Run, Forrest, run!!

Trainers
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

I have started running. Not in the Forrest Gump sense, or indeed in the Steve Ovette sense. Just running, or as I like to denigrate it to; power jogging. In fact this is more often than not just jogging, or stumbling. My wife, Jane, runs, my stepson James runs, and even my step daughter Kathryn now runs, all doing far faster miles than I can. I have been doing my little jaunts for a little over a month. I have managed to extend my distances, and can now just about do four miles without slowing to an official walk. Why do I do this? It's not to compete in races like the others in my family, who have collection of competition medals growing at a reasonable rate. It's not to raise money for charity! No, I run to try and get fitter. I am naturally sedentary, and have mortgaged my health and fitness over the last forty odd years to support my hobby of couch potatoeness. However all good things tend to come to an end, and so does my lazy streak, if a 43 year period could be called a streak. I had radiotherapy a few years ago, which I had been told might affect my lungs, so in a attempt to preempt this, I am bringing those bags of air up to full throttle. They don't like it much, and my legs do not understand why they have to get dragged into the whole affair.
Now for the record I do not like running, however I do like the stats that my phone application feeds to me. The best one being the amount of burgers I have burned. To make running easier I immerse myself in music, of more recently, and more helpfully, audio books. Why people nattering in my ears helps I do not know but it does.
Things I like about running: it's nice to get out in the fresh air; I have seen lots of foxes and other wildlife on my runs; erm that’s it.
Things I don't like about running: running; nettle stings, although I'm getting used to these and getting to get a buzz from it. Could it be a new fetish?; running with the runs is not pleasant, and thus apologies go to anyone trampoing through woods near my house. That brown foot long streak may have been from me, sorry.
I think my running is now a routine, and so will carry on. Will I grow to like it? (whispers)probably, but don't tell anyone ok?!?

St. Albans Half Marathon 2011

St. Albans Half Marathon 2011, a set on Flickr.

This weekend our tribe braved the British summer wind and rain to go and be part of the St. Albans Half Marathon.  I know quite a few people taking part, most of them forming a group called Team Bolam. This was put together in memory of a friend, Kevin Bolam, who sadly died from bowel cancer earlier in the year. His wife, Caroline, formed the team as a fundraising event to raise money and awareness for charity Beating Bowel Cancer. Many of the team had never run a race event before. Along with the runners, the team fielded some power walkers for the separate walking half marathon. These brave souls started at eight in the morning, and had to endure much more of the horrible weather conditions

The rest of us cocked a snoot at the rain by sheltering under a tree for an hour or so to cheer on all the runners. Despite being a grotty day weather wise, I think everyone had an amazing time, with emotions running high. They all did amazingly, and are such an inspiration!

Sheringham

Sheringham, a set on Flickr.

These are a few snapshots of my recent weekend away in Sheringham. Sheringham is a small town on the north coast of Norfolk in England. The town is not as commercialised as many of England's seaside resorts, and is separated from the numerous caravan parks by the natural hills in which it nestles, most notably Beeston Hill, which dominates one side of the town, and is the reason for much aching in my calf muscles at the end of the weekend. The beach was a little shy as it seemed to be high tide much of the time that I was there. The town has made the best of having to live with sea defences against coastal erosion. The local schools have adorned the vast concrete walls with murals depicting the sealife, and the towns maritime heritage. Lobster fishing appears to be the local specialism, with the snappy creatures emboldied in the finest fibreglass all over the town. Highlights of the town of Sheringham? Well the chocolate fish making machine in the window of the fudgetastic sweet shop is a must, along with the fake Banksy Queen picture on a disused burger kiosk, but for my son, the best place is the vintage computer game shop adjacent to the steam railway station, a veritable museum for long forgotten consoles. Go and visit Sheringham, it's a nice little town. The weather can be a bit wild, but that brings out the surfers, and what can be more avocative than waves crashing remorselessly against the ravaged coastline.

Seaside buildings

Seaside buildings, a set on Flickr.

I took these in Sheringham, a small seaside town on the north coast of Norfolk. It is a quaint little place, not over touristy. It was quiet when I was there having the feeling of a ghost town, with the ravages the harsh sea conditions which hit the town from tome to time. These beach huts might not be in the most scenic locations, perched on the sea defenses, but they seem loved and looked after.

Ride

mayhem action
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

For www.photofriday.com theme 'Ride'. This was short-trach racing at the Rye House Speedway track in Hoddesdon, Herts, England