Week 5 - The Eye Of The Storm

The aftermath of Storm Ingrid has left havoc and carnage along the coast of South Devon. The beachside village or Tor X in particular was very badly hit and the A379 Slapton Line was closed in both directions. 


Sea defences were destroyed and strewn around like lego bricks, roofs had their slates shredded and tossed like Frisbees and several houses had holes in their from elevations that you could drive a family car through. I've never visited a war zone, but I can only imagine that it's pretty similar to what I saw at Tor X on Sunday. So sad for the residents, some of whom are friends. A major clear up operation is underway but another storm, Storm Chandra is due to hit today. 

Monday: Quiet day today. Even managed to get some shopping done. It's our Grandson Thomas's 9th birthday in February and he loves all things Nike. A cool black performance hoody did the trick. Might get one for myself. Hmm, 

My weekly physio session with John Moore helped my recovery from Sunday's 11k run and we spent time on other topics for running cadence and nutrition in training and during the race. It's weird that I'm having to train how to eat and drink whilst training because I'm burning so many calories. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes and I need to experiment to find out what works for me. My first trial is the Naked Energy Bar. 

Tuesday: An aerodynamic, slick haircut should help me slide through the wind and rain of my running schedule this week, thanks to Bea at The Hen House. 

Straight to the gym at the Quay Leisure Centre and upper body and Core workouts. Then home for Eggs on toast for lunch. 

Time to put my discussions with John Moore about cadence into action. I've downloaded a the 160 BPM (Beats Per Minute) Mix playlist. Basically you bop along to the beat of the music and match your steps pace to it, or at least try to. 

Bingo. I ran my programmed 5.5k, into 40mph winds, driving rain, hills, puddles, downed tree branches the lot. 156 cadence, 37mins and my Heart rate average was 135. Pleased with that. 

Wednesday: Just gym work today on the legs, glutes, thighs and anything else I can think of to help me get strong enough for what lies ahead.

Although the Thurlestone Golf Course was as stunning and beautiful as always, my golf was far from pretty and my team were trounced by the other groups in the Tetley's Rollup. No such things as a bad round at TGC because the views are so uplifting. 

Thursday: Day off running but singing at the Saltash chorus competition. The uninterrupted rain over the last few weeks with move promised today means that golf is off and lunch is on, so met with the Tetley boys to solve the world's problems. Failed. 

The Kingsmen are competing in the Saltash Music Festival tonight. Country Roads and California Dreaming. We gave a good account of ourselves but came second, out of two Choruses. Well done Ocean City Sound from Plymouth for pipping us by 1 point!. 

The Chorus is always looking for new members, so please get in touch or just come along any Wednesday evening at the Christian Fellowship Church on Fore Street Kingsbridge. 

Friday: More significant rain over night and few clear gaps predicted for the day so got up early an was on the road for my 5.5k easy run. 

I was so uplifted when I saw Terry and Rose Weeks at my 5.0k mark that I did another 3k, so 8k in total. Felt good and got that smug, self satisfied feeling when I got home just before the heavens opened. Brilliant.

Saturday: Day off today.

Sunday: Long run. 8.5k 

Thank you to those who've already donated, were up to £510 plus gift aid, so about £637 in all. If you feel inclined to support,

All donations will go to directly to Prostate Cancer UK Research Charity. 

Here's my 

JustGiving page or link to https://www.justgiving.com/page/kingsmen-jim 

Prostate Cancer UK Research Charity. 

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