The Royal Wedding escape run

I must admit, the build up to the Royal Wedding was narking me more than just a little, but I remember Charles and Diana's wedding, well sort of, I was more pre-occupied with selling sweets in Noddy's Toy sweet shop, and dealing with Post Office issues in my toy post office set. My lovely Dad was a very good customer, my only customer that day I think.
Anyway, I'm not anti-Royal or owt like that but I knew there would be highlights and I also knew that the World and his Auntie would be elsewhere and not on my beloved Coast Path today so took the opportunity for some freedom!
Started early, Slapton Nudie beach!Well, I parked near it anyway, pre-run toilet stop haha.
I never knew, after spending so long at Slapton, that the Coast Path runs along the other side of the beach by the Ley. Learn something new everyday eh?

And so to the memorial for the soldiers that died at Slapton. My Mum will tell you all about it, I'm not good at the historic stuff, but she is! And then I ran to her little tank. Mum has a book about this too and told me all about it, hmmm, I do know bits but it may fill the blog (good get out of a bad memory?)

As I was running I remembered that this is night-time stuff, I spent some darkness-time at Slapton with the Matthew and dogs one night and really got the willies! It was quite scary I must admit and we seemed to walk for miles and not get anywhere! But we will be on the other side of the road so I hopefully wont get spooked!

Then up a little track and onto a beautiful stretch of coast towards Beesands.

I love Beesands, I think I want to live in one of the little cottages by the sea there, there's a pub and everything :)

So on to Hallsands, I feel sad there, the Trout sisters was it? The fishing village that got taken by the sea. Have included a photo, there was a young girl right down there taking photos today of the ruined cottages.

From Hallsands some more beauty towards Start Point. The Coast path doesn't go round the lighthouse but I am guessing it will be helpful when we run round there. As the hilarious @JediRider said to me on the phone the other night, by the lighthouse, run for 3 seconds, wait, run for 3 seconds, wait, run for 3 seconds haha I think we will have a fun time even though it will be difficult.
I was thinking that we could do with some 'Body Blinders' as in off of the Goonies! But with better battery power!

Start Point I have to say now is probably my most favourite place on the Coast Path so far! It was really really windy but blew any negative thoughts from my little mind and refreshed all the other parts too! You cant beat a good blow eh? Sorry, been watching too many Carry On films haha :)
I've put in a photo of the Bluebells just round from Start Point, and also the very dangerous drop down the cliff there! We will need to take great care at night.

Sorry, this is becoming as long as the Royal Wedding but I had such an amazing time I can't keep it all in!

Onwards and onwards, keep within the red posts because of the dangerous cliffs! We will really have to be careful on this bit, especially with my reputation! haha
Then to Lannacombe, the prettiest beach in South Devon in my mind.
I was going to continue, but I thought of the Cornish training I will be doing Sunday and Monday and trecked back!

And my planning this on the day of the Royal Wedding worked, the only people I saw out were the hardcore proper coast path polite, smiling ramblers, none of the riffraff and it was my best run ever, ever really!
I want to spend more time on this piece of coast, it is a beauty!

On the way back, instead of following the coast path back from Torcross I did some hardcore beach work for over 2 miles. I have arse cheeks of steel now! haha

Back to the van, listened to the radio broadcast on the Royal Wedding just in time to hear the flyover. Goosebumps and tears, it was amazing.
Then home to watch the highlights, I did think I made the right choice today though, and I'm a very happy pixie :)

Non-Coast Easter Training

Interesting! Very very interesting!
Today I did a tiny jaunt as wasn't sure on my knee/toe/ankle etc haha so I ran to South Brent and back! About 15 miles of road running. I think it was about 2 hours as I did a little Tai Chi by the river on the way back through.

My car needs attention! I cant turn left so thought it safer to stay local and do a road run.
I usually do Ashprington but it's only a short route so thought I'd do my pre-marathon training route of old!

Again, I use the word interesting, road trainers on, but took my full kit as I need to keep running with it to get used to it. No pole this time though, left him at home.

