Week 25 - A great week for me and Zebra, but not for Ulster Rugby
Sunday 24 September. I'm starting to worry my write-ups on this blog are getting too large. I have just had my best week, covering a total of 41 miles, between jogging and walking, and I'm now beginning to believe I'm running as much as jogging. I'm also starting to speed up, but I may need to cut the volume of my blog.
The local village camogie team played in the county final at The Athletic Ground in Armagh City today. They got beaten by another local team, Granemore, by 0-7 to 2-9 (that's 7 - 15). The girls won't be happy tonight,
I decided to just go for a run today. I showered, stretched and was out by just after 5 pm. As usual, I had an apple for the horse, but as I walked past his field, he was nowhere to be seen. I just left the two halves by his gate and walked on.
I jogged down into The Glen and over the river, then set off along the top path on my first lap. It was such a beautiful sunny day and I was hoping to cover many laps. The one thing I kept telling myself was to take it easy and just potter around lap after lap.
On my first lap, as I climbed up the steep hill towards the old reservoir, I passed a teenage girl and two teenage boys with a small white dog. The dog had a go at my ankles, but just after I passed them, one of the boys shouted "watch out". I assumed the dog was off after me. I stopped and turned around, but the lad was just trying to be clever. I wasn't amused at being made to stop before the top of the climb, so I muttered "tosser" under my breath and started running again.
The one thing I enjoyed yesterday, with the wind, all the midges had been blown away. However, overnight the wind must have changed direction, as they were all back in force tonight.
As I passed the entrance footbridge a couple were coming down the hill. I passed them a couple of times later. I also passed the woman with the three dogs, all of who's names I know. Her husband was sitting in his car for most of my laps.
The shame about my run, was that after just a few laps, my legs were starting to get tired. It was maybe because I was just going that little bit too fast, or the miles in my legs from the previous week were taking an effect. I did however continue for a few more laps, taking my total up to eight for the day. As I passed the point of choosing to do a ninth lap, I just thought about it for a split second, but I wasn't feeling up to it.
On reaching the waterfall everything looked so beautiful in the late sunshine. I was really tired and stretched for a few seconds, then I just had to sit down on the bench and have a rest. However, it was well worth it and I sat there enjoying the pleasant evening, the sun sparkling on the water and the leaves, and the sound of the water rushing over the waterfall.
When I eventually got up from the bench, and started to move, I had to walk a few yards to get my legs working again. I jogged to and over the exit footbridge and up the path out of The Glen. I felt tireder than usual, but continued up to the road junction, then left along the pavement to the remains of old railway bridge.
I walked the few extra yards, with wobbly legs, to the gate of the horse's field and picked up both halves of the apple. The horse was in the middle of the field, with his head down, eating grass. I continued along the pavement and was surprised he didn't lift his head, but there were lots of cars going by and maybe that was the reason. As I got to the small wall at, at the other end of the field, he noticed me. I continued to walk on and he held his ground, looking a bit sad. I was teasing him. I stopped and shouted horse and, within the blink of an eye, he was making walking my way. I gave him both halves of the apple, by the wall, and I think at last he's learned that two halves make a whole apple, as for the first time he didn't come back for a third.
When I got home it took quite a few minutes for me to cool down. I eventually went in, rubbed myself down, changed and walked to and back from the local shop.
Although, I was hoping to do more laps today, I was still happy with what I achieved. As I've always said, I'll listen to my body, and even though I'll push myself a bit further, I won't go beyond where I feel comfortable.
Tonight I ran 8.3 km in my first interval and 0.8 km in my second, making a total of 9.1 km (or 5.6 miles). I also walked a mile.
Monday 25 September 2017. Ireland presented its bid for 2023 Rugby World Cup in London. Two other countries are also bidding, France and South Africa. You can watch the full interview with the Irish Bid Team, after they presented their bid, at the link below.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2017/0925/907362-watch-back-ireland-2023-bid-team-face-media/
I set off at 3.30 pm for a walk. As usual armed with my camcorder and an apple for the horse. As often happens, the horse wasn't to be seen so I left the apple by the gate of his field.
On my way into The Glen I found my trusty stick and started to pick up some litter and put it into a carrier bag. I knew where to look for some of it as I had noticed quite a lot on my run from the previous night.
The afternoon was beautiful and when I got down into The Glen I walked towards the waterfall. There was just one plastic bottle sitting on the edge of the river and I put it in my carrier bag. It looked very old and must have been washed down by the rain we have had over the last week. As for the waterfall and the river, both sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight.
I sat down on the bench for a while, enjoying the clearness of the water and the peacefulness of this tiny area at the northern edge of The Glen. I remember, as a child, there used to be lots of fish swimming in the river, but no longer. Maybe, the sewage dumped over years, by the local water authority, has killed them all off. It's such a shame.
I walked back into The Glen and turned right over the footbridge. I gave way for a middle aged couple who gave me a strange look. Maybe it was because of my stick, my camcorder, my two carrier bags, or the fact I kept stopping and looking around the ground and up along the banks. We both did say hello. However, I probably found out, soon afterwards, why they looked at me strangely.
I headed along the river path. There was fungi everywhere and I took a few photos, but because there were so many, I stopped taking them. The river path was very clean apart from the fallen leaves and looked beautiful in the sunlight.
Half way along the path I could see a very young girl approaching me on her bike. She looked no more that about 8 years old and stopped well before she reached me. I walked on quickly to pass her and said hello. It was strange as there were no adults accompanying her. Maybe, the couple I saw earlier were her parents.
