ups and downs

Another 3 weeks of running and a blow by blow account of it all...

Saturday 12th Feb
I needed that, I so needed that. 12 miles this morning down by the canal 1hr 45 mins. pain is only temporary!

Friday 18th Feb
very happy today, had a good 18 mile run with an old coach JME Reynolds, just about 3 hrs as well, thankfully he didn't have to use a spatula! (reference to the film 'run fatboy run')

Tuesday 22nd Feb
yesterdays run was a (fast?) 2 miles around the village, today I am planning to run 6 miles at some point. Been trying to do early mornings, but my legs and ankles are telling me not to!

Wednesday 23rd Feb
I start with some sad news... Tuesday I was going for a 6 mile run. Unfortunatly I just ran out of time. But the good news is today, after clearing up from youth club and watching the simpsons I went for that run and not only that run but also another run as well, 2 for the price of one. 12 miles (Avoncliff and back)

Thursday 24th Feb
Another 12 mile run completed... just out of interest does anyone know the exact distance or how to find out the exact distance from Bathampton to Avoncliff?


Saturday 26th Feb
I think I may just have run the best run in my life...let me explain. It all started Friday evening, when yet again I ran out of time to do a run, and with Saturday fully booked the only time to run was early. Went to bed at 10:30pm, alarm went off at 5:45am, didn't want to get up, feet and legs hurt, dark and raining outside. managed to get going by 6am. I was cold, hungry, thirsty, tired, slow, wet, negitive, miserable and after about 10 mins needing the loo. I wanted to stop, every step I wanted to be the last, but plod on I did and after 2hrs 10 mins of non stop running I finally made it home, i'm still in shock.(it did remind me of the christian race!)

Wednesday 2nd March
6 miles, one more toe nail down, eight left!

Best laid plans...

...of mice and men! well, I was hoping to give you a week by week, how is my training going blog, but as you see that never happened. The very next day ( I think) I engage on a long run, only to have to stop after 14 miles and walk home. I managed to pull a tendon in my foot and the pain was quite something. The prescription was rest and I did for a good week plus and decided to buy a new pair of trainers... and continue running... well almost. In theory that is what I have been doing, but in practice, not through injury but I have had to be stopping and walking home quite a bit. After so long (last time at 22 miles) I just lost the will and started to walk. But do I give up and forget this race on the 7th May (yes) NO of course not. To succeed is to know failure and fight through it.

Looking forward to seeing you at the next event - Jon

Facebook groups

I have become fascinated with Facebook, and it's possibilities, especially all the different groups you can join. There are a number of groups I have joined of which you can go as silly as Wez Rocks!! (The Wez Greenhill Appreciation group) lets jump on his bus! To the more serious,remember Rhydian Avent.

We have our very own St. Nic's BAFTA for any young person to join up and find out the latest info and post photo's of youth club activities.

As you may know I am training for a 52 mile run in May, so decided to set up a group called, Jonny Kear is running 52 miles on 7th May, for St. Nic's BAFTA. I have decided to keep a journal of my progress each day, and instead of updating this blog daily I though I'd keep you up to speed once a week, so far this is what has happened...

Monday 10th Jan
Less than 17 weeks to go, today Monday 10th Jan is a rest day, although all thoughts are on tomorrow, a massive 24 miler is to be tried. I haven't run this far since 2001 and the Isle if wight marathon!

Wednesday 12th Jan
Very pleased today, I managed to run the 24 miles yesterday, the first 18 miles I was happy with a time of 3.10 mins, the last six were a slog, and I finished in 4hrs and 25 mins. woke up today a little bit weary but a brisk walk to work so loosed me up. Although being careful not to spend too much time at the computer today and then not being able to move!!

Had a little trot lunch time, 4 miles in around 45mins, legs feeling good

Friday 14th Jan
Yesterday (Thursday) was a rest day, funny walking and aches and pains. But today was a running day, which I nearly made a rest day because I could be bothered to go out, but knowing i had to write a progress report for you lot, spurred me on. 6 miles completed in under the hour, including a beast of Bathwick, a beautiful mile long drag (uphill) did that part in 13 mins, will I ever conquer it in 10?

