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04 August 2015
01 June 2015
Registration for the Childrey Invitation Fun-Run 2015
Childrey Invitation Fun-Run 2015
Saturday 20 June 2015 at 14:30
Many thanks to those of you who have responded to say that you are going to take part in this year's 5k and 10k runs; I've added you to the list already.
I'm about to have a mad couple of weeks at work and so I'd like to get the medal and trophy orders completed by the end of this week.
If you are intending to take part, can I please ask that you register using this link before Friday 05 June. This will allow me to have a good idea of numbers and you can then sign the form (and hand over your entry donation) on the day.
If you missed the original email with all the entry details you can find a copy in my previous blog post.
And if you really want to download the form, fill it in and put it through my door, you can download it here.
I look forward to seeing you on the day.
...and if you aren't yet on the mailing list, you can sign-up here
I'm about to have a mad couple of weeks at work and so I'd like to get the medal and trophy orders completed by the end of this week.
If you are intending to take part, can I please ask that you register using this link before Friday 05 June. This will allow me to have a good idea of numbers and you can then sign the form (and hand over your entry donation) on the day.
If you missed the original email with all the entry details you can find a copy in my previous blog post.
And if you really want to download the form, fill it in and put it through my door, you can download it here.
I look forward to seeing you on the day.
...and if you aren't yet on the mailing list, you can sign-up here
27 April 2015
2015 Childrey 5k and 10k fun runs
Childrey Invitation Fun-Run 2015
Saturday 20 June 2015 at 14:30
Entries for the Childrey festival of running are open. The Childrey 5k and 10k will be on Saturday 20 June, the day of the Childrey Church Fête.
Now in its eighth year, the event will once again be an informal 5k and 10k fun-run with children invited to take part in the 5k.
As usual, this is a group of us going out for a run together over an agreed course. There will be no marshals or drinks stations and the roads won't be closed, although the route will be marked. Most importantly, you will be running at your own risk. As a result, all children (anyone under 16) must be accompanied by an adult (no more than two children per adult please).
Entry will be on a first-come-first-served basis with the field limited to a maximum of 30 runners.
The race briefing will be in front of the Playing Field Pavilion at 14:15. The 10k will start at 14:30 and the 5k at 14:40, with the finish for both races in the grounds of Childrey Manor.
The prizes will be awarded at around 15:30 as part of the Fête; there will be a medal for all finishers and prizes for first man and woman in the 10k, and adult and children’s winners in the 5k.
There will be parking available on the Playing Field for those who need it and ample refreshments available from the Fête afterwards.
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03 July 2014
HALL of FAME
The Childrey 10k has just had it’s seventh outing and – judging by the feedback – a good time was had by all. At the time of writing the survey is still open...
We experimented with the timings and location this year. We started at the Mary Fletcher Pavilion on the playing field and finished as the St. Mary’s Church Fête was starting. It seemed to work well but the race felt a little divorced from the fête as a result so next year I think the finish has to be in the grounds of Childrey Manor.
Due to the limited responses to the 5k we knocked that on the head for this year. Roger was the only entrant and he ran the 10k instead so the organising committee (me) made the decision to award him the 5k winners cup and record him and the inaugural winner.
After an easy romp home for Dominic in the mens race and a blistering, finish-line sprint between the two Karens in the ladies the final results were as follows:
- Childrey 10k 2014 men’s winner: Dominic Lamb (00:44:00)
- Childrey 10k 2014 women’s winner: Karen Kidd (01:06:59)
- Childrey 5k 2014 winner: Roger Miners (honorary win)
This got me thinking about our Hall of Fame. After an initial panic that I didn’t have all the results, I managed to piece it together. I’m thinking that next year we might start a shield for each of the races for the winner to keep until the next race. Comments below please.
CHILDREY FUN RUN
HALL of FAME
06 January 2014
Childrey 5k and 10k Fun Run
The time has come to start thinking about the Childrey 10k; the course, the organisation and the entries.
This year it am hoping that we will be able to go bigger and better with the addition of a 5k and – hopefully – widening the entry field to include all the enthusiastic teenagers in the village.