On reaching the lone bench, in the middle of The Glen, I picked up a couple more pieces of litter. Both energy drinks cans, but no condoms this time. Before reaching the car park I went down onto a low area next to the river. It was amazing as just a few days ago the river was high and covered part of this area, now it was quite a few inches lower. Above me birds were singing in the trees and the sun was shining through them.
At the car park I emptied the contents of my carrier bag in the litter bin. I knew there would be lots of litter in this area as I had seen it when I was running the previous night. I went around the car park picking up what litter there was. I had to be careful at one point as thee was a broken Buckfast bottle. I tried to remove as much of it as I could as it may puncture tyres of unaware motorists.
After I emptied all in the litter bin again, I set off up to the seating area above the car park. There was lots of stuff there as I ran past last night. Tonight, there was even more. Buckfast bottles seemed to be the favourite - there were so many. Some of them weren't even empty.
There were foil blankets, vodka bottles and paper cups. I felt sorry for one person when I came across an empty half Buckfast bottle, but then I thought, maybe that was the sensible one. There was also a long bandage type thing with a 6 inch square pad on the end of it lying in the grass. The pad was very blood-stained. I chose not to pick it up, but I did take a photo. I don't think I should put that on here. I also chose not to pick up a couple of new, used condoms from the car park. They are not dangerous to walkers or to car tyres.
I emptied all the litter I had found into the litter bin. To me, it's a shame people can't just walk a few yards and put it there themselves instead of just littering this place. As i picked up my camcorder, stick and carrier bag I got the smell of stale Buckfast in my nose. It was coming from my hands. I walked to the river and washed them and dried them in the grass. I'm not too sure how clean the river is, knowing the local water company, but I made sure not to put my hands near my mouth until I got home and washed them.
I crossed over the river, from the car park. Then up and around the old reservoir. There was no litter in sight and I just enjoyed the walk. I passed a couple, with a small dog on a lead, as I crossed over the sluice bridge on the long flat path. They were both very pleasant.
The whole of The Glen looked wonderful, this afternoon, with the sun breaking through the trees. It was at this point I have decided to buy myself a thick pair of waders and a rope. I also need a friend to help as there is a huge amount of litter I cannot get to without the equipment and without support. I'd love to clear all the litter and give the whole place back to nature. Maybe I should contact the local council as they have done staff days out doing this type of thing before.
As I passed the entrance footbridge, I said hello to a person I have not met in 35 years. I just said hello, and not his name, so as not to stun him. He probably wouldn't have known who I was, and I didn't want a long conversation.
I crossed over the river again and set off climbing to the top path. The sun was still stunning and the light from it made me take lots of photos.
I also started to take more photos of the fungi on both sides of the upper path as I walked on. It was incredible how many mushrooms of different sizes and shapes there were. I was thinking, this would be a fungi expert's paradise. As for me all I know is most are poisonous and fairies usually sit on them. I'm sure none of these are big enough for leprechauns to hide under.
The view down to the river was also great. The leaves looked so green and the water in the river looked blue. I haven't seen it like this before.
The river path was saturated with water and slippery. I kept having to kick pieces of branch from under my feet. Looking at the trees blowing about, above my head, it was scary to think these things fallen here just recently.
When I got to the car park I picked up some litter and put it into the bin. The wind was stronger as there was less protection than there was inside The Glen. There was a second waterfall gushing down from the road above. All in all it wasn't very pleasant.
I didn't hang about for very long and set off up the steep hill, around the old reservoir and along the long flat path. One lap was to be my all, I just wanted out of here before a branch fell on my head.
When I got home I quickly changed out of my soaked clothes. It may not have been a very productive walk, but it was a walk (just under 2 miles) and meant the day wasn't a complete washout. As for the bingo, both my mother, her sister and I won nothing, my sister won £10.
Thursday 28 September 2017. Spent most of the day in Armagh City. Went to a recruitment fair and managed to blag myself a free lunch. I walked around a lot and got back home at 4 pm.
Done some odds jobs around the house and then decided to go for a run. I set off at 5.50 pm and it was just starting to rain. The horse's eyes followed me as I passed his field, but as he was on top of the railway embankment, I didn't call him.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off on my laps on the top paths. Somehow the rain managed to hold off and there was a pleasant breeze. It was great weather for running, but not great for a walk. I completed six laps and on the last two laps I ran around the old reservoir twice. One thing I couldn't really understand is, why the midges seemed to be there on odd numbered laps, but not on others. As usual, I finished the interval by the waterfall, making the distance up to 6.5 km.
I only stopped to stretch for a minute, before setting off again. I jogged back and over the exit footbridge, up out of The Glen, up to the road junction and along the pavement to just before the horses field. This added another 0.7 km. I picked up the two halves of the apple and walked on until I reached the small wall at the other end of the field. The horse saw me and was soon walking in my direction. Both halves of the apple disappeared into a very happy horse.
This evening The Glen was very quiet tonight. I saw just saw three people walking their dogs. By the time I was on my last lap the light was starting to fade and it was trying to rain again.
I was pleased with tonight's workout. I ran 4 miles, and between today in Armagh City and tonight I walked just over 2 miles.
Friday 29 September 2017. I set off at 5.25 pm and was hoping to do something similar to last night and get back in time to watch Leinster play Edinburgh in the Pro14 Rugby Championship.
The horse was in the middle of the field and saw me coming. He was already on the way to the small wall before I reached the field. Apple eaten and I continued to walk on towards The Glen.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off on my laps. It was damp underfoot, but it wasn't raining. I done exactly the same first interval as the previous night. Six laps on the upper paths, an extra circle of the old reservoir on the last two laps and finishing at the waterfall. An interval of 6.5 km.
