It’s been a funny old year again, lock down 2, restrictions, new job, a return to near normality and then here we are again in Jan 2022, fast approaching what looks like it might be lock down 3. It’s enough to make you want to curl up in a ball and hibernate until the world goes back to normal, whatever normal may be?
Despite all the kerfuffle it’s been another busy and productive year at Chez Perratt. I’ve not done some of the things that I had hoped to do. I had planned on doing some longer walks and a bit of extended cycle touring, but, other equally interesting things, have raised their head throughout the year, and they’ve taken priority instead.
That’s not to say that I’ve not achieved in 2021, in fact exactly the opposite has been true. Looking back this has been one of the most satisfying years that I’ve had in a long time and maybe that’s what it’s all about. If you don’t achieve the goals that you set out too, re-evaluate, come at it from another direction or find something else to do instead, but don’t under any circumstances see it as a failure. There’s a success in every outcome.
The great van disaster in June is a prime example. When the engine fell out of my world, the garage said they couldn’t fix it and all looked lost, I could have just given up on it. But that’s not who, or what I am. I’m a resourceful, stubborn old git, I don’t give up, or take the easy path.
I stopped, looked at the situation and thought about it for a while and took the job on myself. It was a massive learning curve, it cost me a few hard-earned pennies and at times, it was incredibly frustrating. But a couple of months later, when I turned that key and it roared back into life, the sense of satisfaction was immense. Not only had I done what others said couldn’t be, but I’d learned enough along the way to stand me in good stead for taking on other similar and bigger jobs in the future if need be.
I read a comment from someone in internet world the other day that said, “When there is no struggle, there is no strength”, which I suppose ties in nicely with my other favourites “The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward” and I’ve certainly taken on my fair share of big challenges this year, some of which I’ll happily admit I’ve struggled through. But on all occasions, I’ve come out the other side, stronger, more knowledgeable, and better equipped for the next challenge life throws my way. So please, put the kettle on, grab a biscuit or two, pull up a chair and join me for a short romp through some of the highlights of 2021.
January 2021. Allegedly the longest and bleakest month of the year, although by my reckoning February gives it a good run for the money. Still between jobs there wasn't time for January 2021 to drag though and I certainly got the new year off to a flying start with a Marathon A Month effort on New Years Day. With a heavy frost in the air and the normal population still in bed nursing their hangovers, it was a great way to kick the new year off as I mean to go on.
Project Patio was in full swing too, but between the building works I did manage to get the heating system fitted into the van (something that in hindsight I should have done during the initial build) and plenty of pottering time in the workshop. Not to mention spending plenty of time with the “Old Cheese” who after the exertions of Christmas was rapidly heading downhill.
February 2021 February saw some real changes with a return to full time working after my couple of months between jobs and a welcome return to return to commuting to work by bike (and occasionally foot). But first there was the small matter of the return of the ice age, which resulted in a few backward steps on Project Patio. The temperature dropped below freezing at the start of the month and stubbornly remained there for a good week, resulting in some sever frost damage to my newly laid brickwork, a few choice curse words and some considerable rework once the ice finally thawed.
With the ongoing Coronovirus Kerfuffle, adventuring remained off limits, but not enough to prevent a Marathon A Month Effort with a twist, with “The Emma” dropping me off in Winchester on her way to work, leaving me to run the 26 miles back home. She, she loves me really, always willing to dump me by the side of the road, miles from home, with just my running shoes and sense of direction to get back home with. Wait a minute!
March 2021 March, finally saw the start of some warmer weather, although it wasn't to last, some progress, and some reminiscing. After slogging along through the mud and cold of winter, I finally broke the back of Project patio towards the end of the month and emptied out the builders tool bucket for the time being. I could say for the last time, but I know that's not going to be true, there's still plenty of big projects in this old dog yet, despite what I may sometimes say!
Seed sowing was in full swing on the allotment, and the occasional warmer days were starting to bring the fruit bushes into bud, along with the hedgerows starting to show signs of life again after the cold, dark days of winter.
Some slight loosening of the Coronovirus Kerfuffle provided the opportunity to tie in a visit to “The Old Cheese” with a bit of adventuring too, with amid month ride down from home to see her. Noting too dramatic, just 70 miles each way, but in the weak spring sunshine it was good to be finally getting some miles in. A “Marathon A Month” effort took in some of the high spots around home and a second trip down to the coast gave me a chance to run around some of my childhood stomping grounds and the scenes of some of my earliest adventures, leading to a bit of reminiscing at the end of the month too.
