Crossing ahead: visitors, ducks, dogs and the Regatta

A 30-mile week! (excl cycling & walking) - a first in a long time..
It's been a busy week with a few days off to spend with my folks in town. Since they are slow starters, I've had a good chance to catch up on some time on my feet in the mornings, before it rains! The runs have been slow but all 4 mile+, one incl intervals and another at conversational pace (on hubby's bday, shortened from a long run due to v tired legs!).
This morning's a killer - my first half marathon + , I made myself do 15, and slow start was helped by distractions from the staines regatta, with rowing boats straddling my usual speedup to the Lock! Sharing a few pics of this place transformed...


My halfway point was at a new reconstruction of the Thames path after walton bridge , path obstructed by my friends

Curious where the nice path links to as it appears across the river from my stretch along shepparton - many canoes there too...

I can't believe all this took approx 2:45! Not used to being out for this long and am knackered. The concert @ somerset house is tomorrow and I can only manage a mediocre practice after cycling to town for errands ( relaxing on the pedals! I must learn to think after Brussels and before palace to palace).
Before a snooze, another slice of this lovely BFG cake for hubby's birthday! Chocolate sponge is great recovery food, especially so soft!

12 weeks before Brussels ! Lots to get on!
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2 races in 4 days!

After MK Half last Sunday, I found myself donning another racing bib on a Wednesday night (both bibs with race numbers ending in 8!) at my 5th JPMorgan Corporate Challenge at Battersea Park.
The 4th one with my professional body, outside of those 'expected' hospitality from those tents sponsored by the Big Banks, I started with a bit of hot air, in familiar environment with unfamiliar people trying to make small talk at the starting line, or those who would want to, even if not affiliated. And if course if one's got a prominent name on their tshirt, they gotta run faster right? Or slower cos there will be someone giving them a good rub down, plenty of booze and gourmet food afterwards..
Me with the names of a south Australian pie manufacturers name behind my back, completed my own course record in this 5.8km race in semi wet terrain, a minute faster than 3 years ago, 2 faster than 2 years.
Free shoulder rub down by sponsors, and a cask wine, peanuts and chips, catching on old times, going home with a bigger than normal tech shirt (I'm a small, after all).
The starting line of the group behind.

Other updates:
Race photos from MK half came through, not the nicest and shows me heel striking!! No! It also confirmed I was mad at the wrong girl.. Not miss C , but Miss G came home 4 secs after me (yay!)

Also a lill jealous at hubby looking cheerful in all pics - maybe I shouldn't have tried to look good?
Results also comes with a useless pace comparison tool with any competitor. Hmm, not too helpful when mile splits ont provided and I know I need 2x as long to do my mile than the winner!
Weekend long run less than 13.1 due to late start and having to entertain visiting parents and save energy for road trip after. Big blister opened on left. Totally drenched on last mile after a pit stop. Hmmm...
I'm not enjoying training in this heat and wet weather...


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Meatballs, 13.1+ and the start of Marathon training!

At 4 miles : "Hi darling" - a familiar voice
At 6 miles :"You've been morphed" - a group of loud NSPCC greenies in their morphed suits.
And finally, at the finishing line - miss C in her orange full outfit, once clad with a battalion of gels, and 'just out of shower long hair'... start-stop-start-stop...she blocked me in my finishing line video...crossed it 7' of a second ahead of me...

As the announcer announced ..just crossing the line is Bonnie, Bonnie Wong (full name! When bib only said Bonnie W.)

First summer half marathon completed in Milton Keynes. Another half this year that I went to the starting line expecting sub- optimal results.

With my black, blue and red legs out of action for almost a week, lacking sleep and sufficient exercise (no biking to work most days, and a weary wrist)...I switched my focus on relaxation and rehabilitation.

There's only so many hours in a day, and weather being wet and humid...not the easiest remaining positive!

After a full Saturday enjoying my fave flower show at Hampton court palace with feet in wellies in anticipation of rain



I was expecting lots of it on Sunday. The drive up wasn't positive....torrential rain enveloped the car and all we can think of is keeping warm and the change of clothes afterwards.

Glad that it was almost bone dry in MK. The race itself was laid back, well marshalled and spectated. Mainly good natured fellow runners (refer to mentions at start of entry). Twists and turns on mainly soft but not boggy ground, along the canals, wooded walkways, in a New Town, well planned for industrial/residential use.