I stopped at the bench and stretched for a minute. The bull or cattle were no where to be seen and a good volume of clear water was flowing over the waterfall. Above me I could hear rain drops hitting the leaves in the trees, but none were reaching me.
The one thing that really annoyed me tonight, was that as I entered the car park on my fifth lap, a double mattress appeared in the middle of it. Some lazy bast**d had dumped it there. Fly-tipping is a stupid thing, it's something I have witnessed so much through the years, causes grief to all and is just selfish people not caring how the affect the countryside and others' lives.
I started to jog again, back to the exit bridge and up out of The Glen to the road junction - this is always a good climb. I continued along the pavement and into the village. By now it had started to rain and behind me was an almost prefect rainbow.
I didn't stop to cool down as the rain was getting heavier. I did get my camera and take a photo of the rainbow. Before walking to the local shop, I prepared the batter and potatoes for fish and chip later.
Overall, tonight I ran 6.5 km and 0.9 km, a total of 7.4 km (or 4.6 miles). I also walked a mile. As for the Rugby, Leinster made hard work of it but beat Edinburgh, final score 21 - 13. I recorded the last play - it's below.
You may have realised by now how much I enjoy watching rugby, golf, Gaelic Football and any sports friends or family are taking part in or involved with.
The local village camogie team played in the county final at The Athletic Ground in Armagh City today. They got beaten by another local team, Granemore, by 0-7 to 2-9 (that's 7 - 15). The girls won't be happy tonight,
I decided to just go for a run today. I showered, stretched and was out by just after 5 pm. As usual, I had an apple for the horse, but as I walked past his field, he was nowhere to be seen. I just left the two halves by his gate and walked on.
I jogged down into The Glen and over the river, then set off along the top path on my first lap. It was such a beautiful sunny day and I was hoping to cover many laps. The one thing I kept telling myself was to take it easy and just potter around lap after lap.
Footbridge over the river from the climb up the upper path
On my first lap, as I climbed up the steep hill towards the old reservoir, I passed a teenage girl and two teenage boys with a small white dog. The dog had a go at my ankles, but just after I passed them, one of the boys shouted "watch out". I assumed the dog was off after me. I stopped and turned around, but the lad was just trying to be clever. I wasn't amused at being made to stop before the top of the climb, so I muttered "tosser" under my breath and started running again.
The one thing I enjoyed yesterday, with the wind, all the midges had been blown away. However, overnight the wind must have changed direction, as they were all back in force tonight.
As I passed the entrance footbridge a couple were coming down the hill. I passed them a couple of times later. I also passed the woman with the three dogs, all of who's names I know. Her husband was sitting in his car for most of my laps.
The entrance footbridge into The Glen
The shame about my run, was that after just a few laps, my legs were starting to get tired. It was maybe because I was just going that little bit too fast, or the miles in my legs from the previous week were taking an effect. I did however continue for a few more laps, taking my total up to eight for the day. As I passed the point of choosing to do a ninth lap, I just thought about it for a split second, but I wasn't feeling up to it.
On reaching the waterfall everything looked so beautiful in the late sunshine. I was really tired and stretched for a few seconds, then I just had to sit down on the bench and have a rest. However, it was well worth it and I sat there enjoying the pleasant evening, the sun sparkling on the water and the leaves, and the sound of the water rushing over the waterfall.
When I eventually got up from the bench, and started to move, I had to walk a few yards to get my legs working again. I jogged to and over the exit footbridge and up the path out of The Glen. I felt tireder than usual, but continued up to the road junction, then left along the pavement to the remains of old railway bridge.
I walked the few extra yards, with wobbly legs, to the gate of the horse's field and picked up both halves of the apple. The horse was in the middle of the field, with his head down, eating grass. I continued along the pavement and was surprised he didn't lift his head, but there were lots of cars going by and maybe that was the reason. As I got to the small wall at, at the other end of the field, he noticed me. I continued to walk on and he held his ground, looking a bit sad. I was teasing him. I stopped and shouted horse and, within the blink of an eye, he was making walking my way. I gave him both halves of the apple, by the wall, and I think at last he's learned that two halves make a whole apple, as for the first time he didn't come back for a third.
When I got home it took quite a few minutes for me to cool down. I eventually went in, rubbed myself down, changed and walked to and back from the local shop.
Although, I was hoping to do more laps today, I was still happy with what I achieved. As I've always said, I'll listen to my body, and even though I'll push myself a bit further, I won't go beyond where I feel comfortable.
Tonight I ran 8.3 km in my first interval and 0.8 km in my second, making a total of 9.1 km (or 5.6 miles). I also walked a mile.
Monday 25 September 2017. Ireland presented its bid for 2023 Rugby World Cup in London. Two other countries are also bidding, France and South Africa. You can watch the full interview with the Irish Bid Team, after they presented their bid, at the link below.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2017/0925/907362-watch-back-ireland-2023-bid-team-face-media/
I set off at 3.30 pm for a walk. As usual armed with my camcorder and an apple for the horse. As often happens, the horse wasn't to be seen so I left the apple by the gate of his field.
On my way into The Glen I found my trusty stick and started to pick up some litter and put it into a carrier bag. I knew where to look for some of it as I had noticed quite a lot on my run from the previous night.
The afternoon was beautiful and when I got down into The Glen I walked towards the waterfall. There was just one plastic bottle sitting on the edge of the river and I put it in my carrier bag. It looked very old and must have been washed down by the rain we have had over the last week. As for the waterfall and the river, both sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight.
