The Swan at Lavenham

No run today instead I needed to make a visit to the Swan at Lavenham where my son is about to start work. The drive was just to familiarise him with the road to Lavenham. Have a look at the Swan Hotel website at the rooms and the menu it dates back to the 1400’s.

Anyone who visits Lavenham will know how well preserved many of the tudor buildings are and it is almost a time trip back to the days of the wool merchants of East Anglia. There are apparently over 300 listed buildings in Lavenham.

I will return another day for a run to explore this beautiful village.For now one or two pictures. Can there be a more beautiful estate agents in the country than this one shown in the picture? Lavenham has a good website and its own message board .

This message board is part of the UK villages on line network.

Moreton Hall and Town Centre Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

7.30am 8.1 miles in 1 hour 5 minutes 37 seconds

Week to date mileage 30

Month to date mileage 139

Average weekly rate 31.7

Average Monthly rate 138

Year to Date 539

Life time 8317

Set of early this morning for some reason I was awake at 6am and decided to get out on a run early. The weather was a mixture of showers and watery sunshine typical April.

I headed through town along Risbygate Street until I reached Eastgate down by the river lark and the Fox. I have extra affinity for this area now that we have traced my family on my mothers side to Eastgate Street. My great grandfather and my great great grandfather going back to 1841 were both fish hawkers in this area of town. We have only just begun to research using Ancestory UK so lots more to find out.

I ran up through the Vinefields and past St James Middle School and then on to Moreton Hall. I took a path off road at Moreton Hall Prep School.

I don’t think I have run up here before and I was surprised at just how many dog owners there were. However I ignored these as immeadiately before me was the biggest field of Cow Slips that I have ever seen. In the drizzle I took a photo or two. Cowslips are much rarer these days, the name derives from cowpat not sure why? Cowslips have been used to make wine, in salads and in the past to treat spasms and cramps.

There are several quotes from poetry on cowslips that I found including

Shakespeare

The cowslips tall her pensioners be.
In their gold coats spots you see:
Those be rubies, fairy favors;
In those freckles live their savors.

Tennyson

And ye talk together still,
In the language wherewith Spring
Letters cowslips on the hill.

Milton

Thus I set my printless feet
O’er the cowslip’s velvet head,
That bends not as I tread.

Though the best for me is

Thomas Hood

The cowslip is a country wench.

After a run around much of Moreton Hall I returned home with the picture of the cowslips still in my mind.

River Lark Run Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

8.45am 7.2 miles in 58 minutes 8 seconds

Week to date mileage 22

Month to date mileage 131

Average weekly rate 31.5

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 531

Life time 8309

Course:Head out through the water meadows and then turn left at Bury Rugby Club . Follow the path through No Mans Meadow which is at the back of the Abbey Gardens returning to Southgate Bridge and then returning over the meadows for a 2nd lap.Return home up Southgate Street past the Police Station and through the Abbey Gardens graveyard then through town centre, Risbygate street, Westley road and home.

My previous times over this course are as follows

10.15th April 58 minutes 50 seconds
9. 13th Feb 06 59 minutes 52 seconds
8.27th Dec 05 1 hour 3 mins and 23 seconds
7.19th 05Sep 56 minutes 42 seconds
6.29th 05 August 58 minutes and 7 seconds
5.2 july 05 1 hourand 53 seconds
4.26th june 05 1 hour and 9 seconds
3.28th May 05 58 minutes and 51 seconds
2.13th April 05 59 minutes and 25 seconds
1.11th March 05 1 hour and 31 seconds

I ran well again the weather is just perfect at this time of the year for running. I took some pictures of sights I regularly see on this run.

The sign board introduces an area of water meadows known as No Mans Meadows. Apparently the area was created artificially in the medieval period as a result of diverting the course of the River Linnet in order to provide a millstream for the abbey. Livestock would have roamed here.

The picture of the conical shape building is that of an Oast House. An Oast House is a kiln for drying hops. There would ususally be a kiln room and above this a drying room where the hops were layed out to dry. After sufficient drying the hops would be removed into a cooling room.

The shape of the Oast House enables a sufficient draught for the fire in the kiln.

