Run Reigate 2021

ON SUNDAY September 19^th 2021 the town of Reigate in Surrey restarted the Intersport Run Series with Run Reigate.   This was their first run event since lockdown having moved the event to a “virtual” run in 2020.

This is the seventh year the event has been run in Reigate with three runs on the day, a children’s run around The Priory, 10km and half marathon. The event has been going from strength to strength over the years with Intersport adding a second half marathon event to their portfolio since opening Run Gatwick in 2019.

This was my first major group run with spectators and it felt really good to do it.   As a mark of respect I even managed to break a lot of PB's on this run including, 10km, 15km 10 miles and half marathon.   That was a great return and I should have followed this up two weeks later with Cardiff, except they postponed it to March 2022.

Reigate is a picturesque old market town in the heart of Surrey, just below the North Downs. The run was altered this year to take in a new build between Horley and Salfords and was pushed down a country lane instead of using the main Reigate Road from Hookwood. This made the run more picturesque running through the Surrey countryside.

The route starts in The Priory where it goes down towards Mead Vale and on towards Hookwood before moving past The Black Horse PH crossing the Reigate Road and up Horse Hill with a long run before it returns to the Reigate Road.

The route then follows the main road back into Reigate before turning left at The Beehive PH meandering through residential roads before being pushed out to the countryside and finally re-entering on the opposite side of The Priory.

#RunAndTalk

ENGLAND ATHLETICS announced that they were looking at restarting the #RunAndTalk programme between the 20th and 26th September 2021, coinciding with World Gratitude Day.   This was to be the first official run since lockdown.

It has been established that there has been an dramatic increase in mental health issues as well as a rise in the number of people who have started running during the pandemic lockdown.   These are for a number of reasons from getting out of the house, alone time, physical fitness and good mental health.   This is a great time to restart the event and try to link in with as many new runners as possible.

England Athletic wanted people to pledge a group run over this week.   I have always looked at this from a simplistic view, it's not necessarily there for the running club to do "another run", but to open to club to the public and use those running skills to invite other people into walk/walkrun/run a set distance.   This can be with people who have stopped running, returning to running or new runners.

On the backburner was a second idea as during lockdown I gained the Leadership in Run Fitness (LiRF) qualification.   This means that I can organise runs, risk assess and lead/coach runners.   With all of the issues around the pandemic I was in a position to arrange a second run for Sussex Police controllers/contact handlers who have worked throughout the pandemic.

This one is more complex because ...

• 
  There are two parts of the business working different hours
• There are five sections (one on early, one on lates, one on nights and two off)
• The shifts are split into core and cover shifts

 To show how difficult this is on an early shift ...

• Controllers = 0600x1600.
• Contact = 0700x1700, 0800x1800 or 0900x1900.

Seriously limiting the number of staff you could get to run the event.   But we opened the event to the whole of Police headquarters to try and apeal to as many people as possible.

Both events were pledged with specific dates and I set about creating the posters for them.   Two runs over two conseutive days one in Haywards Heath and one in Lewes.   Simples enough, except I also had a half marathon to run in Reigate a few days before!

Haywards Heath was set up for 19:00 hours, which means we are losing the light.   The route has already been set up and I just needed to put the posters out.   Posters were put up at AJ Barbers.    Barbers are one the men's essential for good mental health, men sit in the chair, relax and start a very natural conversation.   Following this there was Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Co-op and Tesco, all of which have community notice boards.

Lewes was the first Sussex Police #RunAndTalk they have had and there wasn't a route.   I poured over google maps looking for good, safe route around Lewes that didn't involve large hills (Lewes is well known for it's hills).   Thanks to two colleagues, Debbie and Wendy, who knew the area we worked out a route that took in a canal run, one pedestrianised area, two parks and a country lane.

Then came the tests, I ran the route about eight times to really define the run and get it down to 5km.   The result was an amazing route with a reasonable amount of effort that was worth doing.   Thanks go to the colleagues who identified a short cut through The Priory Park and ancient ruins.