22 December 2013
Race review: Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon, 22 December 2013
I completed this race this morning and only realised when I got home that it is the first full marathon I've done for a few years. I'm sure that there is an unwritten rule that says you can't describe yourself as a marathon runner if you haven't done one in the last twelve months.
The Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon is an annual event in support of the RNLI. The use of both "Coastal" and "Waterside" in the title should give you a clue as to what the course was like; alongside the Solent and occasionally in it! It was also pancake flat which should have made for a good time. Unfortunately the conditions underfoot plus the wind didn't help with that.
24 October 2013
A run in the dark
…Of course, about 50% of my runs at this time of year are in the dark. Tuesday and Thursday morning I rise at 05:00 with varying degrees of enthusiasm and head out to log some miles before work.
19 October 2013
Review: Philips SHQ2200/10 ActionFit Washable Ultra Light Sports Headphones
@bardelletta bought me these headphones for my birthday (I may have done a little research and steered her gently in the right direction).
04 December 2011
Ready for Christmas
Have stocked up the cellar (cupboard under the stairs) so we are ready to go. Probably need to stock up on Paracetamol too!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
01 December 2011
St. Pancras Station
Look! Look! A Christmas tree made completely out of Lego. But it's a tree! A Christmas tree! Made of Lego!
Took three months to build apparently.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Took three months to build apparently.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:St. Pancras Station
28 November 2011
London Book Barge
This made me look twice as I walked through Paddington basin. It's always a treat to walk along the canal in a morning on the way to either of our Paddington clients, especially when it isn't chucking-it down with rain. The sight of the floating bookshop really made my morning though as it is such a beautifully bonkers, brilliant, British thing to do. By lunchtime he had quite a crowd round the gangplank; good luck to him.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Paddington
18 November 2011
17 November 2011
Children in Need
R has been busy making cakes for J to sell in work.
I know I said "composition" and "lighting" but this one is about me being inspired by a very determined nine year-old!
I know I said "composition" and "lighting" but this one is about me being inspired by a very determined nine year-old!
A-picture-a-day (ish)
It's not often that I'm inspired by a programme on Channel 5. To be honest it's bloody rare for me to actually watch Channel 5 as I have never been particularly impressed with its mixture of low-quality, lifestyle magazine programming and old films that I carefully avoided when they were in the cinema.
Still, a programme on how to take better photographs (I think they may have had loftier aspirations for it) caught my eye so I gave it a go. It didn't greatly change my opinion of Channel 5 but something that the presenter said has stuck in my mind.
He was making the point that we all have cameras with us, pretty much all the time, in our phones. In addition the fact that it is "only a camera phone" a) isn't true because it's probably at least half-way decent and b) shouldn't be an excuse for not thinking about composition, lighting, etc. As a serial chopper-off of heads and as someone who's subjects are often a dot in the distance this rang a bell.
So I'm going to have a go at a bit of a photo diary. I can't guarantee that every shot will be inspirational (or even interesting to anyone other than me) but I will attempt to capture things that seemed important or amusing at the time. Target will be more than one per month but less than one per day.
Let's see how it goes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Still, a programme on how to take better photographs (I think they may have had loftier aspirations for it) caught my eye so I gave it a go. It didn't greatly change my opinion of Channel 5 but something that the presenter said has stuck in my mind.
He was making the point that we all have cameras with us, pretty much all the time, in our phones. In addition the fact that it is "only a camera phone" a) isn't true because it's probably at least half-way decent and b) shouldn't be an excuse for not thinking about composition, lighting, etc. As a serial chopper-off of heads and as someone who's subjects are often a dot in the distance this rang a bell.
So I'm going to have a go at a bit of a photo diary. I can't guarantee that every shot will be inspirational (or even interesting to anyone other than me) but I will attempt to capture things that seemed important or amusing at the time. Target will be more than one per month but less than one per day.
Let's see how it goes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
27 September 2011
Childrey 10k 2012: the countdown starts here
Went for a great run on Sunday - sun just coming up, not a cloud in the sky, birds singing, blah, blah, blah - and so I was tempted to push on when I got to one of my usual turn-around points.
I spotted a track up, onto the Ridgeway that I hadn't used before and (after a continuous 2k climb) I found myself looking down onto the Vale of the White Horse and perspiring heavily. In the mood to explore I hacked along for a bit and then found another new (to me) track that Jeremy had told me about, back to the village.