Waterfall and river sparkle in sunlight
I sat down on the bench for a while, enjoying the clearness of the water and the peacefulness of this tiny area at the northern edge of The Glen. I remember, as a child, there used to be lots of fish swimming in the river, but no longer. Maybe, the sewage dumped over years, by the local water authority, has killed them all off. It's such a shame.
I walked back into The Glen and turned right over the footbridge. I gave way for a middle aged couple who gave me a strange look. Maybe it was because of my stick, my camcorder, my two carrier bags, or the fact I kept stopping and looking around the ground and up along the banks. We both did say hello. However, I probably found out, soon afterwards, why they looked at me strangely.
I headed along the river path. There was fungi everywhere and I took a few photos, but because there were so many, I stopped taking them. The river path was very clean apart from the fallen leaves and looked beautiful in the sunlight.
River path
Half way along the path I could see a very young girl approaching me on her bike. She looked no more that about 8 years old and stopped well before she reached me. I walked on quickly to pass her and said hello. It was strange as there were no adults accompanying her. Maybe, the couple I saw earlier were her parents.
On reaching the lone bench, in the middle of The Glen, I picked up a couple more pieces of litter. Both energy drinks cans, but no condoms this time. Before reaching the car park I went down onto a low area next to the river. It was amazing as just a few days ago the river was high and covered part of this area, now it was quite a few inches lower. Above me birds were singing in the trees and the sun was shining through them.
River level drops lots in a few days
At the car park I emptied the contents of my carrier bag in the litter bin. I knew there would be lots of litter in this area as I had seen it when I was running the previous night. I went around the car park picking up what litter there was. I had to be careful at one point as thee was a broken Buckfast bottle. I tried to remove as much of it as I could as it may puncture tyres of unaware motorists.
Broken Buckfast bottle in car park
After I emptied all in the litter bin again, I set off up to the seating area above the car park. There was lots of stuff there as I ran past last night. Tonight, there was even more. Buckfast bottles seemed to be the favourite - there were so many. Some of them weren't even empty.
Double Buckfast, one still partly full
There were foil blankets, vodka bottles and paper cups. I felt sorry for one person when I came across an empty half Buckfast bottle, but then I thought, maybe that was the sensible one. There was also a long bandage type thing with a 6 inch square pad on the end of it lying in the grass. The pad was very blood-stained. I chose not to pick it up, but I did take a photo. I don't think I should put that on here. I also chose not to pick up a couple of new, used condoms from the car park. They are not dangerous to walkers or to car tyres.
Empty Baby Buckfast bottle
I emptied all the litter I had found into the litter bin. To me, it's a shame people can't just walk a few yards and put it there themselves instead of just littering this place. As i picked up my camcorder, stick and carrier bag I got the smell of stale Buckfast in my nose. It was coming from my hands. I walked to the river and washed them and dried them in the grass. I'm not too sure how clean the river is, knowing the local water company, but I made sure not to put my hands near my mouth until I got home and washed them.
I crossed over the river, from the car park. Then up and around the old reservoir. There was no litter in sight and I just enjoyed the walk. I passed a couple, with a small dog on a lead, as I crossed over the sluice bridge on the long flat path. They were both very pleasant.
The long flat path, with the river below on the left
The whole of The Glen looked wonderful, this afternoon, with the sun breaking through the trees. It was at this point I have decided to buy myself a thick pair of waders and a rope. I also need a friend to help as there is a huge amount of litter I cannot get to without the equipment and without support. I'd love to clear all the litter and give the whole place back to nature. Maybe I should contact the local council as they have done staff days out doing this type of thing before.
As I passed the entrance footbridge, I said hello to a person I have not met in 35 years. I just said hello, and not his name, so as not to stun him. He probably wouldn't have known who I was, and I didn't want a long conversation.
I crossed over the river again and set off climbing to the top path. The sun was still stunning and the light from it made me take lots of photos.
Just one of many photos today of the upper path
I also started to take more photos of the fungi on both sides of the upper path as I walked on. It was incredible how many mushrooms of different sizes and shapes there were. I was thinking, this would be a fungi expert's paradise. As for me all I know is most are poisonous and fairies usually sit on them. I'm sure none of these are big enough for leprechauns to hide under.
The view down to the river was also great. The leaves looked so green and the water in the river looked blue. I haven't seen it like this before.
Upper path with blue river to left
As I approached the car park again, in the trees behind the benches overlooking it, I found another empty Buckfast bottle accompanied by a silver blanket. I picked both up and put them in my carrier bag. At least these Buckfast drinkers planned ahead and must have been wrapped in thermal blankets and they got ... on their cheap wine.
Buckfast bottle and thermal blanket
I set off home along the river path. The sun was still in the sky and I took another few photos on the way. I walked quickly, as I wanted to come back for a run later, and I saw no one on the way. As I climbed out of The Glen something caught my eye. It was just so strange and so perfectly formed, but then I realised there were more than one. Pieces of fungi in the perfect shape of ... I'll let you decide.
Strange looking fungi
On climbing up the last bit of the footpath I stopped to hide my stick. As I did I looked at a well trodden path into the woods. I knew it didn't go very far and I've never followed it before. But for some reason it caught my interest. For a change I decided to follow it. I've seen a man potter around in this area before from the footpath below and it made me think.
I followed the path for around 50 yards, all I found was litter. There were small birds singing in the trees above me and I though it was worth recording. After a short while I noticed a sign above my head stating "Alcohol Free Area". It must have been decades old and was not visible from the entrance or the path. It was probably a good thing as, to young people, this is just an advertisement for a great place to come at night and have a drink.