April 2021 April started cold and just carried on. In fact I'm pretty sure that we had a frost every morning for most of the month, which is pretty unusual. On the plus side though, with the Coronovirus restrictions being further relaxed it was full steam ahead and frosty adventures go.
With Easter falling at the start of the month I grabbed to opportunity to put on my walking boots, grab the bivvy and get out for a 60 mile plod around the local area, 2 days of sun sun bookended a grey and blustery middle day and with a hard frost I had the dubious pleasure of getting out of my sleeping bag covered in frost. Not that, that stopped it being a great couple of days out! Onto the bike next, for a cheeky overnight jaunt around the Berkshire Cycle way. Continuing the chilly theme, it was cold enough in the morning after a night in the hammock to turn my water bottles to icy slush. Nothing a good bellyful of porridge and a brew couldn't cure, but cold enough to make me glad of that expensive sleeping bag! But, best of all, a welcome return to the fun of Audax, with the Alan Turing 200Km ride at the end of the month. It had been a while, due to the Coronovirus situation, but when we finally got there this was a great ride to welcome it back with!
May 2021 May just sort of plodded along with nothing of real note to talk about. I did get the month off to a start with a bit of running fun, in the form of the North Downs Ridge 50K, a nice little jaunt from just outside Dorking along the North Downs way. Still under Covid restrictions we were set off at 30 second intervals which worked a treat, still giving you someone in front to chase, whilst maintaining the social distancing rules in place at that time. This was another great route with plenty of outstanding views, muddy trails and great company, and left me hungry for more after the long lockdown absence, proving that sensible, socially distanced running was still possible.
Whilst I was down that way it would have been rude not to take advantage of the opportunity, and to that end I made a weekend of it with a few cycling miles through the Surrey hills on Sunday before heading for home, via a visit to see “The Old cheese”. And that seemed to be it for a few weeks, I made note in my blog posts that in mid-May we still had the heating on at home and that it was still cold and wet. Not that that normally stops the fun!
Come the end of the month things were looking up, and although unfortunately by this time “The Old Cheese” was on her last legs, I still managed to squeeze in another Marathon.
A cold, wet and windy Sunday saw me lined up for the Queen Elizabeth County park marathon. A zig zag route consisting of two laps around the Queen Elizabeth County park, with more than a little bit of climbing thrown in for good measure! A steady run through the rain, saw me finished in 3:50 which turned out to be good enough for 4th place from the 98 starters, which was a good finish for me, and made the effort of turning out in the rain all the more worthwhile. Click here for May 2021's Blog Posts
June 2021 June, the month that started off with a bang in more ways than one! Firstly though, The Beast Of The Blacks, a 50 mile ultra-marathon taking in some of the high points of the Black Mountains. This one was certainly up there with my favourite runs of all time.
The sun shone brightly from a cloudless blue sky, the scenery was spectacular, the route amazing, and at 50 miles across some pretty challenging terrain it was my longest and certainly hardest run to date, all wrapped up with another 4th place finish (there’s a bit of a trend starting here) and the chance to drop in too Cardiff to see “The Boy” on his birthday on the way home. Brilliant!
In other news, unfortunately not only did “The Old Cheese” pass away in the middle of the month, but the van expired too, with a pretty spectacular engine failure whilst I was heading to an Audax event along the M3. Both of which understandably disrupted plans a bit and caused a few issues.
Luckily “Kathryn Stinks” and “The one that forgot she’s got a brother” did a fantastic job of looking after Mum in her last days and in wrapping up her affairs afterwards, and the van engine failure led to some epic driveway engineering on my part, as I whipped the engine out and sent it off for rebuilding! Click here for June 2021's Blog Posts
July 2021 July, the month the sun actually shone and “The Emma” and I got to take full advantage with a week away in the Peak District. Not that a week away prevented my adventures though as a throw away comment from “The Emma” regarding cycling to our holiday location lead directly to exactly that. 200 miles each way, with an overnight bivvy on the way on the way there and a direct run for home to avoid the rain on the way back. Plus, the added bonus of some amazing running during the hottest week of the year whilst we were away. If it’s going to be that good, I’ll go on holiday more often! With the allotment in full swing there was plenty to be getting on with including jam making and the gardens were looking magnificent, with plenty of time spent sitting in the sun enjoying the rewards of “project patio”. And that just about left time for The Serpent Trail ultra-marathon and the The Devils Punchbowl 200Km Audax.