The Lewes one was a more in house promotion.   Posters went up on every notice board that I could find, they were at the entrance and exits to the main building, and put on the inhouse Facebook site.   I am also on the Wellbeing Committe and help manage the newsletter, so I wrote an article about the run and had a full page advert on the back.

Branton, Debbie, Dean and Mike

We then got the support of Jo Shiner, Chief Constable of Sussex.   I knew she was a keen runner and would be interested, but didn't expect the level of support we got, it was incredible.   Jo said, “Run and Talk is an excellent initiative which encourages all types of people to get out in the fresh air, and walk, jog or run at a pace which suits them and at which they can still hold a conversation. I know from personal experience, that running is a great way to think and talk through those things which have been playing on one’s mind, and often finding perspective whilst doing so. The combination of fresh air, good company and a listening ear can make all the difference to someone who doesn’t know where to start talking about their worries. It also means that you are not ‘faced’ by someone, and instead they are ‘by your side’, both physically and metaphorically speaking. I am very proud that Mike is leading this important initiative on behalf of Sussex Police.” 
I loved the point that you have someone "by your side", both physically and metaphorically".   A point absolutley well made.

The Haywards Heath run went well with 16 to 18 people turning up to run the event.   Which was run between Haywards Heath and Cuckfield, at the end there was coffee at The Harvester in Beechurst.

Lewes was more difficult due to the issues due to ...

- The issue with shifts
- I arranged it on Friday (POETS day)
- The fuel crisis and everybody worrying about petrol

But we managed to get 6 runners who did the event ending the run at Tesco where they had a coffee shop, but it was closed!   It goes to show that the best laid plans of mice and men can go astray, but the basis of the run is now in place and it's been tested.   This is the first building block in moving it forwards.

The event was picked up by England Athletics and they ran a special spotlight feature due to the inclusion of the emergency services, which was amazing publicity for the club.

For the England Athletics feature, click here.

The next stage is to take the Lewes run back to the drawing board.   Look at what can work better, how to be more inclusive and encourage people to run.   Linking in with the Force wellbeing staff as well as departmental.   Also, look at the ambulance service and if they can participate.

Mid Sussex Times cutting

The Strawberry Line (Somerset)

BOOKED a few days away in Somerset for a break from lockdown and a rest from work.   I planned to go for a run whilst away which is the best way to see any area up close and personal.   There is an app on my phone called "Footpaths", which is a really good way to find runs in areas that you may not be familiar with.   It's a free app worth looking at.

The app kept coming up with the "Strawberry Line" but was unclear as to what this was?   It showed a long route through the country with what appeared to be a tunnel!   One of the many entrances was close to where I was staying in Sidcot, so I turned to Google to try and solve the mystery.   What I found was "Cheddar Strawberries" which seemed a very odd taste combination!   But the line did go down to Cheddar Gorge, so the mystery is slowly unravelling with the line being a disused railway line, "The game is afoot Holmes".

The Cheddar Valley Line, which ran from Yatton railway station through Cheddar and Wells was opened in 1869 and became known as the "Strawberry Line" because of the volume of locally grown strawberries that it carried on to London markets.   Strawberries were collected from a string of Cheddar Valley village settlements sheltered under the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills between Cheddar and Wells for transporting to Yatton Junction.   The line was also a vital economic link for passengers, quarrying, agriculture and general jobs.

For nearly a century several trains a day served the village communities along the line until it's closure in 1963.   After this the line fell into disrepair and a wealth of wildlife habitats were allowed to prosper.

Things remained this way until 1983 when volunteers from the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society began converting the line into a walking and cycling route.   The route is mainly traffic-free with no steep gradients and takes in a variety of landscapes from the flat marshes and cider apple orchards around Yatton, steep wooded valleys and a tunnel through the Mendips, to historic Axbridge and the spectacular Cheddar Gorge.