Birds singing in trees and "Alcohol Free Area" sign
I walked on homewards and as I reached the gate of the horse's field I picked up both halves of the apple. I could see him in the middle of the field, but I just ignored him and walked on. He didn't know I was there, but just before I reached the small wall, he had realised. As you can see he enjoyed his apple again. I miss YouTube Video Editor as I had a second to add.
He did come back for more, but he should know better by now, and I suppose I can add the second half of the video below - even without YouTube Video Editor.
Horse wants another apple
When I arrived home my legs felt tired. I decided not to go for a run after all. As I have always said, do what your body tells you to, and I did. However, I wasn't too displeased as I had had a good walk and covered about 3 miles. Everything adds up, just keep those feet going one if front of the other, and hopefully tomorrow is another day.
Tuesday 26 September 2017. I had a hot shower, stretched and was out by 5.40 pm. The horse was on top of the old railway embankment as I passed. He was watching me, but I didn't want to call him in case he hurt himself running down it. Instead I hid the apple next to the gate and walked on.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off up the top path on my first lap. I was deliberately keeping it steady, as I wanted to see how far I could go. On my second lap I passed my old school friend with his dog. I passed him four or five times later and each time we had a two second conversation as we passed. He was on his own as his wife visits her mother on a Tuesday. At one point he asked me how many laps I do. I replied, this is my fifth, but I'll keep going until I feel I want to stop.
I was enjoying the run and on my sixth lap, as I crossed over the sluice footbridge, I started to think, this is feeling easier and i should achieve at least eight laps tonight.
The next few laps passed easily and before I knew it I was on my tenth lap. If I managed to finish that and go all the way to the waterfall, then I would have equalled my longest run in this "Long Run Back to Fitness". As I approached the waterfall, I was still feeling good, so I decided to turn straight around and do some more. As the light on the top path was fading on my tenth lap, I decided I would run straight along the flat path, around the reservoir and back. However, as I ran back towards the waterfall again, I decided to turn left over the footbridge and do an extra couple of hundred yards. I started to climb up to the top path, hoping the light would be OK, and it was. It actually seemed better than it was earlier. I was counting the steps and was going to turn around after 100, but I thought I'd add another 50, then another 50. Before I knew it I had climbed right to the top, and as I've come this far I may as well keep going and finish the lap.
I felt good as I ran through the car park again and as I approached the steep hill, up to the old reservoir, I could see two women with their dogs, near the top. I reached the top just after them, but they had decided to walk the long way around the reservoir. As I had to check my run a few laps ago to avoid two dogs tripping me up, I decided to take the short route to avoid more dogs. All I was concentrating on was to keep running all the way along the long flat path to the waterfall.
I felt great as I followed the long flat path and before I knew it I had reached the waterfall. It was still as bright as it had been 15 minutes previously and I felt really pleased with myself. My t-shirt was completely soaked in sweat, but I just looked down at the waterfall and stretched by the bench.
I only stopped for about 30 seconds before I set off again. I jogged to and over the exit footbridge. Climbed up out of The Glen and on up to the road junction. This is by far the hardest climb of the day. I continued along the road, soon passing the two women, I had seen earlier with their dogs. I ran as far as the gate to the horse's field and then back 50 yards and back to the field.
I picked up the apple, but I couldn't see the horse. By this point the two women and their dogs had caught me up. I walked ahead of then calling out "Horse". He was just behind the hedge next to the small wall, when I got there. He enjoyed the apple and the two women doted a bit about him.
It had been such a pleasant night for running, with the sun out for most of it and a gentle breeze keeping it fresh and clear. Though the breeze wasn't strong enough to blow the midges away.
I walked the rest of the way home, stretched for about a minute, then went straight in, changed my top and walked to and back from the local shop.
Tonight I ran 12.2 km and 0.75 km, making a total of 12.95 km (or just over 8 miles). I also walked a mile. This was easily my best to date.
Wednesday 27 September 2017. It's my mother's bingo night again so I need to get out and back and be ready to take her by 8.30 pm. Thing is the weather is awful. It's raining hard and it's very windy.
Anyway I decided to chance it. I wore an old pair of trainers, old shorts, a t-shirt and a rain coat. I had my camcorder and an apple with me. The rain was bucketing down and, of course, I got soaked. The horse got his apple and he looked soaked too.
I was weary of cars, coming towards me, as I walked along the pavement. There were some huge puddles and any unthinking driver could drench me with muddy water. As I walked into The Glen I could see the trees swaying back and forth in the wind. There was a stream of water running down the path and others crossing it from the bank on the left.
I walked to the waterfall and the water in the river had risen noticeably again. Even standing under the trees didn't provide any shelter today. It was very miserable and not a great day for a walk.
Tuesday 26 September 2017. I had a hot shower, stretched and was out by 5.40 pm. The horse was on top of the old railway embankment as I passed. He was watching me, but I didn't want to call him in case he hurt himself running down it. Instead I hid the apple next to the gate and walked on.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off up the top path on my first lap. I was deliberately keeping it steady, as I wanted to see how far I could go. On my second lap I passed my old school friend with his dog. I passed him four or five times later and each time we had a two second conversation as we passed. He was on his own as his wife visits her mother on a Tuesday. At one point he asked me how many laps I do. I replied, this is my fifth, but I'll keep going until I feel I want to stop.