Sunday 16th Jan
Yesterdays training consisted of a gentle jog, weights, push ups, sit ups and a lot of stretching. Today is a rest day.

Monday 17th Jan
Today is a rest day, wearing a foot strap and have a bandaged calf, feeling a slight tweak this morning, so playing it safe today, looking forward to tomorrow and the challenging Forest of Dean

Looking forward to seeing you at the next event - Jon

come and CY

I'm running 13 sessions on Christianity at church, and would like to invite you along. The main aim of the sessions are to question the beliefs of Christianity and not to 'make you' a Christian.

They are starting this coming Monday 10th Jan and are every Monday, except half term, until 4th April. It starts at 5:30pm and will be finished by 7:30pm at the very latest. We are meeting in the Upper Room at church due to a pilates class happening in the Miller room. It is free to come along and there will a some nibbles and drinks available.

Have a great weekend - Jon

A Christmas Challenge

I for one am always up to be challenged, that's why I am going to be running 52 miles in May, up and down the Malvern hills. Will I make it? Can I do it in under 10 hours? Will I be able to walk after?

Do you enjoy a challenge? Are you keen to try something you might not normally do? Do you want to know what I am about to ask you?

Well wait no more the Christmas Challenge is...

To borrow a book from our youth library at church (located in the Upper Room) and read it over the Christmas period. It's that simple. If you are wanting to make it more of a challenge you can write a review to be added to the website as well.

Have a thought provoking rest of advent and I pray you will be bless (not just with presents) this Christmas

Looking forward to seeing you at 'the library' - Jon

Excited or Exhausted?

The big news of today is...It's one month until Christmas!!!



Reaction One.

Oh no we've got another month of this hype, we've had a month or two already, it's getting in the way of my life.



Reaction Two

oh yeah, oh yeah, Christmas is nearly here, I'm so excited I'm going to pop, I just can't wait, I need to do some more shopping!



Christmas seems to bring out two extreme reaction. For me, I sit on the fence. It is without doubt an extraordinary time of year, a chance to get off the treadmill and spend time doing things that for the rest of the year keeps on getting pushed back on the list of priorities. But there is also a false hope, to believe that life is great and wonderful, just isn't reality, pushing all those problems weather personal or otherwise to the side hoping that with a new year they will somehow disappear.



So how do I deal with Christmas? I have to look at Jesus, a king with an eternal reign, born on the maternity wing of a farm!



Not glamorous but with a purpose, and that is how he lived his life. Jesus while on earth was rooted in reality but with his sight on a world to come.



As you prepare for Christmas, may you be excited about all that Jesus offers.



Looking forward to seeing you at the next event - Jon

Obituary of Penny Sweet

It is with great regret and sadness that I have to inform you of a very sad and solemn passing. Penny for many years have entertained, pacified and brought joy to many children throughout the United Kingdom. Cause of death is unknown, but many speculate that the financial down turn and increased food costs are to blame!



Well this, for me is quite a moment in history, not big enough to make local, national or international news, but note worthy I think. Whilst shopping in our local cash and carry, looking for the penny sweet section, it became obvious to me that my search was in vain. As I paid for my purchases I commented to the cashier that I was in mourning, you can't get penny sweets anymore! I was met with a look and a patronising 'oh'. He was too polite to say move with the times old man!



All the old sweets I have brought for myself and in recent years for many youth club tuck-shops. White mice, banana's, lips, cola bottles, fizzy cola bottles and the like are all no longer 1p, some have gone up by 400%.



But there is good news, we decided that any profits we make with the tuck-shop should go to charity. I am very pleased to say we are about to send a cheque to Hope for Justice for £60 (http://www.hopeforjustice.org.uk/)



The penny sweet maybe no more, but our penny's are making a difference.



Looking forward to seeing you at the next event - Jon