So from mine, along the river past the Weir, past the watermill to the Cider press centre. From there past Cornwall Farmers on the 385 towards South Brent! Eek!

So what used to a pretty hard going, lonely daunting run was today a little different. For a start I always used to have music, now I run outside with no sounds.
I never did that route with rucksack/camelback and waist kit either.
I haven't been used to traffic/no pavements and having to cross at every bend which really pee'd me off to be honest and the scenery being pretty, sunny and ok was nothing on my coast!

Thing is, it was easy! I never would have said that before, but running on a relatively flat easy road I have now realised how my coast training has paid off. At this rate I could run a 3,30 marathon if I keep to the coast, it was too easy! I didn't really push as not sure on my injuries but actually they were ok and I coped really well!

A little bra chaffage or 'Chaffage' said in a French accent just for my Mum! But other than that was ok.

No I am looking forward to getting my car fixed on Thursday and getting back out on the coast path on Friday :)

I missed the bugger, but I also think today was a good exercise to see how my training has paid off, and I'm fitter than ever!

You can see from the photo's that my ridiculous Viaduct fear is getting better by the run! Sadly, a friend of mine last year jumped from this one and committed suicide. So a little morose but I wanted to include a photo to show you all how brave I am getting. Said a few words and a Happy Easter to Tony whilst there and cracked on with my run. He was always a great supporter of my fitness. R.I.P. lovely Tony, fully lovely complimentary man, especially about my cheekbones :)

So, to South Brent, didn't hang around long, well you wouldn't would you?! haha and back again, getting car rage etc....
I am defo going to stick to off road coast running in future, road running does nothing for me now, there is no challenge to it and nothing to keep the mind positive.

That's it from me now, off later to top up the liquid carb at the Bay Horse Beer Festival and listen to my favourite jazz combo, the Jazz Funk Consortium and bestest running guitarist Neil playing too! Aka Marathon Man :)

Have a cracking Easter weekend and catch up soon

:) D

Torquay to Kingswear hot blast!

The start, Torquay, Daddy Hole Plain.
There is so much to this run today you wouldn't believe hence why I had had to Blog straight away. Flat easy running on the road to start pretty much all the way to Brixham. Problem though that we will need running trainers from the start to Brixham. I suffered major knee pain today running in trail shoes on the road and it messed my knee up for the rest of the run from Paignton onwards.
Whilst running to Goodrington the Steam Train passed me, causing major goosebumps! I could hear it coming up behind me, making me run in the rhythm of the train, it was epic! Highlight of the day for me :)

Took a photo for my Mum of the Brixham Battery Heritage Centre Group. Hope you like it Mummy! :)

So into Brixham I go, quick pee, Vaseline and Haribo stop and off I go for the epic 11.5 miles of hell, I mean hills! heehee ;)

Happy running along, met some very friendly ramblers all good and smiles :) But in fact, it was just before Brixham I was running a decline towards the last beach and encountered a family out. The young daughter saw me running and shouted to her Dad, move Dad please runner coming past, he moved as did the daughter and son, but Mrs would not budge, all 3 of them shouted please move to the side, but no! As she turned and gave me a waft of her cheap perfume she stated, 'I'm allowed to walk where I want'
and with a massive sigh and a huff moved an inch to the side. Very very sad lady!
And there were more! It seems that ladies out proper rambling are amazing especially the lovely woman that gave me a wink today as I passed, but the ones out with their partners and partners and children are miserable as hell! Get a life please else you will turn into a frown!
Anyway, I kept on, limping my knee kept giving way, but on I went!
Incline central today, but the declines were as severe.
This is my third time attempting to do Brixham to Kingswear and I now know it like my friend, which means I will not be intimidated by it on the actual 103 :)

And then the last section of steps to Kingswear where the lovely legend that is Ian Sedgebeer was ready and waiting with a cold bottle of Coke and a happy smile! Thanks Ian you are a true legend helping me on the challenge! :)

So to finish! I may not have run the London Marathon today, but I may as well have!