As I got home I was delighted to find that the route was almost exactly 10k and would therefore (with a little manipulation) make a perfect, more challenging version of the Childrey 10k.
It's much more off-road than the existing route but shouldn't be too weather dependent. I'm going to try it a few more times over the next couple of months and then get a notice in the village newsletter before Christmas so that we can get the race on people's New Year's resolution list.
If anyone fancies joining me to try it out, drop me a Tweet or leave a comment below.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I spotted a track up, onto the Ridgeway that I hadn't used before and (after a continuous 2k climb) I found myself looking down onto the Vale of the White Horse and perspiring heavily. In the mood to explore I hacked along for a bit and then found another new (to me) track that Jeremy had told me about, back to the village.
As I got home I was delighted to find that the route was almost exactly 10k and would therefore (with a little manipulation) make a perfect, more challenging version of the Childrey 10k.
It's much more off-road than the existing route but shouldn't be too weather dependent. I'm going to try it a few more times over the next couple of months and then get a notice in the village newsletter before Christmas so that we can get the race on people's New Year's resolution list.
If anyone fancies joining me to try it out, drop me a Tweet or leave a comment below.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:On a train
23 September 2011
Home is where the heart is
Back from a brief business trip and I'm reminded how much comfort I find in the familiar setting and customs of home.
I love travelling, even when it is for work. I never cease to be touched by how lovely people (generally) are, how happy to look after you and be helpful, and how proud they always are of their country. This trip was no different and we sampled some excellent Milanese food last night and the odd glass of some excellent vino.
But there is nothing like being back in Blighty after a few nights away. Just getting onboard the BA flight starts that gradual re-acclimatisation and gets me looking forward to being back with the family and enjoying the weekend.
Enjoy yours!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I love travelling, even when it is for work. I never cease to be touched by how lovely people (generally) are, how happy to look after you and be helpful, and how proud they always are of their country. This trip was no different and we sampled some excellent Milanese food last night and the odd glass of some excellent vino.
But there is nothing like being back in Blighty after a few nights away. Just getting onboard the BA flight starts that gradual re-acclimatisation and gets me looking forward to being back with the family and enjoying the weekend.
Enjoy yours!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Up in the air
22 September 2011
Confessions of a technology junkie
It is really only when sat in an aeroplane, stranded on the tarmac due to a "security incident" at my destination with a fading iPhone battery that I realised quite how dependent I have become on technology in general and the iPhone in particular.
As a regular commuter I have my little rituals and habits. I check the weather as I get up and that the train is on time (on my iPhone) before getting in the car. I go through my to-do list in OmniFocus on my iPad as soon as I'm seated. I check out the headlines from my favourite websites and newspapers in FlipBoard (iPad) and then get down to email or reviewing material that the team have tagged for my review in Box.net (iPad again). Before the train pulls in, I'll have had a couple of text exchanges with one or other of the team or another member of the management team (they know I sit in the quiet carriage!).
And then I'm sat on a plane with a phone battery that I thought would have lasted until I got to the hotel and my MiFi device is flat because I forgot to charge it before leaving the office. Sure my iPad is good for another couple of hours but I'm deprived of the Internet as it is WiFi only. No Twitter. No headlines. No being able to look up what the security incident is and find out how long I'm going to be bloody sat here!
Nothing else for it then: I'm going to have to talk to my fellow passengers...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
As a regular commuter I have my little rituals and habits. I check the weather as I get up and that the train is on time (on my iPhone) before getting in the car. I go through my to-do list in OmniFocus on my iPad as soon as I'm seated. I check out the headlines from my favourite websites and newspapers in FlipBoard (iPad) and then get down to email or reviewing material that the team have tagged for my review in Box.net (iPad again). Before the train pulls in, I'll have had a couple of text exchanges with one or other of the team or another member of the management team (they know I sit in the quiet carriage!).
And then I'm sat on a plane with a phone battery that I thought would have lasted until I got to the hotel and my MiFi device is flat because I forgot to charge it before leaving the office. Sure my iPad is good for another couple of hours but I'm deprived of the Internet as it is WiFi only. No Twitter. No headlines. No being able to look up what the security incident is and find out how long I'm going to be bloody sat here!