The route has been re-surfaced since opening and on-going improvements have seen the current road section through Sandford replaced with a traffic-free path behind the Thatchers cider farm.   The current route can be broken down into segments ...

• Cleveland to Yatton
• Yatton to Cheddar
• Cheddar to Wells
• Wells to Shepton Mallet

From Strawberries to an amazing initiative by volunteers from the Cheddar Valley Line Walking Committee removing all the rails and sleepers and replacing it with a maintained path giving people an amazing pathway over 10 miles with virtually no vehicles.   I was sold and wanted to have a closer look at the line, but I was short of time and could only achieve a small segment, but better something than nothing!

I set the alarm for 06:00 and nipped out whilst Mrs. 50+ was still asleep and set off for Winscombe station which was just down the road.   I walked up to the platform and dropped down onto the path which stretched out in front of me towards Axbridge and off I set through the Somerset countryside.

I soon came to the next station which, although wasn't there anymore, had barriers that reminded me of turnstiles you find at railway stations on either end of the stretch.   By this stage the countryside was opening out and I could see the amazing views over the valleys.

Continuing on the line I saw the Shute Shelve tunnel; a 165-metre long tunnel with no lights that you can walk safely through.   The geology changes from soft marl to hard limestone with cats eyes along the sides and down the middle of the path to keep on on track in the dark (if only I knew you needed a head torch, even in daylight!).

It wasn't until I got home and started to research the tunnel that I found, "The tunnel has rare cave spiders and various species of bat".   That explained why it felt as if something was watching my progress through the tunnel. Every horror film I have seen came to mind as I didn't have a torch and it was very dark.   But there were a few cyclists that went past me going in the opposite direction and they clearly got through with out being eaten!

I then came to a minor road and crossed onto a footpath.   I had looked this up and the guide explained the line is still under development. You follow the footpath and pick the Strawberry Line up after Axbridge.   But the footpath was so overgrown I couldn't get through, so had to go back and take an alternative route through Axbridge village to the Strawberry line on the other side.   Luckily, it was clearly signposted through the beautiful village.

I was sorry to complete the run as each stage is so different as you go through different aspects of the county.   One part I remember well was running a path covered in Buddleia (butterfly bushes), which was amazing as you are up quite high and can see the countryside for miles.

It was a great initiative and a great run. I aimed to run 5km from Winscombe to the other side of Axbridge and another 5km back.   This has given me a taste for Cheddar Strawberries and a real interest in the line.   It reminded me that we also have a disused local line that links the North Downs to the South Downs.   I was born in Redhill, Surrey which is underneath the North Downs and now live in Haywards Heath which is at the foot of the South Downs.   Maybe I should check this one out next and see where that takes me?  After all, the line is only 37 miles long!

Here are some links if you are interested in checking it out some more ...

The Strawberry Line

Cycle route in Somerset

 

Return of parkrun

WE LOST a lot with the pandemic starting in March 2020 and it's only now that restrictions are beginning to come off.   Although there is a stark warning as COVID cases are increasing across the whole of the South East putting emergency services and hospitals under pressure.

Today saw the reopening of parkrun and this included Clair parkrun in Haywards Heath (my home town).   The free 5km Saturday morning runs were due to restart on Saturday, June 5th before issues around accessing running spaces pushed their return to June 24th.   Parkrun UK said in a statement: “A huge amount of work has been done in recent weeks to ensure we have permission to return from the large majority of landowners.   Whilst this delay is disappointing, we respect the fact that a significant number of these permissions were contingent on the country moving into Step 4, and we will therefore target a reopening date of Saturday 24 July.”

Organisers had previously said the decision to proceed with events from June 24th was subject to any changes in the road map announced by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.   It comes after Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden wrote to all councils in the UK urging them to permit weekly Parkrun events to resume in their areas.

The ministers recognised the pressures that local authorities were under to consider requests for organised outdoor sports safely, but emphasised these events were exempt from legal gathering limits and could take place with any number of members as long as they were in line with Covid guidance.

