Well my first try at film editing. It was difficult as I was learning how to use the GoPro app, poor WiFi, and of course kid factor likely played a part. I see a lot of places for improvement to make it flow and transition better but I’m impatient so I’m posting it! 

So my injuries are either getting better or I’m just dealing with them. Maybe they were never that bad? Who knows! Slowly returning my mileage back to normal. When school starts, this Thursday, and I am working, I’ll easily be getting more easy miles in which is something to look forward to. 

Heading up Carding Mill Valley

The wife took the kids to her sister’s in Wales Saturday overnight so I painted the house all day. Sunday I got up super early and drove an hour to Church Stretton and got in a fantastic 10 mile trail run on The Long Mynd, an area of steep grass covered hills and ravines. I’d raced out there before (Stretton Skyline fell race) so was a bit familiar. 

Sunrise from top of The Long Mynd, Carding Mill descending to the right.

Top of The Long Mynd

I timed it perfectly with the sunrise and of course I avoided the crowds. When I left the ranger asked if I’d paid for parking and we talked a bit. I had parked in a valley called Carding Mill, a popular tourist spot and trailhead. It’s a holiday weekend and he said they have had to turn people away because it’s been so busy. 

Ashes Hollow

I bought a GoPro camera and wanted to test it out somewhere cool. Brecon Beacons is two hours away and Church Stretton only one. It made me realize there’s really cool stuff close by. I’ve been trapped here and close to home by the British long drive mentality I think. I’ve been on the fence for a year about a GoPro, not that I can afford it making such little money, but I never buy anything so decided to. All the photos are unfortunately phone photos. Once I figure out my GoPro I’ll post what I’ve got from that. So you are missing out on the cool single track canyons! I’ll be putting videos on YouTube so have a look. I’ll post as I can and will likely be short snippets until I figure out editing. Try this link:

https://www.youtube.com/user/expatsamson

Caer Caradoc from Ragleth

Steep track up Ragleth

Panoramic from Ragleth looking at The Long Mynd

It was a much needed, although short, escape from life.  Between covid-19, furloughed from work, a struggling marriage, kids out of school, it was a nail pulled from the coffin for a change. I look at my life currently and it’s tough; I live in a foreign country, no family near, no close friends, no career, any career experience gone, no savings, I’m struggling to see any positives in my future. I was worried about this happening becoming a stay at home dad, I could rant on about how everyone here said I could go back to school, take a course, etc. when I voiced my concerns about my future but I have no one to blame but myself. 

It’s not all gloom and doom, my current job, although part time currently, does possibly have big potential, however it’s intimidating stepping into something when I look back at other things I’ve left behind. 

If it all crumbles maybe I’ll take my expensive camera and run home. Is this how people decide to do these things? 

2020 is turning out to be poop for running as well. Still dealing with this toe issue. And I had high hopes for a really cool race in Wales next year but since we have no one to watch the kids that’s out of the question too. 

I was looking at my fitness level from fall 2019 and it was erupting. Super consistent running, 60 mile weeks, and the gains I made were huge. Then it dropped a bit due to doing absolutely nothing on vacation in Minnesota, but within a week of returning I was back increasing. So I added some speed work, as you do, got injured, out for nearly 8 weeks. Then a huge drop in fitness and I’m back crawling out of hole only to end up where I am, injured, due to speed work. 

I not too concerned. If I can be back running 40 - 60 mile weeks this fall I have plenty of time to be in top form for the Arc of Attrition 100 miler the end of January. I just miss getting out I guess. 

I’ve been wanting to do a longer race and recently I got a reminder of entries opening for the Dragon’s Back Race. A stage race the runs the entire length of Wales from north to south. It’s 6 days of 50km to 70km a day (about 30 - 45 miles) with nightly stops at a camp where everything is provided. It’s not cheap but is only ran every two years in September. 2021 is perfect due to everything being pushed back a year I have zero chance of getting in any of my normal bucket list races. It’s affordable for me because they have the payment split into tri monthly installments. However, due to having kids, and no one to watch them or help out at home while my wife works, it’s not going to happen. Now I’m worried about bigger goals in Europe I’ve had. 

Just trying to stay sane while not being able to get out. 

I’ve been dealing with a banged up tendon on my toe so am taking a break from running. The other night at Muay Thai I bruised it pretty good, it’s seeming better but still best to rest. Besides that I may have mentioned with shorter days mornings are becoming tougher to motivate for. Holy shit though am I itching for a fun day out somewhere cool. 

So yet another boring Sunday. I motivated and had a good hour at least of JKD and managed a small pile of push ups, pull ups, and dips. So I guess I earned a beer. Not that I drink much, but am disappointed in my kids. All they want are screens. I’ve been chilling between the hot tub and the kiddie pool all afternoon  listening to music. Until I hear the droning on of “dddddaaaaaddddyyyy” when then want something. Usually something they are fully able to do themselves. Sundays suck. Always at home. Always boringly demanding. Sometimes I wish I was a homebody. Someone who enjoyed doing nothing. Because that’s what my life has become. 

I look at Strava and the cool long runs or bike rides people go and do every Sunday. Must be fun to hang out with like minded people enjoying being outside. 

Other than the days getting shorter this summer seems to be taking forever. It's seemingly endless, which sounds like a good thing, but I'm ready for it to be over. I have a tiny bit more me-time with work when the kids are at school. Well I guess it will come soon, only about three and half weeks until they are back I think. 

early morning country lanes

We are back at the academy training however with little to no people contact. Any contact is with a heavy punching bag or via kali sticks which is better than nothing. JKD has been great because with the schedule change there are now two black belt specific classes a week! I've been enjoying it but with early morning running, kids all day, then class, I forgot how foggy my brain can be at night. Any technical classes can be difficult. 

van by the river

The kids are back at their Tae Kwon Do class as well which has been good. I've been taking part in order to pad feed so it's essentially a normal class for them. Annabelle has been insisting on going twice a day as well! There's been a morning class, which we are taking full advantage of, and then an evening class on Wednesday and Friday. It's been an easy option to get the kids out of the house which has been good. Unfortunately I work Saturday so we can't get to the class that day as well. Colby seems a bit more interested now but time will tell with him, he's really interested in what I do but just too little. There will likely be a point where TKD will no longer be good for Annabelle, it's very kick intensive, which she will run into significant difficulty with, but there are other options; kids kickboxing and also kids krav maga if she decides to continue.

berry season snacks

Running is running. I had been increasing speed work and trying to focus on a longer run toward the weekend and of course too much too soon brings injury. I know better you'd think however fast is fun, and such a release during tough times. My feet are both bothering me, medial inside of my left foot and my second metatarsal head on my right foot. Both runnable, but do cause discomfort, mental and physical. I need to resolve them though. I couldn't handle another big lay off like spring. A lot going on in life right now and I need the escape. 

sunrise

Any big plans or ideas are on hold, not that anything was set in stone, but it's always nice to have a plan just in case time opens up. Autumn is usually a better time for trail running anyway as most trails can be really overgrown this time of year. No one like running through fields of nettle.    

kitten annoying me post run. For once everyone slept in.