On Monday we had the “A14 Track Challenge” at Northgate. This is an inter-club 5k challenge which formerly included Ipswich Jaffa, Stowmarket Striders and Bury Pacers, and was extended to include Felixstowe Road Runners this year (the name derives from the fact that those four places are all on the path of the A14). I was in the middle (17–22 minute) race, with tired legs from the Framlingham Friday 5, and managed 21:10. Then Dave, Robin, Neil and I decamped to the Cricketers for a few beers, as is traditional.
On Wednesday I arrived at work in plenty of time for my 9am call, then the following thoughts went through my mind:
• Oh, I’ve brought the wrong keys again.
• I’ll just wrap the lock round the top tube so it looks locked.
• Wait, that means I don’t have my locker key either, and my jeans are in there.
• I guess I can just wear my bike shorts all day.
• Oh no, my laptop’s in there too.
• Looks like I’m cycling home again.
Sudbury Friday 5 this week – 45s quicker than Fram, but half a minute slower than Kirton.
On Sunday I went out on my own for a bit of trail running, and I thought I’d check the condition of some of the paths from last year’s horrendous nettle run. The first bit wasn’t too bad, then heading over to the bit that had been on the return journey that day (I didn’t cross the A14 this time) I bumped into a man out walking, who told me it was completely overgrown. He wasn’t wrong, but I managed to bash my way through with a stick, then hop a fence and follow the field edge again. Emerging at the other end I met him again, and he was impressed that I’d found a way through!
On Sunday Dave and Sally invited a few of us round for dinner, which made a nice change and was a lovely evening.