Day 23 of the challenge - a 6-mile run, taking the total up to 100

Yet that's not what I'm thinking about most today. I'm currently working on another challenge as well - to see if I can walk the coastline of Wales.

I haven't blogged about this before as the first 2 stages of the walk, first from Chester to home and then home to Flint was hardly ground-breaking stuff. Today, though, was a longer and tougher walk, from Flint to Prestatyn.

However, before we go there, let's turn the clock back some 20 years or so to get the background to this.

Last time I was living in Wales, I was in Aberystwyth. Reading my Bible one night, I came across Genesis 13:17 - "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you" - and consequently, one of the projects which I set myself during my Aberystwyth days was to walk from Bangor to Cardiff.

Since moving back to Wales, I have thought about walking from Chester to Bangor, to finish the walk at the town clock in Bangor where the trans-Cambria walk began back in 1989.

At "Spring Harvest" earlier this year, I bought the book "Legs of Lamb" by Gary Lamb, where the author tells of his walk around the British coast. That got me thinking - why stop at Bangor? why not do another Bangor to Cardiff but via the coast this time?

I really do not know how feasable this entire thing might be. Certainly, if it is to come off it will take years, with a good chunk of it having to be done during a sabbatical, but there's no reason why I can't make a start.

So, to Flint. There's a very good coast path from Flint past Halkyn and Holywell - it takes a bit of finding, but it is there. It is also surprisingly quiet - it seemed as if I was the only person around for miles - I wasn't, the path is v close to a main road and railway line, but it felt quiet and secluded.

The biggest surprise was coming acrosss the Duke of Lancaster. No, not the person, the ship. It's abandoned and derelict and seems totally out of place in dry dock in Mostyn. I don't plan to go into great detail about that here, but if you want to know more, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TSS_Duke_of_Lancaster_(1956) is probably as good a place as any to start.

The path then led back to the road. It does lead to the coast again, but this is short-lived, so I reluctantly decided to follow the road through Mostyn to Ffynongroyw. There, it seemed easy enough to walk along the beach to Talacre, but when I put one foot on the beach, I realised that it was mud not sand, and there was no way I was going to squelch my way through that for the next few miles. So it was through the village of Ffynongroyw itself, which was very pleasant and friendly, then back onto the path, getting baaa-ed at by sheep as I went until I reached the road that led to Talacre, the northernmost point of mainland Wales.

From there, it was beach all the way, which is not as easy as it sounds, but first, as it was lunchtime, what else to do but get fish and chips?

Turning left and heading along the sand dunes, it looked rather straightforward to get to Prestatyn. Not so. Walking on sand is not easy, especially if it is fine, dry sand, especially if it is hilly, as it is on the dunes. At one point I tried to get off the beach and head a little inland to see if that was easier, only to find myself in Haven holiday park. Eventually, though, after making my way to the exit, I recognised the North Wales cycle path which led via the golf club to Prestatyn and journey's end for today.

I am sunburnt - I covered myself with factor 30, had a hat and made sure I had plenty of water and lucozade, but I missed a bit on my neck and the backs of my legs, and don't I know it tonight.

So with a good walk and a 6 mile run, it's been rather an energetic day. It's certainly been a good one :-)

42

Day 10 of the challenge. Another 4 mile run taking the total up to 42. That's supposed to be the answer to life the universe and everything.

I don't say that I've found the answer to life, the universe and everything, but it has given me time to think and take a bit more notice of my surroundings.

I'm also feeling less tired than yesterday!

Mad dogs and Englishmen

I'm English. I live in Wales. I have fallen in love with the place and learnt the language. I can sing "Yr hen wlad fy Nhadau" just as easily and with the same feeling as "Land of Hope and glory". I can support both countries in the Commonwealth Games, but if Wales are England are playing rugby, I'd rather go for a long run.

I say that to justify using the term "englishmen" in the title of today's blog. I'm merely referring to myself, just put into the plural because of the song.

Anyway, to finally get to what today's entry is meant to be about. Running and mad dogs.

Today was day 9 of the challenge. I am getting v tired but surprising myself in many ways. This is now the most days I have ever been running without a day's rest in between. I'm sure it's doing me good in a number of ways.

Quite often when out running, I come across dogs being taken for walkies. Some just look at me as if I'm mad (they're probably right!) some bark, some try to run with me, and some hounds would give Cerberus a run for his money!

Yesterday's encounter was hardly ferocious, but the 4-legged friend saw me from a distance away, ran straight up to me and barked and barked and barked, doing his (or maybe her, I didn't look that closely!) best to stop me from going any further. Height wise, the pooch was barely above my ankles, but could that dog yap! Thankfully, the owner knew exactly what to do to get the dog under control and allow me to proceed in peace.

I had another dog try to follow me this morning - it simply ran into the road and stopped the early-morning traffic. Thankfully it didn't come to any harm, and the owner had some harsh words to say to it as a result!

38 miles covered so far, and it feels good!

6 for 6

Day 6 of the CVM Challenge (see previous post for more info)

Today, being day 6, I ran 6 miles rather than 4. That doesn't mean that I can only do 2 tomorrow, and it certainly doesn't mean that I will be doing 30 miles on day 30!

Being Saturday, I decided not to get up and run first thing, but go for a leisurely run early evening. It was lovely. I have been lucky this week with the weather, not too hot and only a few spots of rain. The forecast for tomorrow, though, means that tomorrow's run is likely to be in a downpour! Also, doing the challenge in June / July means that I have the light in my favour, no getting up on cold, dark mornings or running through a dark night. I've done both of those in my time, and I dare say I'll be doing it again, but not now.

Now, a good soak in the bath and something nice to eat is calling !

4 miles a day for 30 days

This is a challenge set by Christian Viewpoint for men. The aim is simple, to promote physical fitness by running 4 miles a day for 30 days. A number of people in this organisation started the challenge on 1st June, I came into it a little late, starting on 6th June, but I will still aim to do the 30 days, just finishing a little after the official end of the challenge.

Now those who know anything about me will know that I am no stranger to running - I have completed 25 Marathons, the most recent being in Rome in March this year. But, when I run, I usually run for about 2 or 3 days, then have a breather before the next session. There's a large part of me that says the principle of sabbath rest applies to exercise as much as to life in general.

Anyway, this is just a note to say that as of today it is 3 days down, 27 to go, and so far it feels good.

Best wishes to everyone in the CVM team, and I look forward to comparing notes as the 30 days continue to unfold.