The path down into The Glen
I was enjoying the run and on my sixth lap, as I crossed over the sluice footbridge, I started to think, this is feeling easier and i should achieve at least eight laps tonight.
The next few laps passed easily and before I knew it I was on my tenth lap. If I managed to finish that and go all the way to the waterfall, then I would have equalled my longest run in this "Long Run Back to Fitness". As I approached the waterfall, I was still feeling good, so I decided to turn straight around and do some more. As the light on the top path was fading on my tenth lap, I decided I would run straight along the flat path, around the reservoir and back. However, as I ran back towards the waterfall again, I decided to turn left over the footbridge and do an extra couple of hundred yards. I started to climb up to the top path, hoping the light would be OK, and it was. It actually seemed better than it was earlier. I was counting the steps and was going to turn around after 100, but I thought I'd add another 50, then another 50. Before I knew it I had climbed right to the top, and as I've come this far I may as well keep going and finish the lap.
I felt good as I ran through the car park again and as I approached the steep hill, up to the old reservoir, I could see two women with their dogs, near the top. I reached the top just after them, but they had decided to walk the long way around the reservoir. As I had to check my run a few laps ago to avoid two dogs tripping me up, I decided to take the short route to avoid more dogs. All I was concentrating on was to keep running all the way along the long flat path to the waterfall.
Some views along the long flat path
I felt great as I followed the long flat path and before I knew it I had reached the waterfall. It was still as bright as it had been 15 minutes previously and I felt really pleased with myself. My t-shirt was completely soaked in sweat, but I just looked down at the waterfall and stretched by the bench.
.The bench by the small waterfall
I only stopped for about 30 seconds before I set off again. I jogged to and over the exit footbridge. Climbed up out of The Glen and on up to the road junction. This is by far the hardest climb of the day. I continued along the road, soon passing the two women, I had seen earlier with their dogs. I ran as far as the gate to the horse's field and then back 50 yards and back to the field.
I picked up the apple, but I couldn't see the horse. By this point the two women and their dogs had caught me up. I walked ahead of then calling out "Horse". He was just behind the hedge next to the small wall, when I got there. He enjoyed the apple and the two women doted a bit about him.
It had been such a pleasant night for running, with the sun out for most of it and a gentle breeze keeping it fresh and clear. Though the breeze wasn't strong enough to blow the midges away.
I walked the rest of the way home, stretched for about a minute, then went straight in, changed my top and walked to and back from the local shop.
Tonight I ran 12.2 km and 0.75 km, making a total of 12.95 km (or just over 8 miles). I also walked a mile. This was easily my best to date.
Wednesday 27 September 2017. It's my mother's bingo night again so I need to get out and back and be ready to take her by 8.30 pm. Thing is the weather is awful. It's raining hard and it's very windy.
Anyway I decided to chance it. I wore an old pair of trainers, old shorts, a t-shirt and a rain coat. I had my camcorder and an apple with me. The rain was bucketing down and, of course, I got soaked. The horse got his apple and he looked soaked too.
I was weary of cars, coming towards me, as I walked along the pavement. There were some huge puddles and any unthinking driver could drench me with muddy water. As I walked into The Glen I could see the trees swaying back and forth in the wind. There was a stream of water running down the path and others crossing it from the bank on the left.
I walked to the waterfall and the water in the river had risen noticeably again. Even standing under the trees didn't provide any shelter today. It was very miserable and not a great day for a walk.
Waterfall area on a miserable and wet day
I walked back into The Glen and over the footbridge. The trees were being blown back and forth and leaves were falling from them. The ground was strewn with freshly fallen leaves and older ones from previous years. The rain was constant and the river was brown with mud washed into it by the water.
Rain bucketing down on Autumn Day by the footbridge in The Glen.
The river path was saturated with water and slippery. I kept having to kick pieces of branch from under my feet. Looking at the trees blowing about, above my head, it was scary to think these things fallen here just recently.
When I got to the car park I picked up some litter and put it into the bin. The wind was stronger as there was less protection than there was inside The Glen. There was a second waterfall gushing down from the road above. All in all it wasn't very pleasant.
A windy day with water gushing down from the road above.
I didn't hang about for very long and set off up the steep hill, around the old reservoir and along the long flat path. One lap was to be my all, I just wanted out of here before a branch fell on my head.
When I got home I quickly changed out of my soaked clothes. It may not have been a very productive walk, but it was a walk (just under 2 miles) and meant the day wasn't a complete washout. As for the bingo, both my mother, her sister and I won nothing, my sister won £10.
Thursday 28 September 2017. Spent most of the day in Armagh City. Went to a recruitment fair and managed to blag myself a free lunch. I walked around a lot and got back home at 4 pm.
Done some odds jobs around the house and then decided to go for a run. I set off at 5.50 pm and it was just starting to rain. The horse's eyes followed me as I passed his field, but as he was on top of the railway embankment, I didn't call him.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off on my laps on the top paths. Somehow the rain managed to hold off and there was a pleasant breeze. It was great weather for running, but not great for a walk. I completed six laps and on the last two laps I ran around the old reservoir twice. One thing I couldn't really understand is, why the midges seemed to be there on odd numbered laps, but not on others. As usual, I finished the interval by the waterfall, making the distance up to 6.5 km.
I only stopped to stretch for a minute, before setting off again. I jogged back and over the exit footbridge, up out of The Glen, up to the road junction and along the pavement to just before the horses field. This added another 0.7 km. I picked up the two halves of the apple and walked on until I reached the small wall at the other end of the field. The horse saw me and was soon walking in my direction. Both halves of the apple disappeared into a very happy horse.