It almost felt like home. Except it was a paid race, I should make a good effort. I started too fast. Slowed down. Couldn't pick up again...bottled water to wash the one gel, and raisins. An electrolyte drink would've been good...

No music (organisers said I shouldnt bring iPod, but not many obeyed)! My mind playlist only did a few tracks / mantras as had to focus on not jarring knee or falling. Price was too high to pay... Not easy at all, although I enjoyed the free feeling of no wires and technology to fumble with, no bottle weights to balance.

Oh well. Got to the finish, collected the medal, gathered the 3 of us runners and spectator - for a Swedish style recovery meal in the famed furniture store. Lingonberries made it more palatable to absorb those well needed carbs/proteins!


Drove home with exciting Wimbledon finals on the radio, and then crashed on the couch, ice cream in hand, watching Federer finish off Murray.. Federer the eternal sportsman top of his game. I feel for Murray - to be almost there but not quite.

Clearly I, like him, has lots more work to do, to grab that PB.

Welcome to 13.1+ long run weekends.. For the next month or so. And more feet time during the week. In 18 hours approx!

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Our first Cycling Weekend away!

(and a first dualpost on my Blogger & Wordpress blogs!)
Hi from a homebound south west trains again..(this time passing New Forest in Hampshire - see horses?), it seems the only time I get to write up my blogs!

It's the first of July and it feels well into summer - and a first cycling weekend exploring Guernsey and the lovely beaches from Poole to Bournemouth!
A cheap day trip deal on the Condor ferries and a bit of logistics made this trip possible- for a first ferry out to Guernsey on a Saturday(one of the english channel islands), it's best to stay near the port of Poole, and then why not stay the night in Poole for a start of more biking to explore the coastline?
The ferry out was a 4 hour journey (30 mins longer due to technical issues) and our bikes had to sleep within the cushions next to all of the big boys (cars) whilst we relaxed upstairs despite the choppiness and rainy ride to the port.

The beauty of being a foot passenger avec le velo is that you get off before all of the foot passengers and cars! The joy of pushing off the gangway and riding on the quiet roads of the port...especially on arriving in Guernsey with no passport control and being cooped up indoors for so long (and the seasickness building up), it was good to feel the fresh breeze, blue skies and sunshine.

Guernsey is picturesque, a feeling of rural France in its vegetation, adorned with British-style houses, and well maintained gardens. With only short of 4 hours on the island, we explored the northeastern part of the island, which were the flattest.
Taking in coastlines, cliff tops, old forts, beaches and golf courses along the Ruette Tranquilles ( quiet back streets) and some major roads of the island - it was fun! And noticeably warmer, similar to our time in France in early June.

Even had time for a bit of roadside duty free shopping via an honesty box) and a lunch in a Brasserie...

Paid for by our Guernsey currency ( taken from a local cashpoint, which wasn't a good idea as we'd need to go to a bank for exchange).

Then. Back to the port and to the mainland, didn't arrive til 8:45 pm. Trip was too short!

After a good night's rest, dinner and cooked breakfast, we set off to head a few stations closer to home.
The weather forecast was wrong and we had blue skies and a breeze. Riding along the main roads towards Sandbanks (which i presumed was downhill -not!) we reached a bay with many kitesurfers about, a sky full of little sails.
The beach was lovely, one can see all the way from the chalk cliffs from Poole harbour and around to Bournemouth . A sunny day, lifesavers flags out. It really has been a while since I've seen a beach!

On a day like this, it could've felt like we're in Oz :)
First of July just after 10am is when the restrictions kicked off,

which gave us a good chance to have a romantic stroll promenade abreast with our new brompton family members and to admire beach huts - certainly an English thing to shelter from the elements for a cuppa whilst on a day out at the beach.

Bournemouth was commercial as one would expect. Boscombe was more laid back and bikes were allowed on the promenade..after Boscome, then we had to cycle on a clifftop road to Christchurch to the nearest station bound for London Waterloo .

Rode into Christchurch festival as the last highlight before hitting the station.

Almost 26 miles with the bike this weekend, not quite enough, but good for a taster traveling with bikes!
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