Ian dropped me back off at the car park and I had a 99 flake! Yeah! Proper rock n'roll way to finish a run.

That's all for now

Next run Good Friday :)

River Crossings

http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walkthepath/rivercrossings/

Been having a look at the river crossings and approx. timings and we are going to need a little help!
I will be contacting the SWCPA to see if they have any contacts to help but I need more accurate timings for them to be able to source this help.

The crossings are as follows, with approximate time of arrival if anyone can start the ball rolling or pass this information on for us?
1. River Exe - 8am start of the 103 challenge. This shouldnt be a problem to us at all. I will be contacting them though to ensure they are fully aware of what we are doing and that they are the start!
2. River Teign - 10.40 ish again I have contact details and shouldn't be a problem.
3. River Dart - Lower ferry no problem again for us but I will be making contact.
4. Salcombe/East Portlemouth - 0300-0400 Sunday 29th, this will be a big big problem! HELP required on this one Pleeeeeeeeease?
5. River Avon - 0700-0800 Sunday 29th, may cause a problem as it will be early if anyone can help please? I will be contacting them about this and pleading with them!
6. River Erme - 0900 Sunday 29th, all times are really really approximate! This ine is going to cause us grief - HELP! PLeeeeease?
7. River Yealm - 1200-1400 see times getting really randomly approximate now! Shouldnt cause us an issue and will contact them to let them know.
8. Cattewater - 1600 Sunday 29th again should be ok for this one at Mountbatten and then it's homeward bound.

As you can see I am having an insane time trying to plan everything and the more help I can get the better! So if you are at a loose end or just fancy getting up at 3am to feed us on route please let me know, it's all for Charity :)

Running Torquay to Kingswear on Sunday if anyone fancies picking me up or dropping me off? That would be ace :)

TTFN Debbie

Not running... but still training

Hi All

Not run for the last 2 weekends! Don't be alarmed or worried though as I am multi-training with at least a varied 4 different sporting activities!

The weekend before last I was pretty ill with a virus and so slept all weekend. I guess all the training and work etc eventually takes it's toll. But anyway I'm back up and full of beans and have been training quite hard this week.

I couldn't run yesterday as there was a local competition that one of my Kickboxers had entered so I went along to show my support to my very brave student! It was his first competition and only a yellow stripe and he did really well. he was the lowest grade there.
I did, however break my toe on his knee whilst doing last minute training with him on Saturday. Going to rest all week and run again on Sunday.

I did 2 hours with Jo off sparring and padwork on Thursday and I was more than a little hungover at the time after a whole night of being a rock chick in Bristol on Wednesday. Mind you, I am including the whole hour in a mosh pit as a special training session as I was shattered afterwards! You see multi-training does test your limits to the full! haha :)

Saturday I did a nearly 3 hour gym session and trained arms, legs, core and some cv! That was after an hour of training with Geoff (and the broken toe)

So there is your update! Tonight is Boxercise and Kickboxing, tomorrow Boxercise and an ickle cycle! Oh yeah, me on the push bike cn I really do it? ;)

Speak soon

Support/Sponsorship update

Just popped into Greenham this morning and collected 4 brand spanking new head torches for the run. The lovely account manager there sorted these out for us, so thank you Pat at Greenhams.

We have had a lot of support so far from the following, but a lot more is needed.

www.swiggiesuk.com

www.swiftprintsw.co.uk

www.greenham.com

Keep the support going, and we will keep the training and fundraising going.

Thanks :)

Poorly Training attempt!

Hmmmm not a very well girly :(
Have a virus, glands up, sore throat, nasal discharge :( Not an attractive look!
No run, I've learnt to know my body and recover but also had to get out of the house and get to the coast!
So I took the boys to Slapton so I could get some sea air and they could have a play!
And they are as close as I'll get to children and it is Mothering Sunday!
But I'm back home now, glad I didnt run as I feel pants now :( Lets hope I'm ok by Thursday :)
Update as and when
x Me