This evening The Glen was very quiet tonight. I saw just saw three people walking their dogs. By the time I was on my last lap the light was starting to fade and it was trying to rain again.
The Glen at dusk.
I was pleased with tonight's workout. I ran 4 miles, and between today in Armagh City and tonight I walked just over 2 miles.
Friday 29 September 2017. I set off at 5.25 pm and was hoping to do something similar to last night and get back in time to watch Leinster play Edinburgh in the Pro14 Rugby Championship.
The horse was in the middle of the field and saw me coming. He was already on the way to the small wall before I reached the field. Apple eaten and I continued to walk on towards The Glen.
I jogged down into The Glen and set off on my laps. It was damp underfoot, but it wasn't raining. I done exactly the same first interval as the previous night. Six laps on the upper paths, an extra circle of the old reservoir on the last two laps and finishing at the waterfall. An interval of 6.5 km.
I stopped at the bench and stretched for a minute. The bull or cattle were no where to be seen and a good volume of clear water was flowing over the waterfall. Above me I could hear rain drops hitting the leaves in the trees, but none were reaching me.
The one thing that really annoyed me tonight, was that as I entered the car park on my fifth lap, a double mattress appeared in the middle of it. Some lazy bast**d had dumped it there. Fly-tipping is a stupid thing, it's something I have witnessed so much through the years, causes grief to all and is just selfish people not caring how the affect the countryside and others' lives.
I started to jog again, back to the exit bridge and up out of The Glen to the road junction - this is always a good climb. I continued along the pavement and into the village. By now it had started to rain and behind me was an almost prefect rainbow.
I didn't stop to cool down as the rain was getting heavier. I did get my camera and take a photo of the rainbow. Before walking to the local shop, I prepared the batter and potatoes for fish and chip later.
Overall, tonight I ran 6.5 km and 0.9 km, a total of 7.4 km (or 4.6 miles). I also walked a mile. As for the Rugby, Leinster made hard work of it but beat Edinburgh, final score 21 - 13. I recorded the last play - it's below.
Final play of Leinster v Edinburgh in Pro14 Rugby in Dublin
Like always, after we have a rainbow, the sky did clear up and the stars and the moon (well just over half of it) came out. It was a cool, fresh, windy night. I apologise for the shaky bit at the end, but we all don't have access to YouTube Video Editor anymore, so I can't edit it. I'll have to find myself another video editor, but I did find the YouTube one so easy and fast to use.
The moon tonight from County Armagh
Saturday 30 September 2017. It's already been a great week again in my "Long Run Back to Fitness", so anything today will be a plus.
It was a glorious day, the sun was out but it only reached a temperature of 15 C. I went for a walk at 2.50 pm. As usual I was armed with my camcorder, a carrier bag and an apple for the horse. He had the apple as I passed the field. Today he started neighing as he walked towards me.
On reaching The Glen I picked up my old trusty stick and started to collect litter. It was more obvious Autumn was upon us as many of the leaves in the trees were turning yellow and brown. There were also many more on the footpaths.
I walked to the waterfall, where the water looked so clear in the sunlight. There were no cattle to be seen anywhere in the fields, but there were lots birds singing in the trees. What was surprising is there were also no people about on such a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
I walked back along the path and over the river, then along the river path. I always seem to walk the same loops around The Glen. When I reached the car park I walked around and picked up the few pieces of litter on the ground. There wasn't much, but the big ugly mattress was still lying there. I was thinking if this was forward planning by a couple who would be here later, after dark. However, I decided it was just someone being too lazy to dispose of it properly.
There were no cars in the car park today. I continued over the footbridge and along the path toward the steep hill which goes up to the old reservoir. As I was walking around the reservoir, I heard the sound of an ice-cream van nearby. It's the first time I have heard one of these in such a long time.
As I walked along the long straight path I passed a man walking his dog. There were also the noise of some teenagers in the distance. I think I had passed them earlier as I walked along the road. There was the noise of breaking glass coming from a disused house, and last time I heard breaking glass there, the same teenagers appeared out of the place.
I continued back over the river and along the upper path, soon passing a man and woman with a young child in a push-chair plus a small dog. At one point I looked down towards the river the sun shining on the water made it look blue.
Back at the car park, I emptied my carrier back into the litter bin again and set off home along the river path. Just before leaving The Glen I saw some litter in the bushes. I used my stick to try and recover it, but I broke my old trusty stick. I eventually got hold of the litter, but by now I had cut my right arm in a few places and blood was running down onto the back of my hand.
I got home at 4.15 pm, had a cup of coffee and caught up on the football and rugby scores. I avoided the result from Zebra v Ulster in the Pro14 Rugby, as I'll watch this later on BBC iPlayer. Zebra have never beaten Ulster and are not expected to do today.
By 5.30 pm I had changed, stretched and was on my way for a run. I walked towards The Glen and shortly before reaching it I started jogging. I completed five laps on the upper paths and on the last one I decided to do a couple of extra laps of the old reservoir. I somehow caught caught in a loop and ended up doing twelve. I finished at the interval at waterfall and stretched for a minute, then sat down on the bench for a minute. My legs were feeling tired and my body weary. The amount of work I have done over the last few weeks was starting to have an effect. However, I determined to get some extra in so I started to jog slowly again, away from the waterfall, up out of The Glen and along the pavement home.
Half way along the pavement I could hear a loud roar coming towards me. It was two young lads racing each other in souped up VW Golfs. They were going far too fast.
