HM training week 15 day 1 - all the fun of the fair

Those of you who are Facebook friends may already have seen me post about the Ock Street Michaelmas Fair, which is from one end of our street to the other. We have the dodgems outside our house - you can see our house reflected in the window of the lorry in one of the photos. You can also see Mr IDS and Dennis in another photo. They were building the fair all yesterday. I was rudely awoken at 4.30am by a police helicopter, which flew back and forth for an hour, so not enough sleep for me (presumably somebody was attempting to nick gear from the fair or the building site behind) 😑

Anyway, I digress. I hauled my knackered carcass out into the rain this morning and ran just under 4.5k. Because the very slow running exhausted me when I did 11k the other day, and also stressed my knee, I ignored the buzzer on my watch and upped the pace a bit. It was supposed to be all in zone 2 but most of it was in zone 3. Average pace 8.59min/km and negative splits: 9.24, 9.07, 9.00, 8.25. Not my fastest run, but less tiring and easier on the legs. So, despite not getting enough sleep, I feel more energised.

Very muddy coming back along the Ock River valley, and there was a tree down across the path.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Not long to go now, so very nearly there 🙂.

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

I will be in pen F. Do come and say hello if you have a chance. I will post my number the day before.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I'll let you know if I'm coming. As it gets nearer, the practical logistics of getting there along with everyone else seem a bit daunting - unless I take my bike and chain it up somewhere near. Will let you know! If I'm not there physically then I will definitely be there in spirit 🙂

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

Understood x

[misswobble Marathon]

Weather’s a bit pants at the mo innit but it’s gonna get worse I fear 🌊 🤨

We had the fair near me recently I only go on the burger stall ☺️ The heater skelter was beautiful I really fancied a go on it 🙂

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

I think it will be raining for my half, but that’s ok.

At Giles Fair in Oxford has a beautiful Victorian Helter skelter. Might be the same one as these fairs tour the country

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I think they’re coming to us next Flick - we have the Mop Fair this coming Friday and Saturday. From what I’ve read, your Michaelmas Fair has the same history as ours, i.e. hiring of farm workers.

[Hidden in reply to TailChaser]

Oh I didn’t know that was how it originated! Thank you. A Facebook friend posted a pic for me of a book jacket about a murder during our fair in the 18th century, with reference to boat people, prize fights, public executions and the sins of alcohol and public brewing!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Yep, all that! The towns were descended upon by people wanting jobs, and you know what happens with large gatherings of people with not much to do! It’s quite a relatively sedate affair these days.

[Hidden in reply to TailChaser]

I’m sitting here in my living room waiting for the noise and fuss, but so far only muted music and a few sporadic people. I guess it will hit up this evening

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Yes, it will start when the kids come out of school and build up from there. Hope it all goes well x

[Hidden in reply to TailChaser]

Bit noisier now, but not too bad and they pack up tomorrow

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Hidden]

At our fair someone pitches up in one of those vast Palaces by Design. They must cost a fortune 😳. It has proper steps with hand rails and he plants two mop head trees either side. Very posh. Guard dog too

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Nothing of that nature for the likes of us.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Nice run Flick - well done!👍🙂

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you. Now I only have to do it four times as long on Sunday! 😳

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Good luck!👍💪

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you 😊❤️