Parkrun added: “Parkrun needs approximately 80 per cent of Parkruns to be allowed to go ahead to prevent people travelling across the country from areas without a Parkrun operating, to ones which are.”   The government had been clear that Parkrun events were legally able to occur, with research showing mass-participation events such as marathons and fun runs can occur safely.

“We therefore strongly urge local authorities to ensure that they are applying their powers in a consistent and proportionate manner and progressing Parkrun’s applications at pace in order to allow these events to return as soon as possible,” Mr Jenrick and Mr Dowden added.

Clair parkrun, on a warm slightly overcast day, saw approx. 100 runners arrive for the first event on the 24th July.   From the start it looked and felt like a community coming back together, we were all out there, running and training, but almost at times, in isolation.   Social distance took over and the briefing started with the normal advice, but also the current COVID guidance expected from runners ...

• Distance yourself whenever possible
• Be quite at the briefing and start line
• Position yourself to your estimated finish time
• Minimise the amount of time you are in proximity to others
• Respect other people's personal space
• Support your children to socially distance
• Observe local COVID-19 guidelines
• No spitting or high-fiving or any other non essential contact
• Show your barcodes to the scaner from a distance
• Stay at home if you or anybody else in your household is unwell
  

The principles are simple as a lot of the land Parkrun uses belongs to local authorities.   Runners do not have right of way to other park users and it's important Parkrun, local authorites, runners and other park users see how we, as runners, respond to the events reopening.   That will ensure the events stay open and bring us together as a positive community who have do a lot of good in the community during lockdown.

With the briefing over the 5km run could begin.   Instead of running I decided to help marshall the event from the top end of Clair Park.   Motivating runners as they reached the top of the back hill and preparted for the downhill stretch.   Giving advice to other park users entering the footpaths.

I lost count of the amount of smiling faces as they rushed past me, other park users who were pleased to see the event back and the positivity.   Parkrun is about community that has been missed and everyone was just so pleased to have it back, people have really missed it.   Friendships were rekindled and people started to come together for the first time in months.

 

And we thought this was just about running?

Journalling and running BUJO's

THE JOURNEY to developing good mental health isn’t a quick and easy one.   There isn’t one package that fits all as there are so many variables to take into consideration.   The important thing is to find something that you enjoy and will return to, giving consistency that allows you to develop your ideas and creativity.   In a world of computer science, it’s good to go back to pen and paper and doing something more cathartic and old fashioned.

One of the ideas that I started several years ago was journaling, specifically goal orientated to support running and the style for it was bullet point (BUJO).   It allows me to break things down, be honest with myself about how I feel and empty my mind before going to bed making the transition to sleep easier.

Four good reasons to journal

1.    Thoughts
journaling hands you control over your thoughts and allows you to carve out time just for you.

• Feelings
  journaling gives you a simple yet effective way to track your moods and focus on their meanings.
•  Health
  journaling enables you to make positive lifestyle choices to improve your overall physical health.
• Privacy
  journaling provides you with a safe space to offload your emotions without fear of being judged.

Why and how to start a journal

Write what’s in your head and in your heart as journaling can break you out of negative thought cycles and repetitive patterns known as ruminations which can, when left unchecked, make anxiety and depression worse.   At the same time, it can put a much-needed perspective on things.

Types of journals

There are many different ways to start a journal, but what interests you?   Do you want to do something organised or more creative?

Here are some ideas …

• Bullet
  This is a mixture of mindfulness and creativity that’s full of notes, to-do lists, reminders, and doodles.
• Gratitude
  Take time each day to list several things that you’re grateful for that happened that day or the day before.
• Creative
  Creativity can be anything: write or draw, scrapbook or muse.
• Goal-oriented
  Keep track of your goals, track your progress, and write inspirational notes to yourself to stay motivated.
• Collage
  Use images from magazines or photos and write thoughts about why they moved you.
• Drawing
  Draw sketches to describe how you feel or what you’re experiencing.
• Nature
  Record what you experience when you’re out in nature.   Describe what you see, feel, hear, and touch.
• Stream of consciousness
  Write down your thoughts as they come to you.