As I jogged past the horse's field I picked up two halves of an apple I had left there on my way out. I couldn't see the horse so I threw it into the field, by the small wall, he'll find it later. I continued to jog home, then added some extra, then changed and walked to and back from the local shop.
The one thing which really surprised me tonight, in The Glen, is as I ran along the flat path, on my fourth lap, I was just about to catch up and overtake the woman with the three dogs. However, just before I did, she started jogging. She hadn't seen me coming, and she went away from me. She didn't stop for about 200 yards and it was only after that when I passed her. As I ran behind her, the Golden Retriever ran with me, and when I said his name he started barking in excitement at my ankles. Next time I'll keep quiet.
I was really pleased with my finish to the week. I walked over 3 miles today. My two jogging intervals were 6.8 km and 1.2 km, making a total of 8 km (or 5 miles).
It brings my totals for the week to 27.2 miles jogging and 11 miles walking. To me this is a brilliant balance of both and my best week yet for jogging. I'm sure my legs will be tired tomorrow, but then that's the start of a new week.
It was a glorious day, the sun was out but it only reached a temperature of 15 C. I went for a walk at 2.50 pm. As usual I was armed with my camcorder, a carrier bag and an apple for the horse. He had the apple as I passed the field. Today he started neighing as he walked towards me.
On reaching The Glen I picked up my old trusty stick and started to collect litter. It was more obvious Autumn was upon us as many of the leaves in the trees were turning yellow and brown. There were also many more on the footpaths.
I walked to the waterfall, where the water looked so clear in the sunlight. There were no cattle to be seen anywhere in the fields, but there were lots birds singing in the trees. What was surprising is there were also no people about on such a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Waterfall area in The Glen plus clear river in sunlight.
I walked back along the path and over the river, then along the river path. I always seem to walk the same loops around The Glen. When I reached the car park I walked around and picked up the few pieces of litter on the ground. There wasn't much, but the big ugly mattress was still lying there. I was thinking if this was forward planning by a couple who would be here later, after dark. However, I decided it was just someone being too lazy to dispose of it properly.
Mattress dumped in car park in The Glen.
There were no cars in the car park today. I continued over the footbridge and along the path toward the steep hill which goes up to the old reservoir. As I was walking around the reservoir, I heard the sound of an ice-cream van nearby. It's the first time I have heard one of these in such a long time.
The sound of an ice-cream van from by the old reservoir.
As I walked along the long straight path I passed a man walking his dog. There were also the noise of some teenagers in the distance. I think I had passed them earlier as I walked along the road. There was the noise of breaking glass coming from a disused house, and last time I heard breaking glass there, the same teenagers appeared out of the place.
I continued back over the river and along the upper path, soon passing a man and woman with a young child in a push-chair plus a small dog. At one point I looked down towards the river the sun shining on the water made it look blue.
The river, taken from the upper footpath.
Back at the car park, I emptied my carrier back into the litter bin again and set off home along the river path. Just before leaving The Glen I saw some litter in the bushes. I used my stick to try and recover it, but I broke my old trusty stick. I eventually got hold of the litter, but by now I had cut my right arm in a few places and blood was running down onto the back of my hand.
I got home at 4.15 pm, had a cup of coffee and caught up on the football and rugby scores. I avoided the result from Zebra v Ulster in the Pro14 Rugby, as I'll watch this later on BBC iPlayer. Zebra have never beaten Ulster and are not expected to do today.
By 5.30 pm I had changed, stretched and was on my way for a run. I walked towards The Glen and shortly before reaching it I started jogging. I completed five laps on the upper paths and on the last one I decided to do a couple of extra laps of the old reservoir. I somehow caught caught in a loop and ended up doing twelve. I finished at the interval at waterfall and stretched for a minute, then sat down on the bench for a minute. My legs were feeling tired and my body weary. The amount of work I have done over the last few weeks was starting to have an effect. However, I determined to get some extra in so I started to jog slowly again, away from the waterfall, up out of The Glen and along the pavement home.
Half way along the pavement I could hear a loud roar coming towards me. It was two young lads racing each other in souped up VW Golfs. They were going far too fast.
As I jogged past the horse's field I picked up two halves of an apple I had left there on my way out. I couldn't see the horse so I threw it into the field, by the small wall, he'll find it later. I continued to jog home, then added some extra, then changed and walked to and back from the local shop.
The one thing which really surprised me tonight, in The Glen, is as I ran along the flat path, on my fourth lap, I was just about to catch up and overtake the woman with the three dogs. However, just before I did, she started jogging. She hadn't seen me coming, and she went away from me. She didn't stop for about 200 yards and it was only after that when I passed her. As I ran behind her, the Golden Retriever ran with me, and when I said his name he started barking in excitement at my ankles. Next time I'll keep quiet.
I was really pleased with my finish to the week. I walked over 3 miles today. My two jogging intervals were 6.8 km and 1.2 km, making a total of 8 km (or 5 miles).
It brings my totals for the week to 27.2 miles jogging and 11 miles walking. To me this is a brilliant balance of both and my best week yet for jogging. I'm sure my legs will be tired tomorrow, but then that's the start of a new week.
As for the rugby, I watched the game late on. It was a shock result and a well deserved win by Italian side Zebra in Parma, A big fellow named Giammarioli intercepted a pass near his own posts and ran the length of the field to touch down for the winning try. These big fellows aren't supposed to do this. See for yourself below.
Giammarioli intercepts pass and runs 90 yards to touch down for the winning try for Zebra in Parma
You may have realised by now how much I enjoy watching rugby, golf, Gaelic Football and any sports friends or family are taking part in or involved with.
Comments
Post a Comment