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.

Happy people in Eastwood Farm

Did a fab relaxed run this morning with my running buddy. We haven't been out together for ages and it was a real pleasure. Struggled, of course on the hills, but generally took it easy. Must mention that everyone we met this morning running through Eastwood Farm were so friendly. Lots of 'Good mornings', 'come on girls!' and other words of encouragement and smiles. It doesn't take much to be cheerful and it certainly helps struggling 'middle-aged women' like us get round their running course. Christ I hate that expression. So lots of thanks to you happy people.

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.

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?

Off-Road Exploration

When running around the streets of Bristol gets a bit boring, it's time to get muddy and do some off-road exploration. And believe me South Bristol is full of great places to run off-road and it's pretty varied too. Plenty of mud, hills, narrow paths, mud, cemeteries, and of course the odd bit of excavation all thrown in. Oh and did I mention mud. Lets face it running around the streets is boring. Once you start exploring running off road you won't want to run on the streets again. So where are all these hidden gems? Check out BS4.

First there's the parks for circuits. These include Arnos Court Park, Victory Park, Victoria Park and St Annes Park. Then there are the nature reserves including Nightingale Valley, Eastwood Farm and Callington Road. Then there's the Avon River Path. Join it at Netham Lock and either run into town or run out past Crews Hole to Hanham. Beeses Tea Gardens in the summer months and the Old Lock & Weir pub are great watering holes. Another great place to run is Arnos Cemetery during opening hours. There's a gate from Arnos Court Park. Link the park and the cemetery together and you have another great (if somewhat hilly) circuit. Then there are loads of public footpaths linking all these green spaces together. Get hold of an OS map or better still sign up to Mapometer. It's a mapping website perfect for finding new routes in your area. Everytime I discover a new footpath I consult Mapometer to see where the path goes. A lot of these footpaths go through fields or follow the edge of golf courses. From Brislington you can be running in open countryside within five minutes. It's just finding the routes.

So get out there. Get the map and get exploring.