Journaling is a habit to develop and there is no wrong way to do it.   If you’re interested in starting, here’s how to get into it so you can make the most of the emotional exercise.

Set a time

For the most success, find a time where you can integrate journaling into your existing routine, which will help you remember and reserve space for it.   The best times are either the beginning or the end of the day.

Start with something light

If the thought of seeing your inner self on paper is a step too far, start by writing out your day.   You woke up at 7 a.m., made your bed, showered, ate breakfast.   Then, add what you were feeling or experiencing during those things. For instance, you forgot to set your alarm so you missed your workout, and you started the day more stressed out.

Just writing down what’s on tomorrow’s agenda can have marked effects, giving focus on the day and ensuring all tasks are completed.   If you’re still struggling, set a timer for three or five minutes, write, and stop when it goes off.

Find a journal you love

You have two choices: write on paper or on the computer/smartphone. I would recommend writing on paper … 

• So many of us are stuck in front the computer all day, so journaling on paper can offer a welcome screen break 
• It’s also more personal and adaptable to you 
• Slow repetitive hand motions when writing can be calming 
• Easily internalise messages to you that are important enough to take the time to write it down
  
  
  

 

Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend

COVID CHANGED the landscape of running with all the major events unfortunantly closed to try and contain the dreaded virus.   Races that were normally run in large numbers suddenly became virtual events to give runners that incentive (like we need it!) to train and aim for something.   We are at last beginning to see some restrictions being lifted with a slight return to what will be the new normal.

Keeping the training going through the pandemic I decided to enter the Mid Sussex Half Marathon (MSMW).   It's not the first time the thought has gone through my mind but normally it falls on days that I am working and I cannot do it.   But it's virtual and the beauty of a virtual is that I can choose the dates that I run it, as well as the locations.   The important part, for me, is that I remain the spirit of the event.

What is the Mid Sussex Half Marathon weekend?

Before COVID restrictions it was a three day event.    Being organised by People for Places who have three sites in Sussex, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and East Grinstead there is a run at each location ...

1. Friday, East Grinstead 10 miles.

2. Saturday, Haywards Heath 10 miles. 

3. Sunday, Burgess Hill 10 km.

Over the three days you run the distance required for a marathon and earn three medals that come with each run.   The medals interlock to become one, which is a coveted prize.

The training has continued through the pandemic and recently came to a head with the Haywards Heath Harriers Spring Series Virtual Runs.   First was a tough 10km followed by an even tougher 10 miler.   The spring series ended with a very tough half marathon on the South Downs starting at Ditchling Beacon.   I managed to injure myself twice on the half marathon and only just made it to the finish line.

Having spent the last week not running and waiting for the injuries to heal I was back into training in preparation for the MSMW.   The question is where am I going to run the three events and what is it going to look like?

The Haywards Heath 10 mile disaster

STARTING OFF in my home town with the first 10 mile run.   I planned out the route and on my first rest day from work set off, determined to complete it.

This is a route that is very familiar to me and I have noticed, what I believed to be, an empty house part way round.   But today as I ran past it I noticed a light on in the the upstairs bedroom and it triggered an alarm bell!

The post was piling up on the inside of the front door, the curtains were pulled shut and they had those horrible brown stains from damp all over them.   It also appeared the premises had a rat issue.   I knocked on the front door, but got no response so decided to try the neighbour.   They confirmed someone does live there, who is a man who suffers from mental health issues and is in and out of the property all the time.

They let me into their garden to "look over the fence" and it was clear the man who lived there was a "hoarder".   Loads of books, furnitive, plates and cutlery all over the back garden.   They had not see or heard the man in over a week.   At this stage I was concerned about his welfare and called the Police to try and arrange a welfare call.