Running through Bury St Edmunds Abbey Graveyard the gravestones have almost disappeared under a sea of weeds.

Final picture shows one of my favourite buildings in Bury that of Moyse’s Hall. Built in 1180 it is now an excellent museum. It has apparently been an Inn, the town gaol, policestation and a workhouse.

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre

2.30pm 7.5 miles in I hour

Week to date mileage 15

Month to date mileage 124

Average weekly rate 31.6

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 524

Life time 8302

Another run around Bury St Edmunds. As it was market day it was fairly busy and I avoided
the town centre. This was still room for one or two put downs. A couple near McDonalds dressed in matching fashion track suits passed by and as they did so I was taking a photo of the Kings Arms Pub. He commented to his partner loud enough so I was meant to hear “I don’t know why they run if they think they are trying to impress us they should know it just doesn’t work. ” His partner just said “Yes dear”.

The week after the London Marathon there are always a few remarks lobbed in your direction from people who may have watched some of the event and assume that you are suddenly starting to run. This week I have had Keep going, only 26 miles to go … and today I had Keep running you will soon be at the Cutty Sark. At least that was an original comment.

In the Abbey Gardens I took a picture of one of the most filmed sites that of the Abbots Bridge which is reguarly seen as a postcard from Bury St Edmunds.

The Norman Tower is shown at the end of one of the road in one of the pictures in this update. For along time there were many complaints against the road planners as this is a one way road system which means you never drive towards the Norman Tower only away from it.

I also ran through the cemetary though I was in two minds as to whether I should. In the end it was fine and I didn’t encounter any funerals in progress!

Fornham Circular Run Suffolk

2.30pm 7.5 miles in 57 minutes 2 seconds

Week to date mileage 7.5

Month to date mileage 116

Average weekly rate 31.4

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 517

Life time 8295

The course – head out of Bury on the Beetons Way past Tollgate and through the village of Fornham St Martin.

Return to Bury through Fornham All Saints along the A11101 Mildenhall Road , back to Tollgate and return up Beetons Way hill and home.

18 Mar 06 56.51
11 Feb 06 59.25
14 Jan 06 60.05

2005

17 Dec 59.29
29 Oct 59.52
3 Oct 60.19
11 Sep 60.14
28 Aug 57.42
19 Aug 59.36
22 Jul 58.24
10 Jul 59.48
1 Jul 59.42
23 Jun 64.0
18 Jun 62.18
23 May 59.38
5 Apr 62.41
1 Apr 60.26
19 Mar 59.0
12 Mar 60.43
5 Mar 62.16
26 Feb 62.16
6 Feb 61 .23
28 Jan 61.02
16 Jan 61.14

My time today was nearly as good as last time out about a month ago. I felt good and I didn’t push the pace at all. I must have a look at up and coming races to set some targets soon!

London Marathon

Congratulations to everyone who took part yesterday in the London Marathon it really is one of the greatest mass participation events in the world.

I watched on the BBC and despite the drizzle there seemed to be a good spectator turn out as usual. You cannot fail to be inspired by the event and to see 35,000 competitors setting off from Blackheath and Greenwich is just fantastic. Well done to the organisers and the thousands of helpers.

Deena Kastor simply ran away with the Womens Marthon and at the finish she looked like she had just been for a stroll. Its a pity that we didn’t see her battling out with Paula Radcliffe I wouldn’t be sure who would win.

The mens race was a great battle especially to see the sprint finish. I know when I have been in this situation in much shorter runs such as 10k if I sprint at the finish I often then feel sick. Limo was a deserved winner in the end.

If you are inspired to run next year have a look at the details forthe London Marathon 2007 here.

Whilst these guys were running the London here is a few more pictures from my pub run yesterday!

Bury St Edmunds Town Centre

5.30pm 6.3 miles in 51 minutes 24 seconds

Week to date mileage 28.7

Month to date mileage 109

Average weekly rate 31.5

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 509

Life time 8287

I decided just to run where ever I fancied around town. I headed towards the Railway Station past the Falcon and the Rising Sun in Risbygate Street and then up past the Ipswich Arms and down to the Linden Tree .