August 2021 August started with more running in the shape of the Round Reading Ultra, a cheeky wee jaunt around the outskirts of Reading and finished with a long bank holiday weekend away for yet more running and cycling fun. Oh and did I mention the little matter of the The Salisbury Plain Ultra Marathon in the middle of the month? No, I thought not. But first there was more pressing matters to be dealt with, as after much chasing, nagging and generally unnecessary phone calls, the engine builders finally decided to complete the rework on the van engine, which just left the small matter of putting right their cock ups and remembering how to get it back in the van and running again!
September 2021 September started well with a win at the Andover trail Marathon and went slightly downhill from there, picking up an injury to my foot in the process which put pay to the running for a few weeks. Not to worry through there was still plenty to be getting on with. The Allotment and garden fruit trees were all bursting with produce which needed preserving and the little Bangernomics Peugot which I acquired when the van went bang got a bit of love. But despite all that there was still time for one last hurrah before the summer days started drawing to a close in the form of The Morris Major Audax, 200 Km of hilly fun through the Cotswolds, now what’s not to like about that?
By mid-month things were feeling better on the foot front and I actually turned up at the start of the amusingly titled Run With No Witty Name, I’ve got to admit though, that from the start I wasn’t feeling the love on this one and unusually for me I dropped out at mile 16 when things weren’t really going to plan. I was going to have to make amends for that failure though if my Marathon A Month Madness run was to continue. And make amends I did, just squeezing in a marathon effort as the month drew to a close.
November 2021 With things seemingly continue to improve on the dodgy foot front the first weekend of the month was occupied in more mundane cycling fun in the form of the now traditional Upper Thames Audax. Another 200 Km of fun through the Chilterns and Cotswolds, although this year’s edition was sadly missing the normal heavy rain!
The Chilterns played host to yet more November fun later in the month, with a return to the nemesis of my initial RAF training and running through the Chiltern Hills behind RAF Halton. I’m obviously a lot fitter now than back then through as those once fearsome climbs seemed a lot more friendly this time around!
Not satisfied with one marathon a month, The Test Way Ultra, also beckoned in November. A downhill 41 mile jaunt from one of the highest points in Hampshire down to the coast. There’s plenty to said in favour of running that far downhill, although it wasn’t all quite as downhill as my legs would have liked!
December 2021 December started off with a surprise and Snow at the start of the month, leading to a hurried change of plan as I swapped the bike for running shoes for my morning commute. Luckily it didn’t hang around though as that weekend saw a return to another now almost traditional Audax in the shape of the Chiltern Grit 200KM. It’s a nice little run this on some fast roads, although the fact it comes almost past home always makes it tempting to just call it quits at half way!
A cunning plan to avoid Christmas shopping saw me off for an overnight (thanks Travelodge) loop around the locality starting from work and finishing back at home the next day, allowing plenty of time for pottering in the workshop, amid efforts to complete “The Emma's” Christmas present before the festivities began.
And I suppose that any year can’t pass without a trip down to see “The Boy”. Never one to turn down an opportunity though I’d spotted The Celtic Ultra which handily tied in well with a trip to Cardiff. And a jolly nice trip it was too, “The Boy” was charming and jovial and the perfect host and the running spectacular on a beautiful early winters’ day. Result! Not to be outdone, I’d saved my stupidest idea for the end of the year, with not just the “Winter Cross Ultra” but the “Full fat festive 500Km” Audax the very next day in the gap between Christmas and new year. 31 miles of running fun, followed less than 24 hours later by 500K. Bonkers, but a fitting end to the year, none the less!
Running Total – 1864 Miles Average daily running mileage (Total / 365) – 5.10 Miles Runs of 26 Miles (Marathon) and above – 17 Runs over 13 miles (additional to above) – 16 Longest Run – 50 miles 3 pairs of trainers worn out!
Cycling Total - 6863 Miles Average daily cycling mileage (Total / 365) – 18.8 Miles Longest Ride – 500Km
Nights out in van – 41 Van engines replaced - 1 Nights Out Camping – 6