Luckily, I put my Garmin on "pause" whilst I was "making enquiries".   So 30 to 40 minuties later I restarted the run.   I hit Cuckfield and was coming up to the roundabout at the end of the village when I saw a lorry coming towards me.   It had a number of long canvas  straps hanging off it and the load didn't look steady.   I flagged the driver down and gave him a hand secure his lorry.   He was commiting a number of road traffic offences.

Towards the end of the run somehting went in my right foot and my toes started to hurt.   Somehow, it appears I have bruised them, possibly from "digging in" on the hills.   I may even have dislocated one somehow, but not sure.

So the plan to do the second 10 miles the following day didn't occur as I was having enough problems walking on it, letting alone running.   But I did feel good that I had managed to achieve two positive things on the run.   I really must either learn to mind my own business or get a life!

Police did check on the male who was located safe and well.   At least he is now on the "radar" with GP and Social Services being made aware.

 The Haywards Heath 10 kilometre

TIME WAS really running short to complete the MSMW.   But the right foot was feeling better, so I decided the time was right to try another run and see how it held up.   Taking into consideration the amount of pain I was in, the amount of time it's taken to feel better and the two races outstanding, I had a decision to make!

I decided to remain in Haywards Heath and go for the 10km.   I completed a 10km run a short while ago in a Run 4 Wales challenge, so decided to use the same route.   The main aim was to get the distance, without causing any further injury and not worry about the time.

Starting at the Princess Royal Hospital I ran up Haywards Heath High Street, and then past both Victoria Park and Muster Green.   Once I was at Miller and Carter I stared the Haywards Heath Harriers Virtual 5km route.   This took me into Cuckfield to the Church at the bottom of Chandlers Mead and return to Miller and Carter where a took a left turn and followed the road round past the Railway Station, Waitrose and then towards Lindfield.

The only upset was a phone call from a social services financial advisor who wanted to talk about my Dad, who has recently had to move into a home.   You have to answer these calls otherwise they think you are being awkward and the process can get a lot more difficult.   But they were happy I was on a run and they agreed to call me back five minutes later (I was at 9km and only had 1km to go).

Two run's down and only one 10 miler to go.   This is looking positive again, but I would have preferred to have kept in the spirit of the event and completed the three run's over three days.

The Redhill, Reigate and Earlswood 10 mile

WITH TWO of the three runs completed I needed to find time, strength and mental commitment to getting the last 10 mile run completed.    I was due in Redhill to do some work on my Dad's house and decided to go down there early and get out on the road.

I was still struggling with my foot, but felt so close to achieving the challenge that I didn't want to stop now.   I love these runs around my home town, they always being back memories and Surrey can be very beautiful.   Starting in Garlands Road I headed down towards the main Brighton Road and then round to the Railway station.

Circled around Redhill and down from the Water Company to Raffles Bridge, past Shaws Corner and then down into the old Market Town of Reigate.   Turning into the Priory I did a loop of the park and lake taking me out onto Cockshot Hill, heading for Meadvale.   Passing Meadvale I did a loop of Earlswood Lakes (top and lower lakes), there is a burger place there and thankfully they refilled my water bottle as the day was a lot hotter than I expected.

Once past the lakes I headed for Salfords and back towards Redhill.   I did a quick turn at the East Surrey Hospital and took the footpath towards the Royal Earlswood Mental Hospital.   I used to go down this route regularly as a school friend lived at Whitebushes.   Then it used to be fields, but now it's housing estates, but the footpath is still there linking it all and it was great to run it.

As I came back through Earlswood I realised that I wasn't going to get the 10 miles.   So, I created another loop going past St. John's Church, on to Pendleton Road, along Sandpit Road that runs between Redhill's bottom and middle commons.   Then down Mill Street past the Garabaldi community public house and down the Brighton Road heading back to Garlands Road.

The heat and the injury didn't help things.   But I concentrated on the distance and not the time in order to get to the finish line.   Determination won the day.