Nothing else for it then: I'm going to have to talk to my fellow passengers...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Heathrow
20 January 2011
"I Speak Because I Can" by Laura Marling
I had a couple of revelations just before Christmas.
The first was while I was on the motorway to IKEA (what's not to get excited about in those words on their own?) and I'd grabbed a pile of un-listened to CDs to relieve the boredom. The one that made it into the CD player first was Hidden by These New Puritans; none of the others got played as I was utterly blown away by the sheer breadth, depth and fantastic ambition of the album. I realised that this was probably the first really new (to me) band that I had "got into" for quite a long time.
The second came a few days later when I read a blog by Nick Southall (@sickmouthy), a fellow These New Puritans acolyte and former music journalist. He had written a post about his Top 2010 Albums and I realised I hadn't heard of any of them. Of course that doesn't mean that I've been living in musical isolation all year (some of the bands are a *bit* obscure) but there has probably been way too much Radio3, Radio4 and buying "best ofs" like this one. There certainly hasn't been enough listening to 6Music and discovering new stuff.
So, thinks I, the time has come to discover some new stuff and @sickmouthy's top 10 seems like as good a place as any to start. He has informed opinions on this stuff and that makes him a better guide than the album charts or Amazon reccommends.
I don't intend to write a detailed review of the albums, just a few impressions really. The reason for blogging about this is to see if I can reinvigorate my love of new music and expand my horizons rather than just extending my already huge music collection with more of the same.
So I decided to start with Laura Marling as I've been building a bit of a folk collection thanks to my complete love affair with The Unthanks (discovered by way of a session on the excellent Radcliffe & Maconie Show). Maybe this wasn't the most adventurous start but I had to pick one and... it's lovely. Not outstanding or earth-shattering but lovely.
Laura Marling has a great voice (I would say she bears some comparison to early Sandy Denny but with the odd - alarming - hint of Alannis Morisette and k.d.lang) and the tunes here are good enough to set her apart from the slew of of female singer/ song-writers who seem to be kicking around at the moment. It's not too pop-y (unlike the tedious Ellie Goulding) and neither is it so scarily folk-y (which I admit some of the Unthanks stuff is) that it's inaccessible to your average punter.
I'm enjoying it and I'll chalk this one up as a "hit" but I wouldn't say my musical tastes have been expanded yet.
Some of the others on the list look a bit more challenging...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The first was while I was on the motorway to IKEA (what's not to get excited about in those words on their own?) and I'd grabbed a pile of un-listened to CDs to relieve the boredom. The one that made it into the CD player first was Hidden by These New Puritans; none of the others got played as I was utterly blown away by the sheer breadth, depth and fantastic ambition of the album. I realised that this was probably the first really new (to me) band that I had "got into" for quite a long time.
The second came a few days later when I read a blog by Nick Southall (@sickmouthy), a fellow These New Puritans acolyte and former music journalist. He had written a post about his Top 2010 Albums and I realised I hadn't heard of any of them. Of course that doesn't mean that I've been living in musical isolation all year (some of the bands are a *bit* obscure) but there has probably been way too much Radio3, Radio4 and buying "best ofs" like this one. There certainly hasn't been enough listening to 6Music and discovering new stuff.
So, thinks I, the time has come to discover some new stuff and @sickmouthy's top 10 seems like as good a place as any to start. He has informed opinions on this stuff and that makes him a better guide than the album charts or Amazon reccommends.
I don't intend to write a detailed review of the albums, just a few impressions really. The reason for blogging about this is to see if I can reinvigorate my love of new music and expand my horizons rather than just extending my already huge music collection with more of the same.
So I decided to start with Laura Marling as I've been building a bit of a folk collection thanks to my complete love affair with The Unthanks (discovered by way of a session on the excellent Radcliffe & Maconie Show). Maybe this wasn't the most adventurous start but I had to pick one and... it's lovely. Not outstanding or earth-shattering but lovely.
 |
| I Speak Because I Can |
Laura Marling has a great voice (I would say she bears some comparison to early Sandy Denny but with the odd - alarming - hint of Alannis Morisette and k.d.lang) and the tunes here are good enough to set her apart from the slew of of female singer/ song-writers who seem to be kicking around at the moment. It's not too pop-y (unlike the tedious Ellie Goulding) and neither is it so scarily folk-y (which I admit some of the Unthanks stuff is) that it's inaccessible to your average punter.
