Back in the UK

Today flew to London City Airport from Basel... the coming weekend is long awaited Festinho Festival. Though only 8pm landed in darkness the weather so wet and miserable and it had been raining for several days... not ideal for a festival. Train to Chelmsford where Lynda was already waiting for me in the car..with a delicious Fish Pie back home in the oven.
I'd hardly done any running since Aletsch Half-Marathon.. a combination of 12 hour shifts, 35 degree temperatures, not wanting to miss any of the Tour de France each evening and the need for some new training shoes..I'd done to many miles in these Nike Lunerglides didn't feel like I was getting any protection. Decided that on our way to Bedfordshire on Friday we'd call in at an old friends sport shop Fast Feet in Bishop Stortford.. I hadn't seen Paul for 15 years but he recognised me the moment I walked through the door... Nice to see Paul again and came away with a pair of Nike Zoom Vomero. Quick call into Waitrose as Lynda got our supplies then headed up the M11.
At least it wasn't raining...but when I saw the sign for Rugby I started to question the Sat Nav? Yep we'd gone to far down the A14 by about 30 miles.

Lynda's lovely Salad, Wine and the evening sunshine

Eventually arrived at the Festinho site.. Hinwick House, Bedfordshire... immediately sensed this could be really nice.. location, the small intimate feel and we hadn't even got in yet still waiting to collect our wrist bands.. We didn't have far to walk and found an ideal location to pitch the tent...and the sun came out!

Hinwick Hall & the Clock Tower

We had three wonderful day's at FESTINHO really fortunate with the weather.. we had many highlights and missed a lot of acts to, we did spend a large chunk of our time at the DJ area at the Clock Tower ... I wouldn't like it to change as its perfectly formed in a great location makin for a relaxing experience not a bit of hassle.. It can just stay the way it is.. but its sure to grow if only by word of mouth from the 4000 happy souls that'll come back next year.
Week 5th September    Total - 10 miles

Week 12th September  Total - 39.8 miles

Week 19th September  Total - 35.8 miles
Once back at Little Waltham armed with new shoes and rolling Essex country lanes on my doorstep  I had no excuses not to get back into my running that 1st week was a little disappointing..the following week got some good runs in so Saturday 11th went up to the Cambridge Parkrun, yet again another typically well organised friendly Parkrun.. Knew racing would hurt but as a training run perfect.. and had to be happy to finish the 5K with a 18:24
On the 15th reported a continuing problem with my right foot... and things got worse on the 16th not long into the days run I started with a pain to the left of my lower back this cut short my run... and scuppered my planned second visit to the Cambridge Parkrun.


Flew back to Basel early Monday the 20th, lovely weather so decided to get some cycling under my belt if I couldn't run ended up doing 112 miles that week by Saturday 26th thought I'd try a short easy flat run  to check out my back... a little stiff but no reaction.. Ran Sunday too. Week 26th Sept  Total14.6 miles
Following week managed to run 4 days along with a 35 mile bike ride. Week 3rd Oct Total 28.6 miles 5th joined Dan at the track to do some speed work + 40 miles bike Week 10th Oct Total 31.9 miles