22 Jan 2009

First off-road route discovered

I have found a nice off-road today, through Branksome Park. Ran down to the beach and back through the park, pretty mud and rough under foot in some places. Just need to find a good way down now.

Only 6 weeks to the Grizzly now so long run at the weekend planned from Lyme Regis to West Bay. I am starting to increase the weekly mileage, might start work on core strength but might not.

13 Jan 2009

Westbourne RC

Westbourne RC met at my new place of work. So this week I turned up and tried to keep up. Very friendly and knowledgeable (about routes in the area) bunch. Monday run was OK but today I struggled a bit more as the pace was a bit quicker.

11 Jan 2009

Superfly and White Box Stove

New Jacket and stove arrived from backpackinglight this week. Very kind friends from my old job got me a few leaving presents include a virtual voucher (cash) for an outdoor shop. I have decided to use it to replace my very old Lowe Apline jacket with a lightweight Montane SuperFly jacket. The jacket is going to take some getting used to after using a heavier waterproof for so long.

As for the White Box stove, after years of using gas stoves this is a bit of revelation. First impression are that it is amazingly simple and robust design, however the flaring up can be a bit disconcerting.

For my forthcoming trip to the Black Mountains at the end of February I think I am going to take both the Pocket Rocket gas stove and the White Box. This is partly because there are 3 of us staying in a bothy, so it will be nice to be able to brew up and cook; but also because I am a bit unsure at the moment about relying on the White Box.

7 Jan 2009

Finding a new route

I started my new job in Bournemouth on Monday and today have been out for my first run. Down to the beach and back through Branksome Chime, mainly on the road but it is a start. Apparently Chime means a narrow ravine peculiar to the Dorset coast. Sure I will find some good 3 or 4 mile routes.

3 Jan 2009

Cold and dark

I have started the new year, happy new year by the way, with 2 good dark runs.

Tonight I ran into Bridport over North hill, as I got to the top I turned the head torch off and gazed at the clear sky and the moon shining on the sea. It was very cold on the nose and face (-2C) so even though I felt comfortable with the distance was glad to get home.