I'm enjoying it and I'll chalk this one up as a "hit" but I wouldn't say my musical tastes have been expanded yet.
Some of the others on the list look a bit more challenging...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
28 October 2010
Mobile blogging
I thought that the time had come to revive Sweaty Ramblings as a way of heralding my return to running.
It's the OMM this weekend and when I went for lunch with @NeilySan yesterday I had to admit to being really jealous of him and @Reefbreak heading off to Dartmoor this weekend. Then I got a text from Jeremy S asking if he could borrow my rucksack and that was the last straw!
So, I'm going to do Reading in March. AND I'm setting myself a goal of 1:35 which will be quite a stretch but it will make sure that I put the miles in over the winter to have the discipline and routine to be able to train for the OMM next year.
Despite being in London tomorrow I'm aiming for quick run round the loop in the morning to prove to myself that I'm serious. Watch this space...
Oh, and the point of the title? I've downloaded BlogPress on my iPhone and when I've proved to myself that a) I'm running again and b) I'm blogging reliably I'll post links. Until then I'll continue "shouting in a dark room"
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It's the OMM this weekend and when I went for lunch with @NeilySan yesterday I had to admit to being really jealous of him and @Reefbreak heading off to Dartmoor this weekend. Then I got a text from Jeremy S asking if he could borrow my rucksack and that was the last straw!
So, I'm going to do Reading in March. AND I'm setting myself a goal of 1:35 which will be quite a stretch but it will make sure that I put the miles in over the winter to have the discipline and routine to be able to train for the OMM next year.
Despite being in London tomorrow I'm aiming for quick run round the loop in the morning to prove to myself that I'm serious. Watch this space...
Oh, and the point of the title? I've downloaded BlogPress on my iPhone and when I've proved to myself that a) I'm running again and b) I'm blogging reliably I'll post links. Until then I'll continue "shouting in a dark room"
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Wantage,United Kingdom
20 June 2009
The Childrey 10k Invitation Fun Run 2009
Posted Monday evening
A beautiful morning. Up early to set the course with Jeremy.
Most of the preparation last night paid off although the bike was difficult to ride with nine, carefully prepared sign-posts strapped to it with bungie chords. Said sign-posts then promptly fell to pieces when we tried to hammer them in to the ground... Ho-hum.
Used all 50 of the route markers and most of the other signs. Kept forgetting to put the distance markers up though so had to keep going back to do them while Jeremy pushed on ahead.
Back in time for lunch and a quick read of the papers before heading off to do last minute fussing. Karen, Andrew and the boys arrived as I was leaving so I knew that we would have at least a few supporters!
Race went well. The start on the gravel drive in front of the Manor was really friendly with everyone shaking hands and having a few minutes to catch up; I was really pleased that Neil and the family had travelled to be part of the race, things like that mean a lot. Its that kind of spirit that we need to keep if (when) the race grows - a group of old and new friends out for a run.
Out on the course a blisteringly quick pace was set by Dominic and Jason up in front with Jeremy coming in a creditable third (again). Karen won it for the ladies as had been widely forecast (must try harder to get more ladies involved next year!).
The finish down the avenue of trees facing the Manor House was as spectacular as I'd hoped and although I (obviously) missed the first three come in, Chariots of Fire was still playing as I finished. There was a really good crowd of people to cheer the finishers in and several supporters got involved in holding the finish tape, handing out water etc. William did a great job handing out the medals and we couldn't have done without Jane's time keeping again (and keeping me sane in the run-up).
I'm delighted that the race details and timing spreadsheet/ program worked really well; it took a lot of stress away for Jane. I'll take the data out and post it on a suitable online forum seeing as I couldn't find any software under $200 when I looked...
So I'm classing the second Childrey 10k Invitation Fun Run as a success (well I haven't had any complaints) and the planning for next year starts when we get back from holiday in August. Thoughts include a 5k and 1k run (both off-road) for children and those not up to the 10k. Also thinking of following Neil's great suggestion of starting the 10k at about 1400 so we can present trophies at the start of the Fete. All ideas welcome.
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