Then up by St Johns Street past the Bushel into the centre of town past the Grapes and the Cupola House and down past the Masons Arms. I continued on past the Black Boy and down Whiting Street to the Rose and Crown. I then ran past the Theatre Royal and round by the Dog and Partridge.

To think that so many pubs have closed in Bury but I have still only mentioned just some of the pubs that you can still visit. It would be interesting to find a book listing the closures I can think of half a dozen closures along Kings Road alone, but not always their names such as the Cricketers Arms which I think is now a hairdressers. Further down on the right their was another pub and then there was The Market Tavern which was just off from the mini roundabout as you turn left down Kings Road and in the centre of town the cavernous Griffin and another pub can’t think of the name of it which was situated where the chemist Superdrug is now. Then there was the St Edmunds Head which is now the Cannon Brewery Restaurant.

I am sure there is a book on the pubs of Bury St Edmunds anyone know of it?

I also photographed the Nestle advertising on what must have been a corner shop. More photos to follow.

Risby Suffolk

8.30am 11 miles in 1 hour 28 minutes

Week to date mileage 22.4

Month to date mileage 102

Average weekly rate 31.4

Average Monthly rate 137

Year to Date 503

Life time 8281

Weather warm sunshine and clouds

I ran out along the Newmarket Road past the Minden Rose pub. This road leads on to the A14 for Newmarket and is consequently always busy. There is a tricky section of this run when you need to cross over one or two roads on a roundabout before you can get on to Tut Hill.

I turned first left towards Risby and followed the road all the way to Risby past the crematorium on the right and a large pig farm on the left.

In Risby I ran past St Giles a church with a round tower. Risby has several ponds in the village before you reach the green which is looking well overgrown and overdue a mow. Risby is another village with an iron village sign .

I took the road towards Cavenham out of Risby and ran past a dominant feature in the landscape a large water tower. Before you get to Heath Barn Farm I took a footpath to the left besides a tall hedge. I only ran about 5 minutes along the path before turning around. I had wanted to turn after 45 minutes anyway but it was uncomfortable running along this path as their were clouds of hovering black midges flying in swarms. I didn’t realise until I reached home just how covered I was in midges stuck to my face and clothes.

So I was pleased to turn for home and retrace my steps along the same roads back home.

Horringer School /Hospital /Cullum rd Newmarket rd Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

6pm 5.4 miles in 40 minutes 57 seconds

Week to date mileage 11.4

Month to date mileage 91

Average weekly rate 31

Average Monthly rate 135

Year to Date 492

Life time 8270

I ran tonight in my new shoes I bought from Sportsshoes Unlimited.
I decided on a pair of New Balance 854’s. I have to say I have bought more New Balance Shoes then any other. I am generally never disappointed with them. Sportshoes Unlimited are a good company to buy from and deliver quickly.

Having said all this I never enjoy the first few runs in a new pair of shoes. They always seem a little too bouncy and your feet are bouncing off the road at all different angles.

Previous times on this course are as follows

27 Mar 06 42.41
8 Mar 06 42.13
24 Feb 06 42.33
16 Feb 06 44.0
10 Feb 06 41.50
2 Feb 06 42.38
17 Jan 06 42.50
10 Jan 06 42.52
1 jan 06 41.45
14 Dec 05 42.47

Kenilworth Warwickshire

4pm 6 miles in 48 minutes 14 seconds

Week to date mileage 6

Month to date mileage 86

Average weekly rate 31.2

Average Monthly rate 136

Year to Date 486

Life time 8264

I took my running shoes with me to a conference held at Kenilworth in Warwickshire. I managed to get out for one run from the Chesford Grange Hotel. The hotel had 18 acres of grounds and several trails to follow. An enjoyable run.

I think this is my first ever run in this county of Warwickshire. At some point I will have to dig out the diaries and work out what other counties I have run in this country. From memory I have certainly run in Somerset, Cumbria, Norfolk, London, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire,Yorkshire. I am sure there must be others and its something that will nag now until I work out which other counties I have covered.

Has anyone run all counties of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland? Or can claim